Ectoparasite abundance and apparent absence of hemoparasites in two albatross species in Sub-Antarctic Chile

Abstract

The Black-browed Albatross (BBA, Thalassarche melanophrys) and the Grey-headed Albatross (GHA, Thalassarche chrysostoma) are long-lived sympatric species breeding in the Atlantic and Pacific sections of the Southern Ocean. While the Atlantic populations of these two species have been the subject of several studies, little information is available on the most important colonies in the Southeast Pacific Ocean (Chile). The presence of parasites in these long-lived hosts has been described for the colonies in the Southern Atlantic, but not in those from Chile. Therefore, the objective of this study was to identify ectoparasites and hemoparasites associated with both species breeding in the Diego Ramirez Archipelago (56°S) in Southern Chile. Chicks were examined for ectoparasites during the breeding seasons in 2010 and 2011 (GHA, n = 80; BBA, n = 40). Parasites were collected manually, mounted, and identified to species level. The sex and developmental stage of adult ectoparasites were also determined. Ectoparasites were detected on 78.75 and 32.50% of GHA and BBA chicks, respectively. A total of 126 ectoparasites were obtained: 103 Ixodes uriae ticks (GHA 79.62%, BBA 20.38%); 22 Parapsyllus longicornis fleas (GHA = 31.8%, BBA = 68.2%); and a single Austromenopon affine louse (found on GHA). Diego Ramirez represents a new record and distribution range for I. uriae and A. affine. The presence of hemoparasites was explored on blood smears for GHA (n = 26) and BBA (n = 119), but none were recorded in either of these albatrosses.