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Segawa T, Takahashi A, Kokubun N, Ishii S. Spread of antibiotic resistance genes to Antarctica by migratory birds. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2024; 923:171345. [PMID: 38447711 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2024.171345] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/03/2023] [Revised: 02/25/2024] [Accepted: 02/27/2024] [Indexed: 03/08/2024]
Abstract
Recent studies have highlighted the presence of antibiotic resistance genes (ARGs) in Antarctica, which are typically indicative of human activity. However, these studies have concentrated in the Antarctic Peninsula region, and relatively less is known about ARG prevalence in East Antarctica, where human activity levels are lower compared to the Antarctic Peninsula. In addition, the mechanisms of ARG transmission to Antarctica through natural or anthropogenic pathways remain unclear. In this study, we analyzed the fecal samples of Adélie penguins and South polar skuas by using high-throughput sequencing and microfluidic quantitative PCR to detect potential pathogens and ARGs at their breeding colonies near Syowa Station in East Antarctica. These results revealed the presence of several potential pathogens in the fecal matter of both bird species. However, the HF183 marker, which indicates human fecal contamination, was absent in all samples, as well as seawater sampled near the breeding colonies. This suggests that the human fecal contamination was negligible in our study area. In addition to pathogens, we found a significant number of ARGs and metal resistance genes in the feces of both Adélie penguins and South polar skuas, with higher detection rates in skuas than in penguins. To better understand how these birds acquire and transmit these genes, we analyzed the migratory patterns of Adélie penguins and South polar skuas by geolocator tracking. We found that the skuas migrate to the tropical and subtropical regions of the Indian Ocean during the austral winter. On the other hand, Adélie penguins exhibited a more localized migration pattern, mainly staying within Antarctic waters. Because the Indian Ocean is considered one of the major reservoirs of ARGs, South polar skuas might be exposed to ARGs during their winter migration and transfer these genes to Antarctica.
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Affiliation(s)
- Takahiro Segawa
- Center for Life Science Research, University of Yamanashi, Shimokato, Chuo, Yamanashi 409-3898, Japan.
| | - Akinori Takahashi
- National Institute of Polar Research, Tachikawa, Tokyo, Japan; Department of Polar Science, The Graduate University for Advanced Studies, Tachikawa, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Nobuo Kokubun
- National Institute of Polar Research, Tachikawa, Tokyo, Japan; Department of Polar Science, The Graduate University for Advanced Studies, Tachikawa, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Satoshi Ishii
- Department of Soil, Water and Climate, University of Minnesota, St. Paul, MN, USA; BioTechnology Institute, University of Minnesota, St. Paul, MN, USA
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2
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Olmastroni S, Simonetti S, Fattorini N, D'Amico V, Cusset F, Bustamante P, Cherel Y, Corsi I. Living in a challenging environment: Monitoring stress ecology by non-destructive methods in an Antarctic seabird. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2024; 922:171249. [PMID: 38431169 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2024.171249] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/04/2023] [Revised: 02/22/2024] [Accepted: 02/22/2024] [Indexed: 03/05/2024]
Abstract
How Antarctic species are facing historical and new stressors remains under-surveyed and risks to wildlife are still largely unknown. Adélie penguins Pygoscelis adeliae are well-known bioindicators and sentinels of Antarctic ecosystem changes, a true canary in the coal mine. Immuno-haematological parameters have been proved to detect stress in wild animals, given their rapid physiological response that allows them tracking environmental changes and thus inferring habitat quality. Here, we investigated variation in Erythrocyte Nuclear Abnormalities (ENAs) and White Blood Cells (WBCs) in penguins from three clustered colonies in the Ross Sea, evaluating immuno-haematological parameters according to geography, breeding stage, and individual penguin characteristics such as sex, body condition and nest quality. Concentrations of mercury (Hg) and stable isotopes of carbon and nitrogen (as proxies of the penguin's trophic ecology) were analysed in feathers to investigate the association between stress biomarkers and Hg contamination in Adélie penguins. Colony and breeding stage were not supported as predictors of immuno-haematological parameters. ENAs and WBCs were respectively ∼30 % and ∼20 % higher in male than in female penguins. Body condition influenced WBCs, with penguins in the best condition having a ∼22 % higher level of WBCs than those in the worst condition. Nest position affected the proportion of micronuclei (MNs), with inner-nesting penguins having more than three times the proportion of MNs than penguins nesting in peripheral positions. Heterophils:Lymphocytes (H:L) ratio was not affected by any of the above predictors. Multiple factors acting as stressors are expected to increase prominently in Antarctic wildlife in the near future, therefore extensive monitoring aimed to assess the health status of penguin populations is mandatory.
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Affiliation(s)
- Silvia Olmastroni
- Department of Physical, Earth and Environmental Sciences, University of Siena, Via Mattioli 4, 53100 Siena, Italy.
| | - Silvia Simonetti
- Department of Physical, Earth and Environmental Sciences, University of Siena, Via Mattioli 4, 53100 Siena, Italy
| | - Niccolò Fattorini
- Department of Life Sciences, University of Siena, Via Mattioli 4, 53100 Siena, Italy; National Biodiversity Future Center, Palermo, Italy
| | - Verónica D'Amico
- Centro para el Estudio de Sistemas Marinos (CESIMAR), (CCT Centro Nacional Patagónico -CONICET), Brown 2915, U9120ACF, Puerto Madryn, Chubut, Argentina
| | - Fanny Cusset
- Littoral, Environnement et Sociétés (LIENSs), UMR 7266 du CNRS-La Rochelle Université, 2 Rue Olympe de Gouges, 17000 La Rochelle, France; Centre d'Études Biologiques de Chizé (CEBC), UMR 7372 du CNRS-La Rochelle Université, 79360 Villiers-en-Bois, France
| | - Paco Bustamante
- Littoral, Environnement et Sociétés (LIENSs), UMR 7266 du CNRS-La Rochelle Université, 2 Rue Olympe de Gouges, 17000 La Rochelle, France
| | - Yves Cherel
- Centre d'Études Biologiques de Chizé (CEBC), UMR 7372 du CNRS-La Rochelle Université, 79360 Villiers-en-Bois, France
| | - Ilaria Corsi
- Department of Physical, Earth and Environmental Sciences, University of Siena, Via Mattioli 4, 53100 Siena, Italy
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3
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Wang J, Xiao J, Zhu Z, Wang S, Zhang L, Fan Z, Deng Y, Hu Z, Peng F, Shen S, Deng F. Diverse viromes in polar regions: A retrospective study of metagenomic data from Antarctic animal feces and Arctic frozen soil in 2012-2014. Virol Sin 2022; 37:883-893. [PMID: 36028202 PMCID: PMC9797369 DOI: 10.1016/j.virs.2022.08.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/29/2022] [Accepted: 08/17/2022] [Indexed: 01/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Antarctica and the Arctic are the coldest places, containing a high diversity of microorganisms, including viruses, which are important components of polar ecosystems. However, owing to the difficulties in obtaining access to animal and environmental samples, the current knowledge of viromes in polar regions is still limited. To better understand polar viromes, this study performed a retrospective analysis using metagenomic sequencing data of animal feces from Antarctica and frozen soil from the Arctic collected during 2012-2014. The results reveal diverse communities of DNA and RNA viruses from at least 23 families from Antarctic animal feces and 16 families from Arctic soils. Although the viral communities from Antarctica and the Arctic show a large diversity, they have genetic similarities with known viruses from different ecosystems and organisms with similar viral proteins. Phylogenetic analysis of Microviridae, Parvoviridae, and Larvidaviridae was further performed, and complete genomic sequences of two novel circular replication-associated protein (rep)-encoding single-stranded (CRESS) DNA viruses closely related to Circoviridae were identified. These results reveal the high diversity, complexity, and novelty of viral communities from polar regions, and suggested the genetic similarity and functional correlations of viromes between the Antarctica and Arctic. Variations in viral families in Arctic soils, Arctic freshwater, and Antarctic soils are discussed. These findings improve our understanding of polar viromes and suggest the importance of performing follow-up in-depth investigations of animal and environmental samples from Antarctica and the Arctic, which would reveal the substantial role of these viruses in the global viral community.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jun Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Virology and National Virus Resource Center, Wuhan Institute of Virology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Wuhan 430071, China
| | - Jian Xiao
- State Key Laboratory of Virology and National Virus Resource Center, Wuhan Institute of Virology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Wuhan 430071, China
| | - Zheng Zhu
- State Key Laboratory of Virology and National Virus Resource Center, Wuhan Institute of Virology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Wuhan 430071, China
| | - Siyuan Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Virology and National Virus Resource Center, Wuhan Institute of Virology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Wuhan 430071, China,Xinjiang Key Laboratory of Biological Resources and Genetic Engineering, College of Life Science and Technology, Xinjiang University, Urumqi, 830046, China
| | - Lei Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Virology and National Virus Resource Center, Wuhan Institute of Virology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Wuhan 430071, China
| | - Zhaojun Fan
- State Key Laboratory of Virology and National Virus Resource Center, Wuhan Institute of Virology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Wuhan 430071, China
| | - Yali Deng
- State Key Laboratory of Virology and National Virus Resource Center, Wuhan Institute of Virology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Wuhan 430071, China
| | - Zhihong Hu
- State Key Laboratory of Virology and National Virus Resource Center, Wuhan Institute of Virology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Wuhan 430071, China
| | - Fang Peng
- China Center for Type Culture Collection (CCTCC), College of Life Sciences, Wuhan University, Wuhan, 430072, China,Corresponding authors.
| | - Shu Shen
- State Key Laboratory of Virology and National Virus Resource Center, Wuhan Institute of Virology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Wuhan 430071, China,Corresponding authors.
| | - Fei Deng
- State Key Laboratory of Virology and National Virus Resource Center, Wuhan Institute of Virology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Wuhan 430071, China,Corresponding authors.
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4
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Brito Devoto T, Toscanini MA, Hermida Alava K, Etchecopaz AN, Pola SJ, Martorell MM, Ansaldo M, Negrete J, Ruberto L, Mac Cormack W, Cuestas ML. Exploring fungal diversity in Antarctic wildlife: isolation and molecular identification of culturable fungi from penguins and pinnipeds. N Z Vet J 2022; 70:263-272. [DOI: 10.1080/00480169.2022.2087784] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/18/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- T Brito Devoto
- Universidad de Buenos Aires, CONICET, Instituto de Investigaciones en Microbiología y Parasitología Médica (IMPaM), Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - M. A. Toscanini
- Universidad de Buenos Aires, CONICET, Instituto de Investigaciones en Microbiología y Parasitología Médica (IMPaM), Buenos Aires, Argentina
- Universidad de Buenos Aires, CONICET, Instituto de Nanobiotecnología (NANOBIOTEC), Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - K Hermida Alava
- Universidad de Buenos Aires, CONICET, Instituto de Investigaciones en Microbiología y Parasitología Médica (IMPaM), Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - A. N. Etchecopaz
- Universidad de Buenos Aires, Facultad de Ciencias Veterinarias, Cátedra de Enfermedades Infecciosas, Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - S. J. Pola
- Universidad de Buenos Aires, CONICET, Instituto de Investigaciones en Microbiología y Parasitología Médica (IMPaM), Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - M. M. Martorell
- Universidad de Buenos Aires, CONICET, Instituto de Nanobiotecnología (NANOBIOTEC), Buenos Aires, Argentina
- Instituto Antártico Argentino, Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - M Ansaldo
- Instituto Antártico Argentino, Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - J Negrete
- Universidad Nacional de La Plata, Facultad de Ciencias Naturales y Museo, Cátedra de Zoología III Vertebrados, Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - L Ruberto
- Universidad de Buenos Aires, CONICET, Instituto de Nanobiotecnología (NANOBIOTEC), Buenos Aires, Argentina
- Instituto Antártico Argentino, Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - W Mac Cormack
- Universidad de Buenos Aires, CONICET, Instituto de Nanobiotecnología (NANOBIOTEC), Buenos Aires, Argentina
- Instituto Antártico Argentino, Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - M. L. Cuestas
- Universidad de Buenos Aires, CONICET, Instituto de Investigaciones en Microbiología y Parasitología Médica (IMPaM), Buenos Aires, Argentina
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5
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Leukocyte counts in blood smears of Antarctic seals and penguins: a new less time-consuming method. Polar Biol 2021. [DOI: 10.1007/s00300-021-02950-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
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6
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Health Surveillance of Penguins in the Barton Peninsula on King George Island, Antarctica. J Wildl Dis 2021; 57:612-617. [PMID: 33872350 DOI: 10.7589/2019-10-257] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/17/2019] [Accepted: 07/31/2020] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
Abstract
Samples from 29 adult Gentoo (Pygoscelis papua), Chinstrap (Pygoscelis antarcticus), and Adélie Penguins (Pygoscelis adeliae) at the King Sejong Station on Nar̢ ebski Point, King George Island, Antarctica, were investigated to detect antibodies to avian influenza, Newcastle disease virus, infectious bursal disease virus, infectious bronchitis virus, Mycoplasma, and Salmonella. Antibodies were identified from one Gentoo Penguin and one Chinstrap Penguin against infectious bronchitis virus; from one Gentoo Penguin against Newcastle disease virus; from one Gentoo Penguin against Mycoplasma synoviae; and from two Chinstrap Penguins against Salmonella pullorum. Thirty-three dead penguin chicks were collected from the breeding colony for necropsy, histopathological examination, and polymerase chain reaction. Pulmonary hemorrhage and congestion were the main necropsy findings.
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7
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Usui R, Sheeran LK, Asbury AM, Blackson M. Impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic on mammals at tourism destinations: a systematic review. Mamm Rev 2021; 51:492-507. [PMID: 33821078 PMCID: PMC8014658 DOI: 10.1111/mam.12245] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/31/2020] [Revised: 12/06/2020] [Accepted: 12/07/2020] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
The COVID‐19 outbreak is having an unprecedented effect on human society, but how is it affecting the mammals that people live with? Mammals that were part of tourism experiences are of concern, because they impact on people’s health and livelihoods and, since many of them are now dependent on people, we urge consideration of the status of these mammals as a result of the pandemic. We provide a systematic review of the impacts the COVID‐19 outbreak has had on mammals in tourism venues. We examine reports of diverse species in various settings responding to changes in their environments that are occurring because of the pandemic. We searched the scholarly literature, preprints, and online news sources using combinations of the search terms ‘tourism’, ‘animals’, ‘wildlife’, ‘coronavirus’, and ‘COVID‐19’. We searched Web of Science, SCOPUS, EBSCOHost, JSTOR, bioRxiv, OSFPREPRINTS, GDELT, Google News, and National Public Radio, and analysed a total of 39 news articles, one peer‐reviewed article, and six preprints. In total, we identified 92 distinct animal reports representing 48 mammal species. We used an existing tourism classification schema to categorise each article based on the situation reported, with the new addition of one context. We classified 92 separate animal reports in 46 articles into four (of six possible) contexts: mammals as attractions (n = 40 animal reports), mammals as commodities (n = 33), mammals as threats (n = 2), and unusual sightings of mammals (n = 17). Shortage of food, in danger of losing home, having an enriched/relaxed environment, spatial expansion, disease transmission, and poaching are the major impacts or events reported in these contexts. We suggest changes for each context with respect to how people interface with mammals, with the goal of improving the lives of mammals and the people dependent on them.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rie Usui
- Graduate School of Humanities and Social Sciences Hiroshima University 1-2-3 Kagamiyama, Higashihiroshima-shi Hiroshima 7398522 Japan
| | - Lori K Sheeran
- Department of Anthropology and Museum Studies, and Primate Behavior and Ecology Program Central Washington University 400 E University Way Ellensburg WA 98926 USA
| | - Ashton M Asbury
- Primate Behavior and Ecology Program Central Washington University 400 E University Way Ellensburg WA 98926 USA
| | - Maurice Blackson
- James E. Brooks Library Central Washington University 400 E University Way Ellensburg WA 98926 USA
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8
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Barbosa A, Varsani A, Morandini V, Grimaldi W, Vanstreels RET, Diaz JI, Boulinier T, Dewar M, González-Acuña D, Gray R, McMahon CR, Miller G, Power M, Gamble A, Wille M. Risk assessment of SARS-CoV-2 in Antarctic wildlife. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2021; 755:143352. [PMID: 33162142 PMCID: PMC7598351 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2020.143352] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/27/2020] [Revised: 10/20/2020] [Accepted: 10/21/2020] [Indexed: 04/15/2023]
Abstract
The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic is caused by the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2). This pathogen has spread rapidly across the world, causing high numbers of deaths and significant social and economic impacts. SARS-CoV-2 is a novel coronavirus with a suggested zoonotic origin with the potential for cross-species transmission among animals. Antarctica can be considered the only continent free of SARS-CoV-2. Therefore, concerns have been expressed regarding the potential human introduction of this virus to the continent through the activities of research or tourism to minimise the effects on human health, and the potential for virus transmission to Antarctic wildlife. We assess the reverse-zoonotic transmission risk to Antarctic wildlife by considering the available information on host susceptibility, dynamics of the infection in humans, and contact interactions between humans and Antarctic wildlife. The environmental conditions in Antarctica seem to be favourable for the virus stability. Indoor spaces such as those at research stations, research vessels or tourist cruise ships could allow for more transmission among humans and depending on their movements between different locations the virus could be spread across the continent. Among Antarctic wildlife previous in silico analyses suggested that cetaceans are at greater risk of infection whereas seals and birds appear to be at a low infection risk. However, caution needed until further research is carried out and consequently, the precautionary principle should be applied. Field researchers handling animals are identified as the human group posing the highest risk of transmission to animals while tourists and other personnel pose a significant risk only when in close proximity (< 5 m) to Antarctic fauna. We highlight measures to reduce the risk as well as identify of knowledge gaps related to this issue.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andrés Barbosa
- Evolutionary Ecology Dpt. Museo Nacional de Ciencias Naturales, CSIC, C/José Gutierrez Abascal, 2, 28006 Madrid, Spain.
| | - Arvind Varsani
- The Biodesign Center for Fundamental and Applied Microbiomics, Center for Evolution and Medicine, School of Life Sciences, Arizona State University, Tempe, AZ, USA; Structural Biology Research Unit, Department of Integrative Biomedical Sciences, University of Cape Town, Observatory, Cape Town, South Africa
| | - Virginia Morandini
- Oregon Cooperative Fish and Wildlife Research Unit, Department of Fisheries and Wildlife, Oregon State University, Oregon, USA
| | | | - Ralph E T Vanstreels
- Institute of Research and Rehabilitation of Marine Animals (IPRAM), Rodovia, Cariacica, Brazil
| | - Julia I Diaz
- Centro de Estudios Parasitológicos y de Vectores (CEPAVE-UNLP-CONICET), La Plata, Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Thierry Boulinier
- Centre d'Ecologie Fonctionnelle et Evolutive, CNRS, Université de Montpellier, EPHE, Université Paul Valéry Montpellier 3, IRD, Montpellier, France
| | - Meagan Dewar
- School of Science, Psychology and Sport, Federation University Australia, Australia
| | - Daniel González-Acuña
- Laboratorio de Parásitos y Enfermedades de Fauna Silvestre, Facultad de Ciencias Veterinarias, Universidad de Concepción, Chillán, Chile
| | - Rachael Gray
- Sydney School of Veterinary Science, Faculty of Science, The University of Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Clive R McMahon
- IMOS Animal Satellite Tagging, Sydney Institute of Marine Science, Mosman, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Gary Miller
- Discipline of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Western Australia, Crawley, WA 6009, Australia
| | - Michelle Power
- Department of Biological Sciences, Macquarie University, NSW 2109, Australia
| | - Amandine Gamble
- Department of Ecology and Evolution, University of California Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Michelle Wille
- Marie Bashir Institute for Infectious Diseases and Biosecurity, School of Life and Environmental Sciences and School of Medical Sciences, The University of Sydney, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
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9
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Bestley S, Ropert-Coudert Y, Bengtson Nash S, Brooks CM, Cotté C, Dewar M, Friedlaender AS, Jackson JA, Labrousse S, Lowther AD, McMahon CR, Phillips RA, Pistorius P, Puskic PS, Reis AODA, Reisinger RR, Santos M, Tarszisz E, Tixier P, Trathan PN, Wege M, Wienecke B. Marine Ecosystem Assessment for the Southern Ocean: Birds and Marine Mammals in a Changing Climate. Front Ecol Evol 2020. [DOI: 10.3389/fevo.2020.566936] [Citation(s) in RCA: 34] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
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10
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Large-scale disease patterns explained by climatic seasonality and host traits. Oecologia 2020; 194:723-733. [DOI: 10.1007/s00442-020-04782-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/28/2020] [Accepted: 10/09/2020] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
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11
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Identification and Distribution of Novel Cressdnaviruses and Circular molecules in Four Penguin Species in South Georgia and the Antarctic Peninsula. Viruses 2020; 12:v12091029. [PMID: 32947826 PMCID: PMC7551938 DOI: 10.3390/v12091029] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/03/2020] [Revised: 09/11/2020] [Accepted: 09/14/2020] [Indexed: 12/26/2022] Open
Abstract
There is growing interest in uncovering the viral diversity present in wild animal species. The remote Antarctic region is home to a wealth of uncovered microbial diversity, some of which is associated with its megafauna, including penguin species, the dominant avian biota. Penguins interface with a number of other biota in their roles as marine mesopredators and several species overlap in their ranges and habitats. To characterize the circular single-stranded viruses related to those in the phylum Cressdnaviricota from these environmental sentinel species, cloacal swabs (n = 95) were obtained from King Penguins in South Georgia, and congeneric Adélie Penguins, Chinstrap Penguins, and Gentoo Penguins across the South Shetland Islands and Antarctic Peninsula. Using a combination of high-throughput sequencing, abutting primers-based PCR recovery of circular genomic elements, cloning, and Sanger sequencing, we detected 97 novel sequences comprising 40 ssDNA viral genomes and 57 viral-like circular molecules from 45 individual penguins. We present their detection patterns, with Chinstrap Penguins harboring the highest number of new sequences. The novel Antarctic viruses identified appear to be host-specific, while one circular molecule was shared between sympatric Chinstrap and Gentoo Penguins. We also report viral genotype sharing between three adult-chick pairs, one in each Pygoscelid species. Sequence similarity network approaches coupled with Maximum likelihood phylogenies of the clusters indicate the 40 novel viral genomes do not fall within any known viral families and likely fall within the recently established phylum Cressdnaviricota based on their replication-associated protein sequences. Similarly, 83 capsid protein sequences encoded by the viruses or viral-like circular molecules identified in this study do not cluster with any of those encoded by classified viral groups. Further research is warranted to expand knowledge of the Antarctic virome and would help elucidate the importance of viral-like molecules in vertebrate host evolution.
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12
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Identification of Circovirus Genome in a Chinstrap Penguin ( Pygoscelis antarcticus) and Adélie Penguin ( Pygoscelis adeliae) on the Antarctic Peninsula. Viruses 2020; 12:v12080858. [PMID: 32781620 PMCID: PMC7472332 DOI: 10.3390/v12080858] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/03/2020] [Revised: 08/01/2020] [Accepted: 08/03/2020] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Circoviruses infect a variety of animal species and have small (~1.8–2.2 kb) circular single-stranded DNA genomes. Recently a penguin circovirus (PenCV) was identified associated with an Adélie Penguin (Pygoscelis adeliae) with feather disorder and in the cloacal swabs of three asymptomatic Adélie Penguins at Cape Crozier, Antarctica. A total of 75 cloacal swab samples obtained from adults and chicks of three species of penguin (genus: Pygoscelis) from seven Antarctic breeding colonies (South Shetland Islands and Western Antarctic Peninsula) in the 2015−2016 breeding season were screened for PenCV. We identified new variants of PenCV in one Adélie Penguin and one Chinstrap Penguin (Pygoscelis antarcticus) from Port Charcot, Booth Island, Western Antarctic Peninsula, a site home to all three species of Pygoscelid penguins. These two PenCV genomes (length of 1986 nucleotides) share > 99% genome-wide nucleotide identity with each other and share ~87% genome-wide nucleotide identity with the PenCV sequences described from Adélie Penguins at Cape Crozier ~4400 km away in East Antarctica. We did not find any evidence of recombination among PenCV sequences. This is the first report of PenCV in Chinstrap Penguins and the first detection outside of Ross Island, East Antarctica. Given the limited knowledge on Antarctic animal viral diversity, future samples from Antarctic wildlife should be screened for these and other viruses to determine the prevalence and potential impact of viral infections.
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13
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Levy H, Fiddaman SR, Vianna JA, Noll D, Clucas GV, Sidhu JKH, Polito MJ, Bost CA, Phillips RA, Crofts S, Miller GD, Pistorius P, Bonnadonna F, Le Bohec C, Barbosa A, Trathan P, Raya Rey A, Frantz LAF, Hart T, Smith AL. Evidence of Pathogen-Induced Immunogenetic Selection across the Large Geographic Range of a Wild Seabird. Mol Biol Evol 2020; 37:1708-1726. [PMID: 32096861 PMCID: PMC7253215 DOI: 10.1093/molbev/msaa040] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Over evolutionary time, pathogen challenge shapes the immune phenotype of the host to better respond to an incipient threat. The extent and direction of this selection pressure depend on the local pathogen composition, which is in turn determined by biotic and abiotic features of the environment. However, little is known about adaptation to local pathogen threats in wild animals. The Gentoo penguin (Pygoscelis papua) is a species complex that lends itself to the study of immune adaptation because of its circumpolar distribution over a large latitudinal range, with little or no admixture between different clades. In this study, we examine the diversity in a key family of innate immune genes-the Toll-like receptors (TLRs)-across the range of the Gentoo penguin. The three TLRs that we investigated present varying levels of diversity, with TLR4 and TLR5 greatly exceeding the diversity of TLR7. We present evidence of positive selection in TLR4 and TLR5, which points to pathogen-driven adaptation to the local pathogen milieu. Finally, we demonstrate that two positively selected cosegregating sites in TLR5 are sufficient to alter the responsiveness of the receptor to its bacterial ligand, flagellin. Taken together, these results suggest that Gentoo penguins have experienced distinct pathogen-driven selection pressures in different environments, which may be important given the role of the Gentoo penguin as a sentinel species in some of the world's most rapidly changing environments.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hila Levy
- Department of Zoology, University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom
| | | | - Juliana A Vianna
- Departamento de Ecosistemas y Medio Ambiente, Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile, Macul, Santiago, Chile
| | - Daly Noll
- Departamento de Ecosistemas y Medio Ambiente, Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile, Macul, Santiago, Chile
- Departamento de Ciencias Ecológicas, Instituto de Ecología y Biodiversidad, Universidad de Chile, Santiago, Chile
| | - Gemma V Clucas
- Cornell Atkinson Center for a Sustainable Future, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY
- Cornell Lab of Ornithology, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY
| | | | - Michael J Polito
- Department of Oceanography and Coastal Sciences, Louisiana State University, Baton Rouge, LA
| | - Charles A Bost
- Centre d’Etudes Biologiques de Chizé (CEBC), UMR 7372 du CNRS‐Université de La Rochelle, Villiers‐en‐Bois, France
| | | | - Sarah Crofts
- Falklands Conservation, Stanley, Falkland Islands, United Kingdom
| | - Gary D Miller
- Microbiology and Immunology, PALM, University of Western Australia, Crawley, Western Australia, Australia
| | - Pierre Pistorius
- DST/NRF Centre of Excellence at the Percy FitzPatrick Institute for African Ornithology, Department of Zoology, Nelson Mandela University, Port Elizabeth, South Africa
| | - Francesco Bonnadonna
- CEFE UMR 5175, CNRS, Université de Montpellier, Université Paul-Valéry Montpellier, EPHE, Montpellier, France
| | - Céline Le Bohec
- Université de Strasbourg, CNRS, IPHC UMR 7178, Strasbourg, France
- Département de Biologie Polaire, Centre Scientifique de Monaco, Monaco, Principality of Monaco
| | - Andrés Barbosa
- Museo Nacional de Ciencias Naturales, Departamento de Ecología Evolutiva, CSIC, Madrid, Spain
| | - Phil Trathan
- British Antarctic Survey, Cambridge, United Kingdom
| | - Andrea Raya Rey
- Centro Austral de Investigaciones Científicas – Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas (CADIC-CONICET), Ushuaia, Tierra del Fuego, Argentina
- Instituto de Ciencias Polares, Ambiente y Recursos Naturales, Universidad Nacional de Tierra del Fuego, Ushuaia, Tierra del Fuego, Argentina
- Wildlife Conservation Society, Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Laurent A F Frantz
- School of Biological and Chemical Sciences, Queen Mary University of London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Tom Hart
- Department of Zoology, University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom
| | - Adrian L Smith
- Department of Zoology, University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom
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Sustained RNA virome diversity in Antarctic penguins and their ticks. ISME JOURNAL 2020; 14:1768-1782. [PMID: 32286545 PMCID: PMC7305176 DOI: 10.1038/s41396-020-0643-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 50] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/11/2019] [Revised: 03/16/2020] [Accepted: 03/20/2020] [Indexed: 01/07/2023]
Abstract
Despite its isolation and extreme climate, Antarctica is home to diverse fauna and associated microorganisms. It has been proposed that the most iconic Antarctic animal, the penguin, experiences low pathogen pressure, accounting for their disease susceptibility in foreign environments. There is, however, a limited understanding of virome diversity in Antarctic species, the extent of in situ virus evolution, or how it relates to that in other geographic regions. To assess whether penguins have limited microbial diversity we determined the RNA viromes of three species of penguins and their ticks sampled on the Antarctic peninsula. Using total RNA sequencing we identified 107 viral species, comprising likely penguin associated viruses (n = 13), penguin diet and microbiome associated viruses (n = 82), and tick viruses (n = 8), two of which may have the potential to infect penguins. Notably, the level of virome diversity revealed in penguins is comparable to that seen in Australian waterbirds, including many of the same viral families. These data run counter to the idea that penguins are subject to lower pathogen pressure. The repeated detection of specific viruses in Antarctic penguins also suggests that rather than being simply spill-over hosts, these animals may act as key virus reservoirs.
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15
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Post E, Alley RB, Christensen TR, Macias-Fauria M, Forbes BC, Gooseff MN, Iler A, Kerby JT, Laidre KL, Mann ME, Olofsson J, Stroeve JC, Ulmer F, Virginia RA, Wang M. The polar regions in a 2°C warmer world. SCIENCE ADVANCES 2019; 5:eaaw9883. [PMID: 31840060 PMCID: PMC6892626 DOI: 10.1126/sciadv.aaw9883] [Citation(s) in RCA: 132] [Impact Index Per Article: 26.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/12/2019] [Accepted: 09/26/2019] [Indexed: 05/21/2023]
Abstract
Over the past decade, the Arctic has warmed by 0.75°C, far outpacing the global average, while Antarctic temperatures have remained comparatively stable. As Earth approaches 2°C warming, the Arctic and Antarctic may reach 4°C and 2°C mean annual warming, and 7°C and 3°C winter warming, respectively. Expected consequences of increased Arctic warming include ongoing loss of land and sea ice, threats to wildlife and traditional human livelihoods, increased methane emissions, and extreme weather at lower latitudes. With low biodiversity, Antarctic ecosystems may be vulnerable to state shifts and species invasions. Land ice loss in both regions will contribute substantially to global sea level rise, with up to 3 m rise possible if certain thresholds are crossed. Mitigation efforts can slow or reduce warming, but without them northern high latitude warming may accelerate in the next two to four decades. International cooperation will be crucial to foreseeing and adapting to expected changes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eric Post
- Department of Wildlife, Fish, and Conservation Biology, University of California, Davis, Davis, CA 95616, USA
| | - Richard B. Alley
- Department of Geosciences, and Earth and Environmental Systems Institute, The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA 16802, USA
| | - Torben R. Christensen
- Department of Bioscience, Arctic Research Centre, Aarhus University, Frederiksborgvej 399, 4000 Roskilde, Denmark
| | - Marc Macias-Fauria
- School of Geography and the Environment, University of Oxford, Oxford OX1 3QY, UK
| | - Bruce C. Forbes
- Arctic Centre, University of Lapland, Box 122, FI-96101 Rovaniemi, Finland
| | - Michael N. Gooseff
- Institute of Arctic and Alpine Research, University of Colorado, Boulder, CO 80303, USA
| | - Amy Iler
- Chicago Botanic Garden, 1000 Lake Cook Road, Glencoe, IL 60022, USA
| | - Jeffrey T. Kerby
- Department of Wildlife, Fish, and Conservation Biology, University of California, Davis, Davis, CA 95616, USA
- Neukom Institute for Computational Science, Institute of Arctic Studies, and Environmental Studies Program, Dartmouth College, Hanover, NH 03755, USA
| | - Kristin L. Laidre
- Polar Science Center, Applied Physics Laboratory, University of Washington, 1013 NE 40th Street, Seattle, WA 98105, USA
| | - Michael E. Mann
- Department of Meteorology and Atmospheric Science and Department of Geosciences, The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA 16802, USA
| | - Johan Olofsson
- Department of Ecology and Environmental Science, Umeå University, S-901 87 Umeå, Sweden
| | - Julienne C. Stroeve
- University College London, Bloomsbury, London, UK
- National Snow and Ice Data Center, Boulder, CO 80303, USA
| | - Fran Ulmer
- Chair, U.S. Arctic Research Commission, 420 L Street, Suite 315 Anchorage, AK 99501, USA
- Chair, U.S. Artic Research Commission, 4350 N. Fairfax Drive, Suite 510, Arlington, VA 22203, USA
- Belfer Center for Science and International Affairs John F. Kennedy School of Government, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA 02138, USA
| | - Ross A. Virginia
- Institute of Arctic Studies, and Environmental Studies Program, Dartmouth College, Hanover, NH 03755, USA
| | - Muyin Wang
- Joint Institute for the Study of the Atmosphere and Ocean, University of Washington, Seattle, WA 98195, USA
- National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Pacific Marine Environmental Laboratory, Seattle, WA 98115, USA
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Salton M, Kliska K, Carmichael N, Alderman R. Population status of the endemic royal penguin (Eudyptes schlegeli) at Macquarie Island. Polar Biol 2019. [DOI: 10.1007/s00300-019-02470-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
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17
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Hughes KA, Convey P, Pertierra LR, Vega GC, Aragón P, Olalla-Tárraga MÁ. Human-mediated dispersal of terrestrial species between Antarctic biogeographic regions: A preliminary risk assessment. JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT 2019; 232:73-89. [PMID: 30468960 DOI: 10.1016/j.jenvman.2018.10.095] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/21/2018] [Revised: 10/02/2018] [Accepted: 10/26/2018] [Indexed: 06/09/2023]
Abstract
The distribution of terrestrial biodiversity within Antarctica is complex, with 16 distinct biogeographic regions (Antarctic Conservation Biogeographic Regions) currently recognised within the Antarctic continent, Peninsula and Scotia Arc archipelagos of the Antarctic Treaty area. Much of this diversity is endemic not only to Antarctica as a whole, but to specific regions within it. Further complexity is added by inclusion of the biodiversity found on the islands located in the Southern Ocean north of the Treaty area. Within Antarctica, scientific, logistic and tourism activities may inadvertently move organisms over potentially long distances, far beyond natural dispersal ranges. Such translocation can disrupt natural species distribution patterns and biogeography through: (1) movement of spatially restricted indigenous species to other areas of Antarctica; (2) movement of distinct populations of more generally distributed species from one area of Antarctica to another, leading to genetic homogenisation and loss of assumed local patterns of adaptation; and (3) further dispersal of introduced non-native species from one area of Antarctica to another. Species can be moved between regions in association with people and cargo, by ship, aircraft and overland travel. Movement of cargo and personnel by ship between stations located in different biogeographic regions is likely to present one of the greatest risks, particularly as coastal stations may experience similar climatic conditions, making establishment more likely. Recognising that reducing the risk of inter-regional transfer of species is a priority issue for the Antarctic Treaty Consultative Meeting, we make practical recommendations aimed at reducing this risk, including the implementation of appropriate biosecurity procedures.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kevin A Hughes
- British Antarctic Survey, Natural Environment Research Council, High Cross, Madingley Road, Cambridge CB3 0ET, United Kingdom.
| | - Peter Convey
- British Antarctic Survey, Natural Environment Research Council, High Cross, Madingley Road, Cambridge CB3 0ET, United Kingdom
| | - Luis R Pertierra
- Department of Biogeography and Global Change, Museo Nacional de Ciencias Naturales (CSIC), Calle José Gutierrez Abascal 2, Madrid 28006, Spain
| | - Greta C Vega
- Department of Biology and Geology, Physics and Inorganic Chemistry, Rey Juan Carlos University, Calle Tulipán s/n, Móstoles (Madrid) 28933, Spain
| | - Pedro Aragón
- Department of Biogeography and Global Change, Museo Nacional de Ciencias Naturales (CSIC), Calle José Gutierrez Abascal 2, Madrid 28006, Spain
| | - Miguel Á Olalla-Tárraga
- Department of Biology and Geology, Physics and Inorganic Chemistry, Rey Juan Carlos University, Calle Tulipán s/n, Móstoles (Madrid) 28933, Spain
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18
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Johansson H, Ellström P, Artursson K, Berg C, Bonnedahl J, Hansson I, Hernandez J, Lopez-Martín J, Medina-Vogel G, Moreno L, Olsen B, Olsson Engvall E, Skarin H, Troell K, Waldenström J, Ågren J, González-Acuña D. Characterization of Campylobacter spp. isolated from wild birds in the Antarctic and Sub-Antarctic. PLoS One 2018; 13:e0206502. [PMID: 30412585 PMCID: PMC6226163 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0206502] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/01/2018] [Accepted: 10/15/2018] [Indexed: 01/06/2023] Open
Abstract
A lack of knowledge of naturally occurring pathogens is limiting our ability to use the Antarctic to study the impact human-mediated introduction of infectious microorganisms have on this relatively uncontaminated environment. As no large-scale coordinated effort to remedy this lack of knowledge has taken place, we rely on smaller targeted efforts to both study present microorganisms and monitor the environment for introductions. In one such effort, we isolated Campylobacter species from fecal samples collected from wild birds in the Antarctic Peninsula and the sub-Antarctic island of South Georgia. Indeed, in South Georgia, we found Campylobacter lari and the closely related Campylobacter peloridis, but also distantly related human-associated multilocus sequence types of Campylobacter jejuni. In contrast, in the Antarctic Peninsula, we found C. lari and two closely related species, Campylobacter subantarcticus and Campylobacter volucris, but no signs of human introduction. In fact, our finding of human-associated sequence types of C. jejuni in South Georgia, but not in the Antarctic Peninsula, suggests that efforts to limit the spread of infectious microorganisms to the Antarctic have so far been successful in preventing the introduction of C. jejuni. However, we do not know how it came to South Georgia and whether the same mode of introduction could spread it from there to the Antarctic Peninsula.
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Affiliation(s)
- Håkan Johansson
- Centre for Ecology and Evolution in Microbial Model Systems, Linnaeus University, Kalmar, Sweden
| | - Patrik Ellström
- Zoonosis Science Center, Department of Medical Biochemistry and Microbiology, Uppsala University, Uppsala, Sweden
- Department of Medical Sciences, Uppsala University, Uppsala, Sweden
| | | | - Charlotte Berg
- Department of Animal Environment and Health, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, Skara, Sweden
| | - Jonas Bonnedahl
- Centre for Ecology and Evolution in Microbial Model Systems, Linnaeus University, Kalmar, Sweden
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Kalmar County Hospital, Kalmar, Sweden
| | - Ingrid Hansson
- Department of Biomedical Sciences and Veterinary Public Health, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Jorge Hernandez
- Zoonosis Science Center, Department of Medical Biochemistry and Microbiology, Uppsala University, Uppsala, Sweden
- Laboratory of Microbiology, Kalmar County Hospital, Kalmar, Sweden
| | - Juana Lopez-Martín
- Departamento de Patología y Medicina Preventiva, Facultad de Ciencias Veterinarias, Universidad de Concepción, Chillán, Chile
| | - Gonzalo Medina-Vogel
- Centro de Investigación para la Sustentabilidad, Universidad Andrés Bello, Santiago, Chile
| | - Lucila Moreno
- Facultad de Ciencias Naturales y Oceanográficas, Universidad de Concepción, Concepción, Chile
| | - Björn Olsen
- Zoonosis Science Center, Department of Medical Biochemistry and Microbiology, Uppsala University, Uppsala, Sweden
- Department of Medical Sciences, Uppsala University, Uppsala, Sweden
| | | | | | | | - Jonas Waldenström
- Centre for Ecology and Evolution in Microbial Model Systems, Linnaeus University, Kalmar, Sweden
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19
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Multi-year serological evaluation of three viral agents in the Adélie Penguin (Pygoscelis adeliae) on Ross Island, Antarctica. Polar Biol 2018. [DOI: 10.1007/s00300-018-2342-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/14/2022]
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20
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Ramos B, González-Acuña D, Loyola DE, Johnson WE, Parker PG, Massaro M, Dantas GPM, Miranda MD, Vianna JA. Landscape genomics: natural selection drives the evolution of mitogenome in penguins. BMC Genomics 2018; 19:53. [PMID: 29338715 PMCID: PMC5771141 DOI: 10.1186/s12864-017-4424-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/05/2017] [Accepted: 12/28/2017] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Mitochondria play a key role in the balance of energy and heat production, and therefore the mitochondrial genome is under natural selection by environmental temperature and food availability, since starvation can generate more efficient coupling of energy production. However, selection over mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) genes has usually been evaluated at the population level. We sequenced by NGS 12 mitogenomes and with four published genomes, assessed genetic variation in ten penguin species distributed from the equator to Antarctica. Signatures of selection of 13 mitochondrial protein-coding genes were evaluated by comparing among species within and among genera (Spheniscus, Pygoscelis, Eudyptula, Eudyptes and Aptenodytes). The genetic data were correlated with environmental data obtained through remote sensing (sea surface temperature [SST], chlorophyll levels [Chl] and a combination of SST and Chl [COM]) through the distribution of these species. Results We identified the complete mtDNA genomes of several penguin species, including ND6 and 8 tRNAs on the light strand and 12 protein coding genes, 14 tRNAs and two rRNAs positioned on the heavy strand. The highest diversity was found in NADH dehydrogenase genes and the lowest in COX genes. The lowest evolutionary divergence among species was between Humboldt (Spheniscus humboldti) and Galapagos (S. mendiculus) penguins (0.004), while the highest was observed between little penguin (Eudyptula minor) and Adélie penguin (Pygoscelis adeliae) (0.097). We identified a signature of purifying selection (Ka/Ks < 1) across the mitochondrial genome, which is consistent with the hypothesis that purifying selection is constraining mitogenome evolution to maintain Oxidative phosphorylation (OXPHOS) proteins and functionality. Pairwise species maximum-likelihood analyses of selection at codon sites suggest positive selection has occurred on ATP8 (Fixed-Effects Likelihood, FEL) and ND4 (Single Likelihood Ancestral Counting, SLAC) in all penguins. In contrast, COX1 had a signature of strong negative selection. ND4 Ka/Ks ratios were highly correlated with SST (Mantel, p-value: 0.0001; GLM, p-value: 0.00001) and thus may be related to climate adaptation throughout penguin speciation. Conclusions These results identify mtDNA candidate genes under selection which could be involved in broad-scale adaptations of penguins to their environment. Such knowledge may be particularly useful for developing predictive models of how these species may respond to severe climatic changes in the future. Electronic supplementary material The online version of this article (10.1186/s12864-017-4424-9) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.
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Affiliation(s)
- Barbara Ramos
- Departamento de Ecosistemas y Medio Ambiente, Facultad de Agronomía e Ingeniería Forestal, Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile, Av. Vicuña Mackenna, 4860, Santiago, Chile.,Facultad de Ecología y Recursos Naturales, Universidad Andrés Bello, Republica 252, Santiago, Chile
| | - Daniel González-Acuña
- Departamento de Ciencias Pecuarias, Facultad de Ciencias Veterinarias, Universidad de Concepción, Av. Vicente Méndez 595, 3780000, Chillán, CP, Chile
| | - David E Loyola
- Centro Nacional de Genómica y Bioinformática, Portugal 49, Santiago, Chile.,I+DEA Biotech, Av. Central 3413, Padre Hurtado, Santiago, Chile
| | - Warren E Johnson
- Smithsonian Conservation Biology Institute, National Zoological Park, 1500 Remount Road, Front Royal, VA, 22630, USA
| | - Patricia G Parker
- University of Missouri St Louis and Saint Louis Zoo, One University Blvd., St. Louis, MO, 63121-4400, USA
| | - Melanie Massaro
- School of Environmental Sciences and Institute for Land, Water and Society, Charles Sturt University, PO Box 789, Albury, NSW, Australia
| | - Gisele P M Dantas
- Pontifícia Universidade Católica de Minas Gerais, Av. Dom José Gaspar 500, Coração Eucarístico, Belo Horizonte, MG, Brazil
| | - Marcelo D Miranda
- Departamento de Ecosistemas y Medio Ambiente, Facultad de Agronomía e Ingeniería Forestal, Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile, Av. Vicuña Mackenna, 4860, Santiago, Chile
| | - Juliana A Vianna
- Departamento de Ecosistemas y Medio Ambiente, Facultad de Agronomía e Ingeniería Forestal, Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile, Av. Vicuña Mackenna, 4860, Santiago, Chile. .,Centro de Cambio Global UC, Santiago, Chile.
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21
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Retamal P, Llanos-Soto S, Salas LM, López J, Vianna J, Hernández J, Medina-Vogel G, Castañeda F, Fresno M, González-Acuña D. Isolation of drug-resistant Salmonella enterica serovar enteritidis strains in gentoo penguins from Antarctica. Polar Biol 2017. [DOI: 10.1007/s00300-017-2163-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/19/2022]
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22
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Hernández J, González-Acuña D. Anthropogenic antibiotic resistance genes mobilization to the polar regions. Infect Ecol Epidemiol 2016; 6:32112. [PMID: 27938628 PMCID: PMC5149653 DOI: 10.3402/iee.v6.32112] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/02/2016] [Revised: 10/23/2016] [Accepted: 10/24/2016] [Indexed: 11/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Anthropogenic influences in the southern polar region have been rare, but lately microorganisms associated with humans have reached Antarctica, possibly from military bases, fishing boats, scientific expeditions, and/or ship-borne tourism. Studies of seawater in areas of human intervention and proximal to fresh penguin feces revealed the presence of Escherichia coli strains least resistant to antibiotics in penguins, whereas E. coli from seawater elsewhere showed resistance to one or more of the following antibiotics: ampicillin, tetracycline, streptomycin, and trim-sulfa. In seawater samples, bacteria were found carrying extended-spectrum β-lactamase (ESBL)-type CTX-M genes in which multilocus sequencing typing (MLST) showed different sequence types (STs), previously reported in humans. In the Arctic, on the contrary, people have been present for a long time, and the presence of antibiotic resistance genes (ARGs) appears to be much more wide-spread than was previously reported. Studies of E coli from Arctic birds (Bering Strait) revealed reduced susceptibility to antibiotics, but one globally spreading clone of E. coli genotype O25b-ST131, carrying genes of ESBL-type CTX-M, was identified. In the few years between sample collections in the same area, differences in resistance pattern were observed, with E. coli from birds showing resistance to a maximum of five different antibiotics. Presence of resistance-type ESBLs (TEM, SHV, and CTX-M) in E. coli and Klebsiella pneumoniae was also confirmed by specified PCR methods. MLST revealed that those bacteria carried STs that connect them to previously described strains in humans. In conclusion, bacteria previously related to humans could be found in relatively pristine environments, and presently human-associated, antibiotic-resistant bacteria have reached a high global level of distribution that they are now found even in the polar regions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jorge Hernández
- Department of Medical Sciences, Uppsala University, Uppsala, Sweden.,Clinic of Microbiology, Kalmar County Hospital, Kalmar, Sweden;
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23
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Niebuhr CN, Poulin R, Tompkins DM. Is Avian Malaria Playing a Role in Native Bird Declines in New Zealand? Testing Hypotheses along an Elevational Gradient. PLoS One 2016; 11:e0165918. [PMID: 27802326 PMCID: PMC5089714 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0165918] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/25/2016] [Accepted: 10/19/2016] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
The mosquito-borne disease avian malaria (Plasmodium spp.) has impacted both captive populations and wild individuals of native New Zealand bird species. However, whether or not it is a cause of concern to their wild populations is still unclear. In Hawaii, the disease has been a major factor in the population declines of some native forest bird species, often limiting their elevational distribution due to an inverse relationship between force of infection and elevation. While studies have investigated latitudinal patterns of infection in New Zealand, elevational patterns are unexplored. To address this, a survey was conducted in Nelson Lakes National Park, a site experiencing native bird declines in which disease has been suggested as playing a role, to investigate whether there is a similar inverse relationship in New Zealand. Results from blood samples (n = 436) collected over three seasons across a broad elevational range (650-1400 m) support there being such a relationship. In addition, an overall higher prevalence in non-native (14.1%) versus native birds (1.7%) may indicate differential impacts on these two groups, while particularly high prevalence in non-native Turdus spp. supports previous suggestions that they are key reservoir hosts for the disease. Overall, these findings add weight to the hypothesis that avian malaria is playing a role in ongoing declines of native New Zealand birds.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chris N. Niebuhr
- Department of Zoology, University of Otago, Dunedin, New Zealand
- * E-mail:
| | - Robert Poulin
- Department of Zoology, University of Otago, Dunedin, New Zealand
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24
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Lee SY, Kim JH, Seo TK, No JS, Kim H, Kim WK, Choi HG, Kang SH, Song JW. Genetic and Molecular Epidemiological Characterization of a Novel Adenovirus in Antarctic Penguins Collected between 2008 and 2013. PLoS One 2016; 11:e0157032. [PMID: 27309961 PMCID: PMC4911161 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0157032] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/19/2016] [Accepted: 05/24/2016] [Indexed: 01/10/2023] Open
Abstract
Antarctica is considered a relatively uncontaminated region with regard to the infectious diseases because of its extreme environment, and isolated geography. For the genetic characterization and molecular epidemiology of the newly found penguin adenovirus in Antarctica, entire genome sequencing and annual survey of penguin adenovirus were conducted. The entire genome sequences of penguin adenoviruses were completed for two Chinstrap penguins (Pygoscelis antarctica) and two Gentoo penguins (Pygoscelis papua). The whole genome lengths and G+C content of penguin adenoviruses were found to be 24,630-24,662 bp and 35.5-35.6%, respectively. Notably, the presence of putative sialidase gene was not identified in penguin adenoviruses by Rapid Amplification of cDNA Ends (RACE-PCR) as well as consensus specific PCR. The penguin adenoviruses were demonstrated to be a new species within the genus Siadenovirus, with a distance of 29.9-39.3% (amino acid, 32.1-47.9%) in DNA polymerase gene, and showed the closest relationship with turkey adenovirus 3 (TAdV-3) in phylogenetic analysis. During the 2008-2013 study period, the penguin adenoviruses were annually detected in 22 of 78 penguins (28.2%), and the molecular epidemiological study of the penguin adenovirus indicates a predominant infection in Chinstrap penguin population (12/30, 40%). Interestingly, the genome of penguin adenovirus could be detected in several internal samples, except the lymph node and brain. In conclusion, an analysis of the entire adenoviral genomes from Antarctic penguins was conducted, and the penguin adenoviruses, containing unique genetic character, were identified as a new species within the genus Siadenovirus. Moreover, it was annually detected in Antarctic penguins, suggesting its circulation within the penguin population.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sook-Young Lee
- Department of Microbiology, College of Medicine, Korea University, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Jeong-Hoon Kim
- Division of Life Sciences, Korea Polar Research Institute, Incheon, Korea
| | - Tae-Kun Seo
- Division of Life Sciences, Korea Polar Research Institute, Incheon, Korea
| | - Jin Sun No
- Department of Microbiology, College of Medicine, Korea University, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Hankyeom Kim
- Department of Pathology, College of Medicine, Korea University, Guro Hospital, Seoul, Korea
| | - Won-keun Kim
- Department of Microbiology, College of Medicine, Korea University, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Han-Gu Choi
- Division of Life Sciences, Korea Polar Research Institute, Incheon, Korea
| | - Sung-Ho Kang
- Division of Polar Ocean Environment, Korea Polar Research Institute, Incheon, Korea
| | - Jin-Won Song
- Department of Microbiology, College of Medicine, Korea University, Seoul, Republic of Korea
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