Seabird ticks (Ixodes uriae) distribution along the Antarctic Peninsula

Barbosa, Andrés; Benzal, Jesús; Vidal, Virginia; D'amico, Veronica Laura; Coria, Néstor Rubén; Díaz, Julia Inés; Motas, Miguel; Palacios, María José; Cuervo, José Javier; Ortiz, Juana; Chitimia, Lidia

doi:10.1007/s00300-011-1000-7

Cited by 34 publications

(23 citation statements)

References 25 publications

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“…populations by ticks coming from the north, our results suggest rather that north-eastern and south-western populations along the peninsula originate from 2 distinct source populations. These results are particularly surprising given that previous studies have suggested the quasi absence of I. uriae in southern areas of the peninsula (Barbosa et al 2011) and require that we revisit our understanding of this parasite's distribution and the factors that affect it. The tick samples we used in the present study were collected over a 10 yr period.…”

Section: Discussioncontrasting

confidence: 43%

“…As 100s of ticks can often be found under a single stone within colonies (e.g. Benoit et al 2007, Barbosa et al 2011see Fig. 1b), these findings suggest that tick population sizes are large and that most populations likely maintain equilibrium genotype frequencies across generations (i.e.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 89%

“…In a recent study, Barbosa et al (2011) described the distribution of Ixodes uriae along the western coast of the Antarctic Peninsula and southern Shetland Islands from surveys carried out between 2007 and 2009. While tick prevalence was relatively high in northern areas (8 to 26% of stones within colonies), no ticks were found in more south-western areas of the peninsula (Yalour Island 65°15' S, 64°11' W and Avian Island 67°46' S, 68°43' W; see Fig.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Population genetic structure and colonisation of the western Antarctic Peninsula by the seabird tick Ixodes uriae

McCoy¹,

Beis²,

Barbosa³

et al. 2012

Mar. Ecol. Prog. Ser.

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Recent observations on the western Antarctic Peninsula have suggested that changing climatic conditions may be increasing pressure on breeding seabirds due to higher exploitation rates by the tick Ixodes uriae. Using data from 8 microsatellite markers and ticks from 6 Pygoscelis spp. colonies, we employed a population genetics approach to specifically test the hypothesis that I. uriae is expanding south-westward along the peninsula from the Subantarctic region. Contrary to expectations, tick genetic diversity was high within all colonies, and no remaining signal of colonisation events was evident. Although significant geographic genetic structure occurred among ticks from different colonies, these ectoparasites tended to belong to 2 major genetic groups, one found principally in south-western locations (Palmer Station area) and the other in more north-eastern areas (South Shetland Islands). More central colonies showed a mixture of ticks from each genetic group, suggesting that this area represents a hybridisation zone of ticks from 2 distinct origins. A subsequent clustering analysis, including ticks from 2 Subantarctic locations, did not reveal the source population for the northern peninsula group. Overall, our data refute the hypothesis of a recent south-westward expansion of I. uriae along the peninsula and suggest that this tick has been present at more southern latitudes for an extended period of time. Further studies on the distribution and genetic characteristics of this ectoparasite around Antarctica are now required to better understand the colonisation process and predict how changing environmental conditions may affect its presence and diversity in seabird colonies.

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Section: Discussioncontrasting

confidence: 43%

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 89%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Population genetic structure and colonisation of the western Antarctic Peninsula by the seabird tick Ixodes uriae

McCoy¹,

Beis²,

Barbosa³

et al. 2012

Mar. Ecol. Prog. Ser.

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“…For example, seven different arthropodborne viruses (arboviruses) were identified in I. uriae ticks collected from King penguin colonies on Macquarie Island in the subantarctic [24]: Nugget virus, Taggert virus, Fish Creek virus, Precarious Point virus, and Catch-me-cave virus, all of which belong to the order Bunyavirales (Nairoviridae and Phleboviridae), a member of the Reoviridae (Sandy Bay virus, genus Orbivurus), and a member of the Flaviviridae (Gadgets Gully virus) [23][24][25]. Notably, I. uriae is the only species of tick with a circumpolar distribution and is found across the Antarctic peninsula [26,27]. I. uriae are mainly associated with nesting seabirds and feed on penguins in the summer months, using off-host aggregation sites for the reminder of the year [28][29][30].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Sustained RNA virome diversity in Antarctic penguins and their ticks

et al. 2020

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Despite its isolation and extreme climate, Antarctica is home to diverse fauna and associated microorganisms. It has been proposed that the most iconic Antarctic animal, the penguin, experiences low pathogen pressure, accounting for their disease susceptibility in foreign environments. There is, however, a limited understanding of virome diversity in Antarctic species, the extent of in situ virus evolution, or how it relates to that in other geographic regions. To assess whether penguins have limited microbial diversity we determined the RNA viromes of three species of penguins and their ticks sampled on the Antarctic peninsula. Using total RNA sequencing we identified 107 viral species, comprising likely penguin associated viruses (n = 13), penguin diet and microbiome associated viruses (n = 82), and tick viruses (n = 8), two of which may have the potential to infect penguins. Notably, the level of virome diversity revealed in penguins is comparable to that seen in Australian waterbirds, including many of the same viral families. These data run counter to the idea that penguins are subject to lower pathogen pressure. The repeated detection of specific viruses in Antarctic penguins also suggests that rather than being simply spill-over hosts, these animals may act as key virus reservoirs.

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“…(Vidal et al unpublished observations)). The absence of blood parasites has been reported in this species (Merino et al 1997;Barbosa and Palacios, 2009), as well as the presence of bacteria, protozoa and ectoparasites, but in low prevalences (Barbosa and Palacios, 2009;Barbosa et al 2011). We used an experimental approach, treating chicks with anthelminthic drugs and comparing them with their siblings injected with PBS as a control.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Experimental assessment of the effects of gastrointestinal parasites on offspring quality in chinstrap penguins (Pygoscelis antarctica)

2012

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Parasites reduce host fitness and consequently impose strong selection pressures on their hosts. It has been hypothesized that parasites are scarcer and their overall effect on hosts is weaker at higher latitudes. Although Antarctic birds have relatively low numbers of parasites, their effect on host fitness has rarely been investigated. The effect of helminth parasitism on growth rate was experimentally studied in chinstrap penguin (Pygoscelis antarctica) nestlings. In a total of 22 two-nestling broods, 1 nestling was treated with anthelminthics (for cestodes and nematodes) while its sibling was left as a control. Increased growth rate was predicted in de-wormed nestlings compared to their siblings. As expected, 15 days after treatment, the experimental nestlings had increased body mass more than their siblings. These results show a non-negligible negative effect of helminth parasites on nestling body condition that would presumably affect future survival and thus fitness, and it has been suggested there is a strong relationship between body mass and mortality in chinstrap penguins.

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Seabird ticks (Ixodes uriae) distribution along the Antarctic Peninsula

Cited by 34 publications

References 25 publications

Population genetic structure and colonisation of the western Antarctic Peninsula by the seabird tick Ixodes uriae

Population genetic structure and colonisation of the western Antarctic Peninsula by the seabird tick Ixodes uriae

Sustained RNA virome diversity in Antarctic penguins and their ticks

Experimental assessment of the effects of gastrointestinal parasites on offspring quality in chinstrap penguins (Pygoscelis antarctica)

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