Tweet
Spanish to English translation
Large number of ticks found on penguins
March 4, 2011, 14:30
Researchers at the University of Concepcion who participated in the 47th Antarctic Scientific Expedition, which took place from November 24, 2010 until 2 March this year, made a surprising discovery.
Near the Antarctic Circle, in the Paradise Bay area, scientists found an abundance of ticks and lice in colonies of gentoo penguins.
This discovery was one that demanded further work in the field, through which we identified the presence of the pathogen Ixodes uria as a transmitter of diseases in the colonies present on the Antarctic continent.
Polar Parasites
This is not the first time ticks and lice are found in Antarctica, however, what has surprised researchers is the amount of these colonies of parasites, which could threaten the balance that exists between them and their guests In this case the gentoo penguin.
The researcher Daniel Gonzalez, member of the Faculty of Veterinary Science, University of Concepci?n, said that a contributing factor to the situation, are the new environmental conditions generated by climate change.
Future research
Regarding future research, Gonzalez said that samples taken from the Penguins in the summer will be analyzed in the laboratory to determine the status of these birds.
"We want to know, especially if the presence of ticks is associated with other diseases that are transmitted by these parasites and to compare them," said the scientist.
This, as the tick feeds on the blood of its host animal and in this way can transmit various types of viral, bacterial and protozoal: "Our hypothesis is that this type of tick diseases that could have become important the future of the populations of these birds, "says Gonzalez.
In this sense, the researchers said they found under the rocks a lot of ticks: "We are surprised to find in their nests (Penguin) thousands of mites, which belong to the sight of oribatid, free-living mites that take advantage of bird droppings as a food source, "says the researcher.
With astonishment adds that they have found colonies of parasites in all stages: "A dead surrounded by eggs, nymphs or moving to other adults. Many newly blood-fed and full of penguins. "
Note that this research will be developed in the course of three years, during which it will monitor three species of penguins (Pygoscelis papua), Ad?lie (Pygoscelis adeliae) and Antarctic (Pygoscelis antarctica). You can take parameters such as temperature and humidity, in three geographical areas of the Antarctic Peninsula, which is the Paradise Bay Islet Isabel Riquelme and Ardley Peninsula.