Disease in Antarctic marine organisms

• Main Author: Baxter, Charlotte
• Format: Other/Unknown Material
• Language: English
• Published: University of Canterbury 2019
• Subjects: Antarctic; The Antarctic; Antarc*; Antarctica
• Online Access: http://hdl.handle.net/10092/18562

Antarctic marine organisms are particularly vulnerable to disease introduction as they have been isolated on the continent and not evolved alongside many diseases. Therefore, they are unlikely to possess any defences for diseases and are at risk of negative effects from novel disease introduction. Disease transmission is being facilitated by human travel, migratory species and climate change. All three of these vectors are posing risks for disease introduction into all Antarctic organisms, from seals to sea stars. Current literature shows that there is already a wide diversity of diseases present in the Antarctic wildlife and this is due to the past, current and future effects of the three main vectors. Human travel and climate change are increasing and therefore are a concern for regulation whereas migratory species may be impossible to regulate. Much concern is given to the health of the Antarctic animals in the face of inevitable increased disease introduction. However, little concern is given to the possibility of endemic Antarctic diseases being transmitted to humans and the rest of the world. This review focusses on the current diseases present in Antarctic marine organisms and the main vectors of disease into Antarctica that need to be regulated where possible.