Mass mortality of adult male subantarctic fur seals: are alien mice the culprits?

ABSTRACT:

Background

Mass mortalities of marine mammals due to infectious agents are increasingly reported. However, in contrast to previous die-offs, which were indiscriminate with respect to sex and age, here we report a land-based mass mortality of Subantarctic fur seals with apparent exclusivity to adult males. An infectious agent with a male-predilection is the most plausible explanation for this die-off. Although pathogens with gender-biased transmission and pathologies are unusual, rodents are known sources of male-biased infectious agents and the invasive Mus musculus house mouse, occurs in seal rookeries.

Methodology/ principal findings

Molecular screening for male-biased pathogens in this potential rodent reservoir host revealed the absence of Cardiovirus and Leptospirosis g

SUBMITTER: de Bruyn PJ 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC2582944 | biostudies-literature | 2008

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature