Science and Technology Production
Parasitism in wild penguin populations: a comprehensive global assessment of macro- and microparasites and their implications
Article
Authorship:
Fusaro, Bruno ; Capasso, Sofia ; Barbosa, Andrés ; Ansaldo, Martín ; Zakrajsek, Andrés ; DIAZ, JULIA INESDate:
2025Publishing House and Editing Place:
CAMBRIDGE UNIV PRESSMagazine:
ANTARCTIC SCIENCE, vol. 37 (pp. 79-86) CAMBRIDGE UNIV PRESSSummary *
Penguins include 18 species of seabirds distributed in the Southern Hemisphere. Climate change is a growing problem that affects penguins,especially those living in Antarctica, making them some of the most currently endangered species. Loss of habitat, commercial fishing andinfectious diseases spread by anthropogenic activities in the Southern Ocean are threats facing penguins. In addition, environmental changesaffect the distribution of free-living species that act as intermediate hosts for parasites (e.g. krill, fish) and consequently their transmissiondynamics and distribution. The present work aims to provide an update on macro- and microparasites recorded in all penguin species inwildlife. Based on published records from penguins, we provide a list of 157 parasite taxa recorded in all penguin species. The list includes54 helminths, 45 arthropods, 39 bacteria and 19 protozoa reported in 207 scientific publications. Most papers were focused on the genusSpheniscus. In the analysis, we identify the distribution of parasites among hosts to better predict the disease risk facing their populationsworldwide. Some pathogenic effects of the parasites found are discussed. Information provided by the agent in SIGEVAKey Words
pathogensConservationSphenisciformesseabirdsparasites