Arthropod parasites of Antarctic and Subantarctic birds and pinnipeds: A review of host-parasite associations. (August 2020)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Vanstreels, Ralph Eric Thijl; Palma, Ricardo L.; Mironov, Sergey V.
• Is Part Of: International journal for parasitology. Volume 12(2020)
• Page Start: 275
• Page End: 290
• Publication Date: 2020-08
• Subjects: Arthropoda -- Carnivora -- Ecology -- Parasite -- Polar biology -- Seabird; Parasites -- Periodicals; Parasitology -- Periodicals; Animals -- Periodicals; Wildlife diseases -- Periodicals; Parasites -- Periodicals; Animals, Wild -- Periodicals; Animals; Parasites; Parasitology; Wildlife diseases; Periodicals; 591.7857
• DOI: 10.1016/j.ijppaw.2020.03.007
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 2213-2244

Abstract

Abstract: Due to its cold and dry climate and scarcity of ice-free land, Antarctica has one of the most extreme environments on our planet. To survive in the Antarctic region, parasitic arthropods must either remain closely associated with their hosts throughout the entire life cycle or develop physiological adaptations to survive in the terrestrial habitat while their hosts are away foraging at sea or overwintering at lower latitudes. Forty-eight species of birds and seven species of pinnipeds breed in the Antarctic region, with 158 species/subspecies of parasitic arthropods recorded thus far, comprising: sucking lice (Echinophthiriidae), chewing lice (Menoponidae, Philopteridae), fleas (Ceratophyllidae, Pygiopsyllidae, Rhopalopsyllidae), pentastomes (Reighardiidae), hard ticks (Ixodidae), nest-associated haematophagous mites (Laelapidae), nasal mites (Halarachnidae, Rhinonyssidae) and feather mites (Alloptidae, Avenzoariidae, Xolalgidae, Freyanidae). In this review, we provide an updated compilation of the available information on the host-parasite associations of arthropods infesting birds and pinnipeds in the Antarctic region, and discuss some over-arching ecological patterns and gaps of knowledge. Graphical abstract: Image 1 Highlights: Antarctic parasitic arthropods comprise lice, fleas, pentastomes, ticks and mites. A total of 158 species/subspecies of parasitic arthropods infest Antarctic hosts. Antarctica's extreme climate is a key limiting factor for nest-bound parasites. Chewing lice are the most diverse parasite group, but are usually host specialists. Ticks and fleas are host generalists with the most potential to vector pathogens.