Galapagos Species Database

Taxon category: Accepted

Origin: Cryptogenic

Year of first record: 1899

Impact in Galapagos: The virus is known to affect at least 9 passerine species in the archipelago, including mockingbirds, yellow warblers, and several finch species. Infected birds experience higher mortality rates, especially during stressful conditions such as El Nino years. Species that are already severely threatened such as the Mangrove finch and Floreana mockingbird may be pushed to extinction if the pox virus spreads to their populations.

Impact elsewhere: The virus is suspected of being a contributer to multiple extinctions of endemic bird species in Hawai'i.

Control methods elsewhere: To control avian pox, vectors of the disease such as mosquitos must first be controlled. Vector breeding sites are identified and eliminated. Infected individuals may also be removed from the population to eliminate the source of more viral transmission. Domestic birds can be vaccinated for some strains of avian pox, but vaccinations have not been proven to be safe, effective, or logistically feasible for wild bird populations.

Known Pest elsewhere: Hawai'i

Substrate or host preferences: birds

Trophic role: Phytopathogenic parasite

Distribution origin: widespread worldwide

Disease vector: The virus is vectored by biting arthropods such as mosquitos and biting flies. The virus can also be spread through contact of breaks in the skin or mucuous membranes with contaminated dust particles or surfaces.

Distribution: Champion, Española, Floreana, Isabela, Marchena, San Cristobal, Santa Cruz, Santa Fe, Santiago

• Jiménez-Uzcátegui, G. Wiedenfeld, D.A. & Parker, P.G. (2007) Virurela aviar en especies silvestres (Passeriformes) en la isla Santa Cruz, Galápagos, Ecuador. Brenesia 67: 29-34.
• Thiel, T. Whiteman, N.K., Tirapé, A., Baquero, M. I., Cedeño, V., Walsh, T., Jiménez-Uzcátegui, G. & Parker, P.G. (2005) Characterization of canary pox-like viruses infecting endemic birds in the Galapagos Islands. Journal of Wildlife Diseases 41(2): 342-353.
• Vargas, H. (1987) Frequency and effect of pox-like lesions in Galapagos Mockingbirds. Journal of Field Ornithology 58(2): 101-102.
• Duffy, D. Harcourt, S. (1980) Investigaciónes sobre avian pox, distribución y efectos de la enfermedad en las aves de Galápagos. In: Duffy, D.C., Reynolds, D.J. & Campos, M.J. (eds.): Informe Annual ECChD. Estación Científica Charles Darwin. Puerto Ayora, Ecuador, p. 109-112.
• International Committee on Taxonomy of Viruses (ICTV) (2010) Virus Taxonomy List: 2009 Release, online database. http://www.ictvonline.org/virusTaxonomy.asp?version=2009.
• Whiteman, N.K. Goodman, S.J., Sinclair, B.J., Walsh, T., Cunningham, A.A., Kramer, L.D. & Parker, P.D. (2005) Establishment of the avian disease vector Culex quinquefasciatus Say, 1823 (Diptera: Culicidae) on the Galápagos Islands, Ecuador. Ibis 147: 844-847.
• Kleindorfer, S. Dudaniec, R.Y. (2006) Increasing prevalence of avian poxvirus in Darwin’s finches and its effect on male pairing success. Journal of Avian Biology 37: 69-76.
• Parker, P.G. Buckles, E.L., Farrington, H., Petren, K., Whiteman, N.K., Ricklefs, R.E., Bollmer, J.L. & Jiménez-Uzcátegui, G. (2011) 110 years of Avipoxvirus in the Galápagos Islands. PLoS ONE 6(1): e15989. doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0015989
• Deem, S.L. Cruz, M., Jiménez-Uzcátegui, G., Fessl, B., Miller, E. & Parker, P.G. (2008) Pathogens and parasites: an increasing threat to the conservation of Galápagos. Informe Galápagos 2007-2008. FCD, PNG & INGALA. Puerto Ayora, Ecuador. Pp. 136–141.
• Hansen, W. (1999) Chapter 19: Avian Pox M. Friend, J.C. Franson, E.A. Ciganovich, (eds.): Field Manual of Wildlife Diseases: General Field Procedures and Diseases of Birds. Information and Technology Report 1999–001, U.S. Geological Survey, Washington D.C., p. 163-169.