Bacterial resistance to antibiotics in Procellariiformes: threats for endangered oceanic birds or signs of coevolution?

Albatrosses and Petrels are among the most endangered seabirds and rarely approach land, except for breeding. Only two species nest in Brazilian territory, the others are migratory birds. Mortality from industrial fisheries bycatch is one of the greatest threats. The main objective of this study was to identify cloacal and oropharyngeal microbiota resistance to antibiotics for these birds. Sampling for this study was carried out in partnership with the Beach Monitoring Project in Santa Catarina (Associação R3 Animal) and material from nesting areas were obtained by field expedition to the Fernando de Noronha archipelago. A total of 69 cloacal and oral samples were analysed from Puffinus ilhermieri, Puffinus puffinus, Puffinus griseus, Thalassarche melanophris, Procellaria aequinoctialis, Macronectes giganteus, Colonectris diomedea, Procellaria conspicillata and Puffinus gravis. 72 colonies were isolated, culminating in the identification of eleven bacteria: Citrobacter diversus, Citrobacter freundii, Escherichia coli, Serratia marcescens, Klebsiella pneumoniae, Proteus mirabilis, Bacillus sp., Streptococus sp., Serratia sp., Estafilococos sp. and, Enterobacter sp. Antibiotic resistance patterns were observed. Albatrosses and Petrels are sentinels of oceans health and these microbiological tools studied potentially can be used on population and environment monitoring.