Wildlife diseases in New Zealand: recent findings and future challenges.

摘要: Our knowledge of diseases in New Zealand wildlife has expanded rapidly the last two decades. Much this is due to a greater awareness disease as cause mortality some our highly threatened species or limiting factor successful captive rearing intensely managed such hihi (Notiomystis cincta), kiwi (Apteryx spp.) and kakapo (Strigops habroptilus). An important contributing increase been development new diagnostic techniques fields molecular biology immunohistochemistry, particularly for diagnosis epidemiology viral protozoan diseases. Although remains free serious exotic viruses there much work on understanding taxonomy local strains avipox virus circoviruses. Bacterial salmonellosis, erysipelas tuberculosis have also closely investigated opportunist mycotic infections aspergillosis remain major problem many species. Nutritional hyperplastic goitre iodine deficiency metabolic bone Ca:P imbalance made significant impacts reared birds, while lead poisoning localities. The increasing use translocations avoid extinction highlighted need improved methods assess risks inherent these operations other intensive conservation management strategies creching young animals. We become more aware likelihood inbreeding suppression populations decrease pass through genetic bottleneck. Climate change habitat loss, however, greatest threats biodiversity health worldwide. Temperature changes will affect habitats, alter distribution vectors predators, directly harm vulnerable