Orientadores: José Roberto Guimarães, Regina Maura Bueno Franco / Tese (doutorado) - Universidade Estadual de Campinas, Faculdade de Engenharia Civil, Arquitetura e Urbanismo / Made available in DSpace on 2018-09-11T21:23:29Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 Fagnani_RegianeAparecidaGuadagnini_D.pdf: 2932805 bytes, checksum: ed51cdda9a4191dd5c1b275767a76ecd (MD5) Previous issue date: 2014 / Resumo: Neste estudo foi avaliada a eficiência do processo de tratamento por lodos ativados e, a eficiência de um processo oxidativo avançado (POA), a peroxidação assistida por radiação ultravioleta (H2O2/UV) na desinfecção do efluente da estação de esgoto (ETE) Samambaia da cidade de Campinas/SP. A avaliação da eficiência da ETE e dos processos foi feita com base na remoção de coliformes totais (CT), Escherichia coli (EC), Clostridium perfringens (CP), cistos de Giardia spp. oocistos de Cryptosporidium spp., ovos e larvas de helmintos e, na redução dos valores de turbidez, cor (aparente e verdadeira) e carbono orgânico dissolvido (COD). Para tanto, 13 amostras de afluente e 18 amostras de efluente foram coletadas. O efluente foi desinfetado utilizando-se doses UV de 125 a 20.700 mW s cm-2 e concentração de peróxido de hidrogênio de 30 a 93 mg L-1. Os processos de fotólise e peroxidação foram também avaliados de forma isolada. Todas as amostras de afluente e efluente apresentaram as bactérias avaliadas, cistos de Giardia spp. e, larvas e/ou ovos de helmintos. Na avaliação das características temporais do afluente da ETE, verificou-se que alguns dos parâmetros avaliados, tiveram considerável aumento ou redução com relação ao observado em outros períodos. No período de maior incidência de chuvas (primavera, no ano de 2012) observou-se o menor valor para COD (43% menor do que os obtidos para as outras épocas do ano) e, maior valor para a turbidez (aumento de 57%). Na primavera e no inverno detectou-se também oocistos de Cryptosporidium spp., com maior concentração no inverno. Ovos de helmintos tiveram sua quantificação mínima detectada no outono. A peroxidação aplicada isoladamente não promoveu a inativação de nenhum dos organismos avaliados e, nem reduziu os valores das variáveis físicas e químicas. O POA promoveu a redução de mais de 80% do valor de cor aparente e verdadeira (p < 0,05). Os processos foto-assistidos (radiação UV e H2O2/UV) alcançaram a maior inativação de CT e EC com a dose de radiação de 177 mW s cm-2, sendo de 5 log para a fotólise e, o limite <1 NMP/100mL para o POA e, promoveram a inativação de 2 log de CP, independente da dose de radiação UV aplicada. Quanto aos cistos de Giardia spp., os processos avaliados não promoveram a sua redução. Porém o processo de UV e POA gerou alterações nos cistos (p < 0,05) sendo que o POA alcançou alterações (de fluorescência e/ou forma) em 100% dos cistos observados quando utilizada a dose de radiação UV de 1.775 mW s cm-2. Nenhum dos processos reduziu ou danificou ovos de helmintos, independentemente da condição experimental avaliada / Abstract: This study evaluates the effectiveness of activated sludge and the performance of advanced oxidation process (AOP), the peroxidation assisted by ultraviolet radiation (H2O2/UV), used for effluent disinfection at Samambaia Wastewater Treatment Plant (Samambaia WWTP) in Campinas/SP. The evaluation of the WWTP and of the disinfection processes¿ efficiency was based on the inactivation and/or the number of organisms (total coliforms (TC), Escherichia coli (EC), Clostridium perfringens (CP), Giardia spp. cysts, Cryptosporidium spp. oocysts, helminth eggs and larvae) and turbidity, color (apparent and true) and dissolved organic carbon (DOC) reduced. For this evaluation, 13 samples of affluent and 18 of effluent were collected. The effluent was disinfected using UV doses 125 to 20,700 mW s cm-2 and hydrogen peroxide concentration of 30 to 93 mg L-1. The photolysis and peroxidation processes were separately evaluated. Each affluent and effluent sample revealed the bacteria, Giardia spp. cysts and helminth eggs and/or larvae. In the evaluation of affluent seasonality it has been found that some parameters considerably increased or reduced when different periods were compared. In the period with higher incidence of rain (spring of 2012), it was observed that the DCO value was lower (43% lower when compared to other periods) and, turbidity value was higher (an increase of 57%). In the spring and winter Cryptosporidium spp. oocysts were detected with higher concentration in the winter. Helminth eggs had lower quantification during the autumn. The isolated peroxidation process did not promote the inactivation and/or reduction of any evaluated organism, nor reduced the value of any physical or chemical parameter. The AOP promoted the reduction of 80% or higher of apparent and true color (p < 0.05). The photo-assisted processes (UV radiation and AOP) achieved greater inactivation of TC and EC bacteria with UV dose of 177 mW s cm-2, being 5 log of UV radiation and, <1 MPN/100mL of AOP and, promoted the CP inactivation of 2 log, independent on the UV dose applied. The evaluated processes did not promote the Giardia spp. cysts reduction. However UV and AOP processes caused cysts alteration (p < 0.05), as AOP reached 100% cysts alteration when a 1,775 mW s cm-2 UV dose was applied. Helminth eggs were not reduced or damaged for any studied process, independent on the evaluated experimental condition / Doutorado / Saneamento e Ambiente / Doutora em Engenharia Civil

<p>Analizirana je helmintofauna 127 primeraka slepih mi&scaron;eva na teritoriji Srbije.<br />Sakupljene jedinke su pripadnici 12 vrsta slepih mi&scaron;eva: veliki potkovičar (<em>Rhinolophusferrumequinum </em>Schreber, 1774); tamnoliki brkati večernjak <em>(Myotis mystacinus </em>Kuhl, 1817); mali brkati večernjak (<em>M. alcathoe </em>Helversen &amp; Heller, 2001); &scaron;umski brkati večernjak (<em>M. brandtii&nbsp; </em>Eversmann, 1845); južni veliki večernjak <em>(M</em>. <em>oxygnathus </em>Monticelli, 1885); evropski veliki večernjak (<em>M. myotis </em>Borkhausen, 1797); dugodlaki slepi mi&scaron;ić(<em>Hypsugo savii </em>Bonaparte, 1837); obični slepi mi&scaron;ić(<em>Pipistrellus pipistrellus</em> Schreber, 1774); &scaron;umski slepi mi&scaron;ić (<em>P. nathusii </em>Keyserling &amp; Blasius, 1839); evropski smeđi dugou&scaron;an (<em>Plecotus auritus </em>Linnaeus, 1758); evropski sivi dugou&scaron;an <em>(P.</em> <em>austriacus </em>Fischer, 1829) i obični noćnik (<em>Nyctalus noctula</em> Schreber, 1774). Jedinke slepih mi&scaron;eva su sakupljane sa 15 lokaliteta na teritoriji Srbije: Deliblatska pe&scaron;čara, Zasavica, Valjevo, Beograd, Paraćin, Đerdap, Bor, Beljanica, Kučevo, Boljevac, Zaječar, Zlot, Medveđa, planina Tara i Ivanjica u periodu od 2001. do 2009 godine.Izolovano je ukupno 1642 jedinki parazita (787 jedinki metilja, 4 pantljičara i 851 nematoda), razvrstanih u 2 razdela, 1 podrazdel, 3 klase, 3 podklase, 1 nadred, 6 reda, 1 podred, 7 nadfamilija, 11 familija, 9 podfamilija, 12 rodova i 14 vrsta. Identifikovane vrste parazita su:&nbsp;<em> Plagiorchis koreanus</em>(Ogata, 1937),&nbsp;<em>Mesotretes peregrinus </em>(Braun, 1900),&nbsp;<em>Lecithodendrium linstowi </em>(Dollfus, 1931),&nbsp;<em>Prosthodendrium longiforme</em> (Bhalerao, 1926),&nbsp;<em>P. chilostomum </em>(Mehlis, 1831),&nbsp;<em> P. parvouterus </em>(Bhalerao, 1926), <em>Milina grisea</em>(van Beneden, 1873),&nbsp;<em>Capillaria neopulchra </em>(Babos, 1954), <em>Molinostrongylus alatus</em>(Ortlepp, 1932),&nbsp;<em>Strongylacantha glycirrhiza&nbsp; </em>(van Beneden, 1873),&nbsp;<em>Physalopterasp</em>.,&nbsp;<em>Litomosa ottavianii&nbsp;</em>(Lagrange &amp; Bettini, 1948),&nbsp;<em>Rictularia bovieri&nbsp;</em>(Blanchard, 1886) i&nbsp;<em>Seuratum mucronatum </em>(Rudolphi, 1809). Kvalitativna i kvantitativna analiza helmintofaune slepih mi&scaron;eva je prvi put rađena na području Srbije, te se date vrste domaćina mogu smatrati novim za sve konstatovane vrste parazita na teritoriji na&scaron;e zemlje. U ukupnom uzorku 93 (73.23%) jedinki domaćina bilo je invadirano parazitima. Najbrojnije u ukupnom uzorkusu bile vrste&nbsp; P. koreanus,<em>&nbsp;L. linstowii&nbsp; M. alatus</em>, sa dominacijom poslednje. Konstatovano je da pol&nbsp; ne utiče na sastav helmintofaune domaćina. Međutim, konstatovane su promene u kvalitetu i kvantitetu helmintocenoze u pojedinim sezonama.</p> / <p>The helminth fauna of 127 individuals of bats on the territory of Serbia was analyzed. The host samples consisted of 12 bat species: Greater Horseshoe Bat(Rhinolophus &nbsp; ferrumequinumSchreber, 1774); Whiskered Bat (Myotis&nbsp; mystacinusKuhl, 1817); Alcathoe Whiskered Bat (M. alcathoeHelversen &amp; Heller, 2001); Brandt &rsquo;s Bat (M. brandtiiEversmann, 1845); Lesser Mouse-eared Bat (M. oxygnathusMonticelli, 1885); Greater Mouse-eared Bat (M. myotisBorkhausen, 1797); Savi &rsquo; s Pipistrelle Bat (Hypsugo saviiBonaparte, 1837); Common Pipistrelle Bat (Pipistrellus pipistrellus Schreber, 1774); Nathusius &rsquo; Pipistrelle Bat (P.&nbsp; BathusiiKeyserling &amp; Blasius, 1839); Brown Long-eared Bat (Plecotus auritusLinnaeus, 1758); Grey Long-eared Bat (P. austriacusFischer, 1829) and Noctule Bat (Nyctalus noctulaSchreber, 1774). Host semples were collected from fifteen localities throughout Serbia: Deliblato sands, Zasavica, Valjevo, Belgrade, Paraćin,&nbsp; Đerdap, Bor, Beljanica, Kučevo, Boljevac, Zaječar, Zlot, Medveđa, Tara mountain and Ivanjica in the period between2001 and 2009. A total of 1642 helminth individuals (787 individuals of digeneans, 4 cestodes and 851 nematodes) were collected from the hosts, classified into 2 phylas, 1 subphyla, 3 classes, 3 subclasses, 1 superorder, 6 orders, 1 suborder, 7 superfamilies, 11 families, 9 subfamilies, 12 generas and 14 species. Fourteen parasite species were identified: Plagiorchis koreanus(Ogata, 1937),&nbsp; Mesotretes peregrinus(Braun, 1900), Lecithodendrium linstowi(Dollfus, 1931),&nbsp; Prosthodendrium&nbsp; longiforme(Bhalerao, 1926), P. chilostomum(Mehlis, 1831),&nbsp; P. parvouterus(Bhalerao, 1926),&nbsp; Milina grisea (van Beneden, 1873),&nbsp; Capillaria neopulchra(Babos, 1954),&nbsp; Molinostrongylus alatus (Ortlepp, 1932),&nbsp; Strongylacantha glycirrhiza(van Beneden, 1873),&nbsp; Physalopterasp., Litomosa ottavianii(Lagrange &amp; Bettini, 1948),&nbsp; Rictularia bovieri(Blanchard, 1886)&nbsp; and&nbsp; Seuratum mucronatum(Rudolphi, 1809). The qualitative and&nbsp; quantitativeanalysis of the helminth fauna of bats were conducted in Serbia for the first time. Therefore all bat species can be considered new hosts for all recorded helminth species on the area of the country. Ninety-three (73.23%)&nbsp; individuals werefound to be infected with helminth parasites. The most numerous helminth species in total sample were&nbsp; P. koreanus,&nbsp; L. linstowiand&nbsp; M. alatus, which is also the most dominant. There is no evidence that the composition of helminth&nbsp; fauna depends on the sex ofthe host. However, some seasonal changes in quality and quantity of helminth community of the host are obvious.&nbsp;</p>

The continued existence of New Zealand’s critically endangered and endemic black stilt or kakï (Himantopus novaezelandiae) relies on an intensive captive management programme. While this is successful at rearing large numbers of birds for release to the wild, poor survivability of these birds is limiting significant increases in the wild population. Predation and starvation are suspected to be the most common causes of death in released birds, but underlying contributing factors to these mortalities have not been fully evaluated. This research investigates the possible contribution of gastrointestinal (GI) helminth burdens and suboptimal digestive organ development to the high mortality rates of released kakï. Emphasis is placed on evaluating the methods used to assess the importance of these factors and to make informed recommendations for future management. The efficacy of the anthelmintic regime used for kakï was assessed by dosing half of the 80 captive birds with praziquantel (PZQ) prior to release in 2007. Faecal samples were collected before and after anthelmintic treatment, and before and after release to the wild. Post mortem worm counts were conducted on 11 birds that died following release and historical worm count records dating back to 1997 were accessed. The main findings were: PZQ had high efficacy against trematodes; treatment did not prevent re-infection; birds were exposed to helminths at release site; and there was no advantage of treatment for survival. Overall, the results suggest that anthelmintic treatment is an unnecessary cost. Consequently, recommendations were made to cease anthelmintic treatment or reduce its intensity, continue health screening, and incorporate annual efficacy testing to monitor the emergence of anthelmintic resistance. The reliability of faecal screening for GI helminths was evaluated. Faecal egg counts (FECs) were found to be poor indicators of worm burden. The two modified sedimentation methods used to detect trematodes provided relatively low egg recovery rates. Trematode egg shedding varied between days but not by hour of the day or temperature. The collection and analysis of pooled faecal samples proved to be more cost and time-effective than samples from individual birds and the larger masses collected resulted in greater sensitivity. In conclusion, faecal analysis of pooled samples is a useful qualitative indicator of helminth presence or absence but is quantitatively unreliable. In order to assess the importance of digestive organ development to captive-reared and released kak?, the digestive organs of healthy and emaciated captive, released and wild Himantopus sp. were compared. Captive and released kak? had generally smaller digestive organs than wild birds, released birds did not increase digestive organ size to match the high fibre wild diet, and emaciated birds did not have atrophied organs. However, the greatest mortality rates occur soon after release, while the birds were still being supplementary fed. These results suggest that reduced digestive efficiency is probably not contributing significantly to mortality rates and the direct impacts of the translocation are probably greater risk factors. The continued provision of supplementary food to released birds and an increased focus on habitat enhancement and predator control at release sites were recommended. The reliability of comparing fresh and formalin fixed Himantopus sp. gut specimens was evaluated. Significant differences in fresh and formalin fixed organ dry masses and variation in preserved organ lengths indicate that this variation should be considered in future studies. In conclusion, current management practices appear to be successful in ensuring that GI helminths and reduced digestive efficiency do not significantly lower the survivorship of captive-reared and released kakï. There is a need for further research into developing a more direct physiological assessment of the impacts of GI helminths and gut morphology as well as considering the role that starvation may have on poor survivability.

The continued existence of New Zealand’s critically endangered and endemic black stilt or kakï (Himantopus novaezelandiae) relies on an intensive captive management programme. While this is successful at rearing large numbers of birds for release to the wild, poor survivability of these birds is limiting significant increases in the wild population. Predation and starvation are suspected to be the most common causes of death in released birds, but underlying contributing factors to these mortalities have not been fully evaluated. This research investigates the possible contribution of gastrointestinal (GI) helminth burdens and suboptimal digestive organ development to the high mortality rates of released kakï. Emphasis is placed on evaluating the methods used to assess the importance of these factors and to make informed recommendations for future management. The efficacy of the anthelmintic regime used for kakï was assessed by dosing half of the 80 captive birds with praziquantel (PZQ) prior to release in 2007. Faecal samples were collected before and after anthelmintic treatment, and before and after release to the wild. Post mortem worm counts were conducted on 11 birds that died following release and historical worm count records dating back to 1997 were accessed. The main findings were: PZQ had high efficacy against trematodes; treatment did not prevent re-infection; birds were exposed to helminths at release site; and there was no advantage of treatment for survival. Overall, the results suggest that anthelmintic treatment is an unnecessary cost. Consequently, recommendations were made to cease anthelmintic treatment or reduce its intensity, continue health screening, and incorporate annual efficacy testing to monitor the emergence of anthelmintic resistance. The reliability of faecal screening for GI helminths was evaluated. Faecal egg counts (FECs) were found to be poor indicators of worm burden. The two modified sedimentation methods used to detect trematodes provided relatively low egg recovery rates. Trematode egg shedding varied between days but not by hour of the day or temperature. The collection and analysis of pooled faecal samples proved to be more cost and time-effective than samples from individual birds and the larger masses collected resulted in greater sensitivity. In conclusion, faecal analysis of pooled samples is a useful qualitative indicator of helminth presence or absence but is quantitatively unreliable. In order to assess the importance of digestive organ development to captive-reared and released kak?, the digestive organs of healthy and emaciated captive, released and wild Himantopus sp. were compared. Captive and released kak? had generally smaller digestive organs than wild birds, released birds did not increase digestive organ size to match the high fibre wild diet, and emaciated birds did not have atrophied organs. However, the greatest mortality rates occur soon after release, while the birds were still being supplementary fed. These results suggest that reduced digestive efficiency is probably not contributing significantly to mortality rates and the direct impacts of the translocation are probably greater risk factors. The continued provision of supplementary food to released birds and an increased focus on habitat enhancement and predator control at release sites were recommended. The reliability of comparing fresh and formalin fixed Himantopus sp. gut specimens was evaluated. Significant differences in fresh and formalin fixed organ dry masses and variation in preserved organ lengths indicate that this variation should be considered in future studies. In conclusion, current management practices appear to be successful in ensuring that GI helminths and reduced digestive efficiency do not significantly lower the survivorship of captive-reared and released kakï. There is a need for further research into developing a more direct physiological assessment of the impacts of GI helminths and gut morphology as well as considering the role that starvation may have on poor survivability.

The continued existence of New Zealand’s critically endangered and endemic black stilt or kakï (Himantopus novaezelandiae) relies on an intensive captive management programme. While this is successful at rearing large numbers of birds for release to the wild, poor survivability of these birds is limiting significant increases in the wild population. Predation and starvation are suspected to be the most common causes of death in released birds, but underlying contributing factors to these mortalities have not been fully evaluated. This research investigates the possible contribution of gastrointestinal (GI) helminth burdens and suboptimal digestive organ development to the high mortality rates of released kakï. Emphasis is placed on evaluating the methods used to assess the importance of these factors and to make informed recommendations for future management. The efficacy of the anthelmintic regime used for kakï was assessed by dosing half of the 80 captive birds with praziquantel (PZQ) prior to release in 2007. Faecal samples were collected before and after anthelmintic treatment, and before and after release to the wild. Post mortem worm counts were conducted on 11 birds that died following release and historical worm count records dating back to 1997 were accessed. The main findings were: PZQ had high efficacy against trematodes; treatment did not prevent re-infection; birds were exposed to helminths at release site; and there was no advantage of treatment for survival. Overall, the results suggest that anthelmintic treatment is an unnecessary cost. Consequently, recommendations were made to cease anthelmintic treatment or reduce its intensity, continue health screening, and incorporate annual efficacy testing to monitor the emergence of anthelmintic resistance. The reliability of faecal screening for GI helminths was evaluated. Faecal egg counts (FECs) were found to be poor indicators of worm burden. The two modified sedimentation methods used to detect trematodes provided relatively low egg recovery rates. Trematode egg shedding varied between days but not by hour of the day or temperature. The collection and analysis of pooled faecal samples proved to be more cost and time-effective than samples from individual birds and the larger masses collected resulted in greater sensitivity. In conclusion, faecal analysis of pooled samples is a useful qualitative indicator of helminth presence or absence but is quantitatively unreliable. In order to assess the importance of digestive organ development to captive-reared and released kak?, the digestive organs of healthy and emaciated captive, released and wild Himantopus sp. were compared. Captive and released kak? had generally smaller digestive organs than wild birds, released birds did not increase digestive organ size to match the high fibre wild diet, and emaciated birds did not have atrophied organs. However, the greatest mortality rates occur soon after release, while the birds were still being supplementary fed. These results suggest that reduced digestive efficiency is probably not contributing significantly to mortality rates and the direct impacts of the translocation are probably greater risk factors. The continued provision of supplementary food to released birds and an increased focus on habitat enhancement and predator control at release sites were recommended. The reliability of comparing fresh and formalin fixed Himantopus sp. gut specimens was evaluated. Significant differences in fresh and formalin fixed organ dry masses and variation in preserved organ lengths indicate that this variation should be considered in future studies. In conclusion, current management practices appear to be successful in ensuring that GI helminths and reduced digestive efficiency do not significantly lower the survivorship of captive-reared and released kakï. There is a need for further research into developing a more direct physiological assessment of the impacts of GI helminths and gut morphology as well as considering the role that starvation may have on poor survivability.

The continued existence of New Zealand’s critically endangered and endemic black stilt or kakï (Himantopus novaezelandiae) relies on an intensive captive management programme. While this is successful at rearing large numbers of birds for release to the wild, poor survivability of these birds is limiting significant increases in the wild population. Predation and starvation are suspected to be the most common causes of death in released birds, but underlying contributing factors to these mortalities have not been fully evaluated. This research investigates the possible contribution of gastrointestinal (GI) helminth burdens and suboptimal digestive organ development to the high mortality rates of released kakï. Emphasis is placed on evaluating the methods used to assess the importance of these factors and to make informed recommendations for future management. The efficacy of the anthelmintic regime used for kakï was assessed by dosing half of the 80 captive birds with praziquantel (PZQ) prior to release in 2007. Faecal samples were collected before and after anthelmintic treatment, and before and after release to the wild. Post mortem worm counts were conducted on 11 birds that died following release and historical worm count records dating back to 1997 were accessed. The main findings were: PZQ had high efficacy against trematodes; treatment did not prevent re-infection; birds were exposed to helminths at release site; and there was no advantage of treatment for survival. Overall, the results suggest that anthelmintic treatment is an unnecessary cost. Consequently, recommendations were made to cease anthelmintic treatment or reduce its intensity, continue health screening, and incorporate annual efficacy testing to monitor the emergence of anthelmintic resistance. The reliability of faecal screening for GI helminths was evaluated. Faecal egg counts (FECs) were found to be poor indicators of worm burden. The two modified sedimentation methods used to detect trematodes provided relatively low egg recovery rates. Trematode egg shedding varied between days but not by hour of the day or temperature. The collection and analysis of pooled faecal samples proved to be more cost and time-effective than samples from individual birds and the larger masses collected resulted in greater sensitivity. In conclusion, faecal analysis of pooled samples is a useful qualitative indicator of helminth presence or absence but is quantitatively unreliable. In order to assess the importance of digestive organ development to captive-reared and released kak?, the digestive organs of healthy and emaciated captive, released and wild Himantopus sp. were compared. Captive and released kak? had generally smaller digestive organs than wild birds, released birds did not increase digestive organ size to match the high fibre wild diet, and emaciated birds did not have atrophied organs. However, the greatest mortality rates occur soon after release, while the birds were still being supplementary fed. These results suggest that reduced digestive efficiency is probably not contributing significantly to mortality rates and the direct impacts of the translocation are probably greater risk factors. The continued provision of supplementary food to released birds and an increased focus on habitat enhancement and predator control at release sites were recommended. The reliability of comparing fresh and formalin fixed Himantopus sp. gut specimens was evaluated. Significant differences in fresh and formalin fixed organ dry masses and variation in preserved organ lengths indicate that this variation should be considered in future studies. In conclusion, current management practices appear to be successful in ensuring that GI helminths and reduced digestive efficiency do not significantly lower the survivorship of captive-reared and released kakï. There is a need for further research into developing a more direct physiological assessment of the impacts of GI helminths and gut morphology as well as considering the role that starvation may have on poor survivability.

The continued existence of New Zealand’s critically endangered and endemic black stilt or kakï (Himantopus novaezelandiae) relies on an intensive captive management programme. While this is successful at rearing large numbers of birds for release to the wild, poor survivability of these birds is limiting significant increases in the wild population. Predation and starvation are suspected to be the most common causes of death in released birds, but underlying contributing factors to these mortalities have not been fully evaluated. This research investigates the possible contribution of gastrointestinal (GI) helminth burdens and suboptimal digestive organ development to the high mortality rates of released kakï. Emphasis is placed on evaluating the methods used to assess the importance of these factors and to make informed recommendations for future management. The efficacy of the anthelmintic regime used for kakï was assessed by dosing half of the 80 captive birds with praziquantel (PZQ) prior to release in 2007. Faecal samples were collected before and after anthelmintic treatment, and before and after release to the wild. Post mortem worm counts were conducted on 11 birds that died following release and historical worm count records dating back to 1997 were accessed. The main findings were: PZQ had high efficacy against trematodes; treatment did not prevent re-infection; birds were exposed to helminths at release site; and there was no advantage of treatment for survival. Overall, the results suggest that anthelmintic treatment is an unnecessary cost. Consequently, recommendations were made to cease anthelmintic treatment or reduce its intensity, continue health screening, and incorporate annual efficacy testing to monitor the emergence of anthelmintic resistance. The reliability of faecal screening for GI helminths was evaluated. Faecal egg counts (FECs) were found to be poor indicators of worm burden. The two modified sedimentation methods used to detect trematodes provided relatively low egg recovery rates. Trematode egg shedding varied between days but not by hour of the day or temperature. The collection and analysis of pooled faecal samples proved to be more cost and time-effective than samples from individual birds and the larger masses collected resulted in greater sensitivity. In conclusion, faecal analysis of pooled samples is a useful qualitative indicator of helminth presence or absence but is quantitatively unreliable. In order to assess the importance of digestive organ development to captive-reared and released kak?, the digestive organs of healthy and emaciated captive, released and wild Himantopus sp. were compared. Captive and released kak? had generally smaller digestive organs than wild birds, released birds did not increase digestive organ size to match the high fibre wild diet, and emaciated birds did not have atrophied organs. However, the greatest mortality rates occur soon after release, while the birds were still being supplementary fed. These results suggest that reduced digestive efficiency is probably not contributing significantly to mortality rates and the direct impacts of the translocation are probably greater risk factors. The continued provision of supplementary food to released birds and an increased focus on habitat enhancement and predator control at release sites were recommended. The reliability of comparing fresh and formalin fixed Himantopus sp. gut specimens was evaluated. Significant differences in fresh and formalin fixed organ dry masses and variation in preserved organ lengths indicate that this variation should be considered in future studies. In conclusion, current management practices appear to be successful in ensuring that GI helminths and reduced digestive efficiency do not significantly lower the survivorship of captive-reared and released kakï. There is a need for further research into developing a more direct physiological assessment of the impacts of GI helminths and gut morphology as well as considering the role that starvation may have on poor survivability.

The continued existence of New Zealand’s critically endangered and endemic black stilt or kakï (Himantopus novaezelandiae) relies on an intensive captive management programme. While this is successful at rearing large numbers of birds for release to the wild, poor survivability of these birds is limiting significant increases in the wild population. Predation and starvation are suspected to be the most common causes of death in released birds, but underlying contributing factors to these mortalities have not been fully evaluated. This research investigates the possible contribution of gastrointestinal (GI) helminth burdens and suboptimal digestive organ development to the high mortality rates of released kakï. Emphasis is placed on evaluating the methods used to assess the importance of these factors and to make informed recommendations for future management. The efficacy of the anthelmintic regime used for kakï was assessed by dosing half of the 80 captive birds with praziquantel (PZQ) prior to release in 2007. Faecal samples were collected before and after anthelmintic treatment, and before and after release to the wild. Post mortem worm counts were conducted on 11 birds that died following release and historical worm count records dating back to 1997 were accessed. The main findings were: PZQ had high efficacy against trematodes; treatment did not prevent re-infection; birds were exposed to helminths at release site; and there was no advantage of treatment for survival. Overall, the results suggest that anthelmintic treatment is an unnecessary cost. Consequently, recommendations were made to cease anthelmintic treatment or reduce its intensity, continue health screening, and incorporate annual efficacy testing to monitor the emergence of anthelmintic resistance. The reliability of faecal screening for GI helminths was evaluated. Faecal egg counts (FECs) were found to be poor indicators of worm burden. The two modified sedimentation methods used to detect trematodes provided relatively low egg recovery rates. Trematode egg shedding varied between days but not by hour of the day or temperature. The collection and analysis of pooled faecal samples proved to be more cost and time-effective than samples from individual birds and the larger masses collected resulted in greater sensitivity. In conclusion, faecal analysis of pooled samples is a useful qualitative indicator of helminth presence or absence but is quantitatively unreliable. In order to assess the importance of digestive organ development to captive-reared and released kak?, the digestive organs of healthy and emaciated captive, released and wild Himantopus sp. were compared. Captive and released kak? had generally smaller digestive organs than wild birds, released birds did not increase digestive organ size to match the high fibre wild diet, and emaciated birds did not have atrophied organs. However, the greatest mortality rates occur soon after release, while the birds were still being supplementary fed. These results suggest that reduced digestive efficiency is probably not contributing significantly to mortality rates and the direct impacts of the translocation are probably greater risk factors. The continued provision of supplementary food to released birds and an increased focus on habitat enhancement and predator control at release sites were recommended. The reliability of comparing fresh and formalin fixed Himantopus sp. gut specimens was evaluated. Significant differences in fresh and formalin fixed organ dry masses and variation in preserved organ lengths indicate that this variation should be considered in future studies. In conclusion, current management practices appear to be successful in ensuring that GI helminths and reduced digestive efficiency do not significantly lower the survivorship of captive-reared and released kakï. There is a need for further research into developing a more direct physiological assessment of the impacts of GI helminths and gut morphology as well as considering the role that starvation may have on poor survivability.

The continued existence of New Zealand’s critically endangered and endemic black stilt or kakï (Himantopus novaezelandiae) relies on an intensive captive management programme. While this is successful at rearing large numbers of birds for release to the wild, poor survivability of these birds is limiting significant increases in the wild population. Predation and starvation are suspected to be the most common causes of death in released birds, but underlying contributing factors to these mortalities have not been fully evaluated. This research investigates the possible contribution of gastrointestinal (GI) helminth burdens and suboptimal digestive organ development to the high mortality rates of released kakï. Emphasis is placed on evaluating the methods used to assess the importance of these factors and to make informed recommendations for future management. The efficacy of the anthelmintic regime used for kakï was assessed by dosing half of the 80 captive birds with praziquantel (PZQ) prior to release in 2007. Faecal samples were collected before and after anthelmintic treatment, and before and after release to the wild. Post mortem worm counts were conducted on 11 birds that died following release and historical worm count records dating back to 1997 were accessed. The main findings were: PZQ had high efficacy against trematodes; treatment did not prevent re-infection; birds were exposed to helminths at release site; and there was no advantage of treatment for survival. Overall, the results suggest that anthelmintic treatment is an unnecessary cost. Consequently, recommendations were made to cease anthelmintic treatment or reduce its intensity, continue health screening, and incorporate annual efficacy testing to monitor the emergence of anthelmintic resistance. The reliability of faecal screening for GI helminths was evaluated. Faecal egg counts (FECs) were found to be poor indicators of worm burden. The two modified sedimentation methods used to detect trematodes provided relatively low egg recovery rates. Trematode egg shedding varied between days but not by hour of the day or temperature. The collection and analysis of pooled faecal samples proved to be more cost and time-effective than samples from individual birds and the larger masses collected resulted in greater sensitivity. In conclusion, faecal analysis of pooled samples is a useful qualitative indicator of helminth presence or absence but is quantitatively unreliable. In order to assess the importance of digestive organ development to captive-reared and released kak?, the digestive organs of healthy and emaciated captive, released and wild Himantopus sp. were compared. Captive and released kak? had generally smaller digestive organs than wild birds, released birds did not increase digestive organ size to match the high fibre wild diet, and emaciated birds did not have atrophied organs. However, the greatest mortality rates occur soon after release, while the birds were still being supplementary fed. These results suggest that reduced digestive efficiency is probably not contributing significantly to mortality rates and the direct impacts of the translocation are probably greater risk factors. The continued provision of supplementary food to released birds and an increased focus on habitat enhancement and predator control at release sites were recommended. The reliability of comparing fresh and formalin fixed Himantopus sp. gut specimens was evaluated. Significant differences in fresh and formalin fixed organ dry masses and variation in preserved organ lengths indicate that this variation should be considered in future studies. In conclusion, current management practices appear to be successful in ensuring that GI helminths and reduced digestive efficiency do not significantly lower the survivorship of captive-reared and released kakï. There is a need for further research into developing a more direct physiological assessment of the impacts of GI helminths and gut morphology as well as considering the role that starvation may have on poor survivability.

The continued existence of New Zealand’s critically endangered and endemic black stilt or kakï (Himantopus novaezelandiae) relies on an intensive captive management programme. While this is successful at rearing large numbers of birds for release to the wild, poor survivability of these birds is limiting significant increases in the wild population. Predation and starvation are suspected to be the most common causes of death in released birds, but underlying contributing factors to these mortalities have not been fully evaluated. This research investigates the possible contribution of gastrointestinal (GI) helminth burdens and suboptimal digestive organ development to the high mortality rates of released kakï. Emphasis is placed on evaluating the methods used to assess the importance of these factors and to make informed recommendations for future management. The efficacy of the anthelmintic regime used for kakï was assessed by dosing half of the 80 captive birds with praziquantel (PZQ) prior to release in 2007. Faecal samples were collected before and after anthelmintic treatment, and before and after release to the wild. Post mortem worm counts were conducted on 11 birds that died following release and historical worm count records dating back to 1997 were accessed. The main findings were: PZQ had high efficacy against trematodes; treatment did not prevent re-infection; birds were exposed to helminths at release site; and there was no advantage of treatment for survival. Overall, the results suggest that anthelmintic treatment is an unnecessary cost. Consequently, recommendations were made to cease anthelmintic treatment or reduce its intensity, continue health screening, and incorporate annual efficacy testing to monitor the emergence of anthelmintic resistance. The reliability of faecal screening for GI helminths was evaluated. Faecal egg counts (FECs) were found to be poor indicators of worm burden. The two modified sedimentation methods used to detect trematodes provided relatively low egg recovery rates. Trematode egg shedding varied between days but not by hour of the day or temperature. The collection and analysis of pooled faecal samples proved to be more cost and time-effective than samples from individual birds and the larger masses collected resulted in greater sensitivity. In conclusion, faecal analysis of pooled samples is a useful qualitative indicator of helminth presence or absence but is quantitatively unreliable. In order to assess the importance of digestive organ development to captive-reared and released kak?, the digestive organs of healthy and emaciated captive, released and wild Himantopus sp. were compared. Captive and released kak? had generally smaller digestive organs than wild birds, released birds did not increase digestive organ size to match the high fibre wild diet, and emaciated birds did not have atrophied organs. However, the greatest mortality rates occur soon after release, while the birds were still being supplementary fed. These results suggest that reduced digestive efficiency is probably not contributing significantly to mortality rates and the direct impacts of the translocation are probably greater risk factors. The continued provision of supplementary food to released birds and an increased focus on habitat enhancement and predator control at release sites were recommended. The reliability of comparing fresh and formalin fixed Himantopus sp. gut specimens was evaluated. Significant differences in fresh and formalin fixed organ dry masses and variation in preserved organ lengths indicate that this variation should be considered in future studies. In conclusion, current management practices appear to be successful in ensuring that GI helminths and reduced digestive efficiency do not significantly lower the survivorship of captive-reared and released kakï. There is a need for further research into developing a more direct physiological assessment of the impacts of GI helminths and gut morphology as well as considering the role that starvation may have on poor survivability.