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Author |
Gamble, A., Bazire, R., Delord, K., Barbraud, C., Jaeger, A., Gantelet, H., Thibault, E., Lebarbenchon, C., Lagadec, E., Tortosa, P., Weimerskirch, H., Thiebot, J.-B., Garnier, R., Tornos, J., and Boulinier, T. |
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Abstract |
Infectious Diseases Threaten Wild Animal Populations, Notably Seabirds. Identifying The Different Components Of A Reservoir Community Is Key To Understand The Circulation Of Infectious Agents. Predating And/or Scavenging Birds Such As Skuas Have The Potential To Act As Epidemiological Bridges, Enhancing The Circulation Of Infectious Agents Among Other Seabird Colonies And Mammal Populations. On Amsterdam Island (Indian Ocean), Avian Cholera Is Causing Recurrent Die-offs Of Albatross And Penguin Nestlings. We Combine Movement Ecology With Eco-epidemiology To Assess Whether Brown Skuas In This System Could Represent Bridges Among Seabirds (Albatrosses, Penguins) And Mammals (Rats, Seals). We Notably Consider Behavioural Processes Potentially Involved In The Circulation Of Infectious Agents, Such As Foraging Territoriality. The Results Suggest That, At The Height Of The Epizootics, Skua Movements Do Not Connect The Endemic Amsterdam Albatross Population To The Local Epidemiological Network, Contrary To The Other Local Colonial Species. Additionally, This Study Illustrates How Predator And/or Scavenger Species Can Be Used As Sentinels To Detect Infectious Agents In Wild Settings. These Results Have Important Implications Regarding Our Understanding Of Infectious Agent Circulation At An Inter-specific Level And Potential Applications In Conservation Considering The Impact Of Avian Cholera On Seabird Populations. |
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