Dec. 13, 2012 — Scientists have developed a
new method for studying parasite numbers in the stomachs of individual seabirds
in the wild. The technique enables the recording of video footage of worms
inside seabird stomachs and is an important step forward in understanding the
impact of parasites on seabird populations.
The research is published today (Dec. 13, 2012)
in the scientific journal Methods in Ecology and Evolution.
The research team trialled the use of endoscopy,
often used in human and veterinary medicine but rarely in field situations, to
measure natural parasite loads, or burdens, of European shags, a member of the
cormorant family. The new study is part of ongoing work into how different
factors such as gut parasites might affect the breeding success or survival of
seabirds.
Shags have nematode worms (Contracaecum
rudolphii) in their stomachs, obtained from their fish diet. These worms feed
directly on food obtained by the birds, reducing for the food available to both
parent and chicks.
The team behind today's study was led by Dr
Sarah Burthe from the NERC Centre for Ecology & Hydrology (CEH) in the UK.
Dr Burthe and colleagues from CEH collaborated with scientists from the
University of Edinburgh (UK), Biomathematics and Statistics Scotland (UK),
Aarhus University, (Denmark) and the Natural History Museum, London (UK). The
study was carried out on the Isle of May NNR, an important seabird colony off
the east coast of Scotland which has been intensively studied since the 1970s.
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