Factors such as climate change and parasitic infection will affect the survival of the South American sea dog

On the Guafo Island of Chile, almost all South American sea dog cubs were infected to varying degrees of hookworm disease. Photographer: Professor of Georgia University Mauricioseguel

According to a researcher at Georgia University, many sea dogs living in South America have extremely severe hookworm disease infections and like to soak in the water for a long time. This is not a good sign. The research team of Georgia University assumes that the infectious disease infection rate is extremely high because it is difficult for the sea dog cubs to get the care of the sea dog's mother and lack immunity to these parasites. The mother -in -law mothers are busy dealing with challenges caused by all climate warming caused by human activities.

Hookworm disease is extremely fatal for the survival of South American sea dogs. A professor funded by a Morrison Animal Foundation once said, "More than 20%of sea dog cubs died in hookworm disease each year." Therefore, it is particularly important to study the relationship between animal behavior, animal health, disease dissemination, and climate warming.

In order to conduct better field research, Professor Sequel followed the investigation of a large number of South American sea dog cubs to record their survival and living conditions in at least eight weeks, especially in the water in the water. In addition, the researchers also conducted daily inspections of the blood and excrement of the sea dogs.

After hard research, scientists have found that those sea dog cubs infected with severe hookworm disease have been staying in the water for longer and more active in the water. Further studies have found that these severe infected sea dog cubs have been taken care of by sea dog mothers. The research team's interpretation of this phenomenon is that the temperature of the ocean due to the problem of climate change caused by human activities has increased, which leads to a decrease in the number of fish, that is, the food source of the sea dogs has become less. Therefore, the mother of the sea dogs had to leave the cubs to survive. Correspondingly, the sea dog cubs do not get the care of their mothers, and they will stay in the water longer. Therefore, their immunity will become lower and more likely to be infected.

Although a series of problems caused by climate warming will have a long -term impact on the number of sea dogs, they have determined that in the recent period, the climate crisis will bring huge challenges to the growth and development of sea dog cubs. Therefore, the relationship between the relationship between the survival health of the South American sea dog and the climate change is of great significance.

In the future research, Professor Sequel and his team will thoroughly study the swimming behavior of the sea dog cubs and explore the exact effect of the long time of the sea dog staying in the water.

Translation/kim review/yj editor/pierre

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