Ecology, epidemiology and evolution of enteric microbes in fragmented populations of the endangered takahe (Porphyrio hochstetteri) : a thesis presented in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy in Veterinary Science at Massey University, Manawatū, New Zealand

Grange, Zoe Lorraine

Ecology, epidemiology and evolution of enteric microbes in fragmented populations of the endangered takahe (Porphyrio hochstetteri) : a thesis presented in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy in Veterinary Science at Massey University, Manawatū, New Zealand

dc.contributor.author	Grange, Zoe Lorraine
dc.date.accessioned	2015-06-11T22:31:57Z
dc.date.available	2015-06-11T22:31:57Z
dc.date.issued	2015
dc.description.abstract	Pathogenic diseases are increasingly recognised as a challenge to the conservation of wildlife. Complex host-pathogen relationships and transmission dynamics in wild populations can limit our understanding of how pathogens contribute to the decline and endangerment of wildlife. Endangered wildlife populations maintained in reserves present a unique opportunity to investigate wildlife host-microbe relationships in a controlled semi-natural environment where diversity, abundance and the movement of species are restricted. The aim of this study was to investigate the prevalence and molecular differentiation of enteric bacteria carried by endangered takahe (Porphyrio hochstetteri). Through the use of network analysis and molecular epidemiology, the study explored the effects of geographic isolation and translocation on the prevalence, transmission and evolution of Campylobacter and Salmonella spp. within fragmented populations of takahe. Translocation and conservation management has created a dynamic network of takahe populations which vary in their likelihood to maintain and transmit pathogens. My study suggests that range expansion following a significant bottleneck and intensive conservation management of takahe has had unforeseen consequences on microbial diversity. The management of takahe in different environmental settings has influenced the carriage of Campylobacter jejuni and Campylobacter coli. A newly discovered rail-associated Campylobacter sp. nova 1 was prevalent in all populations. However, more discriminatory whole genome analysis of isolates detected a significant biogeographic variation in C. sp. nova 1 genotypes. Possible explanations for the observed pattern include the spatial expansion and isolation of hosts resulting in reduced gene flow of Campylobacter spp. and allopatric speciation, and the presence of heterogeneous environmental attributes or cross-species transmission of Campylobacter spp. from sympatric reservoir hosts. An assessment of vertebrate reservoirs in an island ecosystem indicated cross-species transmission of Campylobacter spp. was not likely to be a factor contributing to the maintenance and phylogeographical distribution of Campylobacter spp. in takahe. This study was the first of its kind to explore microbial dynamics in a large proportion of a well-described but fragmented population of a wild bird. Results suggest historic and current management practices may be having unforeseen influences on enteric microbes, the consequences of which are unknown but could be detrimental to the health of translocated populations of takahe.	en_US
dc.identifier.uri	http://hdl.handle.net/10179/6700
dc.language.iso	en	en_US
dc.publisher	Massey University	en_US
dc.rights	The Author	en_US
dc.subject	Takahe	en_US
dc.subject	Porphyrio hochstetteri	en_US
dc.subject	Endangered birds	en_US
dc.subject	Epidemiology	en_US
dc.subject	Disease ecology	en_US
dc.subject	Rare birds	en_US
dc.subject	Pathogenic diseases	en_US
dc.subject	Wildlife conservation	en_US
dc.subject	Wild bird diseases	en_US
dc.title	Ecology, epidemiology and evolution of enteric microbes in fragmented populations of the endangered takahe (Porphyrio hochstetteri) : a thesis presented in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy in Veterinary Science at Massey University, Manawatū, New Zealand	en_US
dc.type	Thesis	en_US
massey.contributor.author	Grange, Zoe Lorraine	en_US
thesis.degree.discipline	Veterinary Science	en_US
thesis.degree.grantor	Massey University	en_US
thesis.degree.level	Doctoral	en_US
thesis.degree.name	Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.)	en_US