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Dispersal patterns of zoonotic pathogens can be strongly influenced by mobility and contact among hosts. Toxoplasma gondii infection has been documented in many avian species, however, there is little information regarding free-living seabird populations. Leptospira can infect domestic and wild animals, with birds being potential carriers of the bacteria. The continental shelf of the southwestern Atlantic Ocean is a foraging area for seabirds that breed locally, as well as migratory seabirds wintering in the area, which may come into contact with each other in prey aggregation areas and contribute to T. gondii and Leptospira spread. Therefore, this study aimed to investigate the prevalence of two important zoonotic pathogens in free-living seabirds. Blood samples were collected from 322 birds of three local breeders (Phaethon aethereus, Sula leucogaster and S. dactylatra) in the eastern coast of Brazil (Abrolhos Archipelago), and two migratory species using the area during the pre-laying (Pterodroma arminjoniana) and the non-breeding periods (Thalassarche chlororhynchos). Serological agglutination tests for detection of anti-Toxoplasma gondii and anti-Leptospira spp. antibodies were performed. None of the seabirds in this study was seroreactive to Leptospira spp., whereas 34.5% (n = 111) of the animals presented antibodies anti-T. gondii. Antibody titers in seropositive birds ranged from 10 to 640. There were seropositive birds in all sampled localities. This study provides the first records for P. arminjoniana and T. chlororhynchos as seropositive to T. gondii, suggesting their potential role as sentinels for the environmental contamination by T. gondii and also T. gondii infection. These findings indicate the circulation of the parasite in the Brazilian coastal and oceanic regions, probably due to the ingestion of T. gondii oocysts by birds, the epidemiological involvement of migratory birds as hosts of pathogens, as well as the role of the historical introduction of invasive vertebrates on Brazilian islands. Therefore, due to the serological evidence of infection, the dynamics of toxoplasmosis in seabirds, regarding their susceptibility towards the disease and the possible anthropogenic influence need to be better understood for the colonies to be included in the wildlife cycle of T. gondii. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Dispersal patterns of zoonotic pathogens can be strongly influenced by mobility and contact among hosts. Toxoplasma gondii infection has been documented in many avian species, however, there is little information regarding free-living seabird populations. Leptospira can infect domestic and wild animals, with birds being potential carriers of the bacteria. The continental shelf of the southwestern Atlantic Ocean is a foraging area for seabirds that breed locally, as well as migratory seabirds wintering in the area, which may come into contact with each other in prey aggregation areas and contribute to T. gondii and Leptospira spread. Therefore, this study aimed to investigate the prevalence of two important zoonotic pathogens in free-living seabirds. Blood samples were collected from 322 birds of three local breeders (Phaethon aethereus, Sula leucogaster and S. dactylatra) in the eastern coast of Brazil (Abrolhos Archipelago), and two migratory species using the area during the pre-laying (Pterodroma arminjoniana) and the non-breeding periods (Thalassarche chlororhynchos). Serological agglutination tests for detection of anti-Toxoplasma gondii and anti-Leptospira spp. antibodies were performed. None of the seabirds in this study was seroreactive to Leptospira spp., whereas 34.5% (n = 111) of the animals presented antibodies anti-T. gondii. Antibody titers in seropositive birds ranged from 10 to 640. There were seropositive birds in all sampled localities. This study provides the first records for P. arminjoniana and T. chlororhynchos as seropositive to T. gondii, suggesting their potential role as sentinels for the environmental contamination by T. gondii and also T. gondii infection. These findings indicate the circulation of the parasite in the Brazilian coastal and oceanic regions, probably due to the ingestion of T. gondii oocysts by birds, the epidemiological involvement of migratory birds as hosts of pathogens, as well as the role of the historical introduction of invasive vertebrates on Brazilian islands. Therefore, due to the serological evidence of infection, the dynamics of toxoplasmosis in seabirds, regarding their susceptibility towards the disease and the possible anthropogenic influence need to be better understood for the colonies to be included in the wildlife cycle of T. gondii. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Avian haemosporidian parasites are protozoans transmitted by vectors, belonging to the genera Plasmodium, Haemoproteus, and Leucocytozoon, capable of infecting various bird species. The prevalence of these parasites varies depending on factors such as the habitat and geographical location of the host and vector, as well as across different bird groups. Seabirds typically exhibit low infection rates due to the absence of vectors in marine environments. This study aimed to identify and characterize the molecular diversity of Haemosporida parasites in a population of Brown Boobies (Sula leucogaster) (n = 37) from the Santana Archipelago in Macaé, Rio de Janeiro state. We utilized PCR-based detection methods to confirm the presence of haemosporidian parasites and sequencing (ctyb gene) to delineate the lineages. The results uncovered a notable prevalence (48.6%) of haemosporidian parasites (Plasmodium and Haemoproteus), comprising 12 novel lineages and four previously documented lineages (establishing new host records). Our findings suggest that transmission and infection by these hemoparasites can occur both on and off the island. Overall, this study yields valuable insights into the genetic diversity of haemosporidian parasites in Brown Boobies, enriching our understanding of the ecology and epidemiology of these parasites in seabirds. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Antimicrobial-resistant bacteria pose a serious global health risk for humans and animals, while the role of wildlife in the dynamic transmission processes of antimicrobial resistance in environmental settings is still unclear. This study determines the occurrence of antimicrobial-resistant Escherichia coli in the free-living great cormorants (Phalacrocorax carbo) of the North and Baltic Sea coasts of Schleswig-Holstein, Germany. For this, resistant E.coli were isolated from cloacal or faecal swabs and their antimicrobial resistance pheno- and genotypes were investigated using disk diffusion tests and PCR assays. The isolates were further assigned to the four major phylogenetic groups, and their affiliation to avian pathogenic E. coli (APEC) was tested. Resistant E. coli were isolated from 66.7% of the 33 samples, and 48.9% of all the resistant isolates showed a multidrug resistance profile. No spatial differences were seen between the different sampling locations with regard to the occurrence of antimicrobial resistance or multidrug resistance. Most commonly, resistance percentages occurred against streptomycin, followed by tetracycline and sulfonamides. More than half of the isolates belonged to the phylogenetic group B1. Of all the isolates, 24.4% were classified as APEC isolates, of which almost 82% were identified as multidrug-resistant. These results add information on the dispersal of antimicrobial-resistant bacteria in wild birds in Germany, thereby allowing conclusions on the degree of environmental contamination and potential public health concerns. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The brown booby (Sula leucogaster Boddaert, 1783) has a wide geographic distribution, being found throughout the intertropical range except for the west coast of South America. Chewing lice (Phthiraptera: Amblycera and Ischnocera) are ectoparasites commonly found in association with a wide variety of bird species, and extensive infestations can lead to severe itching and irritation that causes skin lesions, damage to the plumage, and abandonment of nests. Sula leucogaster lice have an atypical distribution, not fully following the distribution of their host. In the years 2018 and 2019, 4 marine animal rehabilitation centers located in Rio de Janeiro and São Paulo, Brazil received live birds and carcasses of Sula leucogaster. The animals were deloused and lice of 2 different species were collected. Identification was performed by optical microscopy, and the species found were Eidmanniella albescens Piaget, 1880 and Pectinopygus garbeiPessoa and Guimarães, 1935. This is the first record of both species in Rio de Janeiro. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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During the Neogene of South America, Anhingidae was represented by several species, mainly with greater sizes than the extant members. In the present contribution, body mass and locomotor habits ofAnhinga minuta, the smallest known darter, were inferred. Body mass was estimated using two methods, one with measures of a tibiotarsus (the holotype) and the other, with measurements of a humerus; locomotor habits were inferred through muscular reconstructions and wing parameters (wing span, wing area and wing loading). Estimates of wing span and wing area were based on the length of humerus, assuming a condition of isometry with respect toAnhinga anhinga; wing loading was obtained through a relation formula between wing area and body mass. The results obtained indicate a body mass of about 729 g, a wing span of 0.958 m, a wing area of 0.117 m2and a corresponding wing loading of 61 N/m2. These values and also the proximal insertion of the musculus pectoralis are consistent with those of a soaring bird but with more frequent flapping than extant anhingids. Furthermore, the inferred musculature for tibiotarsus indicates abilities for swimming, climbing and moving through the vegetation as in extant representatives. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

A neotype is designated for Pelecanus aquilus Linnaeus, 1758 (currently Fregata aquila; Aves, Fregatidae) to fix the identity of this nominal species. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]