Dear colleagues of the MARMAM list:
I am proud to announce that the following paper is now available in Polar
Biology: Volume 33, Issue 5 (2010), Page 599:
The
prevalence of Toxoplasma gondii in polar bears and their marine
mammal prey: evidence for a marine transmission pathway?
Abstract Little
is known about the prevalence of the parasite Toxoplasma gondii
in the arctic marine food chain of Svalbard, Norway. In this study,
plasma samples were analyzed for T. gondii antibodies using a
direct agglutination test. Antibody prevalence was 45.6% among polar
bears (Ursus maritimus), 18.7% among ringed seals (Pusa
hispida) and 66.7% among adult bearded seals (Erignathus barbatus)
from Svalbard, but no sign of antibodies were found in bearded seal
pups, harbour seals (Phoca vitulina), white whales (Delphinapterus
leucas) or narwhals (Monodon monoceros) from the same area.
Prevalence was significantly higher in male polar bears (52.3%) compared
with females (39.3%), likely
due to dietary differences between the sexes. Compared to an
earlier study, T. gondii prevalence in polar bears has doubled
in the past decade. Consistently, an earlier study on ringed seals did
not detect T. gondii. The high recent prevalence in polar bears,
ringed seals and bearded seals could be caused by an increase in the
number or
survivorship of oocysts being transported via the North
Atlantic Current to Svalbard from southern latitudes. Warmer water
temperatures have led to influxes of temperate marine
invertebrate filter-feeders that could be vectors for oocysts and warmer
water is also likely to favour higher survivorship of
oocycts. However, a more diverse than normal array of migratory birds
in the Archipelago recently, as well as a marked increase in
cruise-ship and other human traffic are also potential sources
of T. gondii.
The paper can be downloaded from the journals website (http://www.springerlink.com/content/857776771v377365/) or contact the first authour for pdf copies or any questions (siljekristinjensen@gmail.com)
All the best
Silje-Kristin Jensen