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Yan WL, Sun HT, Zhao YC, Hou XW, Zhang M, Zhao Q, Elsheikha HM, Ni HB. Global prevalence of Plasmodium infection in wild birds: A systematic review and meta-analysis. Res Vet Sci 2024; 168:105136. [PMID: 38183894 DOI: 10.1016/j.rvsc.2024.105136] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/02/2023] [Revised: 12/28/2023] [Accepted: 01/01/2024] [Indexed: 01/08/2024]
Abstract
Avian malaria is a vector-borne parasitic disease caused by Plasmodium infection transmitted to birds by mosquitoes. The aim of this systematic review was to analyze the global prevalence of malaria and risk factors associated with infection in wild birds. A systematic search of the databases CNKI, WanFang, VIP, PubMed, and ScienceDirect was performed from database inception to 24 February 2023. The search identified 3181 retrieved articles, of which 52 articles met predetermined inclusion criteria. Meta-analysis was performed using the random-effects model. The estimated pooled global prevalence of Plasmodium infection in wild birds was 16%. Sub-group analysis showed that the highest prevalence was associated with adult birds, migrant birds, North America, tropical rainforest climate, birds captured by mist nets, detection of infection by microscopy, medium quality studies, and studies published after 2016. Our study highlights the need for more understanding of Plasmodium prevalence in wild birds and identifying risk factors associated with infection to inform future infection control measures.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wei-Lan Yan
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Qingdao Agricultural University, Qingdao 266109, Shandong Province, PR China; College of Life Science, Changchun Sci-Tech University, Shuangyang 130600, Jilin Province, PR China
| | - He-Ting Sun
- Center of Prevention and Control Biological Disaster, State Forestry and Grassland Administration, Shenyang 110034, Liaoning Province, PR China
| | - Yi-Chen Zhao
- Academy of Forestry Inventory and Planning, National Forestry and Grassland Administration, Beijing 100714, PR China
| | - Xin-Wen Hou
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Qingdao Agricultural University, Qingdao 266109, Shandong Province, PR China
| | - Miao Zhang
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Qingdao Agricultural University, Qingdao 266109, Shandong Province, PR China
| | - Quan Zhao
- College of Life Science, Changchun Sci-Tech University, Shuangyang 130600, Jilin Province, PR China.
| | - Hany M Elsheikha
- Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, School of Veterinary Medicine and Science, University of Nottingham, Sutton Bonington Campus, Loughborough, UK.
| | - Hong-Bo Ni
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Qingdao Agricultural University, Qingdao 266109, Shandong Province, PR China
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Yabsley MJ, Coker SM, Welch CN, Garrett KB, Murray M, Grunert R, Seixas JS, Kistler WM, Curry SE, Adams HC, Nakatsu CS, Swanepoel L, Wyckoff ST, Koser TM, Kurimo-Beechuk E, Haynes E, Hernandez SM. A single Haemoproteus plataleae haplotype is widespread in white ibis ( Eudocimus albus) from urban and rural sites in southern Florida. Int J Parasitol Parasites Wildl 2023; 21:269-276. [PMID: 37520900 PMCID: PMC10372042 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijppaw.2023.06.010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/04/2023] [Revised: 06/27/2023] [Accepted: 06/27/2023] [Indexed: 08/01/2023]
Abstract
The American white ibis (Eudocimus albus), a common bird species in Florida, has become increasingly urban, with many populations relying heavily on urban and suburban habitats, which may alter parasite transmission. Parasites of ibis, especially haemosporidians, are understudied. Avian haemosporidia can have a wide range of impacts on birds, including decreased reproductive success or increased mortality. Because southern Florida is subtropical and has a high diversity of potential vectors for haemosporidia, we hypothesized that there will be a high prevalence and genetic diversity of haemosporidia in white ibis. A total of 636 ibis from South Florida were sampled from 2010 to 2022, and blood samples were tested for haemosporidia by examination of Giemsa-stained thin blood smears and/or nested PCRs targeting the cytochrome b gene. A total of 400 (62.9%, 95% CI 59-66.7%) ibis were positive for parasites that were morphologically identified as Haemoproteus plataleae. Sequences of 302 positives revealed a single haplotype of Haemoproteus (EUDRUB01), which was previously reported from white ibis in South Florida and captive scarlet ibis (E. ruber) in Brazil. No Plasmodium or Leucocytozoon infections were detected. Parasitemias of the 400 positive birds were very low (average 0.084%, range 0.001%-2.16% [although only 2 birds had parasitemias >1%]). Prevalence and parasitemias were similar for males and females (68% vs. 61.6% and 0.081% vs. 0.071%, respectively). Prevalence in juveniles was lower compared with adults (52% vs. 67.4%) but parasitemias were higher in juveniles (0.117% vs. 0.065%). This data shows that H. plataleae is common in ibis in South Florida. Although parasitemias were generally low, additional research is needed to determine if this parasite has subclinical effects on ibis, if additional haplotypes or parasite species infect ibis in other regions of their range, or if H. plataleae is pathogenic for other sympatric avian species.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michael J. Yabsley
- Warnell School of Forestry and Natural Resources, University of Georgia, Athens, GA, USA
- Southeastern Cooperative Wildlife Disease Study, University of Georgia, Athens, GA, USA
- Center for Ecology of Infectious Diseases, University of Georgia, Athens, GA, USA
| | - Sarah M. Coker
- Warnell School of Forestry and Natural Resources, University of Georgia, Athens, GA, USA
- Southeastern Cooperative Wildlife Disease Study, University of Georgia, Athens, GA, USA
| | - Catharine N. Welch
- Southeastern Cooperative Wildlife Disease Study, University of Georgia, Athens, GA, USA
- Common Ground Ecology, Tampa, FL, USA
| | - Kayla B. Garrett
- Warnell School of Forestry and Natural Resources, University of Georgia, Athens, GA, USA
- Southeastern Cooperative Wildlife Disease Study, University of Georgia, Athens, GA, USA
| | - Maureen Murray
- Warnell School of Forestry and Natural Resources, University of Georgia, Athens, GA, USA
- Southeastern Cooperative Wildlife Disease Study, University of Georgia, Athens, GA, USA
| | - Ryan Grunert
- Southeastern Cooperative Wildlife Disease Study, University of Georgia, Athens, GA, USA
| | - Julia S. Seixas
- Warnell School of Forestry and Natural Resources, University of Georgia, Athens, GA, USA
- Southeastern Cooperative Wildlife Disease Study, University of Georgia, Athens, GA, USA
| | - Whitney M. Kistler
- School of Mathematics and Sciences, Lincoln Memorial University, Harrogate, TN, USA
| | - Shannon E. Curry
- Southeastern Cooperative Wildlife Disease Study, University of Georgia, Athens, GA, USA
| | - Henry C. Adams
- Warnell School of Forestry and Natural Resources, University of Georgia, Athens, GA, USA
- Southeastern Cooperative Wildlife Disease Study, University of Georgia, Athens, GA, USA
| | - Charlie S. Nakatsu
- Southeastern Cooperative Wildlife Disease Study, University of Georgia, Athens, GA, USA
| | - Liandrie Swanepoel
- Southeastern Cooperative Wildlife Disease Study, University of Georgia, Athens, GA, USA
| | - Seth T. Wyckoff
- Warnell School of Forestry and Natural Resources, University of Georgia, Athens, GA, USA
- Southeastern Cooperative Wildlife Disease Study, University of Georgia, Athens, GA, USA
| | - Troy M. Koser
- Warnell School of Forestry and Natural Resources, University of Georgia, Athens, GA, USA
- Southeastern Cooperative Wildlife Disease Study, University of Georgia, Athens, GA, USA
| | - Elizabeth Kurimo-Beechuk
- Warnell School of Forestry and Natural Resources, University of Georgia, Athens, GA, USA
- Southeastern Cooperative Wildlife Disease Study, University of Georgia, Athens, GA, USA
| | - Ellen Haynes
- Southeastern Cooperative Wildlife Disease Study, University of Georgia, Athens, GA, USA
| | - Sonia M. Hernandez
- Warnell School of Forestry and Natural Resources, University of Georgia, Athens, GA, USA
- Southeastern Cooperative Wildlife Disease Study, University of Georgia, Athens, GA, USA
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Ágh N, Csörgő T, Szöllősi E. Delay in arrival: lineage-specific influence of haemosporidians on autumn migration of European robins. Parasitol Res 2022; 121:2831-2840. [PMID: 36001132 PMCID: PMC9464164 DOI: 10.1007/s00436-022-07621-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/08/2022] [Accepted: 08/04/2022] [Indexed: 11/01/2022]
Abstract
Haemosporidian blood parasites are widely used in evolutionary ecological research when exploring the effects of parasites on different life-history traits of their bird hosts. However, their roles in bird migration are less studied. If these parasites deteriorate the body condition of the birds strongly, they might negatively affect the whole migration phenology and the survival of the birds as well. In our study, we tested the relationships between infection for parasite genera (Haemoproteus or Plasmodium), the three most frequent parasite lineages and body condition (body mass, fat deposit), and the timing of autumn migration in the European Robin (Erithacus rubecula). We found that mean body mass and fat scores did not differ between parasitized and non-parasitized individuals, but infected juveniles arrived later than their non-infected counterparts. The difference in the arrival time of parasitized and non-parasitized birds was greater in the case of Haemoproteus infections. However, when we analysed the effects of the distinct parasite lineages separately, we found that prevalence of parasite lineages correlated with the body mass, fat storage, and timing of autumn migration of the birds in a different direction. Our results therefore emphasize the importance of testing the impacts of the different parasites individually, because possible lineage-specific effects on bird condition during migration might exist.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nóra Ágh
- ELKH-PE Evolutionary Ecology Research Group, University of Pannonia, Veszprém, Hungary. .,Department of Ecology, Molecular Ecology Research Group, University of Veterinary Medicine Budapest, Budapest, Hungary. .,Behavioural Ecology Research Group, Center for Natural Sciences, University of Pannonia, Egyetem str. 10, 8200, Veszprém, Hungary.
| | - Tibor Csörgő
- Department of Anatomy Cell- and Developmental Biology, ELTE, Eötvös Loránd University, Budapest, Hungary
| | - Eszter Szöllősi
- Department of Systematic Zoology and Ecology, Behavioural Ecology Group, ELTE, Eötvös Loránd University, Budapest, Hungary
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Characterization of the Plasmodium and Haemoproteus parasite community in temperate-tropical birds during spring migration. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL FOR PARASITOLOGY-PARASITES AND WILDLIFE 2021; 15:12-21. [PMID: 33936944 PMCID: PMC8079335 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijppaw.2021.03.013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/26/2021] [Revised: 03/26/2021] [Accepted: 03/26/2021] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
Abstract
Animal movements, especially avian migration, can be a mechanism for the large-scale dispersal and geographic range expansion of parasites. The host-parasite relationships among birds during migration have yet to be fully explored. We characterized the haemosporidian parasite lineages in passerines during spring migration on the Texas coast of the Gulf of Mexico, and identified associations among wintering origin (US, Central America, South America) and foraging height (canopy, understory, ground) and infection status. We examined 743 samples representing 52 species of 10 families over six years, 2014-2019. We used PCR and DNA sequencing of the haemosporidian cytB gene from avian blood samples to determine infection status with the genera Plasmodium and Haemoproteus and characterize the lineages of blood parasites. We found an overall haemosporidian infection prevalence of 48.4% among neotropical migrant and Texas wintering birds. Among families, Icterids had the highest prevalence (75%, 24 individuals, 4 species sampled) whereas Parulids had the lowest prevalence (38.4%, 177 individuals, 18 species sampled). Among infected birds, Plasmodium spp. infections were more common than Haemoproteus spp. infections in species that winter in Central America compared to those that winter in the US or South America. Similarly, among infected birds, Plasmodium spp. infections were more common than Haemoproteus spp. infections in species that forage on the ground or in the understory compared to those that forage in the canopy. Infected birds harbored 65 different haemosporidian lineages (71% Plasmodium; 29% Haemoproteus) of which 17 lineages have never previously been reported and six lineages were documented for the first time in North America, having been previously detected only in Central or South America. These data are consistent with the premise that intercontinental parasite dispersal may be facilitated by passerine birds. Future studies focused on surveillance, the probability of establishment of parasite lineages, and the use of individual bird tracking methods to understand infection dispersion over time will allow a more comprehensive understanding of changing avian host-haemosporidian relationships.
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Gupta P, Vishnudas CK, Robin VV, Dharmarajan G. Host phylogeny matters: Examining sources of variation in infection risk by blood parasites across a tropical montane bird community in India. Parasit Vectors 2020; 13:536. [PMID: 33115505 PMCID: PMC7594458 DOI: 10.1186/s13071-020-04404-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/01/2020] [Accepted: 10/14/2020] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Identifying patterns and drivers of infection risk among host communities is crucial to elucidate disease dynamics and predict infectious disease risk in wildlife populations. Blood parasites of the genera Plasmodium and Haemoproteus are a diverse group of vector-borne protozoan parasites that affect bird populations globally. Despite their widespread distribution and exceptional diversity, factors underlying haemosporidian infection risk in wild bird communities remain poorly understood. While some studies have examined variation in avian haemosporidian risk, researchers have primarily focused on host ecological traits without considering host phylogenetic relationships. In this study, we employ a phylogenetically informed approach to examine the association between host ecological traits and haemosporidian infection risk in endemic bird communities in the Western Ghats Sky Islands. Methods We used parasite sequence data based on partial mitochondrial cytochrome b gene, that was amplified from genomic DNA extracted from 1177 birds (28 species) across the Western Ghats to assess infection of birds with haemosporidian parasites. We employed a Bayesian phylogenetic mixed effect modelling approach to test whether haemosporidian infection risk was affected by seven species-specific and four individual-level ecological predictors. We also examined the effect of host phylogenetic relationships on the observed patterns of variation in haemosporidian infection risk by estimating phylogenetic signal. Results Our study shows that host ecological traits and host phylogeny differentially influence infection risk by Plasmodium (generalist parasite) and Haemoproteus (specialist parasite). For Plasmodium, we found that sociality, sexual dimorphism and foraging strata were important ecological predictors. For Haemoproteus, patterns of infection risk among host species were associated with sociality, species elevation and individual body condition. Interestingly, variance in infection risk explained by host phylogeny was higher for Haemoproteus parasites compared to Plasmodium. Conclusions Our study highlights that while host ecological traits promoting parasite exposure and host susceptibility are important determinants of infection risk, host phylogeny also contributes substantially to predicting patterns of haemosporidian infection risk in multi-host communities. Importantly, infection risk is driven by joint contributions of host ecology and host phylogeny and studying these effects together could increase our ability to better understand the drivers of infection risk and predict future disease threats. Graphical abstract ![]()
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Affiliation(s)
- Pooja Gupta
- Savannah River Ecology Laboratory, University of Georgia, Aiken, SC, USA. .,Warnell School of Forestry and Natural Resources, University of Georgia, Athens, GA, 30602, USA. .,Indian Institute of Science Education and Research Kolkata, Mohanpur, West Bengal, 741246, India.
| | - C K Vishnudas
- Indian Institute of Science Education and Research Tirupati, Mangalam, Tirupati, 517507, India
| | - V V Robin
- Indian Institute of Science Education and Research Tirupati, Mangalam, Tirupati, 517507, India
| | - Guha Dharmarajan
- Savannah River Ecology Laboratory, University of Georgia, Aiken, SC, USA.,Indian Institute of Science Education and Research Kolkata, Mohanpur, West Bengal, 741246, India
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Groff TC, Lorenz TJ, Crespo R, Iezhova T, Valkiūnas G, Sehgal RN. Haemoproteosis lethality in a woodpecker, with molecular and morphological characterization of Haemoproteus velans (Haemosporida, Haemoproteidae). Int J Parasitol Parasites Wildl 2019; 10:93-100. [PMID: 31417845 PMCID: PMC6690637 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijppaw.2019.07.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/24/2019] [Revised: 07/16/2019] [Accepted: 07/17/2019] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
A juvenile White-headed woodpecker (Dryobates albolarvatus) fitted with a radio tag was located dead at approximately 22-days post-fledging in Yakima county in central Washington in July 2015. Postmortem examination revealed an enlarged liver and spleen plus evidence of iron sequestration. Microscopic examination observed young gametocytes within the cytoplasm of erythrocytes, and exo-erythrocytic meronts within the cytoplasm of capillary endothelial cells, hepatocytes, and myocytes, and free in the tissues. These attributes implicated a haemosporidian infection that likely resulted in mortality. Subsequent sampling results of local woodpecker species in the same area during the breeding season in June-July 2016 and May-July 2017 showed other individuals infected with Haemoproteus parasites. Nested Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR), sequencing, and microscopic analyses for avian haemosporidians revealed infections with Haemoproteus velans (Haemosporida, Haemoproteidae). This parasite was characterized molecularly and morphologically. This is the first report of a haemosporidian infection in a White-headed woodpecker anywhere in its range, and the first reported suspected mortality from haemoproteosis for a woodpecker (Piciformes, Picidae). The use of radio-tagged birds is an asset in wildlife haemosporidian studies because the effect of the pathogen can be monitored in real time. Additionally, this methodology provides opportunities to collect fresh material for microscopic and histological examination from wild birds that have died from natural causes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tierra C. Groff
- San Francisco State University, Biology Department, 1600 Holloway Ave, San Francisco, CA, 94312, USA
| | - Teresa J. Lorenz
- U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Pacific Northwest Research Station, 3625 93rd Ave SW, Olympia, WA, 98512, USA
| | - Rocio Crespo
- North Carolina State, College of Veterinary Medicine, 1060 William Moore Dr, Raleigh, NC, 27607, USA
| | - Tatjana Iezhova
- Institute of Ecology, Nature Research Centre, Akademijos Str. 2, LT-08412, Vilnius, Lithuania
| | - Gediminas Valkiūnas
- Institute of Ecology, Nature Research Centre, Akademijos Str. 2, LT-08412, Vilnius, Lithuania
| | - Ravinder N.M. Sehgal
- San Francisco State University, Biology Department, 1600 Holloway Ave, San Francisco, CA, 94312, USA
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Avian malaria on Madagascar: prevalence, biodiversity and specialization of haemosporidian parasites. Int J Parasitol 2018; 49:199-210. [PMID: 30471288 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijpara.2018.11.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/18/2018] [Revised: 10/31/2018] [Accepted: 11/01/2018] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Abstract
Previous studies about geographic patterns of species diversity of avian malaria parasites and others in the Order Haemosporida did not include the avian biodiversity hotspot Madagascar. Since there are few data available on avian malaria parasites on Madagascar, we conducted the first known large-scale molecular-based study to investigate their biodiversity. Samples (1067) from 55 bird species were examined by a PCR method amplifying nearly the whole haemosporidian cytochrome b gene (1063 bp). The parasite lineages found were further characterized phylogenetically and the degree of specialization was determined with a newly introduced host diversity index (Hd). Our results demonstrate that Madagascar indeed represents a biodiversity hotspot for avian malaria parasites as we detected 71 genetically distinct parasite lineages of the genera Plasmodium and Haemoproteus. Furthermore, by using a phylogenetic approach and including the sequence divergence we suspect that the detected haemosporidian lineages represent at least 29 groups i.e. proposed species. The here presented Hd values for each parasite regarding host species, genus and family strongly support previous works demonstrating the elastic host ranges of some avian parsites of the Order Haemosporida. Representatives of the avian parasite genera Plasmodium and Leucocytozoon tend to more often be generalists than those of the genus Haemoproteus. However, as demonstrated in various examples, there is a large overlap and single parasite lineages frequently deviate from this rule.
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Smith JD, Gill SA, Baker KM, Vonhof MJ. Prevalence and diversity of avian Haemosporida infecting songbirds in southwest Michigan. Parasitol Res 2017; 117:471-489. [PMID: 29282527 DOI: 10.1007/s00436-017-5724-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/12/2017] [Accepted: 12/13/2017] [Indexed: 10/18/2022]
Abstract
Avian blood parasites from the genera Plasmodium, Haemoproteus, and Leucocytozoon (Haemosporida) affect hosts in numerous ways. They influence species interactions, host behavior, reproductive success, and cause pathology and mortality in birds. The Great Lakes region of North America has extensive aquatic and wetland habitat and supports a diverse vector community. Here we describe the community of bird-infecting Haemosporida in southwest Michigan and their host associations by measuring parasite prevalence, diversity, and host breadth across a diverse community of avian hosts. Over 700 songbirds of 55 species were screened for Haemosporida infection across southwest Michigan, including 11 species that were targeted for larger sample sizes. In total, 71 parasite lineages infected over 40% of birds. Of these, 42 were novel, yet richness estimates suggest that approximately half of the actual parasite diversity in the host community was observed despite intensive sampling of multiple host species. Parasite prevalence varied among parasite genera (7-24%) and target host species (0-85%), and parasite diversity was consistently high across most target species. Host breadth varied widely across the most prevalent parasite lineages, and we detected around 60% of host species richness for these parasite lineages. We report many new lineages and novel host-parasite associations, but substantial parasite diversity remains undiscovered in the Midwest.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jamie D Smith
- Department of Biological Sciences, Western Michigan University, 1903 W. Michigan Ave, Kalamazoo, MI, 49008, USA
| | - Sharon A Gill
- Department of Biological Sciences, Western Michigan University, 1903 W. Michigan Ave, Kalamazoo, MI, 49008, USA
| | - Kathleen M Baker
- Department of Geography, Western Michigan University, 1903 W. Michigan Ave, Kalamazoo, MI, 49008, USA.,W.E. Upjohn Center for the Study of Geographical Change, Western Michigan University, 1903 W. Michigan Ave, Kalamazoo, MI, 49008, USA
| | - Maarten J Vonhof
- Department of Biological Sciences, Western Michigan University, 1903 W. Michigan Ave, Kalamazoo, MI, 49008, USA. .,Institute of the Environment and Sustainability, Western Michigan University, 1903 W. Michigan Ave, Kalamazoo, MI, 49008, USA.
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Haemosporidian prevalence and parasitaemia in the Black-throated sparrow (Amphispiza bilineata) in central-Mexican dryland habitats. Parasitol Res 2017; 116:2527-2537. [PMID: 28766152 DOI: 10.1007/s00436-017-5562-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/12/2017] [Accepted: 07/19/2017] [Indexed: 10/19/2022]
Abstract
To date it is not well-understood how seasonality and human-induced habitat change may affect haemosporidian prevalence and parasitaemia in bird hosts in dryland habitats. We compared haemosporidian prevalence and parasitaemia between habitat types, including Yucca-dominated scrublands (closed habitat) and creosotebush scrublands (open habitat), and between seasons, including non-breeding (dry) and breeding (wet) in the Black-throated sparrow (Amphispiza bilineata) at semi-arid scrublands of Central Mexico. This bird species has different habitat preferences in comparison to other, previously studied species in the region; it shows higher abundances in open than in closed habitats and avoids urban areas. Overall haemosporidian prevalence was 22.1%. Prevalence and parasitaemia were higher for Haemoproteus sp. (Parahaemoproteus sp.) than Plasmodium. Variation in haemoparasitism was not associated with habitat type. This response differs from the previously recorded response in other bird species in the region for which haemoparasitism increases with increasing habitat degradation. Seasonality seems to be the most important driver of parasite infection for this sparrow as prevalence and parasitaemia were higher during the breeding than the non-breeding season. Two new lineages of Haemoproteus sp. that had not been reported before in any avian species were found through molecular diagnosis. A high diversity of haemosporidian lineages is shared among sites. More study is needed to understand the mechanisms that associate parasitaemia, prevalence, and specific environmental factors.
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Fast KM, Walstrom VW, Outlaw DC. Haemosporidian Prevalence and Parasitemia In the Tufted Titmouse (Baeolophus bicolor). J Parasitol 2016; 102:636-642. [DOI: 10.1645/15-935] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
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Clark NJ, Wells K, Dimitrov D, Clegg SM. Co-infections and environmental conditions drive the distributions of blood parasites in wild birds. J Anim Ecol 2016; 85:1461-1470. [DOI: 10.1111/1365-2656.12578] [Citation(s) in RCA: 61] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/13/2016] [Accepted: 07/17/2016] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Nicholas J. Clark
- Environmental Futures Research Institute; School of Environment; Griffith University; Gold Coast Qld 4111 Australia
- Natural Environments Program; Queensland Museum; Institute of Biodiversity and Ecosystem Research; P.O. Box 3300 South Brisbane Qld 4101 Australia
| | - Konstans Wells
- Environmental Futures Research Institute; School of Environment; Griffith University; Gold Coast Qld 4111 Australia
| | - Dimitar Dimitrov
- Institute of Biodiversity and Ecosystem Research at the Bulgarian Academy of Sciences; 2 Gagarin Street Sofia 1113 Bulgaria
| | - Sonya M. Clegg
- Environmental Futures Research Institute; School of Environment; Griffith University; Gold Coast Qld 4111 Australia
- Department of Zoology; Edward Grey Institute of Field Ornithology; University of Oxford; Oxford OX1 3PS UK
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