Kelp Gull (Larus dominicanus) as a carrier of pathogens in the patagonian coast

Abstract

In this paper we analyzed the carriage of pathogens by Kelp Gulls (Larus dominicanus) in a portion of the Patagonian coast. During one year (1995-96), 100 individuals of different sex and age class were caught at fisheries tip of Puerto Deseado. Faecal samples were obtained from individual birds by cloacal swab and sex was determined at laboratory by dissection. We registered at least ten species of bacteria of eight genus (Escherichia, Proteus, Citrobacter, Salmonella, Hafnia, Shigella, Enterobacter and Yersinia), using standard biochemical techniques. There were no differences in carriage rates between sexes and age classes. Carriage rates were similar over almost all year, but Citrobacter was more abundant during Spring and Proteus during Spring and Summer. Salmonella typhimurium represents the more risky species for cattle and humans and it was found during most of the year. Despite this study was not focused to investigate the infection rates in humans or cattle, the abundance of kelp gulls, it's patterns of feeding and movements, the relative location of the city (between fisheries tip and breeding areas), makes the species a very likely candidate for a pathogens vector.