Molecular Evidence of Leptospira spp. in Isolated Fijian Bats.

Bats host several zoonotic pathogens. Island biogeography and epidemiologic theory predict small remote islands have lower infection diversity. Molecular studies of urine and feces from three species at 10 sites from three islands suggest multiple pathogenic Leptospira, but not coronavirus, paramyxovirus, or Histoplasma, circulate in isolated Pacific Fijian bat populations.

PREVALENCE AND PATHOGEN LOAD OF EIMERIA IN WILD YELLOW-EYED PENGUINS (MEGADYPTES ANTIPODES) AND THE MORPHOLOGIC CHARACTERIZATION OF A NOVEL EIMERIA SPECIES.

Coccidia infections in wild birds rarely cause clinical signs; however, disease and mortality can occur with predisposing environmental and host conditions. The Yellow-eyed Penguin (Megadyptes antipodes) is an endangered species endemic to New Zealand that has seen significant ongoing population decline. The aim of this study was to examine the host-pathogen dynamics of coccidian parasites in two wild populations of Yellow-eyed Penguin: the mainland (South Island) population and the sub-Antarctic (Enderby Island) population.

Gut microbiota of the threatened takahē: biogeographic patterns and conservation implications.

Background: The Aotearoa New Zealand takahē (Porphyrio hochstetteri), once thought to be extinct, is a nationally threatened flightless rail under intensive conservation management. While there has been previous research into disease-related microbes in takahē, little is known about the microbes present in the gastrointestinal tract. Given the importance of gut-associated microbes to herbivore nutrition and immunity, knowledge of these communities is likely to be of considerable conservation value.

Ventral dermatitis in rowi () caused by cutaneous capillariasis.

In 2013 there was an outbreak of crusting ventral dermatitis among a group of juvenile rowi (), a species of the endangered New Zealand kiwi, that were being raised on an off-shore island sanctuary. Biopsies taken at the time found nematodes migrating within the epidermis of affected skin but the specific identity and origin of the organisms was not established, and sporadic cases of similar skin disease continue to occur on the island. On examination of additional sections from the original skin biopsies, adult nematodes and eggs were identified, the histomorphology of which was consistent with .

Nematode caused by in the North Island brown kiwi ().

Sporadic cases of visceral and neural nematode have been diagnosed at necropsy in the endangered New Zealand kiwi ( spp.), but the causative organisms have not yet been definitively identified. From an initial group of five affected kiwi, PCR was performed on DNA extracted from archival formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded tissue sections in which larval nematodes had been histologically identified.

Interspecies differences in plasma concentrations of 25-hydroxyvitamin D3 and dermal Vitamin D synthesis of kiwi (Apteryx mantelli), tuatara (Sphenodon punctatus), and New Zealand sea lions (Phocarctos hookeri).

Vitamin D plays a central role in calcium homeostasis of most vertebrates, and is obtained in different species through diet, dermal synthesis, or a combination of both. The aim of this study was to determine the predominant routes of Vitamin D synthesis in three disparate species, brown kiwi (Apteryx mantelli), tuatara (Sphenodon punctatus), and New Zealand sea lions (Phocarctos hookeri). We surveyed plasma concentrations of 25-hydroxyvitamin D and D, analysed environmental conditions and life history factors, and determined the ability of skin samples to synthesise Vitamin D on exposure to ultraviolet-B radiation.

DIPHTHERITIC STOMATITIS IN YELLOW-EYED PENGUINS (MEGADYPTES ANTIPODES) IN NEW ZEALAND.

Diphtheritic stomatitis is a seasonal disease that has been recognized as a syndrome in Yellow-eyed Penguin ( Megadyptes antipodes ) chicks in New Zealand for >10 yr. It was present in about 50% of 234 chicks examined since 2002 and is characterized by a thick serocellular exudate in the oral cavity of 1-4-wk-old chicks. The syndrome includes inanition, weight loss, and death in many affected birds.

Discovery and complete genome sequence of a novel circovirus-like virus in the endangered rowi kiwi, Apteryx rowi.

Circoviruses are circular, non-enveloped, single-stranded DNA viruses around 2000 nucleotides (nt) in length and include the pathogenic species, Porcine circovirus 1 and Beak and feather disease virus, capable of causing significant morbidity and mortality. This group of viruses may be robust to degradation by external environments, and avian circoviruses are known to move between closely related hosts. Using a de novo metagenomic approach, followed by confirmatory PCR, we identify for the first time a circular Rep-encoding single-stranded (CRESS) DNA virus in New Zealand kiwi, Apteryx spp.

Microbial Genomics of a Host-Associated Commensal Bacterium in Fragmented Populations of Endangered Takahe.

Isolation of wildlife into fragmented populations as a consequence of anthropogenic-mediated environmental change may alter host-pathogen relationships. Our understanding of some of the epidemiological features of infectious disease in vulnerable populations can be enhanced by the use of commensal bacteria as a proxy for invasive pathogens in natural ecosystems. The distinctive population structure of a well-described meta-population of a New Zealand endangered flightless bird, the takahe (Porphyrio hochstetteri), provided a unique opportunity to investigate the influence of host isolation on enteric microbial diversity.

Presence of antibodies to Salmonella in tuatara (Sphenodon punctatus) sera.

Colonisation of a host by pathogenic microorganisms is a near constant threat to the health of all vertebrates and most species have evolved an efficient adaptive immune response which produces antibodies following exposure to a specific antigen. The strength of this response can be influenced by many factors including sex and season. Tuatara are exposed to Salmonella through contact with infected skinks and soil; however, no gastrointestinal colonisation of tuatara with Salmonella has been found.

Reptile reservoirs and seasonal variation in the environmental presence of Salmonella in an island ecosystem, Stephens Island, New Zealand.

A wide variety of Salmonella serotypes occurs within reptilian hosts, but their ecology is poorly understood. We collected cloacal swabs from tuatara (Sphenodon punctatus), fairy prions (Pachyptila turtur), and skinks (Oligosoma spp.) on Stephens Island, New Zealand, to screen for Salmonella.

Isolation and identification of Aspergillus spp. from brown kiwi (Apteryx mantelli) nocturnal houses in New Zealand.

Aspergillosis, a disease caused by infection with Aspergillus spp., is a common cause of death in birds globally and is an irregular cause of mortality of captive kiwi (Apteryx spp.).

Network analysis of translocated Takahe populations to identify disease surveillance targets.

Social network analysis is being increasingly used in epidemiology and disease modeling in humans, domestic animals, and wildlife. We investigated this tool in describing a translocation network (area that allows movement of animals between geographically isolated locations) used for the conservation of an endangered flightless rail, the Takahe (Porphyrio hochstetteri). We collated records of Takahe translocations within New Zealand and used social network principles to describe the connectivity of the translocation network.

Characterization of hatch-size and growth rates of captive and wild-reared brown kiwi (Apteryx mantelli) chicks.

Avian growth rate patterns represent a trade off between a tissue's functional maturity and its capacity for growth. At the time of hatch, the brown kiwi (Apteryx mantelli) limb has a high level of maturity in order for the chick to be able to kick its way out of the shell and walk and forage independently from an early age. Growth curves of limb segments, bill length and bodyweight are presented for captive-reared, BNZ Operation Nest Egg™ chicks over a period of 3 months from the point of hatch.

Extra-intestinal coccidiosis in the kiwi (Apteryx spp.).

Despite significant conservation intervention, the kiwi (Apteryx spp.) is in serious population decline. To increase survival in the wild, conservation management includes rearing of young birds in captivity, safe from introduced mammalian predators.

Impact injuries and probability of survival in a large semiurban endemic pigeon in New Zealand, Hemiphaga novaeseelandiae.

The New Zealand Pigeon or kereru (Hemiphaga novaeseelandiae) frequently collides with windows and vehicles. In this study of 146 kereru collected from 1996 to 2009, we used 118 radiographs and 91 necropsies to determine skeletal and soft tissue injuries. Vehicle collisions resulted in more damage to the extremities (wing and femur), whereas collisions with windows resulted in trauma to the head, fractures/dislocations of the coracoids and clavicles, and ruptured internal organs.

Midazolam as an adjunctive therapy for capture myopathy in Bar-tailed Godwits (Limosa lapponica baueri) with prognostic indicators.

Capture myopathy is a complication of capture and handling in many species of birds and mammals. Muscular necrosis leads to ataxia, paralysis, and pain, whereas metabolic disturbances can result in death. We conducted an opportunistic clinical trial on Bar-tailed Godwits (Limosa lapponica baueri) that developed capture myopathy after a cannon-net capture in New Zealand in October 2008.

The role of lead in a syndrome of clenched claw paralysis and leg paresis in Swamp Harriers (Circus approximans).

We investigated the hypothesis that lead poisoning was the cause of the clinical syndrome of clenched feet paralysis and leg paresis in wild raptors. Swamp Harriers (Circus approximans) are one of three extant native raptor species in New Zealand. Harriers with the syndrome were found to have statistically significantly higher blood lead concentrations than those without clenched feet (t-test; t=-4.

Serologic evaluation of New Zealand sea lions for exposure to Brucella and Leptospira spp.

A serologic survey of anti-Brucella and antileptospiral antibodies was conducted on 147 adult, female New Zealand sea lions (Phocarctos hookeri). Most sea lions (n=138) were sampled at Sandy Bay, Enderby Island, Auckland Islands (50°30'S, 166°17'E), January 2000-March 2005. Nine were sampled at Otago, New Zealand (46°0'S, 170°40'E); four in April 2008 and five in March 2009.