This dataset contains data revealing the incidence of bacterial, viral and parasitic disease causing agents in Antarctic bird populations. Samples for disease analysis have been collected from various species of Antarctic birds during the course of ASAC project 953 and are stored at the Department of Microbiology, University of Western Australia and CSIRO Australian Animal Health Laboratories (AAHL). All analysis is being performed at the Department of Microbiology, University of Western Australia. A summary of samples collected and stored for each species is listed below. Adelie penguin (Pygoscelis adeliae): Serum (blood) and faecal (cloacal) swabs were collected from chicks and adults in the Mawson station area, the Vestfold Hills and Terra Nova Bay. Samples from approximately 1200 birds have been stored. Tissue samples have been collected from chick carcasses found in the Vestfold Hills area. Carcasses were collected on an opportunistic basis. Emperor penguin (Aptenodytes forsteri): Serum (blood) and faecal (cloacal) swabs were collected from chicks at Amanda Bay, Auster and Cape Washington. Tissue samples have been obtained from 20 chick carcasses collected from Auster Rookery. South polar skua (Catharacta maccormicki): Serum (blood) and faecal (cloacal) swabs were collected from 125 adult birds in the Vestfold Hills area. This project has close ties with ASAC project 1336 (ASAC_1336 - South polar skuas as vectors of disease). See that metadata record for related datasets. The fields in this dataset are: Infectious bursal disease virus Avian influenzae Avian adenovirus Sample Species Age Year Region Colony Location Stage of Breeding Season Blood Sample Cloacal Swab Serum

Blood samples from 35 seals have been collected for serum biochemistry analysis. Scats from 20 animals have been collected for parasitology. Estimated weights and morphometric measurements from 35 animals have been collected. The data for this project are presented in a number of excel worksheets. In addition, a word document is also included in the download file which fully explains each spreadsheet. A precis of that word document is copied below. Haematology Data from haematological analysis performed on fresh whole blood collected from leopard seals between 27.12.1999-22.01.2002 and Weddell seals between 02.01.2001-21.01.2002 off Davis Station in the Austral summer seasons of 1999/2000, 2000/2001 and 2001/2002. Serum protein electrophoresis (SPE) Data from SPE analysis performed on serum (stored at -80 degrees C) collected from leopard seals between 27.12.1999-22.01.2002 and Weddell seals between 02.01.2001-21.01.2002 off Davis Station in the Austral summer seasons of 1999/2000, 2000/2001 and 2001/2002. Serum Biochemistry Data from biochemistry analysis performed on serum (stored at -80 degrees C) collected from leopard seals between 27.12.1999-22.01.2002 and Weddell seals between 02.01.2001-21.01.2002 off Davis Station in the Austral summer seasons of 1999/2000, 2000/2001 and 2001/2002. Trace element and heavy metal analysis Data from trace element and heavy metal analysis performed on serum (-80 degrees C), fur, frozen (-20 degrees C) and formalin (10%) fixed tissues, plasma (-80 degrees C), EDTA plasma (-80 degrees C), washed red blood cells (-80 degrees C) and urine (-20 degrees C) collected from leopard seals between 27.12.1999-17.02.2002 and Weddell seals between 02.01.2001-21.01.2002 off Davis Station in the Austral summer seasons of 1999/2000, 2000/2001 and 2001/2002 using inductively coupled plasma mass spectroscopy. The spreadsheet is organised into six worksheets: 1.Serum (micro g/L) 2.Fur (micro g/g dry weight) 3.Frozen tissues (micro g/g dry weight) 4.Plasma and RBC (red blood cells) (micro g/L) 5.Urine (micro g/L) 6.Formalin tissues (micro g/g dry weight) Faecal Parasites Data from faecal flotation in saturated salt solution performed on fresh and frozen (- 20 degrees C) scats collected from leopard seals between 23.11.1999-17.02.2002 and Weddell seals between 06.12.2000-16.01.2002 off Davis Station in the Austral summer seasons of 1999/2000, 2000/2001 and 2001/2002. The fields in this dataset are: Glucose Urea Creatinine Fibrinogen Protein Albumin Globulin Bilirubin ALP AST ALT Creatinine Kinase Cholesterol Calcium Phosphate Sodium Potassium Chloride Bicarbonate Anion Gap Amylase Lipase Date Faeces Cestode eggs Ascarid Eggs PCV WCC Neutrophil Eosinophil Basophil Lymphocyte Monocyte Band Neutrophil Serum Magnesium Aluminium Vandium Chromium Manganese Iron Cobalt Nickel Copper Zinc Arsenic Selenium Cadmium Mercury Lead Bismuth Date