Geology Reports⌕ Search

SEARCH · Geology Reports

Results for “Wildlife Disease”

Search indexed USGS publications on groundwater, aquifers, geologic maps, mineral resources and earthquakes. Explore source records by subject and place.

Quote a phrase for an exact phrase match. Source license links do not imply unrestricted reuse.

At least 343 records · Page 19Linked to original sources
USGS1975

Fatal pox infection in a rough-legged hawk

Natural pox infection occurred in a free-living rough-legged hawk ( Buteo lagopus ) in northeastern North Dakota. Gross, histological and electron microscopic findings were typical of pox infection, and characteristic lesions developed in red-tailed hawks ( Buteo jamaicensis ) but not in great horned owls ( Bubo virginianus ) following inoculation with case material. Death of the rough-legged hawk was attributed to starvation resulting from inability to capture prey and to blood loss from foot lesions.

Journal of Wildlife Diseases↗
USGS1975

Leucocytozoonosis in Canada Geese at the Seney National Wildlife Refuge

A history is given of the Seney National Wildlife Refuge and the losses of goslings of Canada geese ( Branta canadensis ) recorded since inception of the refuge in 1935. Since 1960, when more reliable data became available, losses have been extensive every 4 years. Gosling deaths are attributed to the infection with Leucocytozoon simondi . The blackfly ( Simulium innocens ) is considered to be the prime vector in the transmission of this blood parasite to goslings.

Michigan↗
USGS1975

Detection and transmission of infectious hematopoietic necrosis virus in rainbow trout

Detection and transmission of Infectious Hematopoietic Necrosis Virus in rainbow trout ( Salmo gairdneri ) was studied at a commercial trout hatchery. Transmission of virus was demonstrated via water, feed and contaminated eggs. If eggs from carrier females were incubated several weeks in virus-free water, the resulting fry did not become infected. However, if fry subsequently became infected they were lifetime carriers. Infectious virus was readily detectable in most tissues of moribund fish; in carriers it was detected in sex products of spawning fish, and in samples from the intestine of post-spawning fish, but not in samples from blood, feces, kidney, or liver. The carrier rate was not significantly different between sexes. It was concluded that adult carriers are the reservoir of infection and that transmission occurs primarily when carriers shed virus and expose susceptible fish or eggs.

Journal of Wildlife Diseases↗
USGS1976

Infection and mortality in captive wild-trapped canvasback ducks

Fungal, bacterial and malarial infections, as well as malnutrition caused heavy mortality in a group of wild-trapped canvasbacks ( Aythya valisineria ) held in 10 × 3 × 2 m open water pens. Deaths occurred between 21 and 158 days after confinement and were associated with infections of Aspergillus fumigatus , Escherichia coli , Staphylococcus sp., Streptococcus sp., Klebsiella sp., Enterobacter sp., and Plasmodium sp. Infection and mortality was believed to result from reduced resistance associated with confinement. Fourteen canvasbacks released onto large ponds survived throughout the period during which the penned birds died.

Maryland, Virginia↗
USGS1976

A hematologic survey of captive waterfowl

Hematologic parameters were studied in giant Canada geese ( Branta canadensis maxima ), mallard ducks ( Anas platyrhynchos platyrhynchos ) and various species of diving ducks at seasonal intervals throughout the year. Highest values for packed cell volume, hemoglobin content and erythrocyte counts were found in the winter and pre-nesting periods. Mean corpuscular volume and mean corpuscular hemoglobin varied inversely with these values.

Journal of Wildlife Diseases↗
USGS1976

Comparative susceptibility of Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar) to the enteric redmouth bacterium and Aeromonas salmonicida

The bacterium causing enteric redmouth (ERM) and Aeromonas salmonicida were found to be equally pathogenic for fingerling Atlantic salmon ( Salmo salar ). Injection of 5 × 10 5 cells of ERM or A. salmonicida killed all salmon within 96 h. After a 30 min exposure to water-borne cells of the two test bacteria about one-half of the test salmon died within 14 days. Both ERM and A. salmonicida were transmitted horizontally. Results indicate that efforts should be made to prevent introduction of ERM into watersheds where Atlantic salmon occur.

Journal of Wildlife Diseases↗
USGS1976

An outbreak of erysipelas in eared grebes (Podiceps nigricollis)

An outbreak of erysipelas killed an estimated 5,000 aquatic birds on Great Salt Lake (Utah) in late November, 1975. Although several thousand ducks and gulls were using the lake, at least 99 percent of the victims were eared grebes. A hypothetical explanation for the selective mortality is offered.

Utah↗
USGS1978

Avian cholera in eider ducks in Maine

Outbreaks of avian cholera ( Pasteurella multocida ) occur frequently in common eiders ( Somateria mollissima dresseri ) in Maine during early summer. Studies over a seven year period show that over 90% of the loss occurred in incubating females and might be associated with their weakened condition because females and might be associated with their weakened condition because females do not feed during the incubation period. High nesting densities also may contribute to the losses. The exact source of P. Multocida is unknown although carrier birds were found.

Maine↗
USGS1980

Serologic and hematologic values of wild coyotes in Wisconsin

Blood samples were obtained from 30 coyotes (Canis latrans) captured in northern Wisconsin in conjunction with radio-telemetry studies. Samples were assayed for seven hematologic values, seven serum chemistries, serum albumin, globulin and total protein. Results are given with respect to sex and age and are compared with available data for captive wild and pen-raised coyotes. Leukocyte counts were greater for males than females and packed cell volumes were greater for adults than young, possibly due to differential response to capture and handling stress. Hemoglobin concentrations and calcium levels suggest differences in nutrition between pen-raised and wild coyotes. Sex and age differences in serum calcium for wild coyotes probably reflect nutritional differences between groups examined. Juvenile coyote serum alkaline phosphatase levels declined curvilinearly with age for coyotes less than one year old, suggesting a possible technique for separating juveniles and yearlings captured in autumn that are released for research purposes. Elevated glucose levels and leukocyte counts in wild coyotes may reflect greater handling stress than for pen-raised and captive coyotes. No significant sex or age effects were found for levels of serum urea nitrogen, total protein, cholesterol, and total bilirubin.

Journal of Wildlife Diseases↗
USGS1961

Renal coccidiosis in oldsquaws (Clangula hyemalis) from Alaska

Renal coccidiosis was found in 4 of 12 oldsquaw ducks ( Clangula hyemalis ) collected from the north slope of Alaska and Prince William Sound. Numerous 1 to 2 mm white foci were observed on the kidney surface of one bird. Microscopically, there was distention of renal tubules with oocysts, flattening of tubular epithelium, and interstitial accumulation of mononuclear cells. Kidneys from several other species of sea ducks from Prince William Sound were not infected.

Alaska↗
USGS1981

Coccidia of Aleutian Canada geese

Fecal samples from 122 captive and 130 free-ranging Aleutian Canada geese ( Branta canadensis leucopareia ) were examined for oocysts of coccidia. Free-ranging geese sampled on the spring staging ground near Crescent City, California were infected with Eimeria hermani , E. truncata , E. magnalabia , E. fulva , E. clarkei and Tyzzeria parvula . Except for E. clarkei , the same species of coccidia were found in geese on their breeding grounds in Alaska. Most of the coccidial infections in captive geese from Amchitka Island, Alaska and Patuxent Wildlife Research Center, Maryland consisted of Tyzzeria .

Journal of Wildlife Diseases↗
USGS1981

Effects of lead shot ingestion on delta-aminolevulinic acid dehydratase activity, hemoglobin concentration, and serum chemistry in bald eagles

Lead shot ingestion by bald eagles ( Haliaeetus leucocephalus ) is considered to be widespread and has been implicated in the death of eagles in nature. It was recently demonstrated under experimental conditions that ingestion of as few as 10 lead shot resulted in death within 12 to 20 days. In the present study hematological responses to lead toxicity including red blood cell ALAD activity, hemoglobin concentration and 23 different blood serum chemistries were examined in five captive bald eagles that were unsuitable for rehabilitation and release. Eagles were dosed by force-feeding with 10 lead shot; they were redosed if regurgitation occurred. Red blood cell ALAD activity was inhibited by nearly 80% within 24 hours when mean blood lead concentration had increased to 0.8 parts per million (ppm). By the end of 1 week there was a significant decrease (20-25%) in hematocrit and hemoglobin, and the mean blood lead concentration was over 3 ppm. Within as little as 1-2 weeks after dosing, significant elevations in serum creatinine and serum alanine aminotransferase occurred, as well as a significant decrease in the ratio of serum aspartic aminotransferase to serum alanine aminotransferase. The mean blood lead concentration was over 5 ppm by the end of 2 weeks. These changes in serum chemistry may be indicative of kidney and liver alterations.

Journal of Wildlife Diseases↗
USGS1982

Short-term effects of oil ingestion on American kestrels (Falco sparverius)

The Mexican Ixtoc oil well blowout resulted in extensive oil contamination along the Texas Gulf coast. This oil posed a potential hazard to migrating birds including the endangered peregrine falcon (Falco peregrinus). Laboratory tests with the American kestrel (Falco sparverius) indicated that the oil: water mixture gathered at the surface of the blowout site posed little acute hazard to falcons.

Journal of Wildlife Diseases↗
USGS1982

Enzyme activities in plasma, liver, and kidney of black ducks and mallards

Activities of alanine aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), creatine phosphokinase (CPK), alkaline phosphatase (ALP), and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) were measured in plasma, liver, and kidney, and gamma-glutamyl transferase (GGT) was measured in liver and kidney of black ducks (Anas rubripes). Activities of ALT, AST, GGT, and ornithine carbamyl transferase (OCT) were assayed in plasma, liver, and kidney of game-farm mallards (Anas platyrhynchos). Appreciable OCT and AST activity occurred in both liver and kidney. Activities of ALT, CPK, ALP and GGT were higher in kidney, while LDH was higher in liver, GGT was detected in plasma from one of four mallards.

Journal of Wildlife Diseases↗
USGS1983

Residues of petroleum hydrocarbons in tissues of sea turtles exposed to the IXTOC I oil spill

Sea turtles found dead when the Ixtoc I oil spill reached Texas waters were necropsied and tissues were analyzed for residues of petroleum hydrocarbons. Two of the three turtles were in poor flesh, but had no apparent oil-caused lesions. There was evidence of oil in all tissues examined and indications that the exposure had been chronic. Comparisons with results of studies done on birds indicate consumption of 50,000 ppm or more of oil in the diet. Some possible mechanisms of mortality are suggested.

Journal of Wildlife Diseases↗