Abstract
To investigate possible reasons for recent declines in Red Knot (Calidris canutus rufa) populations we surveyed for selected pathogens in Red Knots captured in San Antonio Bay, Argentina, on their northward migration during the period 2006–2011. Blood, cloacal swabs and faeces were analysed for bacteria [Salmonella sp., Shigella sp., enteropathogenic Escherichia coli (N = 42) and other coliforms (N = 35)], viral agents [responsible for avian influenza (N = 239), St. Louis encephalitis (N = 51) and Newcastle disease (N = 239)] and avian malaria parasites [Plasmodium sp. and Haemoproteus sp. (N = 284)]. All 698 samples taken from 303 individuals were negative, providing no evidence that Red Knots sampled at this stopover site were infected with these pathogens at the time of sampling.
Zusammenfassung
Zur Erforschung möglicher Gründe für die aktuellen Bestandrückgänge von Knuttpopulationen (Calidris canutus rufa), wurden Knutts auf ihrem Heimzug in San Antonio Bay, Argentinien in den Jahren 2006 bis 2011 gefangen und auf ausgewählte Krankheitserreger hin untersucht. Blut, Kloakenabstriche und Kot wurden auf Bakterien [Salmonella sp., Shigella sp., enteropathogene Escherichia coli (N = 42) und andere Kolibakterien (N = 35)], virale Erreger [verantwortlich für aviäre Influenza (N = 239), St. Louis Enzephalitis (N = 51), Newcastle Krankheit (N = 239)] and sowie Vogelmalaria übertragende Parasiten [Plasmodium sp. und Haemoproteus sp. (N = 284)] hin analysiert. Alle 698 Proben von insgesamt 303 Individuen waren negativ. Es gibt damit keinen Hinweis darauf, dass Knutts in diesem Rastgebiet zur Zeit der Probennahme mit den untersuchten Krankheitserregern infiziert waren.
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Acknowledgments
We thank all those who helped in the field, especially A. Varisco. We thank V. Buschittari for the bacterial tests and SENASA labs for viral analyses; L. Bonardi and G. Palacios for translating the original article; Vet. C. Fiorito and anonymous reviewers for their critical review of the manuscript. The ROM and Inalafquen Foundations coordinated the catches. Catching, sampling and export permits were provided by CODEMA San Antonio, and Dirección de Fauna y Flora Silvestres. VLD had a CONICET fellowship during the fieldwork. DMB was supported by fellowships from NSERC and NWO.
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D’Amico, V.L., González, P.M., Baker, A.J. et al. Multi-year surveillance of selected avian pathogens in the migrant shorebird Red Knot (Calidris canutus rufa) at its main stopover site in Patagonia, Argentina. J Ornithol 155, 555–559 (2014). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10336-014-1048-6
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10336-014-1048-6