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Epidemiology of hookworm (Uncinaria sanguinis) infection in free-ranging Australian sea lion (Neophoca cinerea) pups

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Abstract

Understanding the fundamental factors influencing the epidemiology of wildlife disease is essential to determining the impact of disease on individual health and population dynamics. The host–pathogen–environment relationship of the endangered Australian sea lion (Neophoca cinerea) and the parasitic hookworm, Uncinaria sanguinis, was investigated in neonatal pups during summer and winter breeding seasons at two biogeographically disparate colonies in South Australia. The endemic occurrence of hookworm infection in Australian sea lion pups at these sites was 100 % and post-parturient transmammary transmission is likely the predominant route of hookworm infection for pups. The prepatent period for U. sanguinis in Australian sea lion pups was determined to be 11–14 days and the duration of infection approximately 2–3 months. The mean hookworm infection intensity in pups found dead was 2138 ± 552 (n = 86), but a significant relationship between infection intensity and faecal egg count was not identified; infection intensity in live pups could not be estimated from faecal samples. Fluctuations in infection intensity corresponded to oscillations in the magnitude of colony pup mortality, that is, higher infection intensity was significantly associated with higher colony pup mortality and reduced pup body condition. The dynamic interaction between colony, season, and host behaviour is hypothesised to modulate hookworm infection intensity in this species. This study provides a new perspective to understanding the dynamics of otariid hookworm infection and provides evidence that U. sanguinis is a significant agent of disease in Australian sea lion pups and could play a role in population regulation in this species.

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Acknowledgements

We thank the staff at Seal Bay, Department of Environment, Water and Natural Resources (DEWNR), South Australia for logistical support, field assistance and the collection of deceased pups, in particular Clarence Kennedy and Janet Simpson. We thank Rebecca McIntosh of La Trobe University and Phillip Island Nature Parks for the implementation of the comprehensive microchipping program at Seal Bay and Clarence Kennedy of DEWNR and Simon Goldsworthy of the South Australian Research and Development Institute for the ongoing maintenance of this monitoring program. Thank you to Tony Jones and Adam Kemp of Protec Marine, Port Lincoln, South Australia, for providing transport and logistical support for field work at Dangerous Reef. We also thank Evelyn Hall of The University of Sydney and Michael Terkildsen for statistical advice; Denise McDonell of The University of Sydney for laboratory assistance; and volunteers and colleagues for field assistance: Liisa Ahlstrom, Loreena Butcher, Michael Edwards, Simon Goldsworthy, Benjamin Haynes, Claire Higgins, Janet Lackey, Zoe Larum, Theresa Li, Andrew Lowther, Rebecca McIntosh, Paul Rogers, Laura Schmertmann, Adrian Simon, Ryan Tate, Michael Terkildsen, Mark Whelan, Peter White, Sy Woon and Mariko Yata. This work was supported by the Australian Marine Mammal Centre, Department of the Environment, Australian Government (grant number 09/17). All samples were collected under the Government of South Australia Department of Environment, Water and Natural Resources Wildlife Ethics Committee approvals (3–2008 and 3–2011) and Scientific Research Permits (A25008/4-8).

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  1. Faculty of Veterinary Science, The University of Sydney, McMaster Bldg B14, Sydney, New South Wales, 2006, Australia

    Alan D. Marcus, Damien P. Higgins & Rachael Gray

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Marcus, A.D., Higgins, D.P. & Gray, R. Epidemiology of hookworm (Uncinaria sanguinis) infection in free-ranging Australian sea lion (Neophoca cinerea) pups. Parasitol Res 113, 3341–3353 (2014). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00436-014-3997-3

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