Seroprevalence of <i>Toxoplasma gondii</i> in mainland and sub-Antarctic New Zealand sea lion (<i>Phocarctos hookeri</i>) populations

Abstract

Toxoplasma gondii infection is unlikely to be a major contributor to poor reproductive success in New Zealand sea lions. However, continued surveillance is pertinent to assess subclinical and clinical impacts of the parasite on these threatened populations. The commercial tests evaluated here, with further species-specific threshold refinement could provide a fast, inexpensive and reliable indicator of T. gondii exposure in New Zealand sea lions.