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Salaberria C, Chávez-Zichinelli CA, López-Rull I, Romano MC, Schondube JE. Physiological status of House Sparrows (Passer domesticus) along an ozone pollution gradient. ECOTOXICOLOGY (LONDON, ENGLAND) 2023; 32:261-272. [PMID: 36810751 PMCID: PMC10008774 DOI: 10.1007/s10646-023-02632-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 01/19/2023] [Indexed: 06/18/2023]
Abstract
Mexico City is one of the most polluted cities in the world, and one in which air contamination is considered a public health threat. Numerous studies have related high concentrations of particulate matter and ozone to several respiratory and cardiovascular diseases and a higher human mortality risk. However, almost all of those studies have focused on human health outcomes, and the effects of anthropogenic air pollution on wildlife species is still poorly understood. In this study, we investigated the impacts of air pollution in the Mexico City Metropolitan Area (MCMA) on house sparrows (Passer domesticus). We assessed two physiological responses commonly used as biomarkers: stress response (the corticosterone concentration in feathers), and constitutive innate immune response (the concentration of both natural antibodies and lytic complement proteins), which are non-invasive techniques. We found a negative relationship between the ozone concentration and the natural antibodies response (p = 0.003). However, no relationship was found between the ozone concentration and the stress response or the complement system activity (p > 0.05). These results suggest that ozone concentrations in air pollution within MCMA may constrain the natural antibody response in the immune system of house sparrows. Our study shows, for the first time, the potential impact of ozone pollution on a wild species in the MCMA presenting the Nabs activity and the house sparrow as suitable indicators to assess the effect of air contamination on the songbirds.
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Affiliation(s)
- Concepción Salaberria
- Área de Biodiversidad, Departamento de Biología y Geología, Física y Química Inorgánica, Universidad Rey Juan Carlos, Calle Tulipán s/n, 28933 Móstoles, Madrid, España
| | | | - Isabel López-Rull
- Área de Biodiversidad, Departamento de Biología y Geología, Física y Química Inorgánica, Universidad Rey Juan Carlos, Calle Tulipán s/n, 28933 Móstoles, Madrid, España
| | - Marta C Romano
- Centro de Investigación y de Estudios Avanzados del Instituto Politécnico Nacional, 07360, Ciudad de México, México
| | - Jorge E Schondube
- Instituto de Investigaciones en Ecosistemas y Sustentabilidad, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Campus Morelia, Antigua Carretera a Pátzcuaro 8701, Colonia Ex Hacienda de San José de la Huerta, 58190, Morelia, Michoacán, Mexico.
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Langeloh L, Jokela J, Seppälä K, Seppälä O. Ecological determinants of variation in phenotypic selection on quantitative immune defence traits. OIKOS 2022. [DOI: 10.1111/oik.09506] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Laura Langeloh
- Dept of Aquatic Ecology, Eawag, Swiss Federal Inst. of Aquatic Science and Technology Dübendorf Switzerland
- Inst. of Integrative Biology, ETH Zürich Zürich Switzerland
| | - Jukka Jokela
- Dept of Aquatic Ecology, Eawag, Swiss Federal Inst. of Aquatic Science and Technology Dübendorf Switzerland
- Inst. of Integrative Biology, ETH Zürich Zürich Switzerland
| | - Katri Seppälä
- Dept of Aquatic Ecology, Eawag, Swiss Federal Inst. of Aquatic Science and Technology Dübendorf Switzerland
- Research Dept of Limnology, Univ. of Innsbuck Mondsee Austria
| | - Otto Seppälä
- Dept of Aquatic Ecology, Eawag, Swiss Federal Inst. of Aquatic Science and Technology Dübendorf Switzerland
- Inst. of Integrative Biology, ETH Zürich Zürich Switzerland
- Research Dept of Limnology, Univ. of Innsbuck Mondsee Austria
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3
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Fracasso G, Matthysen E, Heylen D. Heritable variation in host quality as measured through an ectoparasite's performance. OIKOS 2021. [DOI: 10.1111/oik.08824] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Dieter Heylen
- Interuniversity Inst. for Biostatistics and Statistical Bioinformatics, Hasselt Univ. Diepenbeek Belgium
- Eco‐Epidemiology Group, Dept of Biomedical Sciences, Inst. of Tropical Medicine Antwerp Belgium
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Experimental Evaluation of δ2H, δ13C and δ15N Variability in Blood and Feathers of Wild and Captive Birds: Implications for Interspecific Food Web Studies. DIVERSITY 2021. [DOI: 10.3390/d13100495] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
Stable-hydrogen (δ2H), nitrogen (δ15N), and carbon (δ13C) isotopes are used to decipher broad movement patterns and trophic relationships among diverse species, and an improved understanding of factors controlling natural variation in tissue-isotope measurements will enhance these applications. To evaluate the rearing environment and family-related effects on the isotopic composition of tissues, we cross-fostered nestling tree swallows (Tachycineta bicolor, Vieillot 1808) and American kestrels (Falco sparverius, Linnaeus 1758) by swapping recently hatched birds (<4 days old) among nest boxes and collecting blood and feathers prior to fledging. To assess developmental effects, we measured δ2H in blood and feathers of captive mallard (Anas platyrhynchos, Linnaeus 1758) ducklings challenged energetically during growth. Stable isotope composition was not strongly related to nest box type or natal nest (i.e., family of origin) effects in swallows and kestrels; tissue-isotope composition was related to rearing environment, indicative of differences in nest and parental quality or parental provisioning tactics. Blood and feather δ2H values in swallows were positively related to antecedent maximum ambient temperature, and unrelated to elevated energy expenditure in mallards. The average differences between δ2H in blood and feathers were similar for nestling swallows (27‰, 32‰; two sites) and mallards (26‰, 30‰; two age groups), and lower than in nestling kestrels (50‰). Strong species-specific patterns in blood-feather differences were not observed for δ15N and δ13C in swallows or kestrels; divergent δ2H results may be related to differences in nest ambient conditions, diet composition, or physiological processes affecting hydrogen assimilation during growth and feather synthesis. In swallows, tissue-isotope values reflected parental prey selection from spatially distinct food webs during nestling development with little effect(s) of family of origin, egg composition, or early growth.
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Marjamäki PH, Dugdale HL, Delahay R, McDonald RA, Wilson AJ. Genetic, social and maternal contributions to Mycobacterium bovis infection status in European badgers (Meles meles). J Evol Biol 2021; 34:695-709. [PMID: 33617698 DOI: 10.1111/jeb.13775] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/05/2020] [Revised: 02/14/2021] [Accepted: 02/16/2021] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
Within host populations, individuals can vary in their susceptibility to infections and in the severity and progression of disease once infected. Though mediated through differences in behaviour, resistance or tolerance, variation in disease outcomes ultimately stems from genetic and environmental (including social) factors. Despite obvious implications for the evolutionary, ecological and epidemiological dynamics of disease traits, the relative importance of these factors has rarely been quantified in naturally infected wild animal hosts. Here, we use a long-term capture-mark-recapture study of group-living European badgers (Meles meles) to characterize genetic and environmental sources of variation in host infection status by Mycobacterium bovis, the causative agent of bovine tuberculosis (bTB). We find that genetic factors contribute to M. bovis infection status, whether measured over a lifetime or across repeated captures. In the latter case, the heritability (h2 ) of infection status is close to zero in cubs and yearlings but increases in adulthood. Overall, environmental influences arising from a combination of social group membership (defined in time and space) and maternal effects appear to be more important than genetic factors. Thus, while genes do contribute to among-individual variation, they play a comparatively minor role, meaning that rapid evolution of host defences under parasite-mediated selection is unlikely (especially if selection is on young animals where h2 is lowest). Conversely, our results lend further support to the view that social and early-life environments are important drivers of the dynamics of bTB infection in badger populations specifically, and of disease traits in wild hosts more generally.
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Affiliation(s)
- Paula H Marjamäki
- Centre for Ecology and Conservation, University of Exeter, Penryn Campus, Penryn, Cornwall, UK
| | - Hannah L Dugdale
- Groningen Institute of Evolutionary Life Sciences, University of Groningen, Nijenborgh, The Netherlands
| | - Richard Delahay
- National Wildlife Management Centre, Animal and Plant Health Agency, Gloucestershire, UK
| | - Robbie A McDonald
- Environment and Sustainability Institute, University of Exeter, Penryn, Cornwall, UK
| | - Alastair J Wilson
- Centre for Ecology and Conservation, University of Exeter, Penryn Campus, Penryn, Cornwall, UK
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Kamiński M, Janiszewski T, Indykiewicz P, Nowakowski JJ, Kowalski J, Dulisz B, Minias P. Density-dependence of nestling immune function and physiological condition in semi-precocial colonial bird: a cross-fostering experiment. Front Zool 2021; 18:7. [PMID: 33514396 PMCID: PMC7847143 DOI: 10.1186/s12983-021-00388-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/16/2020] [Accepted: 01/17/2021] [Indexed: 11/11/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Nesting in large aggregations provides several important advantages for colonially breeding birds. However, it also imposes certain costs, associated with facilitated pathogen transmission and social stress. The cost-benefit ratio is not similar for all the birds in a colony and it might be mediated by nest density. To investigate the influence of nest density on cell-mediated immune function and on physiological condition of nestlings, we arranged a cross-fostering experiment in three breeding colonies of black-headed gulls Chroicocephalus ridibundus. First, we exchanged eggs between plots of high and low nest density. Afterwards, we performed phytohaemagglutinin (PHA) skin test and we measured blood haemoglobin concentration in nearly 350 nestlings from experimental (exchanged) and control (non-exchanged) groups. RESULTS We found that PHA response was lowest in high nest density control group, indicating that depressed immune function of offspring, likely caused by social stress, can be considered as a cost of colonial breeding. Contrastingly, body condition of nestlings was the poorest in low density control group. CONCLUSION Nestlings hatched and raised in high nest density plots did not have higher blood haemoglobin concentration in comparison to other study groups. Furthermore, they were affected with depressed cell mediated immune function, which is possibly driven by combined maternal (corticosteroid hormones deposited in yolk) and environmental (elevated social stress) effects. These results indicate that breeders from high nest densities do not benefit by rising offspring in better quality, in terms of immune function and body condition, although, in the light of previous studies, high nest densities are occupied by birds of higher individual quality, than low density areas. Our study provides a novel insight into the mechanisms of density-dependence that govern fitness of colonially nesting birds.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maciej Kamiński
- Department of Biodiversity Studies and Bioeducation, Faculty of Biology and Environmental Protection, University of Lodz, Banacha 1/3, 90-237, Lodz, Poland.
| | - Tomasz Janiszewski
- Department of Biodiversity Studies and Bioeducation, Faculty of Biology and Environmental Protection, University of Lodz, Banacha 1/3, 90-237, Lodz, Poland
| | - Piotr Indykiewicz
- Department of Biology and Animal Environment, Faculty of Animal Breeding and Biology, UTP University of Science and Technology, Mazowiecka 28, 85-084, Bydgoszcz, Poland
| | - Jacek J Nowakowski
- Department of Ecology and Environmental Protection, Faculty of Biology and Biotechnology, University of Warmia and Mazury in Olsztyn, Plac Lodzki 3, 10-727, Olsztyn, Poland
| | | | - Beata Dulisz
- Department of Ecology and Environmental Protection, Faculty of Biology and Biotechnology, University of Warmia and Mazury in Olsztyn, Plac Lodzki 3, 10-727, Olsztyn, Poland
| | - Piotr Minias
- Department of Biodiversity Studies and Bioeducation, Faculty of Biology and Environmental Protection, University of Lodz, Banacha 1/3, 90-237, Lodz, Poland
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Abstract
Blood oxygen-carrying capacity is one of the important determinants of the amount of oxygen supplied to the tissue per unit time and plays a key role in oxidative metabolism. In wild vertebrates, blood oxygen-carrying capacity is most commonly measured with the total blood hemoglobin concentration (Hb) and hematocrit (Hct), which is the volume percentage of red blood cells in blood. Here, I used published estimates of avian Hb and Hct (nearly 1,000 estimates from 300 species) to examine macroevolutionary patterns in the oxygen-carrying capacity of blood in birds. Phylogenetically informed comparative analysis indicated that blood oxygen-carrying capacity was primarily determined by species distribution (latitude and elevation) and morphological constraints (body mass). I found little support for the effect of life-history components on blood oxygen-carrying capacity except for a positive association of Hct with clutch size. Hb was also positively associated with diving behavior, but I found no effect of migratoriness on either Hb or Hct. Fluctuating selection was identified as the major force shaping the evolution of blood oxygen-carrying capacity. The results offer novel insights into the evolution of Hb and Hct in birds, and they provide a general, phylogenetically robust support for some long-standing hypotheses in avian ecophysiology.
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Cyr JL, Gawriluk TR, Kimani JM, Rada B, Watford WT, Kiama SG, Seifert AW, Ezenwa VO. Regeneration-Competent and -Incompetent Murids Differ in Neutrophil Quantity and Function. Integr Comp Biol 2020; 59:1138-1149. [PMID: 30989211 DOI: 10.1093/icb/icz023] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/27/2023] Open
Abstract
Regeneration is rare in mammals, but spiny mice (Acomys spp.) naturally regenerate skin and ear holes. Inflammation is thought to inhibit regeneration during wound healing, but aspects of inflammation contribute to both regeneration and pathogen defense. We compared neutrophil traits among uninjured, regeneration-competent (Acomys: A. cahirinus, A. kempi, A. percivali) and -incompetent (Mus musculus: Swiss Webster, wild-caught strains) murids to test for constitutive differences in neutrophil quantity and function between these groups. Neutrophil quantity differed significantly among species. In blood, Acomys had lower percentages of circulating neutrophils than Mus; and in bone marrow, Acomys had higher percentages of band neutrophils and lower percentages of segmented neutrophils. Functionally, Acomys and Mus neutrophils did not differ in their ability to migrate or produce reactive oxygen species, but Acomys neutrophils phagocytosed more fungal zymosan. Despite this enhanced phagocytosis activity, Acomys neutrophils were not more effective than Mus neutrophils at killing Escherichia coli. Interestingly, whole blood bacteria killing was dominated by serum in Acomys versus neutrophils only or neutrophils and serum in Mus, suggesting that Acomys primarily rely on serum to kill bacteria whereas Mus do not. These subtle differences in neutrophil traits may allow regeneration-competent species to offset damaging effects of inflammation without compromising pathogen defense.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jennifer L Cyr
- Department of Infectious Diseases, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Georgia, Athens, GA 30602, USA
| | - Thomas R Gawriluk
- Department of Biology, University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY 40506, USA
| | - John M Kimani
- Department of Veterinary Anatomy and Physiology, University of Nairobi, P.O. Box 30197-00100, Nairobi, Kenya
| | - Balázs Rada
- Department of Infectious Diseases, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Georgia, Athens, GA 30602, USA
| | - Wendy T Watford
- Department of Infectious Diseases, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Georgia, Athens, GA 30602, USA
| | - Stephen G Kiama
- Department of Veterinary Anatomy and Physiology, University of Nairobi, P.O. Box 30197-00100, Nairobi, Kenya
| | - Ashley W Seifert
- Department of Biology, University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY 40506, USA.,Department of Veterinary Anatomy and Physiology, University of Nairobi, P.O. Box 30197-00100, Nairobi, Kenya
| | - Vanessa O Ezenwa
- Department of Infectious Diseases, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Georgia, Athens, GA 30602, USA.,Odum School of Ecology, University of Georgia, Athens, GA 30602, USA
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Merrill L, Ospina EA, Santymire RM, Benson TJ. Egg Incubation Temperature Affects Development of Innate Immune Function in Nestling American Robins (Turdus migratorius). Physiol Biochem Zool 2020; 93:1-12. [DOI: 10.1086/705361] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/03/2022]
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Minias P, Gach K, Włodarczyk R, Janiszewski T. Colony size affects nestling immune function: a cross-fostering experiment in a colonial waterbird. Oecologia 2019; 190:333-341. [PMID: 31004188 PMCID: PMC6571091 DOI: 10.1007/s00442-019-04402-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/04/2017] [Accepted: 04/10/2019] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
Elevated transmission rate of pathogens and parasites is considered one of the major costs of sociality in birds. However, greater risk of infection in colonial birds might be compensated by specific immune adaptations. Here, we predicted that nestlings raised in larger colonies should invest more in their immune function. To test this hypothesis, we manipulated colony size and conduced cross-fostering experiment in a colonial waterbird, the common tern Sterna hirundo. Establishment of different size colonies under uniform environmental conditions was induced by providing large and small patches of attractive nesting area for terns (floating rafts). Then, pairs of clutches were swapped between large and small tern colonies, and skin-swelling response to phytohaemagglutinin (PHA) was assessed for nestlings from experimental and control broods. Contrary to our expectations, we found a negative effect of foster colony size on nestling PHA response (nestlings raised in the larger colony had lower PHA response). In addition, nestling PHA response correlated negatively with heterophil/lymphocyte ratio used as a measure of physiological stress. This suggested that low PHA response of nestlings raised in the larger colony could be mediated by an elevated level of social stress. We suggest that depression of immune function via social stress may constitute a strong selective pressure against large colony size in the common tern, and possibly in other colonial species. We also recommend that this largely overlooked cost of sociality should be considered in the further studies on the evolution and ecology of avian coloniality.
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Affiliation(s)
- Piotr Minias
- Department of Biodiversity Studies and Bioeducation, Faculty of Biology and Environmental Protection, University of Łódź, Banacha 1/3, 90-237, Łódź, Poland.
| | - Kamila Gach
- Department of Biodiversity Studies and Bioeducation, Faculty of Biology and Environmental Protection, University of Łódź, Banacha 1/3, 90-237, Łódź, Poland
| | - Radosław Włodarczyk
- Department of Biodiversity Studies and Bioeducation, Faculty of Biology and Environmental Protection, University of Łódź, Banacha 1/3, 90-237, Łódź, Poland
| | - Tomasz Janiszewski
- Department of Biodiversity Studies and Bioeducation, Faculty of Biology and Environmental Protection, University of Łódź, Banacha 1/3, 90-237, Łódź, Poland
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Marti I, Ryser-Degiorgis MP. Morphometric characteristics of free-ranging Eurasian lynx Lynx lynx in Switzerland and their suitability for age estimation. WILDLIFE BIOLOGY 2018. [DOI: 10.2981/wlb.00432] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/01/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Iris Marti
- I. Marti and M.-P. Ryser-Degiorgis (http://orcid.org/0000-0003-1062-870X) (marie-pierre.ryser@vetsui
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Hanssen SA, Sonne C, Bustnes JO, Schnug L, Bourgeon S, Ballesteros M, Eulaers I, Moum T, Johnsen TV, Kjelgaard-Hansen M, Herzke D, Jaspers VL, Covaci A, Eens M, Halley DJ, Erikstad KE, Ims RA. Anti-parasite treatment and blood biochemistry in raptor nestlings. CAN J ZOOL 2017. [DOI: 10.1139/cjz-2016-0040] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
We investigated the effects of parasite removal on various blood clinical–chemical variables (BCCVs). BCCVs are indicators of health, reflecting, e.g., homeostasis of liver, kidney function, and bone metabolism. The study was conducted in Norway on chicks of two predatory birds: White-tailed Eagle (Haliaeetus albicilla (L., 1758)) and Northern Goshawk (Accipiter gentilis (L., 1758)). Chicks were treated against both endoparasites (internal parasites) and ectoparasites (external parasites). We treated against ectoparasites by spraying nests with pyrethrins. Within nests, chicks were randomly treated with either an anti-helminthic medication (fenbendazole) or sterile water (controls). Treatment against either ectoparasites or endoparasites led to higher levels of the bone and liver enzyme alkaline phosphatase. Bilirubin levels were lower when treated against ectoparasites, whereas bile acids were higher. Anti-endoparasite treatment led to higher creatinine levels. In Northern Goshawks, treating against endoparasites led to higher urea levels and lower potassium levels. Treatment against ectoparasites increased uric acid and urea levels and reduced bilirubin levels and protein:creatinine ratios. In conclusion, anti-parasite treatments led to changes in several BCCVs, suggesting differences in nutrient absorption and physiological state of chicks that are possibly related to the costs of parasitism, but maybe also to the parasite treatment itself.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sveinn Are Hanssen
- Norwegian Institute for Nature Research, Unit for Arctic Ecology, Fram Centre, NO-9296 Tromsø, Norway
| | - Christian Sonne
- Århus University, Faculty of Science and Technology, Department of Bioscience, Arctic Research Centre (ARC), Frederiksborgvej 399, P.O. Box 358, DK-4000 Roskilde, Denmark
| | - Jan Ove Bustnes
- Norwegian Institute for Nature Research, Unit for Arctic Ecology, Fram Centre, NO-9296 Tromsø, Norway
| | - Lisbeth Schnug
- Norwegian Institute for Agricultural and Environmental Research, Soil, Water and Environment Division, Fr. A. Dahlsvei 20, NO-1432 Ås, Norway
| | - Sophie Bourgeon
- Norwegian Institute for Nature Research, Unit for Arctic Ecology, Fram Centre, NO-9296 Tromsø, Norway
| | - Manuel Ballesteros
- Norwegian Institute for Nature Research, Unit for Arctic Ecology, Fram Centre, NO-9296 Tromsø, Norway
| | - Igor Eulaers
- Århus University, Faculty of Science and Technology, Department of Bioscience, Arctic Research Centre (ARC), Frederiksborgvej 399, P.O. Box 358, DK-4000 Roskilde, Denmark
- Ethology Research Group, University of Antwerp, Universiteitsplein 1, BE-2610 Wilrijk, Belgium
| | - Truls Moum
- University of Nordland, Faculty of Biosciences and Aquaculture, NO-8049 Bodø, Norway
| | - Trond Vidar Johnsen
- Norwegian Institute for Nature Research, Unit for Arctic Ecology, Fram Centre, NO-9296 Tromsø, Norway
| | - Mads Kjelgaard-Hansen
- University of Copenhagen, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, Department of Veterinary Clinical and Animal Sciences, Frederiksberg, Denmark
| | - Dorte Herzke
- Norwegian Institute for Air Research, Fram Centre, NO-9296 Tromsø, Norway
| | - Veerle L.B. Jaspers
- Ethology Research Group, University of Antwerp, Universiteitsplein 1, BE-2610 Wilrijk, Belgium
- Norwegian University of Science and Technology (NTNU), Department of Biology, NO-7491 Trondheim, Norway
| | - Adrian Covaci
- Toxicological Centre, University of Antwerp, Universiteitsplein 1, BE-2610 Wilrijk, Belgium
| | - Marcel Eens
- Ethology Research Group, University of Antwerp, Universiteitsplein 1, BE-2610 Wilrijk, Belgium
| | - Duncan J. Halley
- Norwegian Institute for Nature Research, Unit for Terrestrial Ecology, Postboks 5685 Sluppen, NO-7485 Trondheim, Norway
| | - Kjell Einar Erikstad
- Norwegian Institute for Nature Research, Unit for Arctic Ecology, Fram Centre, NO-9296 Tromsø, Norway
| | - Rolf Anker Ims
- Norwegian Institute for Nature Research, Unit for Arctic Ecology, Fram Centre, NO-9296 Tromsø, Norway
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Krause JS, Németh Z, Pérez JH, Chmura HE, Ramenofsky M, Wingfield JC. Annual Hematocrit Profiles in Two Subspecies of White-Crowned Sparrow: A Migrant and a Resident Comparison. Physiol Biochem Zool 2016; 89:51-60. [DOI: 10.1086/684612] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/04/2022]
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14
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Brokordt KB, González RC, Farías WJ, Winkler FM. Potential Response to Selection of HSP70 as a Component of Innate Immunity in the Abalone Haliotis rufescens. PLoS One 2015; 10:e0141959. [PMID: 26529324 PMCID: PMC4631488 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0141959] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/25/2015] [Accepted: 10/15/2015] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Assessing components of the immune system may reflect disease resistance. In some invertebrates, heat shock proteins (HSPs) are immune effectors and have been described as potent activators of the innate immune response. Several diseases have become a threat to abalone farming worldwide; therefore, increasing disease resistance is considered to be a long-term goal for breeding programs. A trait will respond to selection only if it is determined partially by additive genetic variation. The aim of this study was to estimate the heritability (h2) and the additive genetic coefficient of variation (CVA) of HSP70 as a component of innate immunity of the abalone Haliotis rufescens, in order to assess its potential response to selection. These genetic components were estimated for the variations in the intracellular (in haemocytes) and extracellular (serum) protein levels of HSP70 in response to an immunostimulant agent in 60 full-sib families of H. rufescens. Levels of HSP70 were measured twice in the same individuals, first when they were young and again when they were pre-harvest adults, to estimate the repeatability (R), the h2 and the potential response to selection of these traits at these life stages. High HSP70 levels were observed in abalones subjected to immunostimulation in both the intracellular and extracellular haemolymph fractions. This is the first time that changes in serum levels of HSP70 have been reported in response to an immune challenge in molluscs. HSP70 levels in both fractions and at both ages showed low h2 and R, with values that were not significantly different from zero. However, HSP70 induced levels had a CVA of 13.3–16.2% in young adults and of 2.7–8.1% in pre-harvest adults. Thus, despite its low h2, HSP70 synthesis in response to an immune challenge in red abalone has the potential to evolve through selection because of its large phenotypic variation and the presence of additive genetic variance, especially in young animals.
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Affiliation(s)
- Katherina B. Brokordt
- Centro de Estudios Avanzados en Zonas Áridas (CEAZA), Coquimbo, Chile
- Departamento de Biología Marina, Facultad de Ciencias del Mar, Universidad Católica del Norte, Coquimbo, Chile
- * E-mail:
| | - Roxana C. González
- Centro de Estudios Avanzados en Zonas Áridas (CEAZA), Coquimbo, Chile
- Departamento de Biología Marina, Facultad de Ciencias del Mar, Universidad Católica del Norte, Coquimbo, Chile
| | - William J. Farías
- Centro de Estudios Avanzados en Zonas Áridas (CEAZA), Coquimbo, Chile
- Departamento de Biología Marina, Facultad de Ciencias del Mar, Universidad Católica del Norte, Coquimbo, Chile
| | - Federico M. Winkler
- Centro de Estudios Avanzados en Zonas Áridas (CEAZA), Coquimbo, Chile
- Departamento de Biología Marina, Facultad de Ciencias del Mar, Universidad Católica del Norte, Coquimbo, Chile
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15
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Biard C, Monceau K, Motreuil S, Moreau J. Interpreting immunological indices: The importance of taking parasite community into account. An example in blackbirds
Turdus merula. Methods Ecol Evol 2015. [DOI: 10.1111/2041-210x.12371] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Clotilde Biard
- Sorbonne Université UPMC Univ Paris 06 UPEC, Paris 7, CNRS, INRA, IRD Institut d'Écologie et des Sciences de l'Environnement de Paris F‐75005 Paris France
| | - Karine Monceau
- UMR CNRS 6282 Biogéosciences Equipe Ecologie‐Evolutive Université de Bourgogne 6 Bd Gabriel F‐21000 Dijon France
| | - Sébastien Motreuil
- UMR CNRS 6282 Biogéosciences Equipe Ecologie‐Evolutive Université de Bourgogne 6 Bd Gabriel F‐21000 Dijon France
| | - Jérôme Moreau
- UMR CNRS 6282 Biogéosciences Equipe Ecologie‐Evolutive Université de Bourgogne 6 Bd Gabriel F‐21000 Dijon France
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16
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Sakaluk SK, Wilson AJ, Bowers EK, Johnson LS, Masters BS, Johnson BGP, Vogel LA, Forsman AM, Thompson CF. Genetic and environmental variation in condition, cutaneous immunity, and haematocrit in house wrens. BMC Evol Biol 2014; 14:242. [PMID: 25471117 PMCID: PMC4272546 DOI: 10.1186/s12862-014-0242-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/17/2014] [Accepted: 11/11/2014] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Life-history studies of wild bird populations often focus on the relationship between an individual's condition and its capacity to mount an immune response, as measured by a commonly-employed assay of cutaneous immunity, the PHA skin test. In addition, haematocrit, the packed cell volume in relation to total blood volume, is often measured as an indicator of physiological performance. A multi-year study of a wild population of house wrens has recently revealed that those exhibiting the highest condition and strongest PHA responses as nestlings are most likely to be recruited to the breeding population and to breed through two years of age; in contrast, intermediate haematocrit values result in the highest recruitment to the population. Selection theory would predict, therefore, that most of the underlying genetic variation in these traits should be exhausted resulting in low heritability, although such traits may also exhibit low heritability because of increased residual variance. Here, we examine the genetic and environmental variation in condition, cutaneous immunity, and haematocrit using an animal model based on a pedigree of approximately 2,800 house wrens. RESULTS Environmental effects played a paramount role in shaping the expression of the fitness-related traits measured in this wild population, but two of them, condition and haematocrit, retained significant heritable variation. Condition was also positively correlated with both the PHA response and haematocrit, but in the absence of any significant genetic correlations, it appears that this covariance arises through parallel effects of the environment acting on this suite of traits. CONCLUSIONS The maintenance of genetic variation in different measures of condition appears to be a pervasive feature of wild bird populations, in contradiction of conventional selection theory. A major challenge in future studies will be to explain how such variation persists in the face of the directional selection acting on condition in house wrens and other species.
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Affiliation(s)
- Scott K Sakaluk
- Behavior, Ecology, Evolution and Systematics Section, School of Biological Sciences, Illinois State University, Normal, IL, USA.
| | - Alastair J Wilson
- Centre for Ecology and Conservation, School of Biosciences, University of Exeter, Penryn, UK.
| | - E Keith Bowers
- Behavior, Ecology, Evolution and Systematics Section, School of Biological Sciences, Illinois State University, Normal, IL, USA.
| | | | | | | | - Laura A Vogel
- Behavior, Ecology, Evolution and Systematics Section, School of Biological Sciences, Illinois State University, Normal, IL, USA.
| | - Anna M Forsman
- Behavior, Ecology, Evolution and Systematics Section, School of Biological Sciences, Illinois State University, Normal, IL, USA. .,Now at Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY, USA.
| | - Charles F Thompson
- Behavior, Ecology, Evolution and Systematics Section, School of Biological Sciences, Illinois State University, Normal, IL, USA.
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17
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Legagneux P, Berzins LL, Forbes M, Harms NJ, Hennin HL, Bourgeon S, Gilchrist HG, Bêty J, Soos C, Love OP, Foster JT, Descamps S, Burness G. No selection on immunological markers in response to a highly virulent pathogen in an Arctic breeding bird. Evol Appl 2014; 7:765-73. [PMID: 25469158 PMCID: PMC4227857 DOI: 10.1111/eva.12180] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/19/2013] [Accepted: 04/05/2014] [Indexed: 11/28/2022] Open
Abstract
In natural populations, epidemics provide opportunities to look for intense natural selection on genes coding for life history and immune or other physiological traits. If the populations being considered are of management or conservation concern, then identifying the traits under selection (or 'markers') might provide insights into possible intervention strategies during epidemics. We assessed potential for selection on multiple immune and life history traits of Arctic breeding common eiders (Somateria mollissima) during annual avian cholera outbreaks (summers of 2006, 2007 & 2008). We measured prelaying body condition, immune traits, and subsequent reproductive investment (i.e., clutch size) and survival of female common eiders and whether they were infected with Pasteurella multocida, the causative agent of avian cholera. We found no clear and consistent evidence of directional selection on immune traits; however, infected birds had higher levels of haptoglobin than uninfected birds. Also, females that laid larger clutches had slightly lower immune responses during the prelaying period reflecting possible downregulation of the immune system to support higher costs of reproduction. This supports a recent study indicating that birds investing in larger clutches were more likely to die from avian cholera and points to a possible management option to maximize female survival during outbreaks.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pierre Legagneux
- Département de biologie & Centre d’études nordiques, Université du Québec à RimouskiRimouski, QC, Canada
| | - Lisha L Berzins
- Environmental and Life Sciences Graduate Program, Trent UniversityPeterborough, ON, Canada
| | - Mark Forbes
- Department of Biology, Carleton UniversityOttawa, ON, Canada
| | - Naomi Jane Harms
- Department of Veterinary Pathology, University of SaskatchewanSaskatoon, SK, Canada
| | - Holly L Hennin
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of WindsorWindsor, ON, Canada
| | | | - H G Gilchrist
- National Wildlife Research Centre, Environment CanadaOttawa, ON, Canada
| | - Joël Bêty
- Département de biologie & Centre d’études nordiques, Université du Québec à RimouskiRimouski, QC, Canada
| | - Catherine Soos
- Department of Veterinary Pathology, University of SaskatchewanSaskatoon, SK, Canada
- Environment CanadaSaskatoon, SK, Canada
| | - Oliver P Love
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of WindsorWindsor, ON, Canada
| | - Jeffrey T Foster
- Center for Microbial Genetics & Genomics, Northern Arizona UniversityFlagstaff, AZ, USA
| | | | - Gary Burness
- Department of Biology, Trent UniversityPeterborough, ON, Canada
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18
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Fung H, Calzada J, Saldaña A, Santamaria A, Pineda V, Gonzalez K, Chaves L, Garner B, Gottdenker N. Domestic dog health worsens with socio-economic deprivation of their home communities. Acta Trop 2014; 135:67-74. [PMID: 24681221 DOI: 10.1016/j.actatropica.2014.03.010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/03/2013] [Revised: 03/05/2014] [Accepted: 03/17/2014] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
Abstract
Dogs play an important role in infectious disease transmission as reservoir hosts of many zoonotic and wildlife pathogens. Nevertheless, unlike wildlife species involved in the life cycle of pathogens, whose health status might be a direct reflection of their fitness and competitive abilities, dog health condition could be sensitive to socio-economic factors impacting the well-being of their owners. Here, we compare several dog health indicators in three rural communities of Panama with different degrees of socio-economic deprivation. From a total of 78 individuals, we collected blood and fecal samples, and assessed their body condition. With the blood samples, we performed routine hematologic evaluation (complete blood counts) and measured cytokine levels (Interferon-γ and Interleukin-10) through enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays. With the fecal samples we diagnosed helminthiases. Dogs were also serologically tested for exposure to Trypanosoma cruzi and canine distemper virus, and molecular tests were done to assess T. cruzi infection status. We found significant differences between dog health measurements, pathogen prevalence, parasite richness, and economic status of the human communities where the dogs lived. We found dogs that were less healthy, more likely to be infected with zoonotic pathogens, and more likely to be seropositive to canine distemper virus in the communities with lower economic status. This study concludes that isolated communities of lower economic status in Panama may have less healthy dogs that could become major reservoirs in the transmission of diseases to humans and sympatric wildlife.
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19
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Harriman V, Dawson R, Clark R, Fairhurst G, Bortolotti G. Effects of ectoparasites on seasonal variation in quality of nestling Tree Swallows (Tachycineta bicolor). CAN J ZOOL 2014. [DOI: 10.1139/cjz-2013-0209] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
Reproductive success often declines with breeding date in diverse taxa, including temperate-nesting bird species. The date hypothesis predicts that seasonally deteriorating environmental quality drives this pattern. While mechanisms are not fully understood, a seasonal increase in parasitism may contribute to the declining quality of nestlings hatched later in the season. We examined the effect of ectoparasites on seasonal variation in indices of nestling quality and survival in Tree Swallows (Tachycineta bicolor (Vieillot, 1808)) at breeding sites in British Columbia (PG) and Saskatchewan (SDNRA). In a parasite removal experiment, we detected no seasonal trend in flea abundance and, contrary to expectation, there were fewer blow flies in nests of late breeders. Negative effects of parasites on nestlings were documented at PG, where lengths of primary feather and head–bill were affected. Parental, rather than environmental, quality had the greatest effect on reproductive success at PG, as nestling survival declined seasonally regardless of treatment and despite seasonally increasing food biomass. Nestlings in control (i.e., parasitized) nests at SDNRA had elevated feather corticosterone levels, but no other effects of parasites were detected possibly because parent birds were of higher quality or parents and offspring had greater access to food such that nestlings were capable of coping with parasite-related challenges.
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Affiliation(s)
- V.B. Harriman
- Department of Biology, University of Saskatchewan, 112 Science Place, Saskatoon, SK S7N 5E2, Canada
| | - R.D. Dawson
- Ecosystem Science and Management Program, University of Northern British Columbia, 3333 University Way, Prince George, BC V2N 4Z9, Canada
| | - R.G. Clark
- Prairie and Northern Wildlife Research Centre, Environment Canada, 115 Perimeter Road, Saskatoon, SK S7N 0X4, Canada; Department of Biology, University of Saskatchewan, 112 Science Place, Saskatoon, SK S7N 5E2, Canada
| | - G.D. Fairhurst
- Department of Biology, University of Saskatchewan, 112 Science Place, Saskatoon, SK S7N 5E2, Canada
| | - G.R. Bortolotti
- Department of Biology, University of Saskatchewan, 112 Science Place, Saskatoon, SK S7N 5E2, Canada
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20
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Dietary Supplementation of <i>Ocimum Gratissimum </i>Improves Immune Response without Affecting the Growth Performance and Blood Characteristics in Taiwan Country Chicken. J Poult Sci 2014. [DOI: 10.2141/jpsa.0130065] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/21/2022] Open
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21
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Hanssen SA, Bustnes JO, Schnug L, Bourgeon S, Johnsen TV, Ballesteros M, Sonne C, Herzke D, Eulaers I, Jaspers VLB, Covaci A, Eens M, Halley DJ, Moum T, Ims RA, Erikstad KE. Antiparasite treatments reduce humoral immunity and impact oxidative status in raptor nestlings. Ecol Evol 2013; 3:5157-66. [PMID: 24455145 PMCID: PMC3892325 DOI: 10.1002/ece3.891] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/13/2013] [Revised: 10/23/2013] [Accepted: 10/25/2013] [Indexed: 12/02/2022] Open
Abstract
Parasites are natural stressors that may have multiple negative effects on their host as they usurp energy and nutrients and may lead to costly immune responses that may cause oxidative stress. At early stages, animals may be more sensitive to infectious organisms because of their rapid growth and partly immature immune system. The objective of this study was to explore effects of parasites by treating chicks of two raptor species (northern goshawk Accipiter gentilis and white-tailed sea eagle Haliaeetus albicilla) against both endoparasites (internal parasites) and ectoparasites (external parasites). Nests were either treated against ectoparasites by spraying with pyrethrin or left unsprayed as control nests. Within each nest, chicks were randomly orally treated with either an antihelminthic medication (fenbendazole) or sterile water as control treatment. We investigated treatment effects on plasma (1) total antioxidant capacity TAC (an index of nonenzymatic circulating antioxidant defenses), (2) total oxidant status TOS (a measure of plasmatic oxidants), and (3) immunoglobulin levels (a measure of humoral immune function). Treatment against ectoparasites led to a reduction in circulating immunoglobulin plasma levels in male chicks. TOS was higher when not receiving any parasite reduction treatment and when receiving both endo- and ectoparasitic reduction treatment compared with receiving only one treatment. TAC was higher in all treatment groups, when compared to controls. Despite the relatively low sample size, this experimental study suggests complex but similar relationships between treatment groups and oxidative status and immunoglobulin levels in two raptor species.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sveinn Are Hanssen
- Norwegian Institute for Nature Research, Unit for Arctic Ecology, Fram Centre N-9296, Tromsø, Norway
| | - Jan Ove Bustnes
- Norwegian Institute for Nature Research, Unit for Arctic Ecology, Fram Centre N-9296, Tromsø, Norway
| | - Lisbeth Schnug
- Norwegian Institute for Agricultural and Environmental Research, Soil, Water and Environment Division Fr. A. Dahlsvei 20, N-1432, Ås, Norway
| | - Sophie Bourgeon
- Norwegian Institute for Nature Research, Unit for Arctic Ecology, Fram Centre N-9296, Tromsø, Norway
| | - Trond Vidar Johnsen
- Norwegian Institute for Nature Research, Unit for Arctic Ecology, Fram Centre N-9296, Tromsø, Norway
| | - Manuel Ballesteros
- Norwegian Institute for Nature Research, Unit for Arctic Ecology, Fram Centre N-9296, Tromsø, Norway
| | - Christian Sonne
- Faculty of Science and Technology, Department of Bioscience, Aarhus University Frederiksborgvej 399, PO Box 358, DK-4000, Roskilde, Denmark
| | - Dorte Herzke
- Norwegian Institute for Air Research, Fram Centre N-9296, Tromsø, Norway
| | - Igor Eulaers
- Ethology Research Group, Department of Biology and Toxicological Centre, University of Antwerp Universiteitsplein 1, B-2610, Wilrijk, Belgium
| | - Veerle L B Jaspers
- Ethology Research Group, Department of Biology and Toxicological Centre, University of Antwerp Universiteitsplein 1, B-2610, Wilrijk, Belgium ; Department of Biology, Norwegian University of Science and Technology (NTNU) 7491, Trondheim, Norway
| | - Adrian Covaci
- Ethology Research Group, Department of Biology and Toxicological Centre, University of Antwerp Universiteitsplein 1, B-2610, Wilrijk, Belgium
| | - Marcel Eens
- Ethology Research Group, Department of Biology and Toxicological Centre, University of Antwerp Universiteitsplein 1, B-2610, Wilrijk, Belgium
| | - Duncan J Halley
- Department of Terrestrial Ecology, Norwegian Institute for Nature Research Tungasletta 2, N-7485, Trondheim, Norway
| | - Truls Moum
- Faculty of Biosciences and Aquaculture, Marine Genomics group, University of Nordland N-8049, Bodø, Norway
| | - Rolf Anker Ims
- Norwegian Institute for Nature Research, Unit for Arctic Ecology, Fram Centre N-9296, Tromsø, Norway
| | - Kjell Einar Erikstad
- Norwegian Institute for Nature Research, Unit for Arctic Ecology, Fram Centre N-9296, Tromsø, Norway
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22
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Wilcoxen TE, Boughton RK, Morgan GM, Schoech SJ. Heritability of immunological characteristics in Florida Scrub-Jays (Aphelocoma coerulescens). CAN J ZOOL 2013. [DOI: 10.1139/cjz-2013-0075] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
The degree to which immunological phenotype is under genetic control as opposed to plasticity in response to variable environmental conditions remains largely unknown in natural populations. We assessed different aspects of immune function in father–son pairs in Florida Scrub-Jays (Aphelocoma coerulescens (Bosc, 1795)), a species with high natal philopatry, to determine if the responses were heritable. Specifically, we examined heritability of the (i) heterophil to lymphocyte ratio, (ii) ability to kill the Gram-negative bacteria Escherichia coli in an in vitro challenge, and (iii) ability to kill the Gram-positive bacteria Staphylococcus aureus in an in vitro challenge. The heritability (h2) of each of the three measures described above was estimated as twice the slope of the regression (2β) from the mean value for each measure for sons on the mean value of the same measure for the father. Heritability estimates were high for all measures: heterophil to lymphocyte ratios (h2 = 1.54 ± 0.31) and E. coli (h2 = 1.84 ± 0.12) and S. aureus (h2 = 1.13 ± 0.16) killing abilities. Our results show a strong correlation between father and son immune function, as well as the influential nature of genetic inheritance and potential environmental effects associated with high natal philopatry on physiology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Travis E. Wilcoxen
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Memphis, Memphis, TN 38152-3530, USA
- Biology Department, Millikin University, Decatur, IL 62522, USA
| | - Raoul K. Boughton
- Disease Ecology Program, Archbold Biological Station, Venus, FL 33960, USA
| | - Gina M. Morgan
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Memphis, Memphis, TN 38152-3530, USA
- Cardiovascular Research Center, University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA 52242-1182, USA
| | - Stephan J. Schoech
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Memphis, Memphis, TN 38152-3530, USA
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23
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Woodgate JL, Buchanan KL, Bennett ATD, Catchpole CK, Brighton R, Leitner S. Environmental and genetic control of brain and song structure in the zebra finch. Evolution 2013; 68:230-40. [PMID: 24102614 DOI: 10.1111/evo.12261] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/13/2012] [Accepted: 08/20/2013] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
Birdsong is a classic example of a learned trait with cultural inheritance, with selection acting on trait expression. To understand how song responds to selection, it is vital to determine the extent to which variation in song learning and neuroanatomy is attributable to genetic variation, environmental conditions, or their interactions. Using a partial cross fostering design with an experimental stressor, we quantified the heritability of song structure and key brain nuclei in the song control system of the zebra finch and the genotype-by-environment (G × E) interactions. Neuroanatomy and song structure both showed low levels of heritability and are unlikely to be under selection as indicators of genetic quality. HVC, in particular, was almost entirely under environmental control. G × E interaction was important for brain development and may provide a mechanism by which additive genetic variation is maintained, which in turn may promote sexual selection through female choice. Our study suggests that selection may act on the genes determining vocal learning, rather than directly on the underlying neuroanatomy, and emphasizes the fundamental importance of environmental conditions for vocal learning and neural development in songbirds.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joseph L Woodgate
- Centre for Integrative Ecology, School of Life and Environmental Sciences, Deakin University, Locked Bag 20000, VIC 3220, Australia; Cardiff School of Biosciences, Cardiff University, Cardiff, CF10 3AX, United Kingdom; Current address: School of Life Sciences, University of Sussex, Falmer, Brighton, BN1 9QG, United Kingdom.
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24
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Kriengwatana B, Wada H, Macmillan A, MacDougall-Shackleton SA. Juvenile nutritional stress affects growth rate, adult organ mass, and innate immune function in zebra finches (Taeniopygia guttata). Physiol Biochem Zool 2013; 86:769-81. [PMID: 24241073 DOI: 10.1086/673260] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/04/2022]
Abstract
Developmental conditions may influence many aspects of adult phenotype, including growth and immune function. Whether poor developmental environments impair both growth and immune function or induce a trade-off between the two processes is inconclusive, and the impact of the timing of stress in determining this relationship has so far been overlooked. We tested the hypothesis that the long-term effects of nutritional stress on growth, body composition, and immune function in zebra finches (Taeniopygia guttata) are different depending on whether stress is experienced during an early or a juvenile phase (i.e., before or after nutritional independence, respectively). We raised birds on high (H) or low (L) food conditions until posthatch day (PHD) 35 and switched treatments for half of the birds in each of the H and L groups from PHD 36 to 61. We found that unfavorable juvenile conditions (PHD 36-61) increased somatic growth rates and liver mass, body fat, and some aspects of immune function. We also observed a positive relationship between growth and immune function, as individuals that grew faster as juveniles also had better innate immune responses as adults. There was no effect of treatment on basal metabolic rate. These findings demonstrate the importance of juvenile developmental conditions in shaping multiple aspects of the adult phenotype.
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Affiliation(s)
- Buddhamas Kriengwatana
- Department of Psychology, University of Western Ontario, London, Ontario N6A 5C2, Canada; 2Advanced Facility of Avian Research, University of Western Ontario, London, Ontario N6G 1G9, Canada; 3Department of Biology, University of Western Ontario, London, Ontario N6A 5B7, Canada
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25
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Queiros J, Alvarez J, Carta T, Mateos A, Ortiz J, Fernández-de-Mera I, Martín-Hernando M, Gortázar C. Unexpected high responses to tuberculin skin-test in farmed red deer: Implications for tuberculosis control. Prev Vet Med 2012; 104:327-34. [DOI: 10.1016/j.prevetmed.2011.11.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/24/2011] [Revised: 11/17/2011] [Accepted: 11/17/2011] [Indexed: 11/15/2022]
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26
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Phytohaemagglutinin skin-swelling test in scarlet rosefinch males: low-quality birds respond more strongly. Anim Behav 2012. [DOI: 10.1016/j.anbehav.2011.10.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 38] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/10/2023]
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27
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Hammouda A, Pearce-Duvet J, Chokri MA, Arnal A, Gauthier-Clerc M, Boulinier T, Selmi S. Prevalence of influenza A antibodies in yellow-legged gull (Larus michahellis) eggs and adults in southern Tunisia. Vector Borne Zoonotic Dis 2011; 11:1583-90. [PMID: 21919723 DOI: 10.1089/vbz.2011.0639] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Investigating the prevalence of anti-influenza A viruses (AIV) antibodies in wild birds can provide important information for the understanding of bird exposure to AIV, as well as for prevention purposes. We investigated AIV exposure in nature by measuring the prevalence of anti-AIV antibodies in the nests and adults of an abundant and anthropophilic waterbird species common around the Mediterranean sea, the yellow-legged gull (Larus michahellis). Sampling took place in two colonies located in the gulf of Gabès in southern Tunisia: Sfax and Djerba. Antibodies were detected in the two sites, with higher prevalence in adults, eggs, and nests at Sfax than Djerba. Across both colonies, clutches that were laid later in the season, and, thus, more likely by younger parents, showed lower prevalence. Using patch occupancy modeling applied to egg clutches, we found that it is unnecessary to sample all the eggs in a given nest; nest status (antibody positive or negative) can be reliably estimated from a single egg. Differences in the density of birds, notably Larids, between the two sites may explain the observed differences in prevalence. The higher concentration of Larids in the Sfax colony could favor the transmission of AIV to yellow-legged gulls. This study highlights the importance of further developing ecological-based approaches to the factors determining the circulation of infectious agents in species such as the yellow-legged gull, which exist at the interface between diverse biological communities and human activities.
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Affiliation(s)
- Abdessalem Hammouda
- Département des Sciences de la Vie, Faculté des Sciences de Gabès, Gabès, Tunisia.
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28
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Cardon M, Loot G, Grenouillet G, Blanchet S. Host characteristics and environmental factors differentially drive the burden and pathogenicity of an ectoparasite: a multilevel causal analysis. J Anim Ecol 2011; 80:657-67. [PMID: 21303365 DOI: 10.1111/j.1365-2656.2011.01804.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 47] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
1. Understanding the ecological factors driving the burden and pathogenicity of parasites is challenging. Indeed, the dynamics of host-parasite interactions is driven by factors organized across nested hierarchical levels (e.g. hosts, localities), and indirect effects are expected owing to interactions between levels. 2. In this study, we combined Bayesian multilevel models, path analyses and a model selection procedure to account for these complexities and to decipher the relative effects of host- and environment-related factors on the burden and the pathogenicity of an ectoparasite (Tracheliastes polycolpus) on its fish host (Leuciscus leuciscus). We also tested the year-to-year consistency of the relationships linking these factors to the burden and the pathogenic effects of T. polycolpus. 3. We found significant relationships between the parasite burden and host-related factors: body length and age were positively related to parasite burden and heterozygous hosts displayed a higher parasite burden. In contrast, both host- and environment-related factors were linked to pathogenic effects. Pathogenicity was correlated negatively with host body length and positively with age; this illustrates that some factors (e.g. body length) showed inverse relationships with parasite burden and pathogenicity. Pathogenic effects were stronger in cooler upstream sites and where host density was lower. Path analyses revealed that these relationships between environment-related factors and pathogenic effects were direct and were not indirect relationships mediated by the host characteristics. Finally, we found that the strength and the shape of certain relationships were consistent across years, while they were clearly not for some others. 4. Our study illustrates that considering conjointly causal relationships among factors and the hierarchical structure of host-parasite interactions is appropriate for dissecting the complex links between hosts, parasites and their common environment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maxime Cardon
- Laboratoire Evolution et Diversité Biologique, UMR 5174, CNRS - Université Paul Sabatier, 118 route de Narbonne, F-31062 Toulouse Cedex 4, France
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29
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De Coster G, De Neve L, Martín-Gálvez D, Therry L, Lens L. Variation in innate immunity in relation to ectoparasite load, age and season: a field experiment in great tits (Parus major). J Exp Biol 2010; 213:3012-8. [DOI: 10.1242/jeb.042721] [Citation(s) in RCA: 40] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
Abstract
SUMMARY
It remains largely unknown which factors affect the innate immune responses of free-living birds. Nevertheless, the degree of innate immunity may play a crucial role in an individual's survival as it procures the first defence against pathogens. We manipulated the ectoparasite load of great tit (Parus major) nests by infesting them with hen fleas (Ceratophyllus gallinae) before egg laying. We subsequently quantified natural antibody (NAb) concentration and complement activation in nestlings and adult females during breeding and post-breeding periods. NAb concentrations increased in nestlings and adult females breeding in flea-infested nest boxes during the nestling provisioning period, but not in breeding females during incubation. In contrast, parasite abundance did not affect levels of complement activity in females. NAb levels of nestlings were already fully developed at the end of the nestling stage, but complement activation was only observed post-fledging. Concentrations of NAbs and complement activation of adult females were significantly lower during the breeding season compared with post-breeding levels, but did not differ between incubation and chick rearing. Further experimental studies in species that vary in life-history strategies will allow us to unravel the mechanisms underlying the observed variation in innate immune defences.
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Affiliation(s)
- Greet De Coster
- Department of Biology, Terrestrial Ecology Unit, Ghent University, K. L. Ledeganckstraat 35, 9000 Ghent, Belgium
| | - Liesbeth De Neve
- Departamento de Biología Animal, Facultad de Ciencias, Campus Universitario Fuentenueva s/n, 18071 Granada, Spain
| | - David Martín-Gálvez
- Estación Experimental de Zonas Áridas, Carretera de Sacramento s/n, 04120 La Cañada de San Urbano, Almería, Spain
| | - Lieven Therry
- Department of Biology, Terrestrial Ecology Unit, Ghent University, K. L. Ledeganckstraat 35, 9000 Ghent, Belgium
| | - Luc Lens
- Department of Biology, Terrestrial Ecology Unit, Ghent University, K. L. Ledeganckstraat 35, 9000 Ghent, Belgium
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Ecological immunology of bird-ectoparasite systems. Trends Parasitol 2010; 26:530-9. [PMID: 20599426 DOI: 10.1016/j.pt.2010.06.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 73] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/14/2009] [Revised: 06/01/2010] [Accepted: 06/02/2010] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
Ecological immunology is a rapidly expanding field of research that attempts to explain variation in immune function across individuals, populations and species. Birds and ectoparasitic arthropods have frequently been used in attempts to measure the cost of immune function in relation to adult condition, nestling growth and other life history challenges. Unfortunately, most studies in ecological immunology have relied on assays of general immunocompetence that are not connected to actual parasites. A summary of potential interactions between the avian immune system and ectoparasites is provided and methods that can be used to test ecological questions in the context of naturally occurring host-parasite interactions are proposed.
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Pitala N, Siitari H, Gustafsson L, Brommer JE. Costs and benefits of experimentally induced changes in the allocation of growth versus immune function under differential exposure to ectoparasites. PLoS One 2010; 5:e10814. [PMID: 20520832 PMCID: PMC2876032 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0010814] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/19/2009] [Accepted: 05/05/2010] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Ecological immunology has focused on the costs of investment in immunocompetence. However, understanding optimal resource allocation to immune defence requires also identification of its benefits, which are likely to occur only when parasites are abundant. METHODOLOGY We manipulated the abundance of parasitic hen fleas in blue tit (Cyanistes caeruleus) nests, and supplemented their hosts, the nestlings, with methionine (a sulphur amino acid enhancing cell-mediated immunity) during day 3-6. We found a significant interaction between these two experimental factors on the development of immune defences and growth rates. Only in parasitized nests did methionine supplementation boost immune (PHA) response, and did nestling with experimentally increased immunocompetence show a relatively faster growth rate than control nestlings between days 6-9. Hence, the allocation of resources into immune defence and its growth-benefits are apparent only in presence of parasites. The main cost of methionine-induced increased allocation to the immune system was an increase in mortality, independently of ectoparasites. Nestlings in all treatments compensated initial growth reduction and all reached equal body size at day 16 (just prior to fledging), indicating a lack of long-term benefits. In addition, methionine treatment tended (P = 0.09) to lower circulating plasma immunoglobulin levels, possibly indicating a trade-off between the cell-mediated and humoral components of the immune system. CONCLUSIONS We found no strong benefits of an increased investment in immunocompetence in a parasite-rich environment. Any deviation from the growth trajectory (due to changes in allocation induced by methionine) is largely detrimental for survival. Hence, while costs are apparent identifying the benefits of investment in immunocompetence during ontogeny is challenging.
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Affiliation(s)
- Natalia Pitala
- Bird Ecology Unit, Department of Biological and Environmental Sciences, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
- Department of Animal Ecology/Ecology and Evolution, Evolutionary Biology Centre, Uppsala University, Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Heli Siitari
- Department of Biological and Environmental Science, University of Jyväskylä, Jyväskylä, Finland
| | - Lars Gustafsson
- Department of Animal Ecology/Ecology and Evolution, Evolutionary Biology Centre, Uppsala University, Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Jon E. Brommer
- Bird Ecology Unit, Department of Biological and Environmental Sciences, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
- * E-mail:
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Drobniak SM, Wiejaczka D, Arct A, Dubiec A, Gustafsson L, Cichoń M. Sex-specific heritability of cell-mediated immune response in the blue tit nestlings (Cyanistes caeruleus). J Evol Biol 2010; 23:1286-92. [PMID: 20456564 DOI: 10.1111/j.1420-9101.2010.01993.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/26/2022]
Abstract
Here, we aimed at estimating sex-specific heritabilities of cell-mediated immune response (CMI) in the blue tit nestlings (Cyanistes caeruleus). To separate genetic and environmental components of the phenotypic variance in CMI (measured using phytohaemagglutinin assay), we performed a cross-fostering experiment. Additionally, controlled environmental variation was introduced by enlarging some broods. Our analyses revealed a significant genetic component (as approximated by the nest-of-origin term) of the phenotypic variance in immune response. More importantly, these genetic effects differed between sexes and experimentally manipulated brood sizes, as indicated by significant genotype-by-sex and genotype-by-environment interactions. We discuss possible causes of such sexual dimorphism in gene expression and suggest that sex- and environment-specific genetic interactions may contribute to the maintenance of genetic variability in traits related to immune functions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Szymon M Drobniak
- Institute of Environmental Sciences, Jagiellonian University, Kraków, Poland.
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33
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ROBBINS TRAVISR, WARNER DANIELA. Fluctuations in the incubation moisture environment affect growth but not survival of hatchling lizards. Biol J Linn Soc Lond 2010. [DOI: 10.1111/j.1095-8312.2010.01429.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
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Lemus JA, Vergara P, Fargallo JA. Response of circulating T-lymphocytes to a coccidian infection: insights from a parasitization-vaccination experiment. Funct Ecol 2010. [DOI: 10.1111/j.1365-2435.2009.01681.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
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Fossøy F, Johnsen A, Lifjeld JT. Cell-mediated immunity and multi-locus heterozygosity in bluethroat nestlings. J Evol Biol 2009; 22:1954-60. [PMID: 19583700 DOI: 10.1111/j.1420-9101.2009.01790.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Abstract
Recent evidence suggests that marker-based heterozygosity-fitness correlations may be driven by only one or a few markers, indicating local heterozygosity effects caused by linkage disequilibrium with functional genes. In this study, we investigated the relationship between microsatellite heterozygosity and a measure of cell-mediated immunity (phytohaemagglutinin; PHA) in bluethroat (Luscinia s. svecica) nestlings using a full-sibling design. We found significant positive associations between PHA response and two different indices of microsatellite heterozygosity, i.e. multi-locus heterozygosity and mean d(2). However, model comparisons disclosed that both associations were more likely caused by local effects rather than general effects and that the two local effects appeared to be realized through two different genetic mechanisms. Our results indicate that both the random assortment of parental chromosomes during meiosis as well as inbreeding can drive heterozygosity-fitness correlations.
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Affiliation(s)
- F Fossøy
- National Centre for Biosystematics, Natural History Museum, University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway.
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36
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Effects of Common Origin and Common Rearing Environment on Variance in Ectoparasite Load and Phenotype of Nestling Alpine Swifts. Evol Biol 2009. [DOI: 10.1007/s11692-009-9063-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
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37
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Devevey G, Niculita-Hirzel H, Biollaz F, Yvon C, Chapuisat M, Christe P. Developmental, metabolic and immunological costs of flea infestation in the common vole. Funct Ecol 2008. [DOI: 10.1111/j.1365-2435.2008.01493.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
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38
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VÁCLAV RADOVAN, CALERO-TORRALBO MIGUELA, VALERA FRANCISCO. Ectoparasite load is linked to ontogeny and cell-mediated immunity in an avian host system with pronounced hatching asynchrony. Biol J Linn Soc Lond 2008. [DOI: 10.1111/j.1095-8312.2008.00985.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
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39
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Rodríguez-Muñoz R, Bretman A, Hadfield JD, Tregenza T. Sexual selection in the cricket Gryllus bimaculatus: no good genes? Genetica 2008; 134:129-36. [PMID: 18327649 DOI: 10.1007/s10709-008-9250-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/25/2006] [Accepted: 01/23/2007] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
Recent studies have suggested that females of the field cricket Gryllus bimaculatus exercise post-copulatory choice over the paternity of their offspring. There is evidence that these choices are made in relation to the genetic compatibility of mates rather than their absolute quality, but the magnitude of heritable differences in males has not been thoroughly examined. Using a half-sib breeding design we measured additive genetic variance and dam effects in a suite of reproductive and non-reproductive traits. Both components explained relatively little of the phenotypic variance across traits. The dam component in our design contains variance caused by both maternal effects and dominance. If maternal effects are negligible as suggested by previous studies, our data suggest that dominance variance is an important source of variation in these traits. The lack of additive genetic variation, but possible existence of large amounts of non-additive genetic variation is consistent with the idea that female mate choice and multiple mating may be driven by differences in genetic compatibility between potential mates rather than by differences in genetic quality.
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40
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Forsman AM, Vogel LA, Sakaluk SK, Grindstaff JL, Thompson CF. Immune-challenged house wren broods differ in the relative strengths of their responses among different axes of the immune system. J Evol Biol 2008; 21:873-8. [PMID: 18298497 DOI: 10.1111/j.1420-9101.2008.01503.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 43] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/01/2022]
Abstract
Single components of the immune system are widely used to assess immune function in free-living vertebrates. However, as different immunological components are triggered by different types of threats and may be regulated independently, there is little reason to assume that they should respond similarly if challenged. We investigated whether three commonly assayed immune responses, cutaneous immune activity (phytohaemagglutinin assay), antibody response (tetanus toxoid immunization), and plasma bactericidal activity (Escherichia coli killing) are positively related in nestling house wrens (Troglodytes aedon). Multivariate analysis revealed significant differences in overall immune responsiveness among broods (i.e. nests), primarily attributable to differences in plasma bactericidal activity. Among broods, humoral immune response was negatively related to cutaneous immune activity and positively related to plasma bactericidal activity. We found no significant relationships among these measures of immunity among individual nestlings within broods. Our results suggest that different broods (i.e. families) invest differentially in the various branches of the immune system. Further study is needed to characterize the roles of maternal, genetic and environmental effects on the expression of this physiological bias.
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Affiliation(s)
- A M Forsman
- Department of Biological Sciences, Illinois State University, Normal, IL, USA.
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41
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Garvin JC, Dunn PO, Whittingham LA, Steeber DA, Hasselquist D. Do male ornaments signal immunity in the common yellowthroat? Behav Ecol 2007. [DOI: 10.1093/beheco/arm099] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/12/2022] Open
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Pitala N, Gustafsson L, Sendecka J, Brommer JE. Nestling immune response to phytohaemagglutinin is not heritable in collared flycatchers. Biol Lett 2007; 3:418-21. [PMID: 17567550 PMCID: PMC2390664 DOI: 10.1098/rsbl.2007.0135] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/12/2022] Open
Abstract
The response to intradermally injected phytohaemagglutinin (PHA-response) is a commonly used quantification of avian immunocompetence (the ability to resist pathogens). Parasite-mediated sexual selection requires heritable immunocompetence, but evidence for heritability of PHA-response in birds largely stems from full-sib comparisons. Using an animal model approach, we quantified the narrow-sense heritability of PHA-response in 1626 collared flycatcher (Ficedula albicollis) nestlings from 332 families, most of which were cross-fostered. Nestling PHA-response was not significantly heritable (h2=0.06+/-0.10), but was subject to non-heritable nest-of-origin effects (10% of variation). Our findings illustrate that full-sib comparisons of immunological measures may lead to an inflated estimate of heritability and also reveal a limited role of nestling PHA-response for sexual selection in this population.
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Affiliation(s)
- Natalia Pitala
- Bird Ecology Unit, Department of Biological and Environmental Sciences, PO Box 65, University of Helsinki, Helsinki 00014, Finland.
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43
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Rodríguez-Muñoz R, Bretman A, Hadfield JD, Tregenza T. Sexual selection in the cricket Gryllus bimaculatus: no good genes? Genetica 2007; 132:287-94. [PMID: 17647083 DOI: 10.1007/s10709-007-9172-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/25/2006] [Accepted: 01/23/2007] [Indexed: 10/23/2022]
Abstract
Recent studies have suggested that females of the field cricket Gryllus bimaculatus exercise post-copulatory choice over the paternity of their offspring. There is evidence that these choices are made in relation to the genetic compatibility of mates rather than their absolute quality, but the magnitude of heritable differences in males has not been thoroughly examined. Using a half-sib breeding design we measured additive genetic variance and dam effects in a suite of reproductive and non-reproductive traits. Both components explained relatively little of the phenotypic variance across traits. The dam component in our design contains variance caused by both maternal effects and dominance. If maternal effects are negligible as suggested by previous studies, our data suggest that dominance variance is an important source of variation in these traits. The lack of additive genetic variation, but possible existence of large amounts of non-additive genetic variation is consistent with the idea that female mate choice and multiple mating may be driven by differences in genetic compatibility between potential mates rather than by differences in genetic quality.
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44
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Owen JP, Clayton DH. Where are the parasites in the PHA response? Trends Ecol Evol 2007; 22:228-9. [PMID: 17296246 DOI: 10.1016/j.tree.2007.02.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/28/2006] [Revised: 01/18/2007] [Accepted: 02/01/2007] [Indexed: 10/23/2022]
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45
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Kilpimaa J, Alatalo RV, Siitari H. Prehatching maternal investment and offspring immunity in the pied flycatcher (Ficedula hypoleuca). J Evol Biol 2007; 20:717-24. [PMID: 17305837 DOI: 10.1111/j.1420-9101.2006.01239.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
Abstract
Maternal investment in offspring immunity via egg quality may be an adaptive evolutionary strategy shaped by natural selection. We investigated how maternal investment in eggs can influence offspring immunity by conducting two experiments. First, we manipulated foraging performance of the mothers before egg laying by attaching a small weight to their back feathers. During the nestling period, we investigated offspring total antibody production at the age of 7 days and after antibody challenge, and conducted a partial cross-fostering design to separate the effects of the experiment and rearing-related variation on offspring immunity. In a separate experiment, partial cross-fostering with antibody challenging without female pied flycatcher manipulation was conducted for another set of nests. Total antibody levels at the age of 7 days were reduced in nestlings of the experimental female pied flycatchers when compared with the set of unmanipulated nests. Maternal investment in the eggs may affect some aspects of offspring immunity during the early nestling period and this investment is costly. However, antibody response to a set of novel antigens (sheep red blood cells) at the end of the nestling period was not affected by the female pied flycatchers treatment. Instead our results suggest that general antibody responsiveness is mainly determined by the rearing environment and total antibody levels before the injection.
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Affiliation(s)
- J Kilpimaa
- Department of Biological and Environmental Science, University of Jyväskylä, Jyväskylä, Finland.
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46
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Marzal A, Reviriego M, de Lope F, Møller AP. Fitness costs of an immune response in the house martin (Delichon urbica). Behav Ecol Sociobiol 2007. [DOI: 10.1007/s00265-007-0389-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
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47
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ROULIN ALEXANDRE, CHRISTE PHILIPPE, DIJKSTRA COR, DUCREST ANNELYSE, JUNGI THOMASW. Origin-related, environmental, sex, and age determinants of immunocompetence, susceptibility to ectoparasites, and disease symptoms in the barn owl. Biol J Linn Soc Lond 2007. [DOI: 10.1111/j.1095-8312.2007.00759.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 35] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
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48
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Edly-Wright C, Schwagmeyer P, Parker PG, Mock DW. Genetic similarity of mates, offspring health and extrapair fertilization in house sparrows. Anim Behav 2007. [DOI: 10.1016/j.anbehav.2006.08.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/01/2022]
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49
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Biard C, Surai PF, Møller AP. An analysis of pre- and post-hatching maternal effects mediated by carotenoids in the blue tit. J Evol Biol 2007; 20:326-39. [PMID: 17210026 DOI: 10.1111/j.1420-9101.2006.01194.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 60] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
Maternal effects increase phenotypic plasticity in offspring traits and may therefore facilitate adaptation to environmental variability. Carotenoids have been hypothesized to mediate costs of reproduction in females as well as maternal effects. However, assessing potential transgenerational and population consequences of environmental availability of carotenoids requires a better understanding of mechanisms of maternal effects mediated by these antioxidant pigments. Manipulating dietary availability of carotenoids to egg-laying female blue tits and subsequently cross-fostering nestlings between female treatments allowed us to specifically investigate the relative importance of maternal effects through egg carotenoids and through post-hatching care mediated by antioxidants in females. Nestling body size and mass and plasma antioxidants were not significantly affected by pre- or post-hatching maternal effects mediated by antioxidants, although both types of maternal effects in interaction explained the variation in growth, as measured by wing length. Development of the ability to mount a cell-mediated immune response as well as its temporal dynamics was influenced by both pre- and post-hatching maternal effects, with an advantage to nestlings originating from, or reared by, carotenoid-supplemented females. In addition, nestlings reared by carotenoid-fed females had a lower blood sedimentation rate, indicating that they may have been less infected than nestlings from controls. Finally, prehatching maternal effects in interaction with nestling plasma carotenoid levels affected the development of carotenoid-based plumage. Maternal effects mediated by carotenoids may thus act as a proximate factor in development and phenotypic plasticity in traits associated with nestling fitness, such as immune response and ability to metabolize and use antioxidants, and ultimately participate in the evolution of phenotypic traits.
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Affiliation(s)
- C Biard
- Laboratoire de Parasitologie Evolutive, CNRS UMR 7103, Université Pierre et Marie Curie, Paris, France.
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50
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Cichoń M, Sendecka J, Gustafsson L. Genetic and environmental variation in immune response of collared flycatcher nestlings. J Evol Biol 2006; 19:1701-6. [PMID: 16910999 DOI: 10.1111/j.1420-9101.2006.01110.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
This paper aims at partitioning genetic and environmental contribution to the phenotypic variance in nestling immune function measured with the hypersensitivity test after inoculation with phytohaemagglutinin. A cross-fostering experiment with artificial enlargement of some broods was conducted. Variation in nestling immune response was related to their common origin, which suggests heritable component of cell-mediated immunity. A common rearing environment also explained a significant part of variation. However, deterioration of rearing conditions as simulated by enlargement of brood size did not affect nestling immunocompetence, although it affected nestling body mass. Variation in body mass explained some of the variation in immune response related to rearing environment, which means that growth is more sensitive to the shifts in rearing conditions than the development of immune function. Heritable variation in immune response suggests that there should be potential for selection to operate and the micro evolutionary changes in immunity of flycatcher nestlings are possible.
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Affiliation(s)
- M Cichoń
- Institute of Environmental Sciences, Jagiellonian University, Gronostajowa 3, 30-387 Kraków, Poland.
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