Abstract:
Genetic data has revealed that endemism exists within the microbial world. Antarctica is physically separated from the rest of the world and has a short history of human activity which may appear to have limited the introduction of pathogens. There is a lack of knowledge about the route new micro-organisms may take if introduced to naive Antarctic host populations. We used genetic distances between populations of benign gastrointestinal bacteria to model the pattern of transmission of bacteria around the Ross Sea Region, to provide insight into the evolution of gut micro-organisms in the Ross Sea megafauna. Cloacal samples were collected from Adelie penguins (Pygoscelis adeliae), Emperor penguins (Aptenodytes forsteri) and South Polar Skuas (Catharacta maccormicki) and rectal samples were collected from Weddell seals (Leptonychotes weddellii) at several sites in the Ross Sea Region. Feather samples were also collected from birds that were swabbed and water and soil samples were collected from the breeding grounds. Bacteria from these samples will be identified from sequences (PCR) for 16S. The information was used to establish an inventory of gastro intestinal bacteria that occur and to investigate micro-organism transfer between the environment, humans and other species. We also measured the extent of genetic intraspecific variation in the bacteria collected from different hosts to determine the extent of connections between bacteria parasitizing host species and host populations. Sites visited for samples include Cape Hallett, Cape Adare, Cape Wheatstone, Cotter Cliffs, Cape Royds, Cape Bird, Cape Crozier, Hutton Cliffs, Turtle Rock, Strand Moraines, Marble Point, the Sea ice of McMurdo Sound, Little Razorback Island, Turks Head, White Island and Tent Island.
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Description:
GENBANK: The publication lists all of the Accession Numbers from this project. Please use in conjunction.
All remaining raw samples and genetic data are held by the investigator at the University of Waikato. GENBANK Accession numbers are in the publication.
Name:
SHULAMIT
GORDON Phone:
+64 3 358 0200
Fax:
+64 3 358 0211
Email:
s.gordon at antarcticanz.govt.nz
Contact Address:
Antarctica New Zealand
Private Bag 4745 City:
Christchurch
Country:
New Zealand
Personnel
JONATHAN
BANKS Role:
INVESTIGATOR
Phone:
+64 7 838 4139
Fax:
+64 7 838 4324
Email:
j.banks at waikato.ac.nz
Contact Address:
DEPARTMENT OF BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES
THE UNIVERSITY OF WAIKATO
PRIVATE BAG 3105 City:
HAMILTON
Country:
NEW ZEALAND
CEISHA
POIROT Role:
DIF AUTHOR
Phone:
+64 3 358 0200
Fax:
+64 3 358 0211
Email:
c.poirot at antarcticanz.govt.nz
Contact Address:
Antarctica New Zealand
Private Bag 4745 City:
Christchurch
Country:
New Zealand
SHULAMIT
GORDON Role:
DIF AUTHOR
Phone:
+64 3 358 0200
Fax:
+64 3 358 0211
Email:
s.gordon at antarcticanz.govt.nz
Contact Address:
Antarctica New Zealand
Private Bag 4745 City:
Christchurch
Country:
New Zealand
Publications/References
Banks, J.C., Cary, S.C. and Hogg, I.D. 2009. The phylogeography of Adelie penguin faecal flora. Environmental Microbiology 11 (3): 577-588.
Ninnes, C.E., Waas, J.R., Ling, N., Nakagawa, S., Banks, J.C., Bell, D.G., Bright, A., Carey, P.W., Chandler, J., Hudson, Q.J., Ingram, J.R., Lyall, K., Morgan, D.K.J., Stevens, M.I., Wallace, J., Möstl, E. Comparing plasma and faecal measures of steroid hormones in Adelie penguins Pygoscelis adeliae. Journal of comparative physiology B 2009. doi: 10.1007/s00360-009-0390-0
Creation and Review Dates
DIF Creation Date:
2006-03-20
Last DIF Revision Date:
2009-09-21
