Dirofilaria immitis Identified in Galapagos Sea Lions (Zalophus wollebaeki): A Wildlife Health and Conservation Concern.

The Galapagos sea lion (Zalophus wollebaeki), an endemic and endangered pinniped, faces an increasing threat due to infectious diseases related to domestic animals. Dirofilaria immitis, the parasite responsible for canine heartworm disease, is one such threat, as canine infections on the archipelago have been documented. We used a canine heartworm antigen test kit to analyze the blood from 25 juvenile Galapagos sea lions for D. immitis. Two (8%) sea lions tested positive for D. immitis antigen. Using morphologic and genetic assessments, we evaluated 20 filarial-like worms collected from within the heart of an adult male Galapagos sea lion during a previous routine postmortem examination. The intracardiac worms were morphologically consistent with adult D. immitis, and sequence analysis of targeted PCR amplicons confirmed their identity. This is the first report of D. immitis infection in Galapagos sea lions, which could become a major health problem for these pinnipeds. Further studies are necessary to confirm the level of threat from this parasite; however, widespread adoption of routine heartworm testing, prevention, and treatment in the canine population, and the control of mosquitos, could potentially reduce the disease impact on this endangered pinniped species.

Infection with a novel pentastome (Raillietiella sp.) in a juvenile endangered Galápagos tortoise (Chelonoidis niger).

Pentastomes are crustacean endoparasites in the lungs of herpetofauna and rarely mammals and birds. To date, the only pentastomes reported in chelonians, all aquatic turtles, are Diesingia megastomum from Brazil and Pelonia africana from South Africa. In March 2021, 185 juvenile tortoises (Chelonoidis niger) were confiscated after an attempted illegal exportation from the Galápagos. It is believed the tortoises were removed from nests on Santa Cruz Island. The young tortoises were individually wrapped in plastic and at seizure ten were dead and another 25 tortoises subsequently died. One of the tortoises, estimated to be 3 months old, had 11 pentastomes in the lungs. The pentastomes were identified as a Raillietiella sp. based on morphology. The specimens had a claviform body that tapers into a bifid tail, a 165.3 µm × 92.1 µm buccal cadre, and sharp tipped anterior and posterior hooks with the posterior hooks being larger than the anterior. The males have smooth copulatory spicules with a rounded, smooth base. All females were gravid. Molecular analysis confirmed that the parasites were a Raillietiella sp. Based on the COI gene, it was most similar (82.7% identical) to an undescribed Raillietiella species from a Caribbean anole (Anolis cristatellus) found in Florida followed by R. hebitihamata (81%), R. indica (80.7%), and R. orientalis (78.8-80.7%). Based on the 18S rRNA gene sequence (1799 bp), it was most similar (99.3% identical) to two undescribed Raillietiella species followed by R. aegypti from a berber skink (Eumeces schneideri) from Saudia Arabia. Phylogenetically, with both molecular targets, the Raillietiella sp. from the Galápagos tortoise grouped with other Raillietiella spp. and was basal within the group. Currently, the origin of this parasite (native to Galápagos or introduced) and the life cycle are unknown. Because some pentastome species, especially when in aberrant hosts, can be pathogenic, additional studies of parasites in native and introduced reptile and amphibian species in the Galápagos are needed to better understand the risk this parasite poses to Galápagos tortoises.

Whole blood fatty acid concentrations in the San Cristóbal Galápagos tortoise (Chelonoidis chathamensis).

To continue releasing San Cristóbal Galápagos tortoises housed in managed-care facilities at the Giant Tortoise Breeding Center of Galápagos National Park (Galapaguera de Cerro Colorado) to the Otoy Ecological Farm, health assessments and physical examinations were conducted. As a part of these wellness examinations, blood was drawn from 11 tortoises to analyze fatty acid concentrations. Fatty acid levels can provide insight into the nutritional profiles, immune status, and reproductive health of vertebrates. To the co-author's knowledge, there is no current information about fatty acids in this species. It was hypothesized that there would be inherent differences based on the different geographic ranges, diets, sex, and age of turtles. It was noted that the ω-6/ω-3 ratio was higher for the breeding center than for the ecological farm and that overall polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) did not have any significant differences. The ω-6/ω-3 findings can contribute to a global picture of these fatty acids across taxa, as reptiles are underrepresented in this area of research. Additional results are a resourceful starting point for future investigations into how fatty acids are affected in Galápagos tortoises.

Occurrence of Mycoplasmas in Galapagos Sea Lions (Zalophus wollebaeki) and their Association with Other Respiratory Pathogens.

During the 2018 breeding season, an outbreak of respiratory disease occurred among Galapagos sea lions (Zalophus wollebaeki) that inhabit rookeries near urban areas with introduced fauna such as dogs and cats. Several sea lions had nasal discharge and respiratory distress and were in poor body condition. Eighteen sea lions were captured for a general health assessment including collection of blood for serology and nasal discharge for culture and PCR. Samples were analyzed for 15 respiratory pathogens known to infect cats, dogs, and marine mammals. There was no evidence for interspecies pathogen transmission between Galapagos sea lions and domestic animals. Several bacterial pathogens associated with respiratory tract infection in the California sea lion (Zalophus californianus) were isolated. Mycoplasma spp. were identified by PCR in nasal discharge samples but were not the species commonly found in cats and dogs.

Biochemistry and hematology parameters of the San Cristóbal Galápagos tortoise (Chelonoidis chathamensis).

As part of a planned introduction of captive Galapagos tortoises (Chelonoidis chathamensis) to the San Cristóbal highland farms, our veterinary team performed thorough physical examinations and health assessments of 32 tortoises. Blood samples were collected for packed cell volume (PCV), total solids (TS), white blood cell count (WBC) differential, estimated WBC and a biochemistry panel including lactate. In some cases not all of the values were obtainable but most of the tortoises have full complements of results. Despite a small number of minor abnormalities this was a healthy group of mixed age and sex tortoises that had been maintained with appropriate husbandry. This work establishes part of a scientific and technical database to provide qualitative and quantitative information when establishing sustainable development strategies aimed at the conservation of Galapagos tortoises.

A cultura pueril da puericultura / The childish culture of child care

Analisa o surgimento da puericultura no Brasil. Afirma que apesar de a puericultura se constituir em área independente da medicina no século atual, em 1790 foi publicado um tratado em língua portuguesa sobre o assunto. Coloca que no Brasil as questöes ligadas ao desenvolvimento da puericultura esbarraram em uma estrutura familiar que dificultou o seu desenvolvimento imediato. Das dificuldades apontadas, destaca o aleitamento materno, que era feito pelas escravas. Para a classe médica este costume era um fator determinante para o aumento da mortalidade infantil e para a transmissäo e proliferaçäo de doenças entre as crianças. Expöe como fator determinante que ajudou a desenvolver a puericultura, modificando os costumes, o movimento higienista e a revoluçäo pasteuriana, permitindo à puericultura criar uma teoria que justificava cientificamente suas normas. (JGC)