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Evidence for limited exchange of avian influenza viruses between seaducks and dabbling ducks at Alaska Peninsula coastal lagoons

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Abstract

Avian influenza virus (AIV) prevalence and sequence data were analyzed for Steller’s eiders (Polysticta stelleri) to assess the role of this species in transporting virus genes between continents and maintaining a regional viral reservoir with sympatric northern pintails (Anas acuta). AIV prevalence was 0.2% at Izembek Lagoon and 3.9% at Nelson Lagoon for Steller’s eiders and 11.2% for northern pintails at Izembek Lagoon. Phylogenetic analysis of 13 AIVs from Steller’s eiders revealed that 4.9% of genes were of Eurasian origin. Seven subtypes were detected, including two also observed in northern pintails. No AIV strains were highly similar (> 99%) at all gene segments between species; however, highly similar individual genes were detected. The proportion of highly similar genes was greater within rather than between species. Steller’s eiders likely transport AIV genes between continents through long-distance migratory movements. Differences in AIV prevalence, subtype distribution, and the proportion of highly similar genes suggest limited AIV exchange between Steller’s eiders and northern pintails at Alaska Peninsula coastal lagoons during autumn.

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Acknowledgments

We thank T. Bowman (U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service; USFWS), K. Sowl (USFWS), and members of USFWS field crews for sampling Steller’s eiders during banding drives at Nelson and Izembek Lagoons. We are grateful to D. Derksen (U.S. Geological Survey; USGS), T. DeGange (USGS), S. Haseltine (USGS), L. Allen (USGS), R. Kearney (USGS), P. Bright (USGS), D. Rocque (USFWS), and K. Trust (USFWS) for financial and administrative support. We thank past and current members of the Diagnostic Virology Laboratory at the USGS National Wildlife Health Center, including T. Egstad, K. Griffin, M. Houfe, and R. Long. We acknowledge Y. Gillies (USGS), J. Wiley (USGS), M. St. Peters (USFWS), D. Goldberg (USGS), and R. Zane (USGS) for coordinating the distribution of sampling materials, receipt of samples, and data verification. We thank P. Flint (USGS) for assistance with statistical analyses and J. Terenzi (USGS) for help with the creation of Fig. 1. B. Meixell (USGS), J. Brown (University of Georgia), and two anonymous reviewers provided comments on an earlier version of this manuscript. None of the authors have any financial interests or conflict of interest with this article. Any use of trade names is for descriptive purposes only and does not imply endorsement by the U.S. Government.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. US Geological Survey, Alaska Science Center, 4210 University Drive, Anchorage, AK, 99508, USA

    Andrew M. Ramey, John M. Pearce, Andrew B. Reeves & Margaret R. Petersen

  2. US Geological Survey, National Wildlife Health Center, 6006 Schroeder Road, Madison, WI, 53711, USA

    J. Christian Franson & Hon S. Ip

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  1. Andrew M. Ramey
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  2. John M. Pearce
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  3. Andrew B. Reeves
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  4. J. Christian Franson
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  5. Margaret R. Petersen
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  6. Hon S. Ip
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Correspondence to Andrew M. Ramey.

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Ramey, A.M., Pearce, J.M., Reeves, A.B. et al. Evidence for limited exchange of avian influenza viruses between seaducks and dabbling ducks at Alaska Peninsula coastal lagoons. Arch Virol 156, 1813–1821 (2011). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00705-011-1059-z

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