Prevalence and Pathogen Load of Eimeria in Wild Yellow-eyed Penguins (Megadyptes Antipodes) and the Morphologic Characterization of a Novel Eimeria Species

Researchers identified a novel species of Eimeria, a coccidian parasite, in wild Yellow-eyed Penguins (Megadyptes antipodes), with significantly higher prevalence and pathogen load than previously reported for this host or other free-living Sphenisciformes. The study compared two populations: one on Enderby Island (sub-Antarctic) with 76.6% prevalence and a mean of 9,723 oocysts per gram of feces, and another on New Zealand's South Island with 58.54% prevalence and 1,050 oocysts per gram. Morphological analysis suggested the presence of a single Eimeria species across both sites, despite measurable differences in oocyst dimensions. The findings highlight a previously understudied host-parasite relationship that may have implications for the endangered penguin's population stability.

Kay, E., Young, M. J., Muller, C., Howe, L., Roe, W., & Gartrell, B. D. (2022). PREVALENCE AND PATHOGEN LOAD OF EIMERIA IN WILD YELLOW-EYED PENGUINS (MEGADYPTES ANTIPODES) AND THE MORPHOLOGIC CHARACTERIZATION OF A NOVEL EIMERIA SPECIES. Journal of Wildlife Diseases, 58(4). https://doi.org/10.7589/jwd-d-21-00146