sp. nov. with two subspecies, subsp. subsp. nov. and subsp. subsp. nov. isolated from yellow-eyed penguins.

Novel strains, 3B and 7B, were isolated from the oral cavities of young chicks of yellow-eyed penguins (hoiho), . A polyphasic taxonomic characterization of these strains revealed chemotaxonomic, biochemical and morphological features that are consistent with those of the genus . The 16S rRNA gene sequence similarity values between the strains and their closest phylogenetic neighbour, CCUG 47525 were 99.

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.

Consistent Site-Specific Foraging Behaviours of Yellow-eyed Penguins/Hoiho Breeding on Stewart Island, New Zealand.

The endangered yellow-eyed penguin/hoiho () predominantly forages benthically within its mainland range and shows high foraging site fidelity. Identifying consistencies in foraging locations can allow effective conservation, especially when managing bycatch risk. This study investigated the at-sea distribution of penguins breeding on Stewart Island to explore site-specific foraging strategies and inform fisheries management.

Nicotine binds to the transthyretin-thyroxine complex and reduces its uptake by placental trophoblasts.

Background: A supply of maternal thyroid hormone (thyroxine, T4) is essential for normal human fetal development. Human placental trophoblasts synthesize, secrete and take up the T4 binding protein transthyretin, providing a route for maternal T4 to enter the placenta. Transthyretin is also involved in T4 transport in other tissues such as the brain choroid plexus.

Phylogenomic Characterization of a Novel Species Associated with Fatal Diphtheritic Stomatitis in Endangered Yellow-Eyed Penguins.

Yellow-eyed penguins, Megadyptes antipodes, are an endangered species that are endemic to New Zealand. Outbreaks of diphtheritic stomatitis have caused significant mortality for this species, especially among young chicks. In this study, we isolated 16 sp.

High-coverage genomes to elucidate the evolution of penguins.

Background: Penguins (Sphenisciformes) are a remarkable order of flightless wing-propelled diving seabirds distributed widely across the southern hemisphere. They share a volant common ancestor with Procellariiformes close to the Cretaceous-Paleogene boundary (66 million years ago) and subsequently lost the ability to fly but enhanced their diving capabilities. With ∼20 species among 6 genera, penguins range from the tropical Galápagos Islands to the oceanic temperate forests of New Zealand, the rocky coastlines of the sub-Antarctic islands, and the sea ice around Antarctica.

Evidence for high inter-generational individual quality in yellow-eyed penguins.

Longitudinal studies focusing on lifetime reproductive success (LRS) have been used to measure individual breeding performance and identify commonalities among successful breeders. By extending the focus to subsequent generations we identify a proportion of high-quality individuals that contribute disproportionately to the population over multiple generations. We used 23 years of yellow-eyed penguin () breeding data from one breeding area to identify the proportion of individual birds that raised successful breeders, which in turn raised offspring.

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.