Project information
SHELLAM, Prof. Geoffrey (Geoff)
University of Western Australia
Auster Rookery, Mawson, Australia (or home country)
Project aim
The primary goal of this project is to determine the status and origin of diseases in Emperor Penguins at Auster Rookery near Mawson Station, Antarctica. We will investigate the origins of such disease and the role humans may have played. We will sample adults and chicks in order to isolate and describe the pathogens. A high percentage of Emperor Penguin chicks have antibodies to infectious bursal disease (IBDV). This study will investigate the role the adults play in transmitting IBDV to their chicks. The high prevalence of IBDV antibodies should help us to isolate the virus and discover its origin.
Related publications
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An unusual mortality event among Adélie penguins in the vicinity of Mawson Station, Antarctica Health of Antarctic Wildlife: A Challenge for Science and Policy, 2009
(Ref: 13901)
Authors:Category 1: Peer-reviewed literature
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Infectious bursal disease virus and Antarctic birds Health of Antarctic Wildlife: A Challenge for Science and Policy, 2009
(Ref: 13900)
Authors:Category 1: Peer-reviewed literature
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Diseases of Antarctic seabirds Health of Antarctic Wildlife: A Challenge for Science and Policy, 2009
(Ref: 13898)
Category 1: Peer-reviewed literature