title: Epidemiology and molecular phylogeny of Babesia sp. in Little Penguins Eudyptula minor in Australia.
abstract: Blood parasites are potential threats to the health of penguins and to their conservation and management. Little penguins Eudyptula minor are native to Australia and New Zealand, and are susceptible to piroplasmids (Babesia), hemosporidians (Haemoproteus, Leucocytozoon, Plasmodium) and kinetoplastids (Trypanosoma). We studied a total of 263 wild little penguins at 20 sites along the Australian southeastern coast, in addition to 16 captive-bred little penguins. Babesia sp. was identified in seven wild little penguins, with positive individuals recorded in New South Wales, Victoria and Tasmania. True prevalence was estimated between 3.4% and 4.5%. Only round forms of the parasite were observed, and gene sequencing confirmed the identity of the parasite and demonstrated it is closely related to Babesia poelea from boobies (Sula spp.) and B. uriae from murres (Uria aalge). None of the Babesia-positive penguins presented signs of disease, confirming earlier suggestions that chronic infections by these parasites are not substantially problematic to otherwise healthy little penguins. We searched also for kinetoplastids, and despite targeted sampling of little penguins near the location where Trypanosoma eudyptulae was originally reported, this parasite was not detected.
authors: Laboratory of Wildlife Comparative Pathology (LAPCOM), Department of Pathology, School of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Science, University of São Paulo, Brazil.
authors: Ralph Eric Thijl
authors: RE
authors: Vanstreels
authors: Institute for Marine and Antarctic Studies (IMAS), University of Tasmania, Australia.
authors: Eric J
authors: EJ
authors: Woehler
authors: Laboratory of Wildlife Comparative Pathology (LAPCOM), Department of Pathology, School of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Science, University of São Paulo, Brazil ; International Fund for Animal Welfare, USA.
authors: Valeria
authors: V
authors: Ruoppolo
authors: Birdlife Tasmania, Australia.
authors: Peter
authors: P
authors: Vertigan
authors: New South Wales Office of Environment and Heritage, Australia.
authors: Nicholas
authors: N
authors: Carlile
authors: New South Wales Office of Environment and Heritage, Australia.
authors: David
authors: D
authors: Priddel
authors: Ecology and Environmental Management Group, College of Engineering and Science, Victoria University, Australia.
authors: Annett
authors: A
authors: Finger
authors: Research Department, Phillip Island Nature Parks, Australia.
authors: Peter
authors: P
authors: Dann
authors: Taronga Conservation Society Australia, Mosman, Australia.
authors: Kimberly Vinette
authors: KV
authors: Herrin
authors: Taronga Conservation Society Australia, Mosman, Australia.
authors: Paul
authors: P
authors: Thompson
authors: Department of Parasitology, Institute of Biological Sciences, Federal University of Minas Gerais, Brazil.
authors: Francisco C
authors: FC
authors: Ferreira Junior
authors: Department of Parasitology, Institute of Biological Sciences, Federal University of Minas Gerais, Brazil.
authors: Érika M
authors: ÉM
authors: Braga
authors: Department of Preventive Veterinary Medicine and Animal Health, School of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Science, University of São Paulo, Brazil.
authors: Renata
authors: R
authors: Hurtado
authors: Department of Clinical and Toxicological Analyses, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of São Paulo, Brazil.
authors: Sabrina
authors: S
authors: Epiphanio
authors: Laboratory of Wildlife Comparative Pathology (LAPCOM), Department of Pathology, School of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Science, University of São Paulo, Brazil.
authors: José Luiz
authors: JL
authors: Catão-Dias
keywords: Blood parasite; Health; Piroplasmida; Seabird; Sphenisciformes; Tick-borne pathogen