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Effects of hookworms (Uncinaria sp.) on the early growth and survival of New Zealand sea lion (Phocarctos hookeri) pups

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Abstract

Parasites can have both direct and indirect impacts on organisms through changes in health, growth, reproductive success, behaviour and survival. This research investigates the effects of hookworms (Uncinaria sp.) on the growth and mortality of New Zealand sea lion (NZ sea lion, Phocarctos hookeri) pups between birth and 3 months of age. NZ sea lion pups that received ivermectin treatment to reduce their hookworm burden had higher growth rates. Hookworm infection had no significant effect on mortality rate except when overall mortality was high during epidemics caused by other pathogens. Understanding the impacts of parasites on wild populations of pinnipeds is important for the management of the species, particularly when the species is threatened, as is the case for the NZ sea lion. There are at least two reasons for this: first, to quantify the impact of the parasite on parameters of population dynamics such as offspring survival and, as a consequence, female reproductive output; and second, to gain sufficient knowledge of the host/parasite dynamics to allow the balance to be manipulated in favour of the host should this be required for conservation management.

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Acknowledgments

The work was conducted under permit from the New Zealand Department of Conservation (DOC), and was funded by the Foundation for Research Science and Technology (FRST), DOC Research, Development and Improvement and the University of Canterbury. DOC Southland is thanked for logistical assistance. R.J. Norman assisted with designing the anthelmintic treatment programme. We also thank N. Gemmell, J. Amey, H. Best, W. Hockley, F. Jonker, A. Maloney, F. Riet Sapriza, M. Stratton and M. Wylie for assistance with captures in the field. Approval for work was obtained from DOC Animal Ethics Committee—Approval AEC86 (1 July 1999). S. Banks, A. Todd and two anonymous reviewers all provided helpful, critical reviews of the manuscript. This research was conducted while B.L.C. held a foundation for Research, Science and Technology Fellowship contract # UOCX0105 and B·C.R. held a University of Canterbury Postdoctoral Fellowship.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Conservation, Marine Conservation Unit, PO Box 10-420, Wellington, 6143, New Zealand

    B. L. Chilvers & I. S. Wilkinson

  2. School of Biological Sciences, Canterbury University, Private Bag 4800, Christchurch, New Zealand

    B. L. Chilvers & B. C. Robertson

  3. New Zealand Wildlife Health Centre, Institute of Veterinary, Animal and Biomedical Science, Massey University, Private Bag 11-222, Palmerston North, 4442, New Zealand

    P. J. Duignan & A. Castinel

  4. Department of Agriculture and Food, 1 East Agriculture House, Kildare Street, Dublin 2, Ireland

    P. J. Duignan

  5. Department of Zoology, University of Otago, PO Box 56, Dunedin, New Zealand

    B. C. Robertson

  6. Biosecurity New Zealand, PO Box 2526, Wellington, New Zealand

    A. Castinel

  7. Department of Environment and Conservation, Locked Bag 914, Coffs Harbour, NSW, 2450, Australia

    I. S. Wilkinson

Authors
  1. B. L. Chilvers
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  2. P. J. Duignan
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  4. A. Castinel
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  5. I. S. Wilkinson
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Correspondence to B. L. Chilvers.

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Chilvers, B.L., Duignan, P.J., Robertson, B.C. et al. Effects of hookworms (Uncinaria sp.) on the early growth and survival of New Zealand sea lion (Phocarctos hookeri) pups. Polar Biol 32, 295–302 (2009). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00300-008-0559-0

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