Pathogens and Parasites of Galapagos Birds: A Proactive Approach to Conservation

Presented by Allie Blackwood & Leigh Clodfelter

The Galapagos Islands

Birds of GalapagosThe Flightless Cormorant

Phalacrocorax harrisi

Birds of GalapagosBlue-Footed Booby

Darwin’s Finch

Flightless Cormorant

Floreana Mockingbird

Galapagos Hawk

Galapagos Mockingbird

Galapagos Penguin

Largest threatto Galapagos birdsis disease

Avian Pox Virus

Disease

Galapagos Mockingbird

Darwin’s Finch

Spread of Disease

Darwin’s Finch with domestic chickens

Research Began in 2010 by:Galapagos National Park

Charles Darwin Foundation

University of Missouri Saint Louis

Saint Louis Zoo

They are attempting a proactive approach with their research

Studies Involve:Safe capture and handling of birds

Blood samples are taken

Blood smears are made

Whole blood samples stored for preservation

Birds are given physical examinations

Birds are dusted for ectoparasites

Since 2003More than 7,000 individuals examined

Tested 3 introduced species for pathogens

Established the disease vector mosquito

Characterized strains of avian poxvirus

Established baseline health studies

Discovered the first Plasmodium parasite

Discovered a new microfilarid nematode

Culex qinquefasciatus

Microfilarid nematode

Collaborator Dr. Herman Vargas

Three Categories of Pathogens

1. Those that appear to have colonized with their avian hosts

2. Those that have switched hosts from one native species to another

3. Those that are more recent arrivals since human colonization Blue-Footed Booby

Reintroduction of CriticallyEndangered Species

Floreana Mockingbird

Early Warning System

Galapagos Hawk

Questions?

Galapagos Penguins

Dick, Gerald, and Markus Gusset, eds. Building a Future for Wildlife: Zoos and Aquariums Committed to Biodiversity Conservation. Gland, Switzerland: World Association of Zoos and Aquariums (WAZA), 2010. Print. Neotropical Birds. 2012. The Cornell Lab of Ornithology. 16 Nov. 2012 <http://neotropical.Birds.Cornell.Edu/portal/species/conservation?P_p_spp=93511>. WAZA. 2005. World Association of Zoos and Aquariums. 16 Nov. 2012<Http://www.Waza.Org/en/site/conservation/waza-conservation-projects/overview/galapagos-centre-for-avian-health>.

Works Cited