Immune-mediated hookworm clearance and survival of a marine mammal decrease with warmer ocean temperatures

Mauricio Seguel*, Felipe Montalva, Diego Perez-Venegas, Josefina Gutiérrez, Hector J. Paves, Ananda Müller, Carola Valencia-Soto, Elizabeth Howerth, Victoria Mendiola, Nicole Gottdenker

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

18 Scopus citations

Abstract

Increases in ocean temperature are associated with changes in the distribution of fish stocks, and the foraging regimes and maternal attendance patterns of marine mammals. However, it is not well understood how these changes affect offspring health and survival. The maternal attendance patterns and immunity of South American fur seals were assessed in a rookery where hookworm disease is the main cause of pup mortality. Pups receiving higher levels of maternal attendance had a positive energy balance and a more reactive immune system. These pups were able to expel hookworms through a specific immune mediated mechanism and survived the infection. Maternal attendance was higher in years with low sea surface temperature, therefore, the mean hookworm burden and mortality increased with sea surface temperature over a 10-year period. We provide a mechanistic explanation regarding how changes in ocean temperature and maternal care affect infectious diseases dynamics in a marine mammal.

Original languageEnglish
Article numbere38432
JournaleLife
Volume7
DOIs
StatePublished - 2018

Bibliographical note

Publisher Copyright:
© Seguel et al.

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • General Neuroscience
  • General Biochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology
  • General Immunology and Microbiology

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