INVESTIGADORES
ROSCIANO Natalia Gimena
artículos
Título:
Outbreak Of Type C Botulism In Aquatic Birds On The Nahuel Huapi Lake And National Park Area, Argentina
Autor/es:
ROSCIANO NATALIA G.; COSSA NATALIA; FARACE MARÍA ISABEL; OJEDA VALERIA; SUSANA SEIJAS
Revista:
El Hornero
Editorial:
Asociación Ornitológica del Plata
Referencias:
Lugar: Buenos Aires; Año: 2021 vol. 36
ISSN:
0073-3407
Resumen:
An outbreak of avian botulism type C occurred at the Kelp Gull (Larus dominicanus) colonies located in the Nahuel Huapi National Park and lake area (Argentina), at the end of the breeding season (summer 2020). While conducting fieldwork, birds were noticed with paralysis of the lower and upper limbs, and dead birds were found in a sitting down position with no signs of having been attacked. We collected blood and tissue samples from 8 Kelp Gull and 1 Ashy-headed Goose (Cloephaga poliocephala) for toxicological analysis. One sample resulted positive for botulinum toxin type C. Diseases like botulism are usually lethal for wildlife and have important effects on birds? populations. Though the impact on the Kelp Gull colonies did not seem to be of great concern (~2.3% of the population affected), specific research into the source of the toxin and initiating conditions are required to understand the potential threats to the environment and to different bird populations that live in this area. This would be key for aquatic bird species such as the Ashy-headed and the Upland Goose (C. picta), both considered ?vulnerable? within the Argentinian territory.