The American Oystercatcher (Haematopus palliatus palliatus) is the only species of oystercatcher native to the Atlantic coast of North America and is restricted in distribution to intertidal shellfish beds in coastal areas. Currently, the American Oystercatcher population in South Carolina and Georgia is threatened by widespread habitat loss, resulting in low reproductive success and small population size. Oystercatchers could be an important indicator of ecosystem health because they depend on quality coastal breeding habitat and prey on bivalves, which can accumulate toxins and pathogens from the local environment. Data were collected from American Oystercatchers (n=171) captured at five sites in South Carolina and Georgia between 2001 and 2006. Iridial depigmentation was frequently noted during physical examination and was more prevalent in female birds. Female birds were larger than males on average, but ranges for weight and morphometric measurements had considerable overlap. Mean values were calculated for hematology, plasma biochemistry, and hormone levels, and prevalence of exposure to select pathogens was determined. Mercury was the only trace metal detected in blood samples. These data provide baseline health information needed for longitudinal monitoring and conservation efforts for American Oystercatchers. In addition, this study illustrates the potential use of this species as an indicator for the health of the southeastern US coastal nearshore ecosystem.
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Epidemiology|
July 01 2010
HEALTH ASSESSMENT OF AMERICAN OYSTERCATCHERS (HAEMATOPUS PALLIATUS PALLIATUS) IN GEORGIA AND SOUTH CAROLINA
Daphne Carlson-Bremer;
Daphne Carlson-Bremer
13
1 Wildlife Health Center, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of California, One Shields Avenue, Davis, California 95616, USA
13 Corresponding author (email: [email protected])
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Terry M. Norton;
Terry M. Norton
2 St. Catherines Island Foundation, 182 Camellia Road, Midway, Georgia 31320, USA
3 Georgia Sea Turtle Center, 214 Stable Road, Jekyll Island, Georgia 31527, USA
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Kirsten V. Gilardi;
Kirsten V. Gilardi
1 Wildlife Health Center, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of California, One Shields Avenue, Davis, California 95616, USA
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Ellen S. Dierenfeld;
Ellen S. Dierenfeld
4 Novus International, Inc., 20 Research Park Drive, St. Charles, Missouri 63304, USA
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Brad Winn;
Brad Winn
5 Georgia Department of Natural Resources, One Conservation Way, Suite 310, Brunswick, Georgia 31520, USA
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Felicia J. Sanders;
Felicia J. Sanders
6 South Carolina Department of Natural Resources, PO Box 37, McClellanville, South Carolina 29458, USA
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Carolyn Cray;
Carolyn Cray
7 University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Division of Comparative Pathology, PO Box 016960 (R-46), Miami, Florida 33101, USA
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Marcie Oliva;
Marcie Oliva
8 White Oak Conservation Center, 581705 White Oak Road, Yulee, Florida 32097, USA
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Tai C. Chen;
Tai C. Chen
9 Boston University, 85 East Newton Street, M-Bldg, Boston, Massachusetts 02218, USA
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Samantha E. Gibbs;
Samantha E. Gibbs
10 Southeastern Cooperative Wildlife Disease Study, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Georgia, Athens, Georgia 30602, USA
12 Current address: U. S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Division of Migratory Bird Management, 4401 North Fairfax Drive, Mail Stop 4017, Arlington, Virginia 22203, USA
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Maria S. Sepúlveda;
Maria S. Sepúlveda
11 Purdue University, Department of Forestry and Natural Resources, FORS 103, 195 Marsteller Street, West Lafayette, Indiana 47907, USA
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Christine K. Johnson
Christine K. Johnson
1 Wildlife Health Center, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of California, One Shields Avenue, Davis, California 95616, USA
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J Wildl Dis (2010) 46 (3): 772–780.
Article history
Received:
July 30 2009
Accepted:
January 16 2010
Citation
Daphne Carlson-Bremer, Terry M. Norton, Kirsten V. Gilardi, Ellen S. Dierenfeld, Brad Winn, Felicia J. Sanders, Carolyn Cray, Marcie Oliva, Tai C. Chen, Samantha E. Gibbs, Maria S. Sepúlveda, Christine K. Johnson; HEALTH ASSESSMENT OF AMERICAN OYSTERCATCHERS (HAEMATOPUS PALLIATUS PALLIATUS) IN GEORGIA AND SOUTH CAROLINA. J Wildl Dis 1 July 2010; 46 (3): 772–780. doi: https://doi.org/10.7589/0090-3558-46.3.772
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