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Ernest HB, Tell LA, Bishop CA, González AM, Lumsdaine ER. Illuminating the Mysteries of the Smallest Birds: Hummingbird Population Health, Disease Ecology, and Genomics. Annu Rev Anim Biosci 2024; 12:161-185. [PMID: 38358836 DOI: 10.1146/annurev-animal-021022-044308] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/17/2024]
Abstract
Hummingbirds share biologically distinctive traits: sustained hovering flight, the smallest bird body size, and high metabolic rates fueled partially by nectar feeding that provides pollination to plant species. Being insectivorous and sometimes serving as prey to larger birds, they fulfill additional important ecological roles. Hummingbird species evolved and radiated into nearly every habitat in the Americas, with a core of species diversity in South America. Population declines of some of their species are increasing their risk of extinction. Threats to population health and genetic diversity are just beginning to be identified, including diseases and hazards caused by humans. We review the disciplines of population health, disease ecology, and genomics as they relate to hummingbirds. We appraise knowledge gaps, causes of morbidity and mortality including disease, and threats to population viability. Finally, we highlight areas of research need and provide ideas for future studies aimed at facilitating hummingbird conservation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Holly B Ernest
- Department of Veterinary Sciences, University of Wyoming, Laramie, Wyoming, USA;
- School of Veterinary Medicine, University of California, Davis, California, USA; ,
| | - Lisa A Tell
- School of Veterinary Medicine, University of California, Davis, California, USA; ,
| | - Christine A Bishop
- Environment and Climate Change Canada, Delta, British Columbia, Canada; ,
| | - Ana M González
- Environment and Climate Change Canada, Delta, British Columbia, Canada; ,
| | - Emily R Lumsdaine
- School of Veterinary Medicine, University of California, Davis, California, USA; ,
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2
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Fecchio A, Bell JA, Williams EJ, Dispoto JH, Weckstein JD, de Angeli Dutra D. Co-infection with Leucocytozoon and Other Haemosporidian Parasites Increases with Latitude and Altitude in New World Bird Communities. MICROBIAL ECOLOGY 2023; 86:2838-2846. [PMID: 37608162 DOI: 10.1007/s00248-023-02283-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/07/2023] [Accepted: 07/31/2023] [Indexed: 08/24/2023]
Abstract
Establishing how environmental gradients and host ecology drive spatial variation in infection rates and diversity of pathogenic organisms is one of the central goals in disease ecology. Here, we identified the predictors of concomitant infection and lineage richness of blood parasites in New Word bird communities. Our multi-level Bayesian models revealed that higher latitudes and elevations played a determinant role in increasing the probability of a bird being co-infected with Leucocytozoon and other haemosporidian parasites. The heterogeneity in both single and co-infection rates was similarly driven by host attributes and temperature, with higher probabilities of infection in heavier migratory host species and at cooler localities. Latitude, elevation, host body mass, migratory behavior, and climate were also predictors of Leucocytozoon lineage richness across the New World avian communities, with decreasing parasite richness at higher elevations, rainy and warmer localities, and in heavier and resident host species. Increased parasite richness was found farther from the equator, confirming a reverse Latitudinal Diversity Gradient pattern for this parasite group. The increased rates of Leucocytozoon co-infection and lineage richness with increased latitude are in opposition with the pervasive assumption that pathogen infection rates and diversity are higher in tropical host communities.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alan Fecchio
- Centro de Investigación Esquel de Montaña y Estepa Patagónica (CIEMEP), CONICET - Universidad Nacional de la Patagonia San Juan Bosco, Esquel, Chubut, Argentina.
- Department of Ornithology, Academy of Natural Sciences of Drexel University, Philadelphia, PA, USA.
| | - Jeffrey A Bell
- Department of Biology, University of North Dakota, Grand Forks, ND, USA
| | - Emily J Williams
- Department of Biology, Georgetown University, Washington, DC, USA
- Denali National Park and Preserve, Denali Park, AK, USA
| | - Janice H Dispoto
- Department of Ornithology, Academy of Natural Sciences of Drexel University, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Jason D Weckstein
- Department of Ornithology, Academy of Natural Sciences of Drexel University, Philadelphia, PA, USA
- Department of Biodiversity, Earth, and Environmental Science, Drexel University, Philadelphia, PA, USA
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Tamayo-Quintero J, Martínez-de la Puente J, San-José M, González-Quevedo C, Rivera-Gutiérrez HF. Bird community effects on avian malaria infections. Sci Rep 2023; 13:11681. [PMID: 37468559 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-023-38660-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/22/2023] [Accepted: 07/12/2023] [Indexed: 07/21/2023] Open
Abstract
In community assembly processes, interspecific interactions play an important role in shaping community diversity, especially at the local scale. Changes in species richness or abundance can modify local infectious disease dynamics, either reducing or increasing the risk of transmission within the community. This study evaluates the effects of bird community on avian haemosporidians infections in a Neotropical region. Bird samples were collected from areas surrounding three dams, and molecular analysis were performed to identify blood-parasitic haemosporidia infecting the birds. Generalized linear models were used to analyze the relationships between the bird community and the prevalence, number of infections, and richness of avian haemosporidian lineages. Non-significant effects of bird community dominance and richness on the prevalence of avian parasites and the number of infections of Haemoproteus were found. However, there was evidence of an amplification effect. Host dominance was associated with the total number of infections, the number Plasmodium infections and the expected richness of Plasmodium lineages, while the expected richness of Haemoproteus lineages was associated with the richness of bird species. These findings highlight the role of host community dominance and richness in the dynamics of parasite infections, potentially influenced by the availability of competent hosts. This study contributes significantly to our understanding of blood parasite diversity in tropical birds within a relatively understudied region of South America.
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Affiliation(s)
- Juliana Tamayo-Quintero
- Grupo de Ecología y Evolución de Vertebrados, Instituto de Biología, Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales, Universidad de Antioquia, Medellín, Colombia.
| | | | - Miriam San-José
- Charles Darwin Foundation, Charles Darwin Research Station, Puerto Ayora, Ecuador
| | - Catalina González-Quevedo
- Grupo de Ecología y Evolución de Vertebrados, Instituto de Biología, Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales, Universidad de Antioquia, Medellín, Colombia
| | - Héctor F Rivera-Gutiérrez
- Grupo de Ecología y Evolución de Vertebrados, Instituto de Biología, Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales, Universidad de Antioquia, Medellín, Colombia
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Fecchio A, Batalha-Filho H, Dispoto JH, Bell JA, Weckstein JD. Distinct biogeographic processes and areas of endemism contributed differentially to Plasmodium and Parahaemoproteus community assembly on Marajó Island. Mol Phylogenet Evol 2023:107828. [PMID: 37247702 DOI: 10.1016/j.ympev.2023.107828] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/08/2022] [Revised: 05/16/2023] [Accepted: 05/26/2023] [Indexed: 05/31/2023]
Abstract
Amazonia is the primary source of haemosporidian diversity for South American biomes. Yet, our understanding of the contribution of each area of endemism and the biogeographical processes that generated such diversity in this group of vector transmitted parasites remains incomplete. For example, a recently formed fluvial island in the Amazon delta - Marajó Island, is composed of avian lineages from adjacent Amazonian areas of endemism, but also from open habitats, such as Cerrado. This raises the question: Is the parasite assemblage found in avian hosts on this island formed by parasite lineages from adjacent Amazonian areas of endemism or Cerrado? Here, we assessed the spatiotemporal evolution of Plasmodium and Parahaemoproteus parasites. Our biogeographic analysis showed that dispersal dominated Plasmodium diversification, whereas duplication was more frequent for the genus Parahaemoproteus. We show that the Inambari area of endemism was the primary source for Plasmodium diversity on Marajó Island, but that this island received more Parahaemoproteus lineages from Cerrado than any Amazonian area of endemism. The unique patterns of dispersal for each parasite genus coupled with their propensity to shift hosts locally may have facilitated their diversification across Amazonia, suggesting that differences in deep evolutionary history may have constrained their colonization of Marajó Island.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alan Fecchio
- Centro de Investigación Esquel de Montaña y Estepa Patagónica (CIEMEP), CONICET - Universidad Nacional de la Patagonia San Juan Bosco, Esquel, Chubut, Argentina
| | - Henrique Batalha-Filho
- Laboratório de Evolução e Biogeografia, Instituto de Biologia, Universidade Federal da Bahia, Salvador, BA, Brazil
| | - Janice H Dispoto
- Department of Ornithology, Academy of Natural Sciences of Drexel University, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Jeffrey A Bell
- Department of Biology, University of North Dakota, Grand Forks, ND, USA
| | - Jason D Weckstein
- Department of Ornithology, Academy of Natural Sciences of Drexel University, Philadelphia, PA, USA; Department of Biodiversity, Earth, and Environmental Sciences, Drexel University, Philadelphia, PA, USA
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Rodríguez‐Hernández K, Álvarez‐Mendizábal P, Chapa‐Vargas L, Escobar F, Dáttilo W, Santiago‐Alarcon D. Infection intensity shapes specialization and beta diversity of haemosporidian–bird networks across elevations. Ecosphere 2023. [DOI: 10.1002/ecs2.4481] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 03/30/2023] Open
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Haemosporidians in Non-Passerine Birds of Colombia: An Overview of the Last 20 Years of Research. DIVERSITY 2023. [DOI: 10.3390/d15010057] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/06/2023]
Abstract
The Neotropics are highly diverse in avian species. Neotropical countries contribute a large part of the estimated diversity of haemosporidian parasites reported for the planet’s tropical zones. However, sampling is limited and biased, illustrated by only 30% of the genetic records (barcodes) from non-passerines, most of them not linked to a nominal species. This paper aimed to perform the molecular and morphological characterization of the haemosporidians that infect non-passerine birds from Colombia deposited in the biological collection named “Grupo de Estudio Relación Parásito Hospedero (GERPH)”. We analyzed 1239 samples from twelve biomes and two animal care facilities. Phylogenetic relationships using barcodes and mitochondrial genomes were estimated. In addition, the reports of haemosporidian infections in non-passerine birds from the Neotropics recorded after 1978 were summarized. We reported the presence of thirteen morphological haemosporidian species, four potential new species deposited in GERPH, a host range expansion for two Plasmodium species, and a barcode sequence for Haemoproteus caprimulgi. We confirmed the species associated with 56 molecular lineages reported in other neotropical countries at the genus level. Thus, biological collections and curated databases such as MalAvi are essential to support integrative approaches demanded in modern taxonomy.
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Ortega-Guzmán L, Rojas-Soto O, Santiago-Alarcon D, Huber-Sannwald E, Chapa-Vargas L. Climate predictors and climate change projections for avian haemosporidian prevalence in Mexico. Parasitology 2022; 149:1129-1144. [PMID: 35535473 PMCID: PMC11010484 DOI: 10.1017/s0031182022000683] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/09/2021] [Revised: 01/19/2022] [Accepted: 04/30/2022] [Indexed: 11/07/2022]
Abstract
Long-term, inter-annual and seasonal variation in temperature and precipitation influence the distribution and prevalence of intraerythrocytic haemosporidian parasites. We characterized the climatic niche behind the prevalence of the three main haemosporidian genera (Haemoproteus, Plasmodium and Leucocytozoon) in central-eastern Mexico, to understand their main climate drivers. Then, we projected the influence of climate change over prevalence distribution in the region. Using the MaxEnt modelling algorithm, we assessed the relative contribution of bioclimatic predictor variables to identify those most influential to haemosporidian prevalence in different avian communities within the region. Two contrasting climate change scenarios for 2070 were used to create distribution models to explain spatial turnover in prevalence caused by climate change. We assigned our study sites into polygonal operational climatic units (OCUs) and used the general haemosporidian prevalence for each OCU to indirectly measure environmental suitability for these parasites. A high statistical association between global prevalence and the bioclimatic variables ‘mean diurnal temperature range’ and ‘annual temperature range’ was found. Climate change projections for 2070 showed a significant modification of the current distribution of suitable climate areas for haemosporidians in the study region.
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Affiliation(s)
- Larissa Ortega-Guzmán
- Instituto Potosino de Investigación Científica y Tecnológica A.C., División de Ciencias Ambientales, Camino a la Presa San José 2055, Lomas 4a Sección, C.P., 78216, San Luis Potosí, México
| | - Octavio Rojas-Soto
- Red de Biología Evolutiva, Instituto de Ecología A. C., Xalapa, Veracruz, México
| | | | - Elisabeth Huber-Sannwald
- Instituto Potosino de Investigación Científica y Tecnológica A.C., División de Ciencias Ambientales, Camino a la Presa San José 2055, Lomas 4a Sección, C.P., 78216, San Luis Potosí, México
| | - Leonardo Chapa-Vargas
- Instituto Potosino de Investigación Científica y Tecnológica A.C., División de Ciencias Ambientales, Camino a la Presa San José 2055, Lomas 4a Sección, C.P., 78216, San Luis Potosí, México
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Mackenzie AM, Dudenhoeffer M, Bangoura B, Sehgal RNM, Tell LA, Godwin BL, Ernest HB. Prevalence and diversity of haemosporidians in a migratory high-elevation hummingbird in North America. Parasitol Res 2022; 121:769-773. [PMID: 35048210 DOI: 10.1007/s00436-021-07407-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/02/2021] [Accepted: 12/09/2021] [Indexed: 12/01/2022]
Abstract
Hummingbirds (Trochilidae) are sensitive to environmental changes because of their extraordinary ecology, metabolism, and the highest red blood cell counts found in any vertebrate. These physiological attributes may render hummingbirds particularly susceptible to the effects of haemosporidian (blood parasite) infections. Much of the research on haemosporidians in hummingbirds has been conducted in South America; less is known about haemosporidian diversity and prevalence in North America. We sought to determine the prevalence and diversity of haemosporidians in a high-elevation species, the Broad-tailed Hummingbird (Selasphorus platycercus). Blood samples (N = 314) from 25 sites in Colorado and Wyoming were screened for haemosporidians using microscopy (n = 311) and PCR (n = 301). Both microscopy and sequencing diagnostic techniques detected haemosporidians in the same 5 hummingbirds, with an overall prevalence of 1.59%. Positive samples were sequenced at the cytochrome b gene and identified Haemoproteus archilochus and two Haemoproteus sp. not previously detected in North America. No parasites of the genera Plasmodium or Leucocytozoon were detected. Our study provides the first report of the prevalence and diversity of haemosporidians in Broad-tailed Hummingbirds in the Rocky Mountains.
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Affiliation(s)
- Adrienne M Mackenzie
- Department of Veterinary Sciences, Wildlife Genomics and Disease Ecology Laboratory, University of Wyoming, Laramie, WY, USA
| | - Megan Dudenhoeffer
- Department of Veterinary Sciences, Wildlife Genomics and Disease Ecology Laboratory, University of Wyoming, Laramie, WY, USA
| | - Berit Bangoura
- Department of Veterinary Sciences, University of Wyoming, Laramie, WY, USA
| | - Ravinder N M Sehgal
- Department of Biology, San Francisco State University, San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - Lisa A Tell
- Department of Medicine and Epidemiology, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of California, Davis, CA, USA
| | - Braden L Godwin
- Department of Veterinary Sciences, Wildlife Genomics and Disease Ecology Laboratory, University of Wyoming, Laramie, WY, USA
| | - Holly B Ernest
- Department of Veterinary Sciences, Wildlife Genomics and Disease Ecology Laboratory, University of Wyoming, Laramie, WY, USA.
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Duarte Moreno AN, Villamizar Escalante D, Rondón González F. Detección por PCR de Haemoproteus archilochus en Amazilia tzacatl (Trochilidae) en Colombia. ACTA BIOLÓGICA COLOMBIANA 2021. [DOI: 10.15446/abc.v27n1.89162] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/09/2022] Open
Abstract
La infección causada por haemosporidios en colibríes no ha sido estudiada en zonas agroforestales o urbanas de la vertiente occidental de la Cordillera Oriental de los Andes en el departamento de Santander, pese a existir evidencia de esta en otros grupos de aves. Con el fin de detectar e identificar los parásitos causales de infecciones por haemosporidios, se tomaron muestras de sangre de la vena yugular de colibríes en seis localidades. La presencia de infección se llevó a cabo por PCR y la identificación de los parásitos se hizo a partir de secuencias del gen mitocondrial Citocromo b (Cyt b). Se obtuvieron 86 muestras de sangre de 20 especies de colibríes. La prevalencia de infección en general fue del 43 % y en el 18 % de las muestras infectadas del colibrí Amazilia colirufa (Amazilia tzacatl) se identificaron secuencias de Haemoproteus archilochus correspondientes al linaje HUMHA4. Se reporta por primera vez para Colombia la presencia de H. archilochus en A. tzacatl, por medio de técnicas de biología molecular. Este parásito podría estar implicado en la haemoproteosis de colibríes en el país.
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Galvin AN, Bradshaw AC, Myers BM, Tell LA, Ernest HB, Sehgal RNM. LOW PREVALENCE OF HAEMOSPORIDIANS IN BLOOD AND TISSUE SAMPLES FROM HUMMINGBIRDS. J Parasitol 2021; 107:794-798. [PMID: 34643697 DOI: 10.1645/20-168] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
Hummingbirds are vital members of terrestrial ecosystems, and because of their high metabolic requirements, they serve as indicators of ecosystem health. Monitoring the parasitic infections of hummingbirds is thus especially important. Haemosporidians, a widespread group of avian blood parasites, are known to infect hummingbirds, but little is known about the prevalence and diversity of these parasites in hummingbirds. The prevalence of haemosporidians in several hummingbird species was examined and we compared 4 different tissue types in detecting parasites by polymerase chain reaction (PCR). Blood samples from 339 individuals of 3 different hummingbird species were tested, and 4 individuals were found positive for haemosporidian infection, a prevalence of 1.2%. Hummingbird carcasses (n = 70) from 5 different hummingbird species were also sampled to assess differences in detection success of haemosporidians in heart, kidney, liver, and pectoral muscle tissue samples. Detection success was similar among tissue types, with haemosporidian prevalence of 9.96% in heart tissue, 9.52% in kidney tissue, 10.76% in liver tissue, and 11.76% in pectoral muscle tissue. All tissue samples positive for haemosporidian infection were from the Black-chinned Hummingbird (Archilochus alexandri). Possible reasons for low prevalence of these blood parasites could include low susceptibility to insect vectors or parasite incompatibility in these hummingbirds.
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Affiliation(s)
- A N Galvin
- Department of Biology, 1600 Holloway Avenue, San Francisco State University, San Francisco, California 94132
| | - A C Bradshaw
- Department of Biology, 1600 Holloway Avenue, San Francisco State University, San Francisco, California 94132
| | - B M Myers
- California State Polytechnic University Pomona, 3801 West Temple Avenue, Pomona, California 91768
| | - L A Tell
- Department of Medicine and Epidemiology, School of Veterinary Medicine, 1 Shields Avenue, University of California, Davis, California 95616
| | - H B Ernest
- Wildlife Genomics and Disease Ecology Laboratory, Department of Veterinary Sciences and Program in Ecology, University of Wyoming, Laramie, Wyoming 82071
| | - R N M Sehgal
- Department of Biology, 1600 Holloway Avenue, San Francisco State University, San Francisco, California 94132
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Doussang D, Sallaberry-Pincheira N, Cabanne GS, Lijtmaer DA, González-Acuña D, Vianna JA. Specialist versus generalist parasites: the interactions between host diversity, environment and geographic barriers in avian malaria. Int J Parasitol 2021; 51:899-911. [PMID: 34044005 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijpara.2021.04.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/17/2020] [Revised: 04/03/2021] [Accepted: 04/12/2021] [Indexed: 10/21/2022]
Abstract
The specialist versus generalist strategies of hemoparasites in relation to their avian host, as well as environmental factors, can influence their prevalence, diversity and distribution. In this paper we investigated the influence of avian host species, as well as the environmental and geographical factors, on the strategies of Haemoproteus and Plasmodium hemoparasites. We determined prevalence and diversity by targeting their cytochrome b (Cytb) in a total of 2,590 passerine samples from 138 localities of Central and South America, and analysed biogeographic patterns and host-parasite relationships. We found a total prevalence of 23.2%. Haemoproteus presented a higher prevalence (15.3%) than Plasmodium (4.3%), as well as a higher diversity and host specificity. We determined that Plasmodium and Haemoproteus prevalences correlated positively with host diversity (Shannon index) and were significantly influenced by bird diversity, demonstrating a possible "amplification effect". We found an effect of locality and the avian family for prevalences of Haemoproteus and Plasmodium. These results suggest that Haemoproteus is more specialist than Plasmodium and could be mostly influenced by its avian host and the Andes Mountains.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daniela Doussang
- Facultad de Ciencias Veterinarias, Universidad de Concepción, Casilla 537, Chillán, Chile; Escuela de Medicina Veterinaria, Facultad de Ciencias de la Vida, Universidad Andres Bello, Chile
| | | | - Gustavo S Cabanne
- Museo Argentino de Ciencias Naturales "Bernardino Rivadavia", Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Darío A Lijtmaer
- Museo Argentino de Ciencias Naturales "Bernardino Rivadavia", Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Daniel González-Acuña
- Facultad de Ciencias Veterinarias, Universidad de Concepción, Casilla 537, Chillán, Chile
| | - Juliana A Vianna
- Departamento de Ecosistemas y Medio Ambiente, Facultad de Agronomía e Ingeniería Forestal, Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile, Código Postal, 6904411, Casilla 306, Correo 22, Santiago, Chile.
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Abad CS, Tellkamp MP, Amaro IR, Spencer LM. Incidence of avian malaria in hummingbirds in humid premontane forests of Pichincha Province, Ecuador: A pilot study. Vet World 2021; 14:889-896. [PMID: 34083937 PMCID: PMC8167542 DOI: 10.14202/vetworld.2021.889-896] [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: 11/23/2020] [Accepted: 02/23/2021] [Indexed: 12/26/2022] Open
Abstract
Background and Aim: Avian malaria is a tropical disease caused by protozoans of the genera Plasmodium and Haemoproteus. As a nonlethal disease, avian malaria can affect the lifespan and reproductive rate of birds. If there is a differential effect depending on bird species, then this disease might have a significant effect on avian biodiversity. The current study aimed to determine the incidence of Plasmodium in hummingbirds in humid premontane forest areas. Materials and Methods: Blood samples (n=60) were collected from hummingbirds from two areas (Santuario de Aves Milpe and Hacienda Puyucunapi) of Pichincha Province, Ecuador. Prevalence and parasitemia were determined by microscopic examination of blood smears stained with Giemsa reagent. Both study sites are part of a 1000 m elevational gradient; hence, elevation was used as a predictor variable for prevalence and parasitemia levels in a Mann–Whitney U-test. This test was also used to test for a sex bias. Results: This study reports on a total of 12 bird species that inhabit both study sites. At Milpe, the lower elevation site, a prevalence of 100% was recorded, whereas at Puyucunapi, the prevalence was 96%. The combined prevalence was 97%. Elevation and sex did not influence prevalence nor parasitemia in hummingbirds. Conclusion: This study does not suggest a significant elevation or sex bias on prevalence and parasitemia in hummingbirds.
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Affiliation(s)
- Claudia S Abad
- Department of Biology, School of Biological Sciences and Engineering, Yachay Tech University, Urcuquí, Ecuador
| | - Markus P Tellkamp
- Department of Biology, School of Biological Sciences and Engineering, Yachay Tech University, Urcuquí, Ecuador
| | - Isidro R Amaro
- Department of Mathematics, School of Mathematical and Computational Sciences, Yachay Tech University, Urcuquí, Ecuador
| | - Lilian M Spencer
- Department of Biology, School of Biological Sciences and Engineering, Yachay Tech University, Urcuquí, Ecuador.,Department of Cell Biology, Simón Bolívar University, AP 89000 Caracas, Venezuela
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Avian Haemosporidian Diversity on Sardinia: A First General Assessment for the Insular Mediterranean. DIVERSITY 2021. [DOI: 10.3390/d13020075] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/29/2022]
Abstract
The Western Palearctic is one of the most investigated regions for avian haemosporidian parasites (Haemoproteus, Plasmodium and Leucocytozoon), yet geographic gaps in our regional knowledge remain. Here, we report the first haemosporidian screening of the breeding birds from Sardinia (the second-largest Mediterranean Island and a biodiversity hotspot), and the first for the insular Mediterranean in general. We examined the occurrence of haemosporidians by amplifying their mtDNA cytb gene in 217 breeding birds, belonging to 32 species. The total prevalence of infected birds was 55.3%, and of the 116 haplotypes recovered, 84 were novel. Despite the high number of novel lineages, phylogenetic analysis did not highlight Sardinia-specific clades; instead, some Sardinian lineages were more closely related to lineages previously recovered from continental Europe. Host-parasite network analysis indicated a specialized host-parasite community. Binomial generalized linear models (GLMs), performed at the community level, suggested an elevational effect on haemosporidian occurrence probability (negative for Haemoproteus; positive for Leucocytozoon) likely due to differences in the abundance of insect vectors at different elevations. Furthermore, a GLM revealed that sedentary birds showed a higher probability of being infected by novel haplotypes and long-distance migrants showed a lower probability of novel haplotype infection. We hypothesize that the high diversity of haemosporidians is linked to the isolation of breeding bird populations on Sardinia. This study adds to the growing knowledge on haemosporidians lineage diversity and distribution in insular environments and presents new insights on potential host-parasite associations.
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Barrow LN, Bauernfeind SM, Cruz PA, Williamson JL, Wiley DL, Ford JE, Baumann MJ, Brady SS, Chavez AN, Gadek CR, Galen SC, Johnson AB, Mapel XM, Marroquin-Flores RA, Martinez TE, McCullough JM, McLaughlin JE, Witt CC. Detecting turnover among complex communities using null models: a case study with sky-island haemosporidian parasites. Oecologia 2021; 195:435-451. [PMID: 33484348 DOI: 10.1007/s00442-021-04854-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/15/2020] [Accepted: 01/08/2021] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
Turnover in species composition between sites, or beta diversity, is a critical component of species diversity that is typically influenced by geography, environment, and biotic interactions. Quantifying turnover is particularly challenging, however, in multi-host, multi-parasite assemblages where undersampling is unavoidable, resulting in inflated estimates of turnover and uncertainty about its spatial scale. We developed and implemented a framework using null models to test for community turnover in avian haemosporidian communities of three sky islands in the southwestern United States. We screened 776 birds for haemosporidian parasites from three genera (Parahaemoproteus, Plasmodium, and Leucocytozoon) by amplifying and sequencing a mitochondrial DNA barcode. We detected infections in 280 birds (36.1%), sequenced 357 infections, and found a total of 99 parasite haplotypes. When compared to communities simulated from a regional pool, we observed more unique, single-mountain haplotypes and fewer haplotypes shared among three mountain ranges than expected, indicating that haemosporidian communities differ to some degree among adjacent mountain ranges. These results were robust even after pruning datasets to include only identical sets of host species, and they were consistent for two of the three haemosporidian genera. The two more distant mountain ranges were more similar to each other than the one located centrally, suggesting that the differences we detected were due to stochastic colonization-extirpation dynamics. These results demonstrate that avian haemosporidian communities of temperate-zone forests differ on relatively fine spatial scales between adjacent sky islands. Null models are essential tools for testing the spatial scale of turnover in complex, undersampled, and poorly known systems.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lisa N Barrow
- Museum of Southwestern Biology and Department of Biology, University of New Mexico, Albuquerque, NM, USA
- Department of Evolution, Ecology and Organismal Biology, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH, USA
| | - Selina M Bauernfeind
- Museum of Southwestern Biology and Department of Biology, University of New Mexico, Albuquerque, NM, USA
| | - Paxton A Cruz
- Museum of Southwestern Biology and Department of Biology, University of New Mexico, Albuquerque, NM, USA
| | - Jessie L Williamson
- Museum of Southwestern Biology and Department of Biology, University of New Mexico, Albuquerque, NM, USA
| | - Daniele L Wiley
- Museum of Southwestern Biology and Department of Biology, University of New Mexico, Albuquerque, NM, USA
| | - John E Ford
- Museum of Southwestern Biology and Department of Biology, University of New Mexico, Albuquerque, NM, USA
| | - Matthew J Baumann
- Museum of Southwestern Biology and Department of Biology, University of New Mexico, Albuquerque, NM, USA
| | - Serina S Brady
- Museum of Southwestern Biology and Department of Biology, University of New Mexico, Albuquerque, NM, USA
| | - Andrea N Chavez
- Museum of Southwestern Biology and Department of Biology, University of New Mexico, Albuquerque, NM, USA
- Bureau of Land Management, Rio Puerco District Office, Albuquerque, NM, USA
- Cibola National Forest and National Grasslands, Albuquerque, NM, USA
| | - Chauncey R Gadek
- Museum of Southwestern Biology and Department of Biology, University of New Mexico, Albuquerque, NM, USA
| | - Spencer C Galen
- Department of Ornithology, Academy of Natural Sciences of Drexel University, Philadelphia, PA, USA
- Biology Department, University of Scranton, Scranton, PA, USA
| | - Andrew B Johnson
- Museum of Southwestern Biology and Department of Biology, University of New Mexico, Albuquerque, NM, USA
| | - Xena M Mapel
- Museum of Southwestern Biology and Department of Biology, University of New Mexico, Albuquerque, NM, USA
| | - Rosario A Marroquin-Flores
- Museum of Southwestern Biology and Department of Biology, University of New Mexico, Albuquerque, NM, USA
- School of Biological Sciences, Illinois State University, Normal, IL, USA
| | - Taylor E Martinez
- Museum of Southwestern Biology and Department of Biology, University of New Mexico, Albuquerque, NM, USA
- Department of Molecular Medicine and Pharmacology, University of South Florida, Tampa, FL, USA
| | - Jenna M McCullough
- Museum of Southwestern Biology and Department of Biology, University of New Mexico, Albuquerque, NM, USA
| | - Jade E McLaughlin
- Museum of Southwestern Biology and Department of Biology, University of New Mexico, Albuquerque, NM, USA
| | - Christopher C Witt
- Museum of Southwestern Biology and Department of Biology, University of New Mexico, Albuquerque, NM, USA.
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15
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Rodríguez-Hernández K, Álvarez-Mendizábal P, Chapa-Vargas L, Escobar F, González-García F, Santiago-Alarcon D. Haemosporidian prevalence, parasitaemia and aggregation in relation to avian assemblage life history traits at different elevations. Int J Parasitol 2021; 51:365-378. [PMID: 33454363 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijpara.2020.10.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/02/2020] [Revised: 10/13/2020] [Accepted: 10/15/2020] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
Abstract
The transmission of vector-borne protozoa such as parasites of the Order Haemosporida is dependent on both biotic and abiotic factors such as host life history traits and environmental conditions. This study aimed to identify the variables that determine haemosporidian prevalence, parasitaemia and aggregation within the context of elevation and avian life history traits in Central Veracruz, Mexico. We sampled 607 birds from 88 species; we used microscopy and the mtDNA cytochrome b gene to detect parasites. We found an overall prevalence of 32.3%. Haemosporidian prevalence was 21.6% in tropical sub-deciduous forest (at sea level), 38% in tropical deciduous forest (265 m above sea level (asl)), 19.4% in montane cloud forest (1630 m asl), and 51.7% in pine-oak forest (2790 m asl). The prevalence of each parasite genus was strongly influenced by elevation (a proxy of habitat type). Plasmodium showed the highest prevalence at low elevation. Haemoproteus increased in prevalence with elevation. Leucocytozoon displayed the highest prevalence at the highest elevation (pine-oak forest). Haemoproteus spp. and Leucocytozoon spp. prevalences were higher in open cup than in closed nests. Haemoproteus prevalence and haemosporidian parasitaemia were lower in solitary birds than birds with pairing and gregarious behavior. Haemosporidian aggregation decreased with elevation, yielding the significantly lowest values at the pine-oak forest. Elevation distribution patterns of prevalence for each genus were similar to those previously reported in other geographical areas (e.g., South America, Europe).
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Affiliation(s)
- Karla Rodríguez-Hernández
- Red de Biología y Conservación de Vertebrados, Instituto de Ecología A.C., Carretera Antigua a Coatepec 351, El Haya, C.P. 91073 Xalapa, Veracruz, Mexico
| | - Paulina Álvarez-Mendizábal
- Red de Biología y Conservación de Vertebrados, Instituto de Ecología A.C., Carretera Antigua a Coatepec 351, El Haya, C.P. 91073 Xalapa, Veracruz, Mexico; Departamento de Etología, Fauna Silvestre y Animales de Laboratorio, Facultad de Medicina Veterinaria y Zootecnia, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Av. Universidad 3000, Delegación Coyoacán, C.P. 04510 Ciudad de México, Mexico
| | - Leonardo Chapa-Vargas
- Instituto Potosino de Investigación Científica y Tecnológica A. C., Camino a la Presa San José 2055, Colonia Lomas 4ª Sección, 78216 San Luis Potosí, Mexico
| | - Federico Escobar
- Red de Ecoetología, Instituto de Ecología A.C., Carretera Antigua a Coatepec 351, El Haya, C.P. 91073 Xalapa, Veracruz, Mexico
| | - Fernando González-García
- Red de Biología y Conservación de Vertebrados, Instituto de Ecología A.C., Carretera Antigua a Coatepec 351, El Haya, C.P. 91073 Xalapa, Veracruz, Mexico
| | - Diego Santiago-Alarcon
- Red de Biología y Conservación de Vertebrados, Instituto de Ecología A.C., Carretera Antigua a Coatepec 351, El Haya, C.P. 91073 Xalapa, Veracruz, Mexico.
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16
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Gupta P, Vishnudas CK, Robin VV, Dharmarajan G. Host phylogeny matters: Examining sources of variation in infection risk by blood parasites across a tropical montane bird community in India. Parasit Vectors 2020; 13:536. [PMID: 33115505 PMCID: PMC7594458 DOI: 10.1186/s13071-020-04404-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/01/2020] [Accepted: 10/14/2020] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Identifying patterns and drivers of infection risk among host communities is crucial to elucidate disease dynamics and predict infectious disease risk in wildlife populations. Blood parasites of the genera Plasmodium and Haemoproteus are a diverse group of vector-borne protozoan parasites that affect bird populations globally. Despite their widespread distribution and exceptional diversity, factors underlying haemosporidian infection risk in wild bird communities remain poorly understood. While some studies have examined variation in avian haemosporidian risk, researchers have primarily focused on host ecological traits without considering host phylogenetic relationships. In this study, we employ a phylogenetically informed approach to examine the association between host ecological traits and haemosporidian infection risk in endemic bird communities in the Western Ghats Sky Islands. Methods We used parasite sequence data based on partial mitochondrial cytochrome b gene, that was amplified from genomic DNA extracted from 1177 birds (28 species) across the Western Ghats to assess infection of birds with haemosporidian parasites. We employed a Bayesian phylogenetic mixed effect modelling approach to test whether haemosporidian infection risk was affected by seven species-specific and four individual-level ecological predictors. We also examined the effect of host phylogenetic relationships on the observed patterns of variation in haemosporidian infection risk by estimating phylogenetic signal. Results Our study shows that host ecological traits and host phylogeny differentially influence infection risk by Plasmodium (generalist parasite) and Haemoproteus (specialist parasite). For Plasmodium, we found that sociality, sexual dimorphism and foraging strata were important ecological predictors. For Haemoproteus, patterns of infection risk among host species were associated with sociality, species elevation and individual body condition. Interestingly, variance in infection risk explained by host phylogeny was higher for Haemoproteus parasites compared to Plasmodium. Conclusions Our study highlights that while host ecological traits promoting parasite exposure and host susceptibility are important determinants of infection risk, host phylogeny also contributes substantially to predicting patterns of haemosporidian infection risk in multi-host communities. Importantly, infection risk is driven by joint contributions of host ecology and host phylogeny and studying these effects together could increase our ability to better understand the drivers of infection risk and predict future disease threats. Graphical abstract ![]()
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Affiliation(s)
- Pooja Gupta
- Savannah River Ecology Laboratory, University of Georgia, Aiken, SC, USA. .,Warnell School of Forestry and Natural Resources, University of Georgia, Athens, GA, 30602, USA. .,Indian Institute of Science Education and Research Kolkata, Mohanpur, West Bengal, 741246, India.
| | - C K Vishnudas
- Indian Institute of Science Education and Research Tirupati, Mangalam, Tirupati, 517507, India
| | - V V Robin
- Indian Institute of Science Education and Research Tirupati, Mangalam, Tirupati, 517507, India
| | - Guha Dharmarajan
- Savannah River Ecology Laboratory, University of Georgia, Aiken, SC, USA.,Indian Institute of Science Education and Research Kolkata, Mohanpur, West Bengal, 741246, India
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17
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Reis S, Melo M, Covas R, Doutrelant C, Pereira H, Lima RD, Loiseau C. Influence of land use and host species on parasite richness, prevalence and co-infection patterns. Int J Parasitol 2020; 51:83-94. [PMID: 33045239 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijpara.2020.08.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/27/2020] [Revised: 07/21/2020] [Accepted: 08/04/2020] [Indexed: 01/23/2023]
Abstract
Tropical forests are experiencing increasing impacts from a multitude of anthropogenic activities such as logging and conversion to agricultural use. These perturbations are expected to have strong impacts on ecological interactions and on the transmission dynamics of infectious diseases. To date, no clear picture of the effects of deforestation on vector-borne disease transmission has emerged. This is associated with the challenge of studying complex systems where many vertebrate hosts and vectors co-exist. To overcome this problem, we focused on an innately simplified system - a small oceanic island (São Tomé, Gulf of Guinea). We analyzed the impacts of human land-use on host-parasite interactions by sampling the bird community (1735 samples from 30 species) in natural and anthropogenic land use at different elevations, and screened individuals for haemosporidian parasites from three genera (Plasmodium, Haemoproteus, Leucocytozoon). Overall, Plasmodium had the highest richness but the lowest prevalence, while Leucocytozoon diversity was the lowest despite having the highest prevalence. Interestingly, co-infections (i.e. intra-host diversity) involved primarily Leucocytozoon lineages (95%). We also found marked differences between bird species and habitats. Some bird species showed low prevalence but harbored high diversity of parasites, while others showed high prevalence but were infected with fewer lineages. These infection dynamics are most likely driven by host specificity of parasites and intrinsic characteristics of hosts. In addition, Plasmodium was more abundant in disturbed habitats and at lower elevations, while Leucocytozoon was more prevalent in forest areas and at higher elevations. These results likely reflect the ecological requirements of their vectors: mosquitoes and black flies, respectively.
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Affiliation(s)
- S Reis
- CIBIO, Research Center in Biodiversity and Genetic Resources, InBIO Associate Laboratory, Vairão, Portugal
| | - M Melo
- CIBIO, Research Center in Biodiversity and Genetic Resources, InBIO Associate Laboratory, Vairão, Portugal; Natural History and Science Museum, University of Porto, Portugal; Fitzpatrick Institute, DST/NRF Centre of Excellence, University of Cape Town, South Africa
| | - R Covas
- CIBIO, Research Center in Biodiversity and Genetic Resources, InBIO Associate Laboratory, Vairão, Portugal; Fitzpatrick Institute, DST/NRF Centre of Excellence, University of Cape Town, South Africa
| | - C Doutrelant
- CEFE, Université de Montpellier, CNRS, Montpellier, France
| | - H Pereira
- CIBIO, Research Center in Biodiversity and Genetic Resources, InBIO Associate Laboratory, Vairão, Portugal
| | - R de Lima
- Centre for Ecology, Evolution and Environmental Changes, University of Lisbon, Portugal; Department of Animal Biology, Faculty of Sciences, University of Lisbon, Portugal
| | - C Loiseau
- CIBIO, Research Center in Biodiversity and Genetic Resources, InBIO Associate Laboratory, Vairão, Portugal; CEFE, Université de Montpellier, CNRS, Montpellier, France.
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18
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Bell JA, González-Acuña D, Tkach VV. Haemosporidian Parasites of Chilean Ducks: The Importance of Biogeography and Nonpasserine Hosts. J Parasitol 2020; 106:211-220. [PMID: 32164026 DOI: 10.1645/19-130] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Biogeography is known to have shaped the diversity and evolutionary history of avian haemosporidian parasites across the Neotropics. However, a paucity of information exists for the temperate Neotropics and especially from nonpasserine hosts. To understand the effect of biogeography in the temperate Neotropics on haemosporidians of nonpasserine hosts we screened ducks (Anseriformes) from central Chile for the presence of these parasites. Forty-two individuals of 4 duck species (Anas flavirostris, Anas georgica, Mareca sibilatrix, Spatula cyanoptera cyanoptera) were collected and assessed for haemosporidian parasite infections by real-time polymerase chain reaction screening and subsequent sequencing of the mitochondrial cytochrome b gene. Haemoproteus (subgenus Haemoproteus) and Plasmodium were detected in 2 host species, A. georgica and S. c. cyanoptera, with no Leucocytozoon found. Overall haemosporidian prevalence was low (14.2%), with the prevalence of Plasmodium (11.9%) being substantially greater than that of Haemoproteus (4.8%). Six haemosporidian cytochrome b lineages were recovered, 2 Haemoproteus and 4 Plasmodium, with all 6 lineages identified for the first time. In phylogenetic reconstruction, the Chilean Plasmodium lineages were more closely related to South American lineages from passerine birds than to known lineages from anseriforms. The subgenus Haemoproteus known from nonpasseriformes has never been identified from any anseriform host; however, we recovered 2 lineages from this subgenus, one from each A. georgica and S. c. cyanoptera. Further work is needed to determine if this presents true parasitism in ducks or only a spillover infection. The results of phylogenetic reconstruction demonstrate a unique evolutionary history of these Chilean parasites, differing from what is known for this host group. The unique geography of Chile, with a large part of the country being relatively isolated by the Atacama Desert in the north and the Andes in the east and south, would present opportunities for parasite diversification. Further work is needed to investigate how strongly the biogeographical isolation has shaped the haemosporidian parasites of this area. Our results add to the growing body of evidence that nonpasserine hosts support unique lineages of haemosporidian parasites, while also demonstrating the role of biogeography in haemosporidian parasite diversity in the temperate Neotropics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jeffrey A Bell
- Department of Biology, University of North Dakota, 10 Cornell Street STOP 9019, Grand Forks, North Dakota 58202
| | - Daniel González-Acuña
- Department of Animal Science, Faculty of Veterinary Sciences, Universidad de Concepción, Box 10 537, Chillán 3780000, Chile
| | - Vasyl V Tkach
- Department of Biology, University of North Dakota, 10 Cornell Street STOP 9019, Grand Forks, North Dakota 58202
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19
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Lynton‐Jenkins JG, Bründl AC, Cauchoix M, Lejeune LA, Sallé L, Thiney AC, Russell AF, Chaine AS, Bonneaud C. Contrasting the seasonal and elevational prevalence of generalist avian haemosporidia in co-occurring host species. Ecol Evol 2020; 10:6097-6111. [PMID: 32607216 PMCID: PMC7319113 DOI: 10.1002/ece3.6355] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/16/2019] [Revised: 02/17/2020] [Accepted: 04/08/2020] [Indexed: 12/02/2022] Open
Abstract
Understanding the ecology and evolution of parasites is contingent on identifying the selection pressures they face across their infection landscape. Such a task is made challenging by the fact that these pressures will likely vary across time and space, as a result of seasonal and geographical differences in host susceptibility or transmission opportunities. Avian haemosporidian blood parasites are capable of infecting multiple co-occurring hosts within their ranges, yet whether their distribution across time and space varies similarly in their different host species remains unclear. Here, we applied a new PCR method to detect avian haemosporidia (genera Haemoproteus, Leucocytozoon, and Plasmodium) and to determine parasite prevalence in two closely related and co-occurring host species, blue tits (Cyanistes caeruleus, N = 529) and great tits (Parus major, N = 443). Our samples were collected between autumn and spring, along an elevational gradient in the French Pyrenees and over a three-year period. Most parasites were found to infect both host species, and while these generalist parasites displayed similar elevational patterns of prevalence in the two host species, this was not always the case for seasonal prevalence patterns. For example, Leucocytozoon group A parasites showed inverse seasonal prevalence when comparing between the two host species, being highest in winter and spring in blue tits but higher in autumn in great tits. While Plasmodium relictum prevalence was overall lower in spring relative to winter or autumn in both species, spring prevalence was also lower in blue tits than in great tits. Together, these results reveal how generalist parasites can exhibit host-specific epidemiology, which is likely to complicate predictions of host-parasite co-evolution.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Aisha C. Bründl
- Centre for Ecology and ConservationUniversity of ExeterPenrynUK
- Station d'Ecologie Théorique et Expérimentale (UMR5321)CNRSUniversité Paul SabatierMoulisFrance
- Present address:
Max Planck Institute for Evolutionary AnthropologyLeipzigGermany
| | - Maxime Cauchoix
- Station d'Ecologie Théorique et Expérimentale (UMR5321)CNRSUniversité Paul SabatierMoulisFrance
| | - Léa A. Lejeune
- Station d'Ecologie Théorique et Expérimentale (UMR5321)CNRSUniversité Paul SabatierMoulisFrance
| | - Louis Sallé
- Station d'Ecologie Théorique et Expérimentale (UMR5321)CNRSUniversité Paul SabatierMoulisFrance
| | - Alice C. Thiney
- Station d'Ecologie Théorique et Expérimentale (UMR5321)CNRSUniversité Paul SabatierMoulisFrance
| | - Andrew F. Russell
- Centre for Ecology and ConservationUniversity of ExeterPenrynUK
- Station d'Ecologie Théorique et Expérimentale (UMR5321)CNRSUniversité Paul SabatierMoulisFrance
| | - Alexis S. Chaine
- Station d'Ecologie Théorique et Expérimentale (UMR5321)CNRSUniversité Paul SabatierMoulisFrance
- Institute for Advanced Studies in ToulouseToulouseFrance
| | - Camille Bonneaud
- Centre for Ecology and ConservationUniversity of ExeterPenrynUK
- Station d'Ecologie Théorique et Expérimentale (UMR5321)CNRSUniversité Paul SabatierMoulisFrance
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20
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Cuevas E, Vianna JA, Botero-Delgadillo E, Doussang D, González-Acuña D, Barroso O, Rozzi R, Vásquez RA, Quirici V. Latitudinal gradients of haemosporidian parasites: Prevalence, diversity and drivers of infection in the Thorn-tailed Rayadito ( Aphrastura spinicauda). INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL FOR PARASITOLOGY-PARASITES AND WILDLIFE 2019; 11:1-11. [PMID: 31879589 PMCID: PMC6920315 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijppaw.2019.11.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/26/2019] [Revised: 11/02/2019] [Accepted: 11/03/2019] [Indexed: 01/15/2023]
Abstract
Latitudinal gradients are well-suited systems that may be helpful explaining distribution of haemosporidian parasites and host susceptibility. We studied the prevalence, diversity and drivers of haemosporidian parasites (Leucocytozoon, Plasmodium and Haemoproteus) along a latitudinal gradient (30°–56° S), that encompass the total distribution (~3,000 km) of the Thorn-tailed Rayadito (Aphrastura spinicauda) in the South American temperate forests from Chile. We analyzed 516 individuals from 18 localities between 2010 and 2017 and observed an overall prevalence of 28.3% for haemosporidian parasites. Leucocytozoon was the most prevalent parasite (25.8%). We recorded 19 distinct lineages (13 for Leucocytozoon, five for Plasmodium, and one for Haemoproteus). Differences in haemosporidian prevalence and diversity by genus and type of habitat were observed in the latitudinal gradient. Further, we support the existence of a latitudinal associate distribution of Leucocytozoids in South America, where prevalence and diversity increase toward higher latitudes. Distribution of Leucocytozoon was associated with sub-antarctic habitat (higher latitude) and explained by cold temperature and high precipitation. On the other hand, we lacked to find a latitudinal associate pattern for Plasmodium and Haemoproteus, however low prevalence and high diversity were recorded in areas considered as a hotspot of biodiversity in Central Chile. Our findings confirmed the importance of habitat and climatic variables explaining prevalence, diversity and distribution of haemosporidian parasites in a huge latitudinal gradient, belonging the distribution of the Thorn-tailed Rayadito in the world's southernmost forests ecosystems. Prevalence and diversity differed between haemosporidian genera and habitats in the latitudinal gradient. Leucocytozoon was the most prevalent genus in the latitudinal distribution. Leucocytozoon prevalence and diversity were associated to higher latitudes. Distribution of Leucocytozoon was explained by cold temperature and high precipitation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elfego Cuevas
- Programa de Doctorado en Medicina de la Conservación, Facultad de Ciencias de la Vida, Universidad Andres Bello, Santiago, Chile.,Centro de Investigación para la Sustentabilidad (CIS), Universidad Andres Bello, Santiago, Chile
| | - Juliana A Vianna
- Departamento de Ecosistemas y Medio Ambiente, Facultad de Agronomía e Ingeniería Forestal, Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile, Santiago, Chile
| | - Esteban Botero-Delgadillo
- Instituto de Ecología y Biodiversidad, Facultad de Ciencias, Universidad de Chile, Santiago, Chile.,SELVA: Research for Conservation in the Neotropics, Bogotá, Colombia.,Department of Behavioral Ecology and Evolutionary Genetics, Max Plank Institute for Ornithology, Seewiesen, Germany
| | - Daniela Doussang
- Laboratorio de Parásitos y Enfermedades de Fauna Silvestre, Facultad de Ciencias Veterinarias, Universidad de Concepción, Chillán, Chile.,Facultad de Ciencias de la Vida, Universidad Andres Bello, Viña Del Mar, Chile
| | - Daniel González-Acuña
- Laboratorio de Parásitos y Enfermedades de Fauna Silvestre, Facultad de Ciencias Veterinarias, Universidad de Concepción, Chillán, Chile
| | - Omar Barroso
- Instituto de Ecología y Biodiversidad, Parque Etnobotánico Omora, Universidad de Magallanes, Puerto Williams, Chile
| | - Ricardo Rozzi
- Instituto de Ecología y Biodiversidad, Parque Etnobotánico Omora, Universidad de Magallanes, Puerto Williams, Chile
| | - Rodrigo A Vásquez
- Instituto de Ecología y Biodiversidad, Facultad de Ciencias, Universidad de Chile, Santiago, Chile
| | - Verónica Quirici
- Centro de Investigación para la Sustentabilidad (CIS), Universidad Andres Bello, Santiago, Chile.,Departamento de Ecología y Biodiversidad, Universidad Andres Bello, Santiago, Chile
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21
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Armstrong C, Davies RG, González‐Quevedo C, Dunne M, Spurgin LG, Richardson DS. Adaptive landscape genetics and malaria across divergent island bird populations. Ecol Evol 2019; 9:12482-12502. [PMID: 31788192 PMCID: PMC6875583 DOI: 10.1002/ece3.5700] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/28/2019] [Revised: 08/28/2019] [Accepted: 09/02/2019] [Indexed: 12/31/2022] Open
Abstract
Environmental conditions play a major role in shaping the spatial distributions of pathogens, which in turn can drive local adaptation and divergence in host genetic diversity. Haemosporidians, such as Plasmodium (malaria), are a strong selective force, impacting survival and fitness of hosts, with geographic distributions largely determined by habitat suitability for their insect vectors. Here, we have tested whether patterns of fine-scale local adaptation to malaria are replicated across discrete, ecologically differing island populations of Berthelot's pipits Anthus berthelotii. We sequenced TLR4, an innate immunity gene that is potentially under positive selection in Berthelot's pipits, and two SNPs previously identified as being associated with malaria infection in a genome-wide association study (GWAS) in Berthelot's pipits in the Canary Islands. We determined the environmental predictors of malaria infection, using these to estimate variation in malaria risk on Porto Santo, and found some congruence with previously identified environmental risk factors on Tenerife. We also found a negative association between malaria infection and a TLR4 variant in Tenerife. In contrast, one of the GWAS SNPs showed an association with malaria risk in Porto Santo, but in the opposite direction to that found in the Canary Islands GWAS. Together, these findings suggest that disease-driven local adaptation may be an important factor in shaping variation among island populations.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Catalina González‐Quevedo
- School of Biological SciencesUniversity of East AngliaNorwichUK
- Grupo Ecología y Evolución de VertebradosInstituto de BiologíaFacultad de Ciencias Exactas y NaturalesUniversidad de AntioquiaMedellínColombia
| | - Molly Dunne
- School of Biological SciencesUniversity of East AngliaNorwichUK
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22
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Fecchio A, Bell JA, Bosholn M, Vaughan JA, Tkach VV, Lutz HL, Cueto VR, Gorosito CA, González-Acuña D, Stromlund C, Kvasager D, Comiche KJM, Kirchgatter K, Pinho JB, Berv J, Anciães M, Fontana CS, Zyskowski K, Sampaio S, Dispoto JH, Galen SC, Weckstein JD, Clark NJ. An inverse latitudinal gradient in infection probability and phylogenetic diversity for Leucocytozoon blood parasites in New World birds. J Anim Ecol 2019; 89:423-435. [PMID: 31571223 DOI: 10.1111/1365-2656.13117] [Citation(s) in RCA: 34] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/08/2019] [Accepted: 08/30/2019] [Indexed: 01/26/2023]
Abstract
Geographic variation in environmental conditions as well as host traits that promote parasite transmission may impact infection rates and community assembly of vector-transmitted parasites. Identifying the ecological, environmental and historical determinants of parasite distributions and diversity is therefore necessary to understand disease outbreaks under changing environments. Here, we identified the predictors and contributions of infection probability and phylogenetic diversity of Leucocytozoon (an avian blood parasite) at site and species levels across the New World. To explore spatial patterns in infection probability and lineage diversity for Leucocytozoon parasites, we surveyed 69 bird communities from Alaska to Patagonia. Using phylogenetic Bayesian hierarchical models and high-resolution satellite remote-sensing data, we determined the relative influence of climate, landscape, geography and host phylogeny on regional parasite community assembly. Infection rates and parasite diversity exhibited considerable variation across regions in the Americas. In opposition to the latitudinal gradient hypothesis, both the diversity and prevalence of Leucocytozoon parasites decreased towards the equator. Host relatedness and traits known to promote vector exposure neither predicted infection probability nor parasite diversity. Instead, the probability of a bird being infected with Leucocytozoon increased with increasing vegetation cover (NDVI) and moisture levels (NDWI), whereas the diversity of parasite lineages decreased with increasing NDVI. Infection rates and parasite diversity also tended to be higher in cooler regions and higher latitudes. Whereas temperature partially constrains Leucocytozoon diversity and infection rates, landscape features, such as vegetation cover and water body availability, play a significant role in modulating the probability of a bird being infected. This suggests that, for Leucocytozoon, the barriers to host shifting and parasite host range expansion are jointly determined by environmental filtering and landscape, but not by host phylogeny. Our results show that integrating host traits, host ancestry, bioclimatic data and microhabitat characteristics that are important for vector reproduction are imperative to understand and predict infection prevalence and diversity of vector-transmitted parasites. Unlike other vector-transmitted diseases, our results show that Leucocytozoon diversity and prevalence will likely decrease with warming temperatures.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alan Fecchio
- Programa de Pós-Graduação em Ecologia e Conservação da Biodiversidade, Universidade Federal de Mato Grosso, Cuiabá, Brazil
| | - Jeffrey A Bell
- Department of Biology, University of North Dakota, Grand Forks, ND, USA
| | - Mariane Bosholn
- Laboratório de Biologia Evolutiva e Comportamento Animal, Instituto Nacional de Pesquisas da Amazônia (INPA), Manaus, Brazil
| | | | - Vasyl V Tkach
- Department of Biology, University of North Dakota, Grand Forks, ND, USA
| | - Holly L Lutz
- Department of Surgery, University of Chicago, Chicago, IL, USA.,Integrative Research Center, Field Museum of Natural History, Chicago, IL, USA
| | - Victor R Cueto
- Centro de Investigación Esquel de Montaña y Estepa Patagónica (CIEMEP), CONICET - Universidad Nacional de la Patagonia San Juan Bosco, Esquel, Argentina
| | - Cristian A Gorosito
- Centro de Investigación Esquel de Montaña y Estepa Patagónica (CIEMEP), CONICET - Universidad Nacional de la Patagonia San Juan Bosco, Esquel, Argentina
| | - Daniel González-Acuña
- Laboratorio de Parásitos y Enfermedades de Fauna Silvestre, Facultad de Ciencias Veterinarias, Universidad de Concepción, Chillán, Chile
| | - Chad Stromlund
- Department of Biology, University of North Dakota, Grand Forks, ND, USA
| | - Danielle Kvasager
- Department of Biology, University of North Dakota, Grand Forks, ND, USA
| | - Kiba J M Comiche
- Núcleo de Estudos em Malária, Superintendência de Controle de Endemias, Instituto de Medicina Tropical de São Paulo, Universidade de São Paulo, Sao Paulo, Brazil
| | - Karin Kirchgatter
- Núcleo de Estudos em Malária, Superintendência de Controle de Endemias, Instituto de Medicina Tropical de São Paulo, Universidade de São Paulo, Sao Paulo, Brazil
| | - João B Pinho
- Laboratório de Ecologia de Aves, Universidade Federal de Mato Grosso, Cuiabá, Brazil
| | - Jacob Berv
- Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY, USA
| | - Marina Anciães
- Laboratório de Biologia Evolutiva e Comportamento Animal, Instituto Nacional de Pesquisas da Amazônia (INPA), Manaus, Brazil
| | - Carla S Fontana
- Laboratório de Ornitologia, Museu de Ciências e Tecnologia e Programa de Pós-graduação em Ecologia e Evolução da Biodiversidade, Pontifícia Universidade Católica do Rio Grande do Sul, Porto Alegre, Brazil
| | - Kristof Zyskowski
- Peabody Museum of Natural History, Yale University, New Haven, CT, USA
| | - Sidnei Sampaio
- Laboratório de Evolução e Biogeografia, Universidade Federal da Bahia, Salvador, Brazil
| | - Janice H Dispoto
- Department of Ornithology, Academy of Natural Sciences of Drexel University, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Spencer C Galen
- Department of Ornithology, Academy of Natural Sciences of Drexel University, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Jason D Weckstein
- Department of Ornithology, Academy of Natural Sciences of Drexel University, Philadelphia, PA, USA.,Department of Biodiversity, Earth, and Environmental Science, Drexel University, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Nicholas J Clark
- School of Veterinary Science, University of Queensland, Gatton, Qld, Australia
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23
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Lotta IA, Valkiūnas G, Pacheco MA, Escalante AA, Hernández SR, Matta NE. Disentangling Leucocytozoon parasite diversity in the neotropics: Descriptions of two new species and shortcomings of molecular diagnostics for leucocytozoids. Int J Parasitol Parasites Wildl 2019; 9:159-173. [PMID: 31193389 PMCID: PMC6526250 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijppaw.2019.05.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/30/2019] [Revised: 05/07/2019] [Accepted: 05/07/2019] [Indexed: 01/04/2023]
Abstract
Avian communities from South America harbor an extraordinary diversity of Leucocytozoon species (Haemosporida, Leucocytozoidae). Here, of 890 birds sampled, 10 (1.2%) were infected with Leucocytozoon parasites. Among them, two new species were discovered and described. Leucocytozoon grallariae sp. nov. and Leucocytozoon neotropicalis sp. nov. were found in non-migratory highland passeriforms belonging to the Grallaridae and Cotingidae, respectively. They both possess gametocytes in fusiform host cells. However, due to combining microscopic examination and molecular detection, it was revealed that these parasites were present in co-infections with other Leucocytozoon species, which gametocytes develop in roundish host cells, therefore exhibiting two highly distant parasite lineages isolated from the same samples. Remarkably, the lineages obtained by cloning the mtDNA genomes were not captured by the classic nested PCR, which amplifies a short fragment of cytochrome b gene. Phylogenetic analyses revealed that the lineages obtained by the classic nested PCR clustered with parasites possessing gametocytes in roundish host cells, while the lineages obtained by the mtDNA genome PCR protocol were closely related to Leucocytozoon parasites possessing gametocytes in fusiform host cells. These findings suggest problems with the sensitivity of the molecular protocols commonly used to detect Leucocytozoon species. A detailed analysis of the primers used in the classic nested PCR revealed a match with DNA sequences from those parasites that possess gametocytes in roundish host cells (i.e., Leucocytozoon fringillinarum), while they differ with the orthologous regions in the mtDNA genomes isolated from the samples containing the two new species. Since these are mixed infections, none of the lineages detected in this study can be assigned accurately to the new Leucocytozoon morphospecies that develops in fusiform host cells. However, phylogenetic analyses allowed us to hypothesize their most probable associations. This study highlights the need for developing detection methods to assess the diversity of Leucocytozoon parasites accurately.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ingrid A. Lotta
- Universidad Nacional de Colombia - Sede Bogotá- Facultad de Ciencias - Departamento de Biología - Grupo de Investigación Caracterización Genética e Inmunología, Carrera 30 No. 45-03, Bogotá, 111321, Colombia
| | - Gediminas Valkiūnas
- Institute of Ecology, Nature Research Centre, Akademijos 2, Vilnius-21, LT, 08412, Lithuania
| | - M. Andreína Pacheco
- Institute for Genomics and Evolutionary Medicine (iGEM), Temple University, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Ananías A. Escalante
- Institute for Genomics and Evolutionary Medicine (iGEM), Temple University, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Sandra Rocío Hernández
- Universidad Nacional de Colombia - Sede Bogotá- Facultad de Ciencias - Departamento de Biología - Grupo de Investigación Caracterización Genética e Inmunología, Carrera 30 No. 45-03, Bogotá, 111321, Colombia
- Red de Biología y Conservación de Vertebrados, Instituto de Ecología A.C., Xalapa, Veracruz, Mexico
| | - Nubia E. Matta
- Universidad Nacional de Colombia - Sede Bogotá- Facultad de Ciencias - Departamento de Biología - Grupo de Investigación Caracterización Genética e Inmunología, Carrera 30 No. 45-03, Bogotá, 111321, Colombia
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24
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Gil-Vargas DL, Sedano-Cruz RE. Genetic variation of avian malaria in the tropical Andes: a relationship with the spatial distribution of hosts. Malar J 2019; 18:129. [PMID: 30971233 PMCID: PMC6458820 DOI: 10.1186/s12936-019-2699-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/10/2018] [Accepted: 03/01/2019] [Indexed: 01/30/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Avian haemosporidia are obligate blood parasites with an ample range of hosts worldwide. To understand how host communities may influence the diversity of parasites of the neotropics, the spatial genetic variation of avian Plasmodium, Haemoproteus, and Leucocytozoon was examined between areas of host endemism and along the elevational gradient in the tropical Andes. METHODS A total of 1686 accessions of the cytochrome b gene of avian haemosporidia were selected from 43 publications, that further provides additional information on 14.2% of bird species in the Neotropics. Haplotype groups were identified using a similarity-based clustering of sequences using a cut-off level ≥ 99.3% of sequence identity. Phylogenetic-based analyses were implemented to examine the spatial genetic structure of avian haemosporidia among areas of host endemism and the elevation gradient in the tropical Andes. RESULTS The areas of avian endemism, including the tropical Andes, can explain the differential distribution of the haemosporidia cytochrome b gene variation. In the tropical Andes region, the total number of avian haemosporidia haplotypes follows a unimodal pattern that peaks at mid-elevation between 2000 and 2500 m above sea level. Furthermore, the haplotype assemblages of obligate blood parasites tend to overlap towards mid-elevation, where avian host diversity tends to be maximized. CONCLUSIONS Spatial analyses revealed that richness and turnover in haemosporidia suggest an association with montane host diversity, according to elevation in the tropical Andes. In addition, the spatial distribution of haemosporidia diversity is closely associated with patterns of host assemblages over large geographical scale in the tropical Andes and areas of avian endemism nearby.
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Affiliation(s)
- Diana Lorena Gil-Vargas
- Grupo de Investigación en Ecología Animal, Departamento de Biología, Universidad del Valle, Calle 13 No 100-00, Edif. E20, Room 3120, Cali, Colombia
| | - Raul Ernesto Sedano-Cruz
- Grupo de Investigación en Ecología Animal, Departamento de Biología, Universidad del Valle, Calle 13 No 100-00, Edif. E20, Room 3120, Cali, Colombia.
- Grupo de Investigación en Ecofisiología, Evolución y Biogeografía, Departamento de Biología, Universidad del Valle, Cali, Colombia.
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25
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Barrow LN, McNew SM, Mitchell N, Galen SC, Lutz HL, Skeen H, Valqui T, Weckstein JD, Witt CC. Deeply conserved susceptibility in a multi-host, multi-parasite system. Ecol Lett 2019; 22:987-998. [PMID: 30912262 DOI: 10.1111/ele.13263] [Citation(s) in RCA: 37] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/26/2018] [Revised: 01/24/2019] [Accepted: 02/20/2019] [Indexed: 01/06/2023]
Abstract
Variation in susceptibility is ubiquitous in multi-host, multi-parasite assemblages, and can have profound implications for ecology and evolution in these systems. The extent to which susceptibility to parasites is phylogenetically conserved among hosts can be revealed by analysing diverse regional communities. We screened for haemosporidian parasites in 3983 birds representing 40 families and 523 species, spanning ~ 4500 m elevation in the tropical Andes. To quantify the influence of host phylogeny on infection status, we applied Bayesian phylogenetic multilevel models that included a suite of environmental, spatial, temporal, life history and ecological predictors. We found evidence of deeply conserved susceptibility across the avian tree; host phylogeny explained substantial variation in infection status, and results were robust to phylogenetic uncertainty. Our study suggests that susceptibility is governed, in part, by conserved, latent aspects of anti-parasite defence. This demonstrates the importance of deep phylogeny for understanding present-day ecological interactions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lisa N Barrow
- Museum of Southwestern Biology, University of New Mexico, Albuquerque, NM, 87131, USA.,Department of Biology, University of New Mexico, Albuquerque, NM, 87131, USA
| | - Sabrina M McNew
- Museum of Southwestern Biology, University of New Mexico, Albuquerque, NM, 87131, USA.,Department of Biology, University of New Mexico, Albuquerque, NM, 87131, USA.,Cornell Lab of Ornithology, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY, USA
| | - Nora Mitchell
- Department of Biology, University of New Mexico, Albuquerque, NM, 87131, USA
| | - Spencer C Galen
- Museum of Southwestern Biology, University of New Mexico, Albuquerque, NM, 87131, USA.,Sackler Institute for Comparative Genomics & Richard Gilder Graduate School, American Museum of Natural History, New York, NY, 10024, USA.,Department of Ornithology, Academy of Natural Sciences of Drexel University, Philadelphia, PA, 19103, USA.,Department of Biodiversity, Earth, and Environmental Sciences, Drexel University, Philadelphia, PA, 19103, USA
| | - Holly L Lutz
- Cornell Lab of Ornithology, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY, USA.,Integrative Research Center, The Field Museum, Chicago, IL, 60605, USA.,Department of Surgery, University of Chicago, Chicago, IL, 60637, USA
| | - Heather Skeen
- Integrative Research Center, The Field Museum, Chicago, IL, 60605, USA.,Committee on Evolutionary Biology, University of Chicago, Chicago, IL, 60637, USA
| | - Thomas Valqui
- Centro de Ornitología y Biodiversidad (CORBIDI), Lima, Perú
| | - Jason D Weckstein
- Department of Ornithology, Academy of Natural Sciences of Drexel University, Philadelphia, PA, 19103, USA.,Department of Biodiversity, Earth, and Environmental Sciences, Drexel University, Philadelphia, PA, 19103, USA.,Integrative Research Center, The Field Museum, Chicago, IL, 60605, USA
| | - Christopher C Witt
- Museum of Southwestern Biology, University of New Mexico, Albuquerque, NM, 87131, USA.,Department of Biology, University of New Mexico, Albuquerque, NM, 87131, USA
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26
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Doussang D, González-Acuña D, Torres-Fuentes LG, Lougheed SC, Clemente-Carvalho RB, Greene KC, Vianna JA. Spatial distribution, prevalence and diversity of haemosporidians in the rufous-collared sparrow, Zonotrichia capensis. Parasit Vectors 2019; 12:2. [PMID: 30606248 PMCID: PMC6318949 DOI: 10.1186/s13071-018-3243-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/28/2018] [Accepted: 11/29/2018] [Indexed: 12/30/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Parasite prevalence and diversity are determined by the distribution of hosts and vectors and by the interplay among a suite of environmental factors. Distributions of parasite lineages vary based on host susceptibility and geographical barriers. Hemoparasites of the genera Haemoproteus and Plasmodium have wide distributions, and high prevalence and genetic diversity within perching birds (Order Passeriformes). The rufous-collared sparrow (Zonotrichia capensis) is widely distributed in Central and South America across an immense diversity of environments from sea level to more than 4000 meters above sea level. It therefore provides an excellent model to investigate whether altitudinal and latitudinal gradients influence the distribution, prevalence and diversity of haemosporidian parasites, their population structure and the biogeographical boundaries of distinct parasite lineages. RESULTS We assembled samples from 1317 rufous-collared sparrows spanning 75 locales from across Central and South America (between 9.5°N and 54°S; 10-4655 meters above sea level). We used DNA sequence data from a fragment of the mitochondrial cytochrome b gene (cytb) of Haemoproteus and Plasmodium from 325 positive samples and found prevalences of 22 and 3%, respectively. Haemoproteus exhibited a higher prevalence than Plasmodium but with comparatively lower genetic diversity. We detected a relationship of Plasmodium and Haemoproteus prevalence with altitude and latitude; however, altitude and latitude did not influence parasite diversity. CONCLUSIONS Parasite lineages showed a phylogeographical boundary coincident with the Andes Mountains, although we also observed a north-south disjunction in Peru for Haemoproteus. Haemosporidian distribution was not homogeneous but differed based on latitude and altitude. This is most probably due to environmental factors that have influenced both vector distribution and abundance, as well as parasite development. Our study provides key insights on the distribution of haemoparasite lineages and parasite dynamics within hosts.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daniela Doussang
- Facultad de Ciencias Veterinarias, Universidad de Concepción, Casilla, 537 Chillán, Chile
- Departamento de Ecosistemas y Medio Ambiente, Facultad de Agronomía e Ingeniería Forestal, Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile, Código Postal: 6904411, Casilla 306, Correo, 22 Santiago, Chile
| | - Daniel González-Acuña
- Facultad de Ciencias Veterinarias, Universidad de Concepción, Casilla, 537 Chillán, Chile
| | | | | | | | - Kian Connelly Greene
- Departamento de Ecosistemas y Medio Ambiente, Facultad de Agronomía e Ingeniería Forestal, Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile, Código Postal: 6904411, Casilla 306, Correo, 22 Santiago, Chile
| | - Juliana A. Vianna
- Departamento de Ecosistemas y Medio Ambiente, Facultad de Agronomía e Ingeniería Forestal, Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile, Código Postal: 6904411, Casilla 306, Correo, 22 Santiago, Chile
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27
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Pigeault R, Cozzarolo CS, Choquet R, Strehler M, Jenkins T, Delhaye J, Bovet L, Wassef J, Glaizot O, Christe P. Haemosporidian infection and co-infection affect host survival and reproduction in wild populations of great tits. Int J Parasitol 2018; 48:1079-1087. [PMID: 30391229 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijpara.2018.06.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/01/2018] [Revised: 06/06/2018] [Accepted: 06/19/2018] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
Theoretical studies predict that parasitic infection may impact host longevity and ultimately modify the trade-off between reproduction and survival. Indeed, a host may adjust its energy allocation in current reproduction to balance the negative effects of parasitism on its survival prospects. However, very few empirical studies tested this prediction. Avian haemosporidian parasites provide an excellent opportunity to assess the influence of parasitic infection on both host survival and reproduction. They are represented by three main genera (Plasmodium, Haemoproteus and Leucocytozoon) and are highly prevalent in many bird populations. Here we provide the first known long-term field study (12 years) to explore the effects of haemosporidian parasite infection and co-infection on fitness in two populations of great tits (Parus major), using a multistate modeling framework. We found that while co-infection decreased survival probability, both infection and co-infection increased reproductive success. This study provides evidence that co-infections can be more virulent than single infections. It also provides support for the life-history theory which predicts that reproductive effort can be adjusted to balance one's fitness when survival prospects are challenged.
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Affiliation(s)
- R Pigeault
- Département d'Ecologie & Evolution, Lausanne, Switzerland.
| | - C-S Cozzarolo
- Département d'Ecologie & Evolution, Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - R Choquet
- Centre d'Ecologie Fonctionnelle et Evolutive, UMR 5175, Montpellier, France
| | - M Strehler
- Département d'Ecologie & Evolution, Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - T Jenkins
- Département d'Ecologie & Evolution, Lausanne, Switzerland; Musée cantonal de zoologie, Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - J Delhaye
- Département d'Ecologie & Evolution, Lausanne, Switzerland; Evolution et Diversité Biologique, Université Toulouse 3, France
| | - L Bovet
- Département d'Ecologie & Evolution, Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - J Wassef
- Département d'Ecologie & Evolution, Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - O Glaizot
- Musée cantonal de zoologie, Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - P Christe
- Département d'Ecologie & Evolution, Lausanne, Switzerland
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28
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Rivero de Aguilar J, Castillo F, Moreno A, Peñafiel N, Browne L, Walter ST, Karubian J, Bonaccorso E. Patterns of avian haemosporidian infections vary with time, but not habitat, in a fragmented Neotropical landscape. PLoS One 2018; 13:e0206493. [PMID: 30379912 PMCID: PMC6209335 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0206493] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/15/2018] [Accepted: 10/15/2018] [Indexed: 12/26/2022] Open
Abstract
Habitat loss has the potential to alter vertebrate host populations and their interactions with parasites. Theory predicts a decrease in parasite diversity due to the loss of hosts in such contexts. However, habitat loss could also increase parasite infections as a result of the arrival of new parasites or by decreasing host immune defenses. We investigated the effect of habitat loss and other habitat characteristics on avian haemosporidian infections in a community of birds within a fragmented landscape in northwest Ecuador. We estimated Plasmodium and Haemoproteus parasite infections in 504 individual birds belonging to 8 families and 18 species. We found differences in infection status among bird species, but no relationship between forest fragment characteristics and infection status was observed. We also found a temporal effect, with birds at the end of the five-month study (which ran from the end of the rainy season thru the dry season), being less infected by Plasmodium parasites than individuals sampled at the beginning. Moreover, we found a positive relationship between forest area and Culicoides abundance. Taken as a whole, these findings indicate little effect of fragment characteristics per se on infection, although additional sampling or higher infection rates would have offered more power to detect potential relationships.
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Affiliation(s)
- Juan Rivero de Aguilar
- Centro de Investigación en Biodiversidad y Cambio Climático, Universidad Tecnológica Indoamérica, Quito, Pichincha, Ecuador
- * E-mail:
| | - Fernando Castillo
- Fundación para la Conservación de los Andes Tropicales, Quito, Pichincha, Ecuador
| | - Andrea Moreno
- Fundación para la Conservación de los Andes Tropicales, Quito, Pichincha, Ecuador
| | - Nicolás Peñafiel
- Centro de Investigación en Biodiversidad y Cambio Climático, Universidad Tecnológica Indoamérica, Quito, Pichincha, Ecuador
| | - Luke Browne
- Fundación para la Conservación de los Andes Tropicales, Quito, Pichincha, Ecuador
- Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, Tulane University, New Orleans, Louisiana, United States of America
| | - Scott T. Walter
- Department of Biology, Texas State University, San Marcos, Texas, United States of America
| | - Jordan Karubian
- Fundación para la Conservación de los Andes Tropicales, Quito, Pichincha, Ecuador
- Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, Tulane University, New Orleans, Louisiana, United States of America
| | - Elisa Bonaccorso
- Centro de Investigación en Biodiversidad y Cambio Climático, Universidad Tecnológica Indoamérica, Quito, Pichincha, Ecuador
- Instituto BIOSFERA y Colegio de Ciencias Biológicas y Ambientales, Universidad San Francisco de Quito, Quito, Pichincha, Ecuador
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29
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Fecchio A, Bell JA, Collins MD, Farias IP, Trisos CH, Tobias JA, Tkach VV, Weckstein JD, Ricklefs RE, Batalha-Filho H. Diversification by host switching and dispersal shaped the diversity and distribution of avian malaria parasites in Amazonia. OIKOS 2018. [DOI: 10.1111/oik.05115] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/20/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Alan Fecchio
- Laboratório de Evolução e Biogeografia, Univ. Federal da Bahia; Rua Barão de Jeremoabo 147 Salvador BA 40170115 Brazil
- Dept of Ornithology; Academy of Natural Sciences of Drexel University; Philadelhpia PA USA
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | - Jason David Weckstein
- Dept of Ornithology; Academy of Natural Sciences of Drexel University
- Dept of Biodiversity, Earth, and Environmental Sciences; Drexel Univ.; Philadelphia PA USA
| | | | - Henrique Batalha-Filho
- Natl Inst. of Science and Technology in Interdisciplinary and Transdisciplinary Studies in Ecology and Evolution (INCT IN-TREE)
- Laboratório de Evolução e Biogeografia, Inst. de Biologia; Univ. Federal da Bahia; Salvador BA Brazil
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30
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Pulgarín-R PC, Gómez JP, Robinson S, Ricklefs RE, Cadena CD. Host species, and not environment, predicts variation in blood parasite prevalence, distribution, and diversity along a humidity gradient in northern South America. Ecol Evol 2018; 8:3800-3814. [PMID: 29721258 PMCID: PMC5916302 DOI: 10.1002/ece3.3785] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/11/2017] [Revised: 11/29/2017] [Accepted: 12/06/2017] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Environmental factors strongly influence the ecology and evolution of vector‐borne infectious diseases. However, our understanding of the influence of climatic variation on host–parasite interactions in tropical systems is rudimentary. We studied five species of birds and their haemosporidian parasites (Plasmodium and Haemoproteus) at 16 sampling sites to understand how environmental heterogeneity influences patterns of parasite prevalence, distribution, and diversity across a marked gradient in water availability in northern South America. We used molecular methods to screen for parasite infections and to identify parasite lineages. To characterize spatial heterogeneity in water availability, we used weather‐station and remotely sensed climate data. We estimated parasite prevalence while accounting for spatial autocorrelation, and used a model selection approach to determine the effect of variables related to water availability and host species on prevalence. The prevalence, distribution, and lineage diversity of haemosporidian parasites varied among localities and host species, but we found no support for the hypothesis that the prevalence and diversity of parasites increase with increasing water availability. Host species and host × climate interactions had stronger effects on infection prevalence, and parasite lineages were strongly associated with particular host species. Because climatic variables had little effect on the overall prevalence and lineage diversity of haemosporidian parasites across study sites, our results suggest that independent host–parasite dynamics may influence patterns in parasitism in environmentally heterogeneous landscapes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Paulo C Pulgarín-R
- Laboratorio de Biología Evolutiva de Vertebrados Departamento de Ciencias Biológicas Universidad de Los Andes Bogotá Colombia
| | - Juan P Gómez
- Florida Museum of Natural History University of Florida Gainesville FL USA.,Department of Biology University of Florida Gainesville FL USA.,Spatial Epidemiology and Ecology Research Laboratory Department of Geography Emerging Pathogens Institute University of Florida Gainesville FL USA
| | - Scott Robinson
- Florida Museum of Natural History University of Florida Gainesville FL USA.,Department of Biology University of Florida Gainesville FL USA
| | - Robert E Ricklefs
- Department of Biology University of Missouri-St. Louis St. Louis MO USA
| | - Carlos Daniel Cadena
- Laboratorio de Biología Evolutiva de Vertebrados Departamento de Ciencias Biológicas Universidad de Los Andes Bogotá Colombia
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31
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Ivanova K, Zehtindjiev P, Mariaux J, Dimitrov D, Georgiev BB. Avian haemosporidians from rain forests in Madagascar: Molecular and morphological data of the genera Plasmodium, Haemoproteus and Leucocytozoon. INFECTION GENETICS AND EVOLUTION 2017; 58:115-124. [PMID: 29258785 DOI: 10.1016/j.meegid.2017.12.017] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/17/2017] [Revised: 09/06/2017] [Accepted: 12/15/2017] [Indexed: 02/02/2023]
Abstract
The diversity of the haemosporidian genera Plasmodium, Haemoproteus and Leucocytozoon in birds from rain forests in Madagascar is characterized combining techniques of PCR and microscopy and based on the examination of 72 host individuals of 23 species in 15 families. High total prevalence of haemosporidians (68%) is detected, with Leucocytozoon infections being predominant (59.7%) and lower comparable prevalence of Plasmodium (18.0%) and Haemoproteus (23.6%) infections. Using mitochondrial cytochrome b (cytb) marker, 23 genetically distinct lineages are identified: 9 of Plasmodium spp., 6 of Haemoproteus spp. and 8 of Leucocytozoon spp. Fifteen of all lineages have not been reported by previous studies. This study provides the first data on haemosporidian morphological and molecular diversity found in the endemic families Vangidae and Bernieriidae. Two haemoproteid species, Haemoproteus fuscae Mello and Fonseca, 1937 and H. killangoi Bennett and Peirce, 1981, are redescribed based on the present samples and linked to the cytb lineages hCELEC01 and hZOSMAD01, respectively. Phylogenetic analysis is performed to test the relationship of the discovered new lineages with parasites from closely related avian hosts suggesting that multiple colonisation of hosts by haemosporidian parasites has occurred on the island.
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Affiliation(s)
- Karina Ivanova
- Institute of Biodiversity and Ecosystem Research, Bulgarian Academy of Sciences, 2 Gagarin Street, 1113 Sofia, Bulgaria.
| | - Pavel Zehtindjiev
- Institute of Biodiversity and Ecosystem Research, Bulgarian Academy of Sciences, 2 Gagarin Street, 1113 Sofia, Bulgaria
| | - Jean Mariaux
- Natural History Museum of Geneva, CP 6434 CH-1211 Geneva 6, Switzerland; Department of Genetics and Evolution, University of Geneva, CH-1205 Geneva, Switzerland
| | - Dimitar Dimitrov
- Institute of Biodiversity and Ecosystem Research, Bulgarian Academy of Sciences, 2 Gagarin Street, 1113 Sofia, Bulgaria
| | - Boyko B Georgiev
- Institute of Biodiversity and Ecosystem Research, Bulgarian Academy of Sciences, 2 Gagarin Street, 1113 Sofia, Bulgaria
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32
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Illera JC, López G, García-Padilla L, Moreno Á. Factors governing the prevalence and richness of avian haemosporidian communities within and between temperate mountains. PLoS One 2017; 12:e0184587. [PMID: 28880919 PMCID: PMC5589241 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0184587] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/27/2017] [Accepted: 08/26/2017] [Indexed: 01/04/2023] Open
Abstract
Mountains are well-suited systems to disentangle the factors driving distribution of parasites due to their heterogeneity of climatic and habitat conditions. However, the information about the relative importance of environmental factors governing the distribution of avian haemosporidians on temperate mountains is very limited. The main goal of the present study is to identify the factors determining prevalence and richness in avian haemosporidians (Plasmodium, Haemoproteus and Leucocytozoon) at the community level along elevational gradients on two mountain ranges located around the northern and southern limits of the Iberian Peninsula (Spain). We used samples from 68 avian species and 1,460 breeding individuals caught over widespread woodland and open habitats. Our findings confirmed the importance of climatic variables explaining prevalence and richness on Iberian mountains. However, landscape variables and other factors named host richness and migration behaviour explained more variation than climatic ones. Plasmodium genus preferred open and warm habitats. Water sources were also important for the southern but not for the northern mountain. Haemoproteus and Leucocytozoon showed affinities for woodland areas. Climatic conditions for Haemoproteus and Leucocytozoon were dependent on the mountain range suggesting some adaptation of avian haemosporidian and their invertebrate vectors to the climatic particularities of both mountain massifs. In contrast to Plasmodium and Haemoproteus genera, Leucocytozoon prevalence and richness values were significantly higher in the southern mountain range. Overall, our findings at the community level has enriched the relative weight and effect direction of environmental factors governing the distribution and prevalence of the avian haemosporidian community. Also, our results provide a caution message about the precision of predictive models on parasite distributions based on climatic variables, since such predictions could overestimate the effect of climate change scenarios on the transmission of the haemosporidians.
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Affiliation(s)
- Juan Carlos Illera
- Research Unit of Biodiversity, Oviedo University, Mieres, Asturias, Spain
- * E-mail: ,
| | | | | | - Ángel Moreno
- Vice Council Environm, Serv. Environm. Impact, Las Palmas Gran Canaria, Canary Islands, Spain
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33
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Bradshaw AC, Tell LA, Ernest HB, Bahan S, Carlson J, Sehgal RNM. Detection and prevalence of Haemoproteus archilochus (Haemosporida, Haemoproteidae) in two species of California hummingbirds. Parasitol Res 2017; 116:1879-1885. [PMID: 28534106 DOI: 10.1007/s00436-017-5463-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/03/2017] [Accepted: 04/25/2017] [Indexed: 10/19/2022]
Abstract
Haemosporidian blood parasites are transmitted to a wide range of avian hosts via blood-sucking dipteran vectors. Microscopy has revealed an impressive diversity of avian haemosporidia with more than 250 species described. Moreover, PCR and subsequent sequence analyses have suggested a much greater diversity of haemosporidia than morphological analyses alone. Given the importance of these parasites, very few studies have focused on the charismatic hummingbirds. To date, three Haemoproteus species (Haemoproteus archilochus, Haemoproteus trochili, and Haemoproteus witti) and one Leucocytozoon species (Leucocytozoon quynzae) have been described in blood samples taken from hummingbirds (Trochilidae). Unconfirmed Plasmodium lineages have also been detected in hummingbirds. Here, we report the detection of H. archilochus in two hummingbird species (Calypte anna and Archilochus alexandri) sampled in Northern California and perform a phylogenetic analysis of mitochondrial cytochrome b (cyt b) gene lineages. A total of 261 hummingbirds (157 C. anna, 104 A. alexandri) were sampled and screened for blood parasites using PCR and microscopy techniques. Combining both methods, 4 (2.55%) haemosporidian infections were detected in C. anna and 18 (17.31%) haemosporidian infections were detected in A. alexandri. Molecular analyses revealed four distinct H. archilocus cyt b lineages, which clustered as a monophyletic clade. No species of Plasmodium or Leucocytozoon were detected in this study, raising the possibility of specific vector associations with hummingbirds. These results provide resources for future studies of haemosporidian prevalence, diversity, and pathogenicity in California hummingbird populations.
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Affiliation(s)
- A C Bradshaw
- Department of Biology, San Francisco State University, San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - L A Tell
- Department of Medicine and Epidemiology, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of California at Davis, 1 Shields Avenue, Davis, CA, USA
| | - H B Ernest
- Department of Population Health and Reproduction, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of California at Davis, 1 Shields Avenue, Davis, CA, USA.,Department of Veterinary Sciences, University of Wyoming, Laramie, WY, USA
| | - S Bahan
- Department of Population Health and Reproduction, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of California at Davis, 1 Shields Avenue, Davis, CA, USA
| | - J Carlson
- Department of Entomology, University of California at Davis, 1 Shields Avenue, Davis, CA, USA
| | - R N M Sehgal
- Department of Biology, San Francisco State University, San Francisco, CA, USA.
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Avian malaria, ecological host traits and mosquito abundance in southeastern Amazonia. Parasitology 2017; 144:1117-1132. [DOI: 10.1017/s003118201700035x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/06/2022]
Abstract
SUMMARYAvian malaria is a vector transmitted disease caused byPlasmodiumand recent studies suggest that variation in its prevalence across avian hosts is correlated with a variety of ecological traits. Here we examine the relationship between prevalence and diversity ofPlasmodiumlineages in southeastern Amazonia and: (1) host ecological traits (nest location, nest type, flocking behaviour and diet); (2) density and diversity of avian hosts; (3) abundance and diversity of mosquitoes; and (4) season. We used molecular methods to detectPlasmodiumin blood samples from 675 individual birds of 120 species. Based on cytochromebsequences, we recovered 89 lineages ofPlasmodiumfrom 136 infected individuals sampled across seven localities.Plasmodiumprevalence was homogeneous over time (dry season and flooding season) and space, but heterogeneous among 51 avian host species. Variation in prevalence among bird species was not explained by avian ecological traits, density of avian hosts, or mosquito abundance. However,Plasmodiumlineage diversity was positively correlated with mosquito abundance. Interestingly, our results suggest that avian host traits are less important determinants ofPlasmodiumprevalence and diversity in southeastern Amazonia than in other regions in which they have been investigated.
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Lutz HL, Marra NJ, Grewe F, Carlson JS, Palinauskas V, Valkiūnas G, Stanhope MJ. Laser capture microdissection microscopy and genome sequencing of the avian malaria parasite, Plasmodium relictum. Parasitol Res 2016; 115:4503-4510. [DOI: 10.1007/s00436-016-5237-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/04/2016] [Accepted: 08/26/2016] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
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36
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Moens MAJ, Valkiūnas G, Paca A, Bonaccorso E, Aguirre N, Pérez-Tris J. Parasite specialization in a unique habitat: hummingbirds as reservoirs of generalist blood parasites of Andean birds. J Anim Ecol 2016; 85:1234-45. [PMID: 27177277 DOI: 10.1111/1365-2656.12550] [Citation(s) in RCA: 49] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/17/2015] [Accepted: 05/11/2016] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
Understanding how parasites fill their ecological niches requires information on the processes involved in the colonization and exploitation of unique host species. Switching to hosts with atypical attributes may favour generalists broadening their niches or may promote specialization and parasite diversification as the consequence. We analysed which blood parasites have successfully colonized hummingbirds, and how they have evolved to exploit such a unique habitat. We specifically asked (i) whether the assemblage of Haemoproteus parasites of hummingbirds is the result of single or multiple colonization events, (ii) to what extent these parasites are specialized in hummingbirds or shared with other birds and (iii) how hummingbirds contribute to sustain the populations of these parasites, in terms of both prevalence and infection intensity. We sampled 169 hummingbirds of 19 species along an elevation gradient in Southern Ecuador to analyse the host specificity, diversity and infection intensity of Haemoproteus by molecular and microscopy techniques. In addition, 736 birds of 112 species were analysed to explore whether hummingbird parasites are shared with other birds. Hummingbirds hosted a phylogenetically diverse assemblage of generalist Haemoproteus lineages shared with other host orders. Among these parasites, Haemoproteus witti stood out as the most generalized. Interestingly, we found that infection intensities of this parasite were extremely low in passerines (with no detectable gametocytes), but very high in hummingbirds, with many gametocytes seen. Moreover, infection intensities of H. witti were positively correlated with the prevalence across host species. Our results show that hummingbirds have been colonized by generalist Haemoproteus lineages on multiple occasions. However, one of these generalist parasites (H. witti) seems to be highly dependent on hummingbirds, which arise as the most relevant reservoirs in terms of both prevalence and gametocytaemia. From this perspective, this generalist parasite may be viewed as a hummingbird specialist. This challenges the current paradigm of how to measure host specialization in these parasites, which has important implications to understand disease ecology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michaël A J Moens
- Departamento de Zoología y Antropología Física, Universidad Complutense de Madrid, Calle José Antonio Novais 12, 28040, Madrid, Spain
| | | | - Anahi Paca
- Centro de Investigación de la Biodiversidad y Cambio Climático (BioCamb), Universidad Tecnológica Indoamérica, Machala y Sabanilla, Cotocollao, Quito, Ecuador
| | - Elisa Bonaccorso
- Centro de Investigación de la Biodiversidad y Cambio Climático (BioCamb), Universidad Tecnológica Indoamérica, Machala y Sabanilla, Cotocollao, Quito, Ecuador
| | - Nikolay Aguirre
- Biodiversity, Forests and Ecosystem Services Research Program, Universidad Nacional de Loja, Ciudadela Guillermo Falconi Espinoza, Casilla 11-01-24, Loja, Ecuador
| | - Javier Pérez-Tris
- Departamento de Zoología y Antropología Física, Universidad Complutense de Madrid, Calle José Antonio Novais 12, 28040, Madrid, Spain
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37
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Lotta IA, Pacheco MA, Escalante AA, González AD, Mantilla JS, Moncada LI, Adler PH, Matta NE. Leucocytozoon Diversity and Possible Vectors in the Neotropical highlands of Colombia. Protist 2016; 167:185-204. [DOI: 10.1016/j.protis.2016.02.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/29/2015] [Revised: 02/01/2016] [Accepted: 02/02/2016] [Indexed: 10/22/2022]
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38
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Mantilla JS, González AD, Lotta IA, Moens M, Pacheco MA, Escalante AA, Valkiūnas G, Moncada LI, Pérez-Tris J, Matta NE. Haemoproteus erythrogravidus n. sp. (Haemosporida, Haemoproteidae): Description and molecular characterization of a widespread blood parasite of birds in South America. Acta Trop 2016; 159:83-94. [PMID: 26995696 DOI: 10.1016/j.actatropica.2016.02.025] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/06/2015] [Revised: 02/15/2016] [Accepted: 02/29/2016] [Indexed: 02/08/2023]
Abstract
The great diversity of birds and ecosystems in the Andean mountains has been understudied in terms of their parasite species. We describe a new Haemoproteus parasite, H. (Parahaemoproteus) erythrogravidus infecting Zonotrichia capensis (Rufous-Collared Sparrow) in South America. The description of this blood parasite species is supported by morphological and molecular data based on a fragment of cytochrome b gene (cyt b) and complete mitochondrial genome sequences. The new species is closely related to H. (Parahaemoproteus) coatneyi, and it can be readily distinguished from the latter parasite due to morphology of its blood stages, particularly 1) the formation of a marked protrusion on envelope of infected erythrocytes by the majority of developing gametocytes, a feature which is unique for this Haemoproteus species and 2) the extremely attenuated width of the growing dumbbell-shaped macro- and microgametocytes. Additionally, Haemoproteus erythrogravidus is shown to be a monophyletic taxon that diverges from Haemoproteus coatneyi at the molecular level. We provide the complete mitochondrial DNA genome for both H. coatneyi and H. erythrogravidus. Molecular and morphological evidences indicate that H. erythrogravidus is present in Ecuador and Colombia, and genetic lineages with 100% of identity for the cyt b gene were reported in Chile, Perú, and Venezuela. Our study also indicates that H. erythrogravidus and H. coatneyi are sympatric sister taxa sharing Z. capensis as a host species across its distribution, which could be the result of sympatric speciation or complex biogeographic processes. Further studies on the distribution and evolutionary history of Z. capensis and its parasites H. erythrogravidus and H. coatneyi insight for our better understanding of the factors and dynamics driving parasite speciation.
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39
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Dias R, Manica L, Gressler D, Bell J, Fecchio A. Plumage coloration, body condition and immunological status in Yellow-billed Cardinals (Paroaria capitata). ETHOL ECOL EVOL 2015. [DOI: 10.1080/03949370.2015.1077892] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/23/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- R.I. Dias
- Programa de Pós-Graduação em Ecologia, Universidade de Brasília, Brasília, 70910-900, Brazil
- Faculdade de Ciências da Educação e Saúde, Centro Universitário de Brasília, Brasília, 70790-075, Brazil
| | - L.T. Manica
- Programa de Pós-Graduação em Ecologia, Universidade de Brasília, Brasília, 70910-900, Brazil
- Departamento de Zoologia, Universidade Federal do Paraná, Curitiba, 81531-980, Brazil
| | - D. Gressler
- Programa de Pós-Graduação em Ecologia, Universidade de Brasília, Brasília, 70910-900, Brazil
| | - J.A. Bell
- Department of Biology, University of North Dakota, Grand Forks, ND 58202, USA
| | - A. Fecchio
- Programa de Pós-Graduação em Biologia Animal, Universidade de Brasília, Brasília, 70910-900, Brazil
- Ornithology Department, Academy of Natural Sciences of Drexel University, Philadelphia, PA 19103, USA
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40
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Sehgal RN. Manifold habitat effects on the prevalence and diversity of avian blood parasites. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL FOR PARASITOLOGY-PARASITES AND WILDLIFE 2015; 4:421-30. [PMID: 26835250 PMCID: PMC4699977 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijppaw.2015.09.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 64] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/01/2015] [Revised: 08/30/2015] [Accepted: 09/05/2015] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
Abstract
Habitats are rapidly changing across the planet and the consequences will have major and long-lasting effects on wildlife and their parasites. Birds harbor many types of blood parasites, but because of their relatively high prevalence and ease of diagnosis, it is the haemosporidians – Plasmodium, Haemoproteus, and Leucocytozoon – that are the best studied in terms of ecology and evolution. For parasite transmission to occur, environmental conditions must be permissive, and given the many constraints on the competency of parasites, vectors and hosts, it is rather remarkable that these parasites are so prevalent and successful. Over the last decade, a rapidly growing body of literature has begun to clarify how environmental factors affect birds and the insects that vector their hematozoan parasites. Moreover, several studies have modeled how anthropogenic effects such as global climate change, deforestation and urbanization will impact the dynamics of parasite transmission. This review highlights recent research that impacts our understanding of how habitat and environmental changes can affect the distribution, diversity, prevalence and parasitemia of these avian blood parasites. Given the importance of environmental factors on transmission, it remains essential that researchers studying avian hematozoa document abiotic factors such as temperature, moisture and landscape elements. Ultimately, this continued research has the potential to inform conservation policies and help avert the loss of bird species and threatened habitats. Review of recent literature studying habitat effects on avian blood parasites. Habitat affects the prevalence, parasitemia, distribution and diversity of avian hematozoa. Environmental conditions must be permissive for parasite transmission to occur. Anthropogenic environmental changes will affect host–vector–parasite interactions.
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González AD, Lotta IA, García LF, Moncada LI, Matta NE. Avian haemosporidians from Neotropical highlands: Evidence from morphological and molecular data. Parasitol Int 2015; 64:48-59. [PMID: 25638289 DOI: 10.1016/j.parint.2015.01.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 46] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/25/2014] [Revised: 01/07/2015] [Accepted: 01/16/2015] [Indexed: 11/18/2022]
Abstract
Avian haemosporidian parasites have been scarcely studied in the Neotropical highlands despite the high avian diversity reported and the uniqueness of these ecosystems. The aims of this study were to examine Haemoproteus and Plasmodium diversity based on morphological and molecular data, as well as to explore the concordance between these two approaches, when identifying species. We sampled 1487 birds belonging to 166 species, in localities of the Colombian Andean region at elevations ranging from 2100 to 4000 m above sea level. Here, we report twelve morphological parasite species, of which five are undescribed. Thirty parasite cytochrome b lineages are reported, 17 of which for the first time. We provide morphological information and illustrations, as well as, cytochrome b lineages for six morphospecies: Haemoproteus columbae, Haemoproteus witti, Haemoproteus coatneyi, Haemoproteus vireonis, Plasmodium lutzi, and Plasmodium unalis. This is the first report to provide a linkage between morphology and a molecular lineage for H. witti. Cytochrome b gene proved to be useful for species determination as DNA barcoding. Differences in parasite composition between lowlands and highlands in Colombia suggest a replacement of avian Plasmodium fauna. Parasite lineages restricted to either Colombian resident or Nearctic migratory birds were found; but a single lineage common in both has not been recorded in Nearctic non-migratory birds. We generated valuable information by using both morphological and molecular data representing competent host-parasite relationships which are based on observation of gametocytes in circulation; and increased the taxon sampling of avian haemosporidian.
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Affiliation(s)
- Angie D González
- Departamento de Biología, Facultad de Ciencias, Universidad Nacional de Colombia, Sede Bogotá Carrera 30 No 45-03, Bogotá, Colombia.
| | - Ingrid A Lotta
- Departamento de Biología, Facultad de Ciencias, Universidad Nacional de Colombia, Sede Bogotá Carrera 30 No 45-03, Bogotá, Colombia.
| | - Luis F García
- Departamento de Biología, Facultad de Ciencias, Universidad Nacional de Colombia, Sede Bogotá Carrera 30 No 45-03, Bogotá, Colombia.
| | - Ligia I Moncada
- Departamento de Salud Pública, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad Nacional de Colombia, Sede Bogotá, Carrera 30 No 45-03, Bogotá, Colombia.
| | - Nubia E Matta
- Departamento de Biología, Facultad de Ciencias, Universidad Nacional de Colombia, Sede Bogotá Carrera 30 No 45-03, Bogotá, Colombia.
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42
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Vander Wal E, Garant D, Pelletier F. Evolutionary perspectives on wildlife disease: concepts and applications. Evol Appl 2014; 7:715-22. [PMID: 25469154 PMCID: PMC4227853 DOI: 10.1111/eva.12179] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/21/2014] [Accepted: 05/21/2014] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Wildlife disease has the potential to cause significant ecological, socioeconomic, and health impacts. As a result, all tools available need to be employed when host-pathogen dynamics merit conservation or management interventions. Evolutionary principles, such as evolutionary history, phenotypic and genetic variation, and selection, have the potential to unravel many of the complex ecological realities of infectious disease in the wild. Despite this, their application to wildlife disease ecology and management remains in its infancy. In this article, we outline the impetus behind applying evolutionary principles to disease ecology and management issues in the wild. We then introduce articles from this special issue on Evolutionary Perspectives on Wildlife Disease: Concepts and Applications, outlining how each is exemplar of a practical wildlife disease challenge that can be enlightened by applied evolution. Ultimately, we aim to bring new insights to wildlife disease ecology and its management using tools and techniques commonly employed in evolutionary ecology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eric Vander Wal
- Département de biologie, Université de SherbrookeSherbrooke, QC, Canada
| | - Dany Garant
- Département de biologie, Université de SherbrookeSherbrooke, QC, Canada
| | - Fanie Pelletier
- Département de biologie, Université de SherbrookeSherbrooke, QC, Canada
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Vander Wal E, Garant D, Calmé S, Chapman CA, Festa-Bianchet M, Millien V, Rioux-Paquette S, Pelletier F. Applying evolutionary concepts to wildlife disease ecology and management. Evol Appl 2014; 7:856-68. [PMID: 25469163 PMCID: PMC4227862 DOI: 10.1111/eva.12168] [Citation(s) in RCA: 38] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/06/2014] [Accepted: 04/08/2014] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Existing and emerging infectious diseases are among the most pressing global threats to biodiversity, food safety and human health. The complex interplay between host, pathogen and environment creates a challenge for conserving species, communities and ecosystem functions, while mediating the many known ecological and socio-economic negative effects of disease. Despite the clear ecological and evolutionary contexts of host-pathogen dynamics, approaches to managing wildlife disease remain predominantly reactionary, focusing on surveillance and some attempts at eradication. A few exceptional studies have heeded recent calls for better integration of ecological concepts in the study and management of wildlife disease; however, evolutionary concepts remain underused. Applied evolution consists of four principles: evolutionary history, genetic and phenotypic variation, selection and eco-evolutionary dynamics. In this article, we first update a classical framework for understanding wildlife disease to integrate better these principles. Within this framework, we explore the evolutionary implications of environment-disease interactions. Subsequently, we synthesize areas where applied evolution can be employed in wildlife disease management. Finally, we discuss some future directions and challenges. Here, we underscore that despite some evolutionary principles currently playing an important role in our understanding of disease in wild animals, considerable opportunities remain for fostering the practice of evolutionarily enlightened wildlife disease management.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eric Vander Wal
- Département de biologie, Université de SherbrookeSherbrooke, QC, Canada
| | - Dany Garant
- Département de biologie, Université de SherbrookeSherbrooke, QC, Canada
| | - Sophie Calmé
- Département de biologie, Université de SherbrookeSherbrooke, QC, Canada
- El Colegio de la Frontera SurChetumal, Quintana Roo, Mexico
| | - Colin A Chapman
- Department of Anthropology and McGill School of Environment, McGill UniversityMontreal, QC, Canada
- Wildlife Conservation SocietyBronx, New York, NY, USA
| | | | | | | | - Fanie Pelletier
- Département de biologie, Université de SherbrookeSherbrooke, QC, Canada
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