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Mendoza-Díaz de León L, Cordero-Molina S, Krams I, Contreras-Garduño J. Lie to me to lay with me: Females deceive males via terminal investment. PLoS One 2024; 19:e0301942. [PMID: 38976699 PMCID: PMC11230575 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0301942] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/14/2023] [Accepted: 03/25/2024] [Indexed: 07/10/2024] Open
Abstract
Historically, males have frequently been portrayed as the manipulative and deceptive gender, while females are often seen as adopting a coy and passive role. In this context, it is proposed that males use a terminal investment strategy, misleading females about their true poor condition, while females passively opt to mate with these deceptive males. However, we hypothesize that females in suboptimal condition may also engage in a terminal investment strategy by mimicking or enhancing their attractiveness to match that of females in better conditions. We studied this hypothesis in Tenebrio molitor, by subjecting females to three varying doses of lipopolysaccharides of Escherichia coli (LPS; 0.25, 0.5, or 1 mg ml-1), or three doses of the pro-oxidant Paraquat (PQ; 20, 40 or 80 mM), and subsequently assessing their survival and attractiveness to males. The LPS treatments and 20 mM of PQ had no significant effect on the survival or attractiveness of the females. However, females treated with 40 or 80 mM PQ survived fewer days compared to the control group. Those injected with 40 mM were more attractive than their control counterparts, while those treated with 80 mM were less attractive. Since the identical doses of LPS, which induce terminal investment in males, had no effect on females, we suggest sexual dimorphism in terminal investment. Furthermore, similar to males, if the stressor reaches a sufficiently high level, the signal becomes honest. These findings highlight how the quantity of stressors influences support for the terminal investment strategy in both males and females. Notably, this study challenges prevailing notions regarding gender roles in sexual selection, indicating that females, not just males, conceal their poor condition to attract mating partners.
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Affiliation(s)
- Laura Mendoza-Díaz de León
- Escuela Nacional de Estudios Superiores, Unidad Morelia, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Mexico City, Mexico
| | - Sagrario Cordero-Molina
- Escuela Nacional de Estudios Superiores, Unidad Morelia, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Mexico City, Mexico
| | - Indikris Krams
- Latvian Biomedical Research and Study Centre, Riga, Latvia
- Institute of Ecology and Earth Sciences, University of Tartu, Tartu, Estonia
- Department of Zoology and Animal Ecology, Faculty of Biology, University of Latvia, Rīga, Latvia
| | - Jorge Contreras-Garduño
- Escuela Nacional de Estudios Superiores, Unidad Morelia, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Mexico City, Mexico
- Institute for Evolution and Biodiversity, University of Münster, Münster, Germany
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2
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Mora-Rubio C, Garcia-Longoria L, Ferraguti M, Magallanes S, Cruz JT, de Lope F, Marzal A. The Impact of Avian Haemosporidian Infection on Feather Quality and Feather Growth Rate of Migratory Passerines. Animals (Basel) 2024; 14:1772. [PMID: 38929391 PMCID: PMC11200494 DOI: 10.3390/ani14121772] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/05/2024] [Revised: 06/03/2024] [Accepted: 06/10/2024] [Indexed: 06/28/2024] Open
Abstract
Bird feathers have several functions, including flight, insulation, communication, and camouflage. Since feathers degrade over time, birds need to moult regularly to maintain these functions. However, environmental factors like food scarcity, stress, and parasite infections can affect feather quality and moult speed. This study examined the impact of avian haemosporidian infection and uropygial gland volume, as well as feather quality and feather growth rate in two migratory hirundine species captured in southwestern Spain-the house martin (Delichon urbicum) and sand martin (Riparia riparia). Our findings showed that the prevalence of infection varied among species, with house martins having the highest rates, possibly due to their larger colony size. Moreover, haemosporidian infection had a different impact on each species; infected house martins exhibited lower feather quality than healthy individuals, although this outcome was not observed in sand martins. Furthermore, no effect of infection on feather growth rate was observed in both hirundinids. Additionally, feather growth rate only correlated positively with feather quality in house martins. Finally, no link was observed between uropygial gland volume and feather quality or feather growth rate in any of the species in this study. These findings highlight the effect of haemosporidian infections on the plumage of migratory birds, marking, for the first time, how avian haemosporidian infection is shown to adversely impact feather quality. Even so, further research is needed to explore these relationships more deeply.
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Affiliation(s)
- Carlos Mora-Rubio
- Department of Anatomy, Cellular Biology and Zoology, University of Extremadura, 06006 Badajoz, Spain; (L.G.-L.); (F.d.L.); (A.M.)
| | - Luz Garcia-Longoria
- Department of Anatomy, Cellular Biology and Zoology, University of Extremadura, 06006 Badajoz, Spain; (L.G.-L.); (F.d.L.); (A.M.)
| | - Martina Ferraguti
- Department of Conservation Biology and Global Change, Doñana Biological Station (EBD), Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas (CSIC), 41092 Sevilla, Spain; (M.F.); (S.M.)
- Centre for Biomedical Research in Epidemiology and Public Health Network (CIBERESP), Madrid, Spain
| | - Sergio Magallanes
- Department of Conservation Biology and Global Change, Doñana Biological Station (EBD), Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas (CSIC), 41092 Sevilla, Spain; (M.F.); (S.M.)
- Centre for Biomedical Research in Epidemiology and Public Health Network (CIBERESP), Madrid, Spain
| | - João T. Cruz
- Centre for Interdisciplinary Research in Animal Health (CIISA), Faculty of Veterinary Medicine (FMV-ULisboa), University of Lisbon, 1300-477 Lisbon, Portugal;
- Associate Laboratory for Animal and Veterinary Sciences (AL4AnimalS), 1300-477 Lisbon, Portugal
| | - Florentino de Lope
- Department of Anatomy, Cellular Biology and Zoology, University of Extremadura, 06006 Badajoz, Spain; (L.G.-L.); (F.d.L.); (A.M.)
| | - Alfonso Marzal
- Department of Anatomy, Cellular Biology and Zoology, University of Extremadura, 06006 Badajoz, Spain; (L.G.-L.); (F.d.L.); (A.M.)
- Wildlife Research Group, San Martin National University, 22021 Tarapoto, Peru
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3
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Dimas Martins A, Roberts M, Ten Bosch Q, Heesterbeek H. Indirect interaction between an endemic and an invading pathogen: A case study of Plasmodium and Usutu virus dynamics in a shared bird host population. Theor Popul Biol 2024; 157:118-128. [PMID: 38626854 DOI: 10.1016/j.tpb.2024.04.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/08/2023] [Revised: 03/28/2024] [Accepted: 04/05/2024] [Indexed: 04/21/2024]
Abstract
Infectious disease agents can influence each other's dynamics in shared host populations. We consider such influence for two mosquito-borne infections where one pathogen is endemic at the time that a second pathogen invades. We regard a setting where the vector has a bias towards biting host individuals infected with the endemic pathogen and where there is a cost to co-infected hosts. As a motivating case study, we regard Plasmodium spp., that cause avian malaria, as the endemic pathogen, and Usutu virus (USUV) as the invading pathogen. Hosts with malaria attract more mosquitoes compared to susceptible hosts, a phenomenon named vector bias. The possible trade-off between the vector-bias effect and the co-infection mortality is studied using a compartmental epidemic model. We focus first on the basic reproduction number R0 for Usutu virus invading into a malaria-endemic population, and then explore the long-term dynamics of both pathogens once Usutu virus has become established. We find that the vector bias facilitates the introduction of malaria into a susceptible population, as well as the introduction of Usutu in a malaria-endemic population. In the long term, however, both a vector bias and co-infection mortality lead to a decrease in the number of individuals infected with either pathogen, suggesting that avian malaria is unlikely to be a promoter of Usutu invasion. This proposed approach is general and allows for new insights into other negative associations between endemic and invading vector-borne pathogens.
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Affiliation(s)
- Afonso Dimas Martins
- Department of Population Health Sciences, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Utrecht, Utrecht, The Netherlands.
| | - Mick Roberts
- New Zealand Institute for Advanced Study and the Infectious Disease Research Centre, Massey University, Auckland, New Zealand
| | - Quirine Ten Bosch
- Quantitative Veterinary Epidemiology, Wageningen University and Research, Wageningen, The Netherlands
| | - Hans Heesterbeek
- Department of Population Health Sciences, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Utrecht, Utrecht, The Netherlands
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4
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Musa S, Hemberle T, Bensch S, Palinauskas V, Baltrūnaitė L, Woog F, Mackenstedt U. Raising the bar: genus-specific nested PCR improves detection and lineage identification of avian haemosporidian parasites. Front Cell Infect Microbiol 2024; 14:1385599. [PMID: 38741893 PMCID: PMC11089177 DOI: 10.3389/fcimb.2024.1385599] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/13/2024] [Accepted: 04/09/2024] [Indexed: 05/16/2024] Open
Abstract
Avian haemosporidian parasites are useful model organisms to study the ecology and evolution of parasite-host interactions due to their global distribution and extensive biodiversity. Detection of these parasites has evolved from microscopic examination to PCR-based methods, with the mitochondrial cytochrome b gene serving as barcoding region. However, standard PCR protocols used for screening and identification purposes have limitations in detecting mixed infections and generating phylogenetically informative data due to short amplicon lengths. To address these issues, we developed a novel genus-specific nested PCR protocol targeting avian haemosporidian parasites. The protocol underwent rigorous testing utilizing a large dataset comprising blood samples from Malagasy birds of three distinct Passeriformes families. Furthermore, validation was done by examining smaller datasets in two other laboratories employing divergent master mixes and different bird species. Comparative analyses were conducted between the outcomes of the novel PCR protocol and those obtained through the widely used standard nested PCR method. The novel protocol enables specific identification of Plasmodium, Haemoproteus (Parahaemoproteus), and Leucocytozoon parasites. The analyses demonstrated comparable sensitivity to the standard nested PCR with notable improvements in detecting mixed infections. In addition, phylogenetic resolution is improved by amplification of longer fragments, leading to a better understanding of the haemosporidian biodiversity and evolution. Overall, the novel protocol represents a valuable addition to avian haemosporidian detection methodologies, facilitating comprehensive studies on parasite ecology, epidemiology, and evolution.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sandrine Musa
- Departement of Parasitology, University of Hohenheim, Stuttgart, Germany
| | - Theo Hemberle
- Departement of Parasitology, University of Hohenheim, Stuttgart, Germany
| | - Staffan Bensch
- Department of Biology, Molecular Ecology and Evolution Lab (MEEL), Lund University, Lund, Sweden
| | | | | | - Friederike Woog
- Departement of Ornithology, State Museum of Natural History Stuttgart, Stuttgart, Germany
| | - Ute Mackenstedt
- Departement of Parasitology, University of Hohenheim, Stuttgart, Germany
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5
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Figuerola J, la Puente JMD, Díez-Fernández A, Thomson RL, Aguirre JI, Faivre B, Ibañez-Alamo JD. Urbanization correlates with the prevalence and richness of blood parasites in Eurasian Blackbirds (Turdus merula). THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2024; 922:171303. [PMID: 38423334 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2024.171303] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/06/2023] [Revised: 02/13/2024] [Accepted: 02/25/2024] [Indexed: 03/02/2024]
Abstract
Urbanization is increasing worldwide, producing severe environmental impacts. Biodiversity is affected by the expansion of cities, with many species being unable to cope with the different human-induced stressors present in these landscapes. However, this knowledge is mainly based on research from taxa such as plants or vertebrates, while other organisms like protozoa have been less studied in this context. The impact of urbanization on the transmission of vector-borne pathogens in wildlife is still unclear despite its relevance for animal and human health. Here, we investigated whether cities are associated with changes in the prevalence and richness of lineages of three vector-borne protozoans (Plasmodium, Haemoproteus and Leucocytozoon) in Eurasian blackbirds (Turdus merula) from multiple urban and forest areas in Europe. Our results show important species-specific differences between these two habitat types. We found a significant lower prevalence of Leucocytozoon in urban birds compared to forest birds, but no differences for Plasmodium and Haemoproteus. Furthermore, the richness of parasite lineages in European cities was higher for Plasmodium but lower for Leucocytozoon than in forests. We also found one Plasmodium lineage exclusively from cities while another of Leucocytozoon was only found in forests suggesting a certain level of habitat specialization for these protozoan vectors. Overall, our findings show that cities provide contrasting opportunities for the transmission of different vector-borne pathogens and generate new scenarios for the interactions between hosts, vectors and parasites.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jordi Figuerola
- Estación Biológica de Doñana, 41092 Sevilla, Spain; CIBER Epidemiología y Salud Pública, 28029 Madrid, Spain.
| | | | - Alazne Díez-Fernández
- Estación Biológica de Doñana, 41092 Sevilla, Spain; Universidad de Extremadura, 06006 Badajoz, Spain
| | - Robert L Thomson
- FitzPatrick Institute of African Ornithology, University of Cape Town, 7701 Cape Town, South Africa
| | | | - Bruno Faivre
- UMR CNRS 6282, Biogéosciences, Université Bourgogne Franche-Comté, 21000 Dijon, France
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6
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Cruz JT, de Carvalho LM, Ferreira MR, Nunes C, Casero M, Marzal A. Avian Haemosporidian Infection in Wildlife Rehabilitation Centres of Portugal: Causes, Consequences, and Genetic Diversity. Animals (Basel) 2024; 14:1216. [PMID: 38672371 PMCID: PMC11047687 DOI: 10.3390/ani14081216] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/27/2024] [Revised: 04/16/2024] [Accepted: 04/16/2024] [Indexed: 04/28/2024] Open
Abstract
In the last decade, over 40% of bird species in Europe have experienced poor and bad conservation status, with more than 30% of bird species in mainland Portugal threatened with extinction. Along with anthropogenic factors, parasites and pathogens such as avian haemosporidians have been suggested to be responsible for these avian population declines. Wildlife rehabilitation centres play an essential role in species conservation and preservation. Moreover, animals admitted for rehabilitation can provide valuable information regarding transmission and pathogenicity of many diseases that affect wild birds that are rarely sampled in nature. However, reports of haemosporidians in captive birds are still limited. Here, we explored the prevalence and genetic diversity of avian haemosporidians in 89 birds from 29 species admitted to rehabilitation centres in Portugal, showing an overall infection prevalence of 30.3%. The prevalence of infection was higher in Strigiformes and in birds admitted to rehabilitation centres due to debilitating diseases. Remarkably, 30% of the infected bird species have not been found to harbour malaria parasites in preceding studies. We detected 15 different haemosporidian lineages infecting a third of bird species sampled. Notably, 2 out of these 15 detected haemosporidian lineages have not been obtained previously in other studies. Furthermore, we also identified nine new host-parasite interactions representing new host records for these haemosporidian parasites. Finally, our results revealed that birds infected with haemosporidians require longer rehabilitation treatments, which increase the economic costs for rehabilitation and may impair their survival prospects. These findings emphasise the importance of integrating haemosporidian infection considerations into rehabilitation protocols, highlighting the challenges posed by these infections in avian conservation and rehabilitation, including economic and logistical demands.
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Affiliation(s)
- João T. Cruz
- Centre for Interdisciplinary Research in Animal Health (CIISA), Faculty of Veterinary Medicine (FMV-ULisboa), University of Lisbon, 1300-477 Lisbon, Portugal; (J.T.C.); (L.M.d.C.)
- Associate Laboratory for Animal and Veterinary Sciences (AL4AnimalS), 1300-477 Lisbon, Portugal
| | - Luís Madeira de Carvalho
- Centre for Interdisciplinary Research in Animal Health (CIISA), Faculty of Veterinary Medicine (FMV-ULisboa), University of Lisbon, 1300-477 Lisbon, Portugal; (J.T.C.); (L.M.d.C.)
- Associate Laboratory for Animal and Veterinary Sciences (AL4AnimalS), 1300-477 Lisbon, Portugal
| | - Mariana Ribeiro Ferreira
- Centre for Studies and Rehabilitation of Wild Animals of Castelo Branco (CERAS), Quercus ANCN, Rua Tenente Valadim, 17, 6000-284 Castelo Branco, Portugal;
| | - Carolina Nunes
- Wildlife Rehabilitation Centre of Santo André (CRASSA), Quercus ANCN, Moinho Novo, Galiza, 7500-022 Vila Nova de Santo André, Portugal;
| | - María Casero
- Wildlife Rehabilitation and Investigation Centre of the Ria Formosa (RIAS), Parque Natural da Ria Formosa, 8700-194 Olhão, Portugal;
| | - Alfonso Marzal
- Department of Anatomy, Cellular Biology and Zoology, University of Extremadura, 06006 Badajoz, Spain
- Wildlife Research Group, San Martin National University, Tarapoto 22021, Peru
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7
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Sheppard EC, Martin CA, Armstrong C, González-Quevedo C, Illera JC, Suh A, Spurgin LG, Richardson DS. Genotype-environment associations reveal genes potentially linked to avian malaria infection in populations of an endemic island bird. Mol Ecol 2024; 33:e17329. [PMID: 38533805 DOI: 10.1111/mec.17329] [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: 03/07/2023] [Revised: 01/29/2024] [Accepted: 03/01/2024] [Indexed: 03/28/2024]
Abstract
Patterns of pathogen prevalence are, at least partially, the result of coevolutionary host-pathogen interactions. Thus, exploring the distribution of host genetic variation in relation to infection by a pathogen within and across populations can provide important insights into mechanisms of host defence and adaptation. Here, we use a landscape genomics approach (Bayenv) in conjunction with genome-wide data (ddRADseq) to test for associations between avian malaria (Plasmodium) prevalence and host genetic variation across 13 populations of the island endemic Berthelot's pipit (Anthus berthelotii). Considerable and consistent spatial heterogeneity in malaria prevalence was observed among populations over a period of 15 years. The prevalence of malaria infection was also strongly positively correlated with pox (Avipoxvirus) prevalence. Multiple host loci showed significant associations with malaria prevalence after controlling for genome-wide neutral genetic structure. These sites were located near to or within genes linked to metabolism, stress response, transcriptional regulation, complement activity and the inflammatory response, many previously implicated in vertebrate responses to malarial infection. Our findings identify diverse genes - not just limited to the immune system - that may be involved in host protection against malaria and suggest that spatially variable pathogen pressure may be an important evolutionary driver of genetic divergence among wild animal populations, such as Berthelot's pipit. Furthermore, our data indicate that spatio-temporal variation in multiple different pathogens (e.g. malaria and pox in this case) may have to be studied together to develop a more holistic understanding of host pathogen-mediated evolution.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Claudia A Martin
- School of Biological Sciences, University of East Anglia, Norfolk, UK
- Terrestrial Ecology Unit, Biology Department, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium
| | - Claire Armstrong
- School of Biological Sciences, University of East Anglia, Norfolk, UK
| | - Catalina González-Quevedo
- School of Biological Sciences, University of East Anglia, Norfolk, UK
- Grupo Ecología y Evolución de Vertebrados, Instituto de Biología, Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales, Universidad de Antioquia UdeA, Medellin, Colombia
| | - Juan Carlos Illera
- Biodiversity Research Institute (CSIC-Oviedo, University-Principality of Asturias), University of Oviedo, Mieres, Asturias, Spain
| | - Alexander Suh
- School of Biological Sciences, University of East Anglia, Norfolk, UK
- Centre for Molecular Biodiversity Research, Leibniz Institute for the Analysis of Biodiversity Change, Bonn, Germany
- Department of Organismal Biology - Systematic Biology, Evolutionary Biology Centre, Science for Life Laboratory, Uppsala University, Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Lewis G Spurgin
- School of Biological Sciences, University of East Anglia, Norfolk, UK
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8
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Yan WL, Sun HT, Zhao YC, Hou XW, Zhang M, Zhao Q, Elsheikha HM, Ni HB. Global prevalence of Plasmodium infection in wild birds: A systematic review and meta-analysis. Res Vet Sci 2024; 168:105136. [PMID: 38183894 DOI: 10.1016/j.rvsc.2024.105136] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/02/2023] [Revised: 12/28/2023] [Accepted: 01/01/2024] [Indexed: 01/08/2024]
Abstract
Avian malaria is a vector-borne parasitic disease caused by Plasmodium infection transmitted to birds by mosquitoes. The aim of this systematic review was to analyze the global prevalence of malaria and risk factors associated with infection in wild birds. A systematic search of the databases CNKI, WanFang, VIP, PubMed, and ScienceDirect was performed from database inception to 24 February 2023. The search identified 3181 retrieved articles, of which 52 articles met predetermined inclusion criteria. Meta-analysis was performed using the random-effects model. The estimated pooled global prevalence of Plasmodium infection in wild birds was 16%. Sub-group analysis showed that the highest prevalence was associated with adult birds, migrant birds, North America, tropical rainforest climate, birds captured by mist nets, detection of infection by microscopy, medium quality studies, and studies published after 2016. Our study highlights the need for more understanding of Plasmodium prevalence in wild birds and identifying risk factors associated with infection to inform future infection control measures.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wei-Lan Yan
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Qingdao Agricultural University, Qingdao 266109, Shandong Province, PR China; College of Life Science, Changchun Sci-Tech University, Shuangyang 130600, Jilin Province, PR China
| | - He-Ting Sun
- Center of Prevention and Control Biological Disaster, State Forestry and Grassland Administration, Shenyang 110034, Liaoning Province, PR China
| | - Yi-Chen Zhao
- Academy of Forestry Inventory and Planning, National Forestry and Grassland Administration, Beijing 100714, PR China
| | - Xin-Wen Hou
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Qingdao Agricultural University, Qingdao 266109, Shandong Province, PR China
| | - Miao Zhang
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Qingdao Agricultural University, Qingdao 266109, Shandong Province, PR China
| | - Quan Zhao
- College of Life Science, Changchun Sci-Tech University, Shuangyang 130600, Jilin Province, PR China.
| | - Hany M Elsheikha
- Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, School of Veterinary Medicine and Science, University of Nottingham, Sutton Bonington Campus, Loughborough, UK.
| | - Hong-Bo Ni
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Qingdao Agricultural University, Qingdao 266109, Shandong Province, PR China
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9
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Chagas CRF, Duc M, Himmel T, Eigirdas V, Weissenböck H, Valkiūnas G. Exo-erythrocytic development of Leucocytozoon parasites (Haemosporida, Leucocytozoidae) in song thrushes Turdus philomelos. Int J Parasitol Parasites Wildl 2023; 22:60-68. [PMID: 37692054 PMCID: PMC10485597 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijppaw.2023.08.008] [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: 07/14/2023] [Revised: 08/28/2023] [Accepted: 08/28/2023] [Indexed: 09/12/2023]
Abstract
Leucocytozoon parasites (Haemosporida, Leucocytozoidae) are haemosporidians whose diversity, exo-erythrocytic development and potential vectors are the least studied. The knowledge about their exo-erythrocytic development and pathogenicity is fragmentary, resulting in an incomplete comprehension of the impact of these parasites on avian hosts. For a long time, Leucocytozoon infections were considered benign to wild birds, even though they were virulent in poultry and responsible for some wild bird population declines. This study aimed to investigate the presence of Leucocytozoon species exo-erythrocytic stages in song thrushes Turdus philomelos using conventional histological techniques (sections stained by H&E) and chromogenic in situ hybridization (CISH). Tissues from ten birds (seven naturally infected and three opportunistic samplings) were examined using both methods. Parasite lineages were identified from blood samples using PCR-based techniques. Leucocytozoon species meronts were found in five individuals (in four birds using H&E staining protocol, and in three in CISH-treated histological sections). Meronts were found mainly in the kidneys, but some meronts were also present in the lungs. It was possible to observe different maturation stages of meronts in the same bird individual, indicating an asynchronous development. Cytomeres were readily visible in developing meronts. One megalomeront-like structure was present close to a blood vessel in the heart. It was covered with a prominent capsular-like wall. No inflammatory reaction or necrosis was seen in the tissues surrounding the meronts or the megalomeront-like structure. We could confirm the transmission of three Leucocytozoon lineages (lTUPHI14, lSTUR1 and lTUPHI13) in Europe, and add evidence of the transmission of two Plasmodium lineages, including Plasmodium circumflexum (pTURDUS1), and Haemoproteus asymmetricus (hTUPHI01). We call for further research to better understand Leucocytozoon parasite exo-erythrocytic development.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Mélanie Duc
- P. B. Šivickis Laboratory of Parasitology, Nature Research Centre, Akademijos 2, 08412, Vilnius, Lithuania
| | - Tanja Himmel
- Department for Pathobiology, Institute of Pathology, University of Veterinary Medicine Vienna, Veterinaerplatz 1, 1210, Vienna, Austria
| | - Vytautas Eigirdas
- Ventės Ragas Ornithological Station, Marių 24, 99361, Ventė, Lithuania
| | - Herbert Weissenböck
- Department for Pathobiology, Institute of Pathology, University of Veterinary Medicine Vienna, Veterinaerplatz 1, 1210, Vienna, Austria
| | - Gediminas Valkiūnas
- P. B. Šivickis Laboratory of Parasitology, Nature Research Centre, Akademijos 2, 08412, Vilnius, Lithuania
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10
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Martinez V, Keith KD, Grace JK, Voelker G. Avian haemosporidians of breeding birds in the Davis Mountains sky-islands of west Texas, USA. Parasitology 2023; 150:1266-1276. [PMID: 38072659 PMCID: PMC10941211 DOI: 10.1017/s0031182023001087] [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: 08/04/2023] [Revised: 11/02/2023] [Accepted: 11/06/2023] [Indexed: 02/06/2024]
Abstract
Avian haemosporidians are protozoan parasites transmitted by insect vectors that infect birds worldwide, negatively impacting avian fitness and survival. However, the majority of haemosporidian diversity remains undescribed. Quantifying this diversity is critical to determining parasite–host relationships and host-switching potentials of parasite lineages as climate change induces both host and vector range shifts. In this study, we conducted a community survey of avian haemosporidians found in breeding birds on the Davis Mountains sky islands in west Texas, USA. We determined parasite abundance and host associations and compared our results to data from nearby regions. A total of 265 birds were screened and infections were detected in 108 birds (40.8%). Most positive infections were identified as Haemoproteus (36.2%), followed by Plasmodium (6.8%) and Leucocytozoon (0.8%). A total of 71 haemosporidian lineages were detected of which 39 were previously undescribed. We found that regional similarity influenced shared lineages, as a higher number of lineages were shared with avian communities in the sky islands of New Mexico compared to south Texas, the Texas Gulf Coast and central Mexico. We found that migratory status of avian host did not influence parasite prevalence, but that host phylogeny is likely an important driver.
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Affiliation(s)
- Viridiana Martinez
- Department of Ecology and Conservation Biology, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX, USA
| | - Katrina D Keith
- Department of Ecology and Conservation Biology, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX, USA
| | - Jacquelyn K Grace
- Department of Ecology and Conservation Biology, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX, USA
| | - Gary Voelker
- Department of Ecology and Conservation Biology, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX, USA
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Mora-Rubio C, Ferraguti M, Magallanes S, Bravo-Barriga D, Hernandez-Caballero I, Marzal A, de Lope F. Unravelling the mosquito-haemosporidian parasite-bird host network in the southwestern Iberian Peninsula: insights into malaria infections, mosquito community and feeding preferences. Parasit Vectors 2023; 16:395. [PMID: 37915080 PMCID: PMC10619300 DOI: 10.1186/s13071-023-05964-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/17/2023] [Accepted: 09/07/2023] [Indexed: 11/03/2023] Open
Abstract
BAKGROUND Vector-borne diseases affecting humans, wildlife and livestock have significantly increased their incidence and distribution in the last decades. Because the interaction among vectors-parasite-vertebrate hosts plays a key role driving vector-borne disease transmission, the analyses of the diversity and structure of vector-parasite networks and host-feeding preference may help to assess disease risk. Also, the study of seasonal variations in the structure and composition of vector and parasite communities may elucidate the current patterns of parasite persistence and spread as well as facilitate prediction of how climate variations may impact vector-borne disease transmission. Avian malaria and related haemosporidian parasites constitute an exceptional model to understand the ecology and evolution of vector-borne diseases. However, the characterization of vector-haemosporidian parasite-bird host assemblages is largely unknown in many regions. METHODS Here, we analyzed 5859 female mosquitoes captured from May to November in five localities from southwestern Spain to explore the composition and seasonal variation of the vector-parasite-vertebrate host network. RESULTS We showed a gradual increase in mosquito abundance, peaking in July. A total of 16 different haemosporidian lineages were found infecting 13 mosquito species. Of these assemblages, more than 70% of these vector-parasite associations have not been described in previous studies. Moreover, three Haemoproteus lineages were reported for the first time in this study. The prevalence of avian malaria infections in mosquitoes varied significantly across the months, reaching a maximum in November. Mosquito blood-feeding preference was higher for mammals (62.5%), whereas 37.5% of vectors fed on birds, suggesting opportunistic feeding behavior. CONCLUSION These outcomes improve our understanding of disease transmission risk and help tovector control strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Carlos Mora-Rubio
- Departamento de Anatomía, Biología Celular y Zoología, Universidad de Extremadura, Facultad de Ciencias, Avenida de Elvas S/N, 06006, Badajoz, Spain.
| | - Martina Ferraguti
- Departamento de Anatomía, Biología Celular y Zoología, Universidad de Extremadura, Facultad de Ciencias, Avenida de Elvas S/N, 06006, Badajoz, Spain.
- Departamento de Biología de la Conservación y Cambio Global, Estación Biológica de Doñana, EBD-CSIC, Avda. Américo Vespucio 26, 41092, Seville, Spain.
- Consorcio de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Epidemiología y Salud Pública (CIBERESP), Madrid, Spain.
| | - Sergio Magallanes
- Departamento de Anatomía, Biología Celular y Zoología, Universidad de Extremadura, Facultad de Ciencias, Avenida de Elvas S/N, 06006, Badajoz, Spain
- Departamento de Biología de la Conservación y Cambio Global, Estación Biológica de Doñana, EBD-CSIC, Avda. Américo Vespucio 26, 41092, Seville, Spain
| | - Daniel Bravo-Barriga
- Departamento de Sanidad Animal, Parasitología, Universidad de Extremadura, Facultad de Veterinaria, Avda. Universidad S/N, 10003, Cáceres, Spain
| | - Irene Hernandez-Caballero
- Departamento de Anatomía, Biología Celular y Zoología, Universidad de Extremadura, Facultad de Ciencias, Avenida de Elvas S/N, 06006, Badajoz, Spain
| | - Alfonso Marzal
- Departamento de Anatomía, Biología Celular y Zoología, Universidad de Extremadura, Facultad de Ciencias, Avenida de Elvas S/N, 06006, Badajoz, Spain
- Grupo de Investigaciones en Fauna Silvestre, Universidad Nacional de San Martín, Jr. Maynas 1777, 22021, Tarapoto, Perú
| | - Florentino de Lope
- Departamento de Anatomía, Biología Celular y Zoología, Universidad de Extremadura, Facultad de Ciencias, Avenida de Elvas S/N, 06006, Badajoz, Spain
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12
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Apache J, Rodríguez-Almonacid CC, Moreno-Torres CA, Gamboa-Suárez BA, Matta NE. Hemoparasite occurrence and hematological/serum chemistry variations in Podocnemis vogli turtles: A comparative analysis between wild-residing infected specimens and captive non-infected counterparts. Vet Parasitol Reg Stud Reports 2023; 45:100928. [PMID: 37783531 DOI: 10.1016/j.vprsr.2023.100928] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/15/2023] [Revised: 08/26/2023] [Accepted: 09/11/2023] [Indexed: 10/04/2023]
Abstract
Reptiles show a high occurrence of hemoparasites in the wild; however, little is known about the impact of such infections on their hosts' physiology and health status. Podocnemis vogli is an ancient turtle distributed in South America, frequently infected by blood parasites. Specifically, we analyzed the hematological and serum chemistry parameters of 78 wild turtles. We compared these values with those obtained from non-infected turtles of the same species in ex-situ conditions, considering factors such as sex and coinfections. Two orders of hemoparasites were detected under microscopic analyses: Adelorina, represented by Haemogregarina sp. (98.72 ± 0.28%), and Haemosporida, represented by Haemocystidium sp. (30.77 ± 1.16%), the latter genus being always in coinfection with Haemogregarina. Significant differences were observed in 20 parameters between infected (free living) and uninfected (living in captivity) turtles. The ALP, PCV, Hb, and MCV were significantly different by sex; albumin, cholesterol, creatinine, percentage of heterophils, lymphocytes, and basophils differed in coinfection. This is the first report of reference intervals of P. vogli in the wild and the first study comparing hematological and blood biochemistry values between hemoparasite-infected and uninfected P. vogli turtles. However, the limited knowledge of these parameters in wild reptiles and the wide range of interval values makes it difficult to determine any significant impact on turtle health. Nevertheless, this study highlights the need for more in-depth research to explore the potential effects of blood parasite infections on turtles, including immune response and coevolution studies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jorge Apache
- Departamento de Biología, Facultad de Ciencias, Universidad Nacional de Colombia, Sede Bogotá, Colombia.
| | | | - Carlos A Moreno-Torres
- Departamento de Salud Animal, Facultad de Medicina Veterinaria y de Zootecnia, Universidad Nacional de Colombia, Sede Bogotá, Colombia; Laboratorio Clínico Veterinario, Facultad de Medicina Veterinaria y de Zootecnia, Universidad Nacional de Colombia, Sede Bogotá, Colombia.
| | - Brayan Andrés Gamboa-Suárez
- Departamento de Biología, Facultad de Ciencias, Universidad Nacional de Colombia, Sede Bogotá, Colombia; Departamento de Salud Animal, Facultad de Medicina Veterinaria y de Zootecnia, Universidad Nacional de Colombia, Sede Bogotá, Colombia.
| | - Nubia E Matta
- Departamento de Biología, Facultad de Ciencias, Universidad Nacional de Colombia, Sede Bogotá, Colombia.
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Talbott KM, Ketterson ED. Physiological impacts of chronic and experimental Plasmodium infection on breeding-condition male songbirds. Sci Rep 2023; 13:13091. [PMID: 37567885 PMCID: PMC10421889 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-023-38438-6] [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: 10/24/2022] [Accepted: 07/07/2023] [Indexed: 08/13/2023] Open
Abstract
While Plasmodium parasitism is common in songbirds, its impact on avian reproduction is unclear owing to conflicting reports in the existing literature. Particularly understudied is the impact of phase of infection on variation in host reproductive physiology in wild, breeding-condition birds. However, assessing the full impact of Plasmodium on reproductive success in the wild can be difficult because individuals experiencing severe effects of parasitism may not enter the breeding population and may be less likely to be captured during field studies. To address these factors, we quantified metrics of health and reproductive physiology in wild-caught, breeding-condition male dark-eyed juncos (Junco hyemalis hyemalis) before and after experimental Plasmodium inoculation in a captive setting. Metrics of health and reproductive physiology included activity rate, hematocrit, scaled body mass, testosterone and sperm production. Individuals already infected at capture (i.e., chronically infected) had higher levels of hematocrit than males without chronic infections. Experimentally infected males showed a larger reduction in hematocrit and activity rate as compared to controls. However, chronic infection status did not influence the extent of metric decline. Testosterone production did not vary by treatment and most birds produced sperm following inoculation. Broadly, our results suggest that male juncos exposed to Plasmodium during the breeding season likely experience declines in general health, but Plasmodium infections do not negatively impact reproductive physiology. We conclude that physiological tradeoffs in males may favor maintenance of reproductive function despite infection.
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Affiliation(s)
- K M Talbott
- Department of Biology, Indiana University, Biology Building 149, 1001 East 3rd St, Bloomington, IN, 47405, USA.
| | - E D Ketterson
- Department of Biology, Indiana University, Biology Building 149, 1001 East 3rd St, Bloomington, IN, 47405, USA
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14
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Gomes J, Leitão M, Louro MC, Brandão R, Mateus TL. Avian Malaria in wild birds from a wildlife rehabilitation center in Central Portugal. Vet Parasitol Reg Stud Reports 2023; 43:100904. [PMID: 37451760 DOI: 10.1016/j.vprsr.2023.100904] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/05/2023] [Revised: 05/03/2023] [Accepted: 06/26/2023] [Indexed: 07/18/2023]
Abstract
Avian haemosporidian (Haemoproteus, Leucocytozoon, Plasmodium) are vector-transmitted protozoan parasites highly prevalent in various bird species. Still, their importance for bird health, species decline, or impact on rehabilitation success is underestimated. This study aimed to determine the occurrence and diversity of haemosporidian parasites after necropsies of seventy wild birds from thirty-four species of twelve taxonomic orders. Detection of avian haemosporidian DNA was evaluated using PCR amplification of the cytochrome b gene. 48.6% of all sampled birds were positive, with 24.3% positive for Plasmodium spp./Haemoproteus spp. and 44.3% for Leucocytozoon spp. Mixed infections corresponded to 20% of all tested birds. Sequencing of several selected samples revealed the infection of Plasmodium matutinum, Plasmodium relictum and different lineages of Leucocytozoon spp. This study provides a baseline description of haemosporidian infections in wild birds from a rehabilitation center in central Portugal. The results show the necessity to test and monitor possible infections that undermine recovery processes for different birds. Further research into the occurrence of these haemosporidian species in birds kept in conservation centers is needed to understand the impact on bird health.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jacinto Gomes
- Escola Superior Agrária de Elvas, Instituto Politécnico de Portalegre, Elvas, Portugal; Centre for Interdisciplinary Research in Animal Health (CIISA), Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Lisbon, Lisbon, Portugal; Associate Laboratory for Animal and Veterinary Sciences (AL4AnimalS), Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Lisbon, Portugal.
| | | | - Mariana Caseiro Louro
- Centre for Interdisciplinary Research in Animal Health (CIISA), Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Lisbon, Lisbon, Portugal; Associate Laboratory for Animal and Veterinary Sciences (AL4AnimalS), Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Lisbon, Portugal
| | - Ricardo Brandão
- Centre for Ecology, Recovery and Surveillance of Wild Animals (CERVAS), Gouveia, Portugal
| | - Teresa Letra Mateus
- Center for Research and Development in Agrifood Systems and Sustainability (CISAS), Escola Superior Agrária de Ponte de Lima, Instituto Politécnico de Viana do Castelo, Ponte de Lima, Portugal; EpiUnit - Instituto de Saúde Pública da Universidade do Porto, Laboratory for Integrative and Translational Research in Population Health (ITR), Porto, Portugal; Veterinary and Animal Research Centre (CECAV), UTAD, Associate Laboratory for Animal and Veterinary Sciences (Al4Animals), Vila Real, Portugal
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15
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Sex-biased, but not plumage color-based, prevalence of haemosporidian parasites in free-range chickens. Parasitol Int 2023; 93:102722. [PMID: 36529451 DOI: 10.1016/j.parint.2022.102722] [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: 03/26/2022] [Revised: 12/09/2022] [Accepted: 12/12/2022] [Indexed: 12/23/2022]
Abstract
Previous studies found a relationship between blood parasite infection and bird gender, with higher prevalence in males. Some studies also found a relationship between host plumage color and parasitic infection, while others did not. Here, we investigated the blood parasite prevalence in correlation with sex and plumage color in free-range chickens (Gallus gallus domesticus) in China. We analyzed a total of 297 blood samples, out of which 234 chickens tested positive for haemosporidian parasites, with 78.5% parasite prevalence. Out of 139 males, 118 tested positive with 84.8% parasite prevalence while 116 of 158 female samples tested positive (73.4%). Leucocytotozoon was the most frequent genus isolated (193 infected individuals /234 birds), followed by Plasmodium (41 infected individuals/234 birds), with no Haemoproteus parasites being detected. There were no significant differences in the body parameters and chicken color plumages with regards to the infection status. Our study indicated that blood parasite infection was significantly different between male and female chickens, with infection prevalent in males.
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16
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Remacha C, Ramírez Á, Arriero E, Pérez-Tris J. Haemosporidian infections influence risk-taking behaviours in young male blackcaps, Sylvia atricapilla. Anim Behav 2023. [DOI: 10.1016/j.anbehav.2022.12.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/18/2023]
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Diversity, distribution, and methodological considerations of haemosporidian infections among Galliformes in Alaska. Int J Parasitol Parasites Wildl 2023; 20:122-132. [PMID: 36798510 PMCID: PMC9926109 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijppaw.2023.01.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/29/2022] [Revised: 01/24/2023] [Accepted: 01/24/2023] [Indexed: 01/27/2023]
Abstract
Using samples spanning 10-degrees of latitude in Alaska, we provide the first comparative assessment of avian haemosporidia distribution of Arctic Alaska with subarctic host populations for four species of grouse and three species of ptarmigan (Galliformes). We found a high overall prevalence for at least one haemospordian genus (88%; N = 351/400), with spruce grouse (Canachites canadensis) showing the highest prevalence (100%; N = 54/54). Haemoproteus and Plasmodium lineages were only observed within grouse, while Leucocytozoon species were found within both grouse and ptarmigan. Further, different Leucocytozoon lineages were obtained from blood and tissue samples from the same individual, potentially due to the differential timing and duration of blood and tissue stages. Using different primer sets, we were able to identify different Leucocytozoon lineages within 55% (N = 44/80) of sequenced individuals, thereby detecting coinfections that may have otherwise gone undetected. The commonly used Haemoproteus/Plasmodium primers amplified Leucocytozoon for 90% (N = 103/115) of the products sequenced, highlighting the potential value of alternate primers to identify intra-genus coinfections and the importance of obtaining sequence information rather than relying solely on PCR amplification to assess parasite diversity. Overall, this dataset provides baseline information on parasite lineage distributions to assess the range expansion associated with climate change into Arctic regions and underscores methodological considerations for future studies.
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Martín-Maldonado B, Mencía-Gutiérrez A, Andreu-Vázquez C, Fernández R, Pastor-Tiburón N, Alvarado A, Carrero A, Fernández-Novo A, Esperón F, González F. A Four-Year Survey of Hemoparasites from Nocturnal Raptors (Strigiformes) Confirms a Relation between Leucocytozoon and Low Hematocrit and Body Condition Scores of Parasitized Birds. Vet Sci 2023; 10:vetsci10010054. [PMID: 36669055 PMCID: PMC9865734 DOI: 10.3390/vetsci10010054] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/15/2022] [Revised: 01/10/2023] [Accepted: 01/11/2023] [Indexed: 01/14/2023] Open
Abstract
Most hemoparasites hosted by wild birds appear to be harmless, but most of the blood parasite studies in avian wildlife are mainly focused on passerines or migratory species. This study aimed to assess the occurrence of blood parasites in nocturnal raptors (Strigiformes order) and their effect on hematological parameters. A total of 134 blood samples were collected during a four-year period for hematological analysis and hemoparasite detection and quantification by microscopical examination of the samples. Overall, the occurrence of hemoparasites was 35.1%, with Leucocytozoon being the most frequently detected (32.1%), followed by Haemoproteus (11.2%), Trypanosoma and Plasmodium (2.2% each). Among the different bird species, the Eurasian eagle-owl (Bubo bubo) showed the highest blood parasite positivity (94.7%). In barn owls, the positive birds displayed a lower hematocrit measurement and body condition score than the non-parasitized ones (p = 0.007 and p = 0.005, respectively), especially those parasitized by Leucocytozoon. Moreover, the analysis of the magnitude of this association revealed that the presence of hemoparasites is five times more frequent in barn owls with a 2/5 body condition score. Despite the host-parasite coevolution in Strigiformes, our results show a correlation between the presence of hemoparasites and some health parameters, including blood parameters.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bárbara Martín-Maldonado
- Department of Veterinary Medicine, Faculty of Biomedical and Health Sciences, Universidad Europea de Madrid, 28670 Villaviciosa de Odón, Spain
- Wildlife Hospital, Grupo de Rehabilitación de la Fauna Autóctona y su Hábitat (GREFA), 28220 Majadahonda, Spain
- Correspondence:
| | - Aida Mencía-Gutiérrez
- Wildlife Hospital, Grupo de Rehabilitación de la Fauna Autóctona y su Hábitat (GREFA), 28220 Majadahonda, Spain
| | - Cristina Andreu-Vázquez
- Department of Medicine, Faculty of Biomedical and Health Sciences, Universidad Europea de Madrid, 28670 Villaviciosa de Odón, Spain
| | - Rocío Fernández
- Wildlife Hospital, Grupo de Rehabilitación de la Fauna Autóctona y su Hábitat (GREFA), 28220 Majadahonda, Spain
| | - Natalia Pastor-Tiburón
- Wildlife Hospital, Grupo de Rehabilitación de la Fauna Autóctona y su Hábitat (GREFA), 28220 Majadahonda, Spain
| | - Alberto Alvarado
- Wildlife Hospital, Grupo de Rehabilitación de la Fauna Autóctona y su Hábitat (GREFA), 28220 Majadahonda, Spain
| | - Alicia Carrero
- Wildlife Hospital, Grupo de Rehabilitación de la Fauna Autóctona y su Hábitat (GREFA), 28220 Majadahonda, Spain
| | - Aitor Fernández-Novo
- Department of Veterinary Medicine, Faculty of Biomedical and Health Sciences, Universidad Europea de Madrid, 28670 Villaviciosa de Odón, Spain
| | - Fernando Esperón
- Department of Veterinary Medicine, Faculty of Biomedical and Health Sciences, Universidad Europea de Madrid, 28670 Villaviciosa de Odón, Spain
| | - Fernando González
- Wildlife Hospital, Grupo de Rehabilitación de la Fauna Autóctona y su Hábitat (GREFA), 28220 Majadahonda, Spain
- Departmental Section of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Faculty of Veterinary Science, University Complutense of Madrid, 28040 Madrid, Spain
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Jiménez-Peñuela J, Ferraguti M, Martínez-De La Puente J, Soriguer RC, Figuerola J. Oxidative status in relation to blood parasite infections in house sparrows living along an urbanization gradient. ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION (BARKING, ESSEX : 1987) 2023; 316:120712. [PMID: 36423890 DOI: 10.1016/j.envpol.2022.120712] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/12/2022] [Revised: 11/04/2022] [Accepted: 11/19/2022] [Indexed: 06/16/2023]
Abstract
Living organisms are exposed to a wide range of substances - internal and external - which act like reactive oxygen species (ROS). Oxidative damage accurs when the balance between ROS and antioxidant defenses is altered. Urbanization and parasite infection are both important sources of ROS with different harmful effects on wildlife health, but the potential synergies between both factors are poorly known. Here, we analyse the oxidative stress of wild juvenile male house sparrows (Passer domesticus) along an urbanization gradient in relation to the infection status by three common blood parasites (Plasmodium, Haemoproteus and Leucocytozoon) and bird body condition. We analysed samples from 688 birds captured at 45 localities from southern Spain grouped into triplets including an urban, a rural and a natural habitat, with 15 localities per habitat type. We measured i) thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS) levels as indicator of the oxidative damage to lipids, and the activity of three antioxidant enzymes ii) glutathione peroxidase (GPx), iii) superoxide dismutase (SOD) and iv) glutathione reductase (GR) as indicators of bird's antioxidant capacity. Birds infected with Haemoproteus and urban birds showed significantly and marginally higher levels of TBARS than uninfected and rural birds, respectively. The relationship between TBARS and body condition is different regarding the infection status (significative) and habitat (marginally significant) being negative for Haemoproteus infected and urban birds but positive for uninfected and non-urban birds. The antioxidant activity was significantly lower in Plasmodium infected birds but marginally higher in Leucocytozoon infected birds than in uninfected ones. Individuals with higher body condition had higher GPx and SOD activity in relation to a lower GR activity. Overall, these results suggest that blood parasites infections and urbanization affect the oxidative status of wild birds and highlight the role of bird's body condition on the regulation of the oxidative stress status.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jéssica Jiménez-Peñuela
- Department of Wetland Ecology, Doñana Biological Station (EBD-CSIC), C\Américo Vespucio, 26, Seville, E-41092, Spain.
| | - Martina Ferraguti
- Department of Theoretical and Computational Ecology (TCE), Institute for Biodiversity and Ecosystem Dynamics (IBED), University of Amsterdam, Science Park 904, 1098XH, Amsterdam, Netherlands.
| | - Josué Martínez-De La Puente
- Department of Parasitology, University of Granada, Granada, E-18071, Spain; CIBER of Epidemiology and Public Health (CIBERESP), Spain.
| | - Ramón C Soriguer
- Department of Wetland Ecology, Doñana Biological Station (EBD-CSIC), C\Américo Vespucio, 26, Seville, E-41092, Spain; CIBER of Epidemiology and Public Health (CIBERESP), Spain.
| | - Jordi Figuerola
- Department of Wetland Ecology, Doñana Biological Station (EBD-CSIC), C\Américo Vespucio, 26, Seville, E-41092, Spain; CIBER of Epidemiology and Public Health (CIBERESP), Spain.
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Chavarría X, Matta NE, Cadena-Ortíz H, Alarcón I, Bahamonde-Vinueza D, González AD, Bonaccorso E. Haemosporidian parasites in the ash-breasted Sierra finch ( Geospizopsis plebejus): insights from an Andean dry forest population. Parasitology 2022; 150:1-14. [PMID: 36345570 PMCID: PMC10090645 DOI: 10.1017/s0031182022001603] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/01/2022] [Revised: 10/20/2022] [Accepted: 10/26/2022] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Haemosporidian genera Plasmodium, Haemoproteus and Leucocytozoon, responsible for avian malarial infections, are highly diverse and have a wide range of health effects and predictors, depending on the host and its environmental context. Here, we present, for the first time, detailed information on the identity, prevalence and parasitaemia of haemosporidians and other haemoparasites that infect the ash-breasted Sierra finch, Geospizopsis plebejus, in an Andean dry forest. We study the consequences of infection in the host body and health conditions and explore the environmental and intrinsic factors that influence infection status and parasitaemia. We conducted diagnoses by cytochrome b (cytb) sequencing and morphological identification, and estimated the levels of parasitaemia based on microscopy. We identified 6 cytb lineages infecting G. plebejus. Two of them were new lineages: Haemoproteus sp. GEPLE01 and GEPLE02. We also detected Haemoproteus sp. ZOCAP08, Haemoproteus sp. AMAVIR01, Plasmodium homopolare BAEBIC02 and Plasmodium cathemerium ZONCAP15. By microscopy, we detected Haemoproteus coatneyi, Haemoproteus erythrogravidus, P. homopolare and other unidentified species of Haemoproteus, Plasmodium, Babesia sp. and 1 microfilaria. We found no evidence of Leucocytozoon. Additionally, we detected several coinfections by sequencing and microscopy. The prevalence of haemosporidian infections was high (87.7%), and the mean parasitaemia was 61.65 infected cells per 10 000 erythrocytes examined. Prevalence and parasitaemia were higher for Haemoproteus than for Plasmodium. Haemoproteus sp. AMAVIR01 showed the highest prevalence (43.1%) and mean parasitaemia (94.39/10 000 erythrocytes) and might be associated with H. coatneyi. Immature individuals showed a lower prevalence than adults, supporting previous findings.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xavier Chavarría
- Laboratorio de Biología Evolutiva, Instituto Biósfera y Colegio de Ciencias Biológicas y Ambientales, Universidad San Francisco de Quito, Quito, Ecuador
| | - Nubia E. Matta
- Departamento de Biología, Universidad Nacional de Colombia, Sede Bogotá, Colombia
| | - Héctor Cadena-Ortíz
- Centro de Investigación de la Biodiversidad y Cambio Climático (BioCamb), Universidad Tecnológica Indoamérica, Machala y Sabanilla, Quito EC170301, Ecuador
| | - Ibeth Alarcón
- Centro de Investigación de la Biodiversidad y Cambio Climático (BioCamb), Universidad Tecnológica Indoamérica, Machala y Sabanilla, Quito EC170301, Ecuador
- Universidad Central del Ecuador, Av. Universitaria, Quito, Ecuador
| | - Daniela Bahamonde-Vinueza
- Centro de Investigación de la Biodiversidad y Cambio Climático (BioCamb), Universidad Tecnológica Indoamérica, Machala y Sabanilla, Quito EC170301, Ecuador
| | - Angie D. González
- Departamento de Biología, Universidad Nacional de Colombia, Sede Bogotá, Colombia
| | - Elisa Bonaccorso
- Laboratorio de Biología Evolutiva, Instituto Biósfera y Colegio de Ciencias Biológicas y Ambientales, Universidad San Francisco de Quito, Quito, Ecuador
- Centro de Investigación de la Biodiversidad y Cambio Climático (BioCamb), Universidad Tecnológica Indoamérica, Machala y Sabanilla, Quito EC170301, Ecuador
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Kleinschmidt B, Dorsch M, Heinänen S, Morkūnas J, Schumm YR, Žydelis R, Quillfeldt P. Prevalence of Haemosporidian Parasites in an Arctic Breeding Seabird Species-The Red-Throated Diver ( Gavia stellata). Microorganisms 2022; 10:2147. [PMID: 36363741 PMCID: PMC9698892 DOI: 10.3390/microorganisms10112147] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/11/2022] [Revised: 10/24/2022] [Accepted: 10/25/2022] [Indexed: 02/16/2024] Open
Abstract
Haemosporida, vector-transmitted blood parasites, can have various effects and may also exert selection pressures on their hosts. In this study we analyse the presence of Haemosporida in a previously unstudied migratory seabird species, the red-throated diver Gavia stellata. Red-throated divers were sampled during winter and spring in the eastern German Bight (North Sea). We used molecular methods and data from a related tracking study to reveal (i) if red-throated divers are infected with Haemosporida of the genera Leucocytozoon, Plasmodium and Haemoproteus, and (ii) how infection and prevalence are linked with the breeding regions of infected individuals. Divers in this study were assigned to western Palearctic breeding grounds, namely Greenland, Svalbard, Norway and Arctic Russia. We found a prevalence of Leucocytozoon of 11.0% in all birds sampled (n = 45), of 33.0% in birds breeding in Norway (n = 3) and of 8.3% in birds breeding in Arctic Russia (n = 25). For two birds that were infected no breeding regions could be assigned. We identified two previously unknown lineages, one each of Plasmodium and Leucocytozoon. Haemosporida have not been detected in birds from Greenland (n = 2) and Svalbard (n = 2). In summary, this study presents the first record of Haemosporida in red-throated divers and reports a new lineage of each, Plasmodium and Leucocytozoon GAVSTE01 and GAVSTE02, respectively.
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Affiliation(s)
- Birgit Kleinschmidt
- Department of Animal Ecology and Systematics, Justus Liebig University Giessen, 35392 Giessen, Germany
- BioConsult SH, 25813 Husum, Germany
| | | | - Stefan Heinänen
- DHI, 2970 Hørsholm, Denmark
- Raasepori Campus (Raseborg), Novia University of Applied Sciences, Raseborgsvägen 9, 10600 Ekenäs, Finland
| | - Julius Morkūnas
- Marine Research Institute, Klaipėda University, 92294 Klaipėda, Lithuania
| | - Yvonne R. Schumm
- Department of Animal Ecology and Systematics, Justus Liebig University Giessen, 35392 Giessen, Germany
| | - Ramūnas Žydelis
- DHI, 2970 Hørsholm, Denmark
- Ornitela UAB, 03228 Vilnius, Lithuania
| | - Petra Quillfeldt
- Department of Animal Ecology and Systematics, Justus Liebig University Giessen, 35392 Giessen, Germany
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22
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Avian Haemosporidian (Plasmodium and Haemoproteus) Status in Two Bird Groups (Old-World Flycatchers and Thrushes) of India and Their Phylogenetic Relationships with Other Lineages of the World. Acta Parasitol 2022; 67:1756-1766. [DOI: 10.1007/s11686-022-00626-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/27/2021] [Accepted: 09/20/2022] [Indexed: 11/01/2022]
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23
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Pigeault R, Chevalier M, Cozzarolo CS, Baur M, Arlettaz M, Cibois A, Keiser A, Guisan A, Christe P, Glaizot O. Determinants of haemosporidian single- and co-infection risks in western palearctic birds. Int J Parasitol 2022; 52:617-627. [PMID: 35760376 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijpara.2022.05.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/14/2022] [Revised: 05/04/2022] [Accepted: 05/05/2022] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
Understanding the drivers of infection risk helps us to detect the most at-risk species in a community and identify species whose intrinsic characteristics could act as potential reservoirs of pathogens. This knowledge is crucial if we are to predict the emergence and evolution of infectious diseases. To date, most studies have only focused on infections caused by a single parasite, leaving out co-infections. Yet, co-infections are of paramount importance in understanding the ecology and evolution of host-parasite interactions due to the wide range of effects they can have on host fitness and on the evolutionary trajectories of parasites. Here, we used a multinomial Bayesian phylogenetic modelling framework to explore the extent to which bird ecology and phylogeny impact the probability of being infected by one genus (hereafter single infection) or by multiple genera (hereafter co-infection) of haemosporidian parasites. We show that while nesting and migration behaviors influenced both the probability of being single- and co-infected, species position along the slow-fast life-history continuum and geographic range size were only pertinent in explaining variation in co-infection risk. We also found evidence for a phylogenetic conservatism regarding both single- and co-infections, indicating that phylogenetically related bird species tend to have similar infection patterns. This phylogenetic signal was four times stronger for co-infections than for single infections, suggesting that co-infections may act as a stronger selective pressure than single infections. Overall, our study underscores the combined influence of hosts' evolutionary history and attributes in determining infection risk in avian host communities. These results also suggest that co-infection risk might be under stronger deterministic control than single infection risk, potentially paving the way toward a better understanding of the emergence and evolution of infectious diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Romain Pigeault
- Department of Ecology and Evolution, CH-1015 Lausanne, Switzerland; Laboratoire EBI, Equipe EES, UMR CNRS 7267, 86000 Poitiers, France.
| | - Mathieu Chevalier
- Department of Ecology and Evolution, CH-1015 Lausanne, Switzerland; Ifremer, Centre de Bretagne, DYNECO-LEBCO, CS 10070, 29280 Plouzané, France
| | - Camille-Sophie Cozzarolo
- Department of Ecology and Evolution, CH-1015 Lausanne, Switzerland; Biogéosciences, UMR 6282 CNRS, université Bourgogne Franche-Comté, 6 boulevard Gabriel, 21000 Dijon, France
| | - Molly Baur
- Department of Ecology and Evolution, CH-1015 Lausanne, Switzerland
| | | | - Alice Cibois
- Natural History Museum of Geneva, C.P. 6434, CH-1211 Genève 6, Switzerland
| | - André Keiser
- Musée cantonal de zoologie, CH-1014 Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Antoine Guisan
- Department of Ecology and Evolution, CH-1015 Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Philippe Christe
- Department of Ecology and Evolution, CH-1015 Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Olivier Glaizot
- Department of Ecology and Evolution, CH-1015 Lausanne, Switzerland; Musée cantonal de zoologie, CH-1014 Lausanne, Switzerland
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24
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Reciprocal positive effects on parasitemia between coinfecting haemosporidian parasites in house sparrows. BMC Ecol Evol 2022; 22:73. [PMID: 35655150 PMCID: PMC9164529 DOI: 10.1186/s12862-022-02026-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/26/2022] [Accepted: 05/23/2022] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Hosts are often simultaneously infected with several parasite species. These co-infections can lead to within-host interactions of parasites, including mutualism and competition, which may affect both virulence and transmission. Birds are frequently co-infected with different haemosporidian parasites, but very little is known about if and how these parasites interact in natural host populations and what consequences there are for the infected hosts. We therefore set out to study Plasmodium and Haemoproteus parasites in house sparrows Passer domesticus with naturally acquired infections using a protocol where the parasitemia (infection intensity) is quantified by qPCR separately for the two parasites. We analysed infection status (presence/absence of the parasite) and parasitemia of parasites in the blood of both adult and juvenile house sparrows repeatedly over the season. RESULTS Haemoproteus passeris and Plasmodium relictum were the two dominating parasite species, found in 99% of the analyzed Sanger sequences. All birds were infected with both Plasmodium and Haemoproteus parasites during the study period. Seasonality explained infection status for both parasites in the adults: H. passeris was completely absent in the winter while P. relictum was present all year round. Among adults infected with H. passeris there was a positive effect of P. relictum parasitemia on H. passeris parasitemia and likewise among adults infected with P. relictum there was a positive effect of H. passeris parasitemia on P. relictum parasitemia. No such associations on parasitemia were seen in juvenile house sparrows. CONCLUSIONS The reciprocal positive relationships in parasitemia between P. relictum and H. passeris in adult house sparrows suggests either mutualistic interactions between these frequently occurring parasites or that there is variation in immune responses among house sparrow individuals, hence some individuals suppress the parasitemia of both parasites whereas other individuals suppress neither. Our detailed screening of haemosporidian parasites over the season shows that co-infections are very frequent in both juvenile and adult house sparrows, and since co-infections often have stronger negative effects on host fitness than the single infection, it is imperative to use screening systems with the ability to detect multiple parasites in ecological studies of host-parasite interactions.
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25
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Songbird preen oil odour reflects haemosporidian parasite load. Anim Behav 2022; 188:147-155. [DOI: 10.1016/j.anbehav.2022.04.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
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26
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Jiménez-Peñuela J, Ferraguti M, la Puente JMD, Soriguer RC, Figuerola J, Isaksson C. Differences in fatty acids composition between Plasmodium infected and uninfected house sparrows along an urbanization gradient. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2022; 815:152664. [PMID: 34998746 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2021.152664] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/02/2021] [Revised: 12/20/2021] [Accepted: 12/20/2021] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
Anthropogenic activities such as intensification of agriculture, animal husbandry and expansion of cities can negatively impact wildlife through its influence on the availability of high-quality food resources and pathogen transmission. The house sparrow (Passer domesticus), an urban exploiter, is undergoing a population decline. Nutritional constrains and infectious diseases has been highlighted as potential causes. Fatty acids (FAs) play an important role in modulating certain immune responses needed to combat parasite infections. FAs are highly influenced by dietary availability and have been shown to vary between urban and rural birds. Habitat anthropization also affects avian malaria epidemiology but little attention has been given to the relationship between blood parasite infection, host FAs composition and anthropization. Here, we analysed 165 juvenile birds either infected by Plasmodium or uninfected, captured at 15 localities grouped in triplets containing urban, rural and natural habitats. The total level of FAs was higher in birds from urban than from rural habitats, suggesting a greater availability of fat-rich foods sources. Furthermore, Plasmodium infected birds had higher relative levels of ω-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) but lower of ω-6 PUFAs than uninfected birds. In concordance, the ω-6/ω-3 ratio was also lower in infected than in uninfected birds, but only from natural habitats, likely driven by the slightly higher ω-3 PUFAs in infected birds from natural habitats. Birds from anthropized environments may metabolize the ω-3 PUFAs to promote anti-inflammatory responses against stressors, which would result in lower ω-3 affecting their response against Plasmodium. Alternatively, lower ω-6 PUFAs may influence birds susceptibility to infection due to a weaker pro-inflammatory response. These descriptive results do not allow us to identify the causality of these associations but highlight the need to further investigate the relevance of FAs for birds to fight infectious diseases in habitats with different degree of urbanization.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Martina Ferraguti
- Department of Theoretical and Computational Ecology (TCE), Institute for Biodiversity and Ecosystem Dynamics (IBED), University of Amsterdam, Science Park 904, Amsterdam 1098XH, the Netherlands.
| | - Josué Martínez-de la Puente
- Department of Parasitology, University of Granada, Granada E-18071, Spain; CIBER of Epidemiology and Public Health (CIBERESP), Spain.
| | - Ramón C Soriguer
- Estación Biológica de Doñana (EBD-CSIC), Seville E-41092, Spain; CIBER of Epidemiology and Public Health (CIBERESP), Spain.
| | - Jordi Figuerola
- Estación Biológica de Doñana (EBD-CSIC), Seville E-41092, Spain; CIBER of Epidemiology and Public Health (CIBERESP), Spain.
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27
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Yeo H, Harjoko DN, Rheindt FE. Double trouble: untangling mixed sequence signals in bird samples with avian haemosporidian co-infections. Parasitology 2022; 149:1-12. [PMID: 35343423 DOI: 10.1017/s0031182022000245] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/07/2022]
Abstract
Blood parasites comprise some of the most prevalent pathogens in nature, and their detection and identification are major objectives in varied fields such as ecology and biomedicine. Two approaches were compared, one based on Sanger sequencing and the other next-generation sequencing (NGS) based, in terms of their performance in detecting avian blood parasites across tropical Southeast Asian birds. Across a panel of 528 bird individuals, 43 birds were ascertained to be infected with avian haemosporidians using a polymerase chain reaction-based detection method. Among these samples, NGS-based barcoding confirmed co-infections by multiple blood parasites in all eight cases where Sanger sequencing produced double peaks. Importantly however, the NGS-based method produced another five diagnoses of co-infections (62.5%) in which Sanger-based barcoding remained equivocal. In contrast to Sanger sequencing, the NGS-based method was able to identify co-infecting haemosporidian lineages via their barcodes. The accuracy of avian haemosporidian lineage identification was not compromised by the shorter length of NGS sequences, with ~94% of NGS barcodes producing matches identical to those of the Sanger barcodes. The application of NGS-based barcoding methods promises to enhance parasite identification and reduce erroneous inferences based on artefacts.
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Affiliation(s)
- Huiqing Yeo
- Department of Biological Sciences, National University of Singapore, 16 Science Drive 4, Block S3 Level 4, 117558Singapore, Singapore
| | - Denise Nastaya Harjoko
- Department of Biological Sciences, National University of Singapore, 16 Science Drive 4, Block S3 Level 4, 117558Singapore, Singapore
| | - Frank E Rheindt
- Department of Biological Sciences, National University of Singapore, 16 Science Drive 4, Block S3 Level 4, 117558Singapore, Singapore
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28
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Castaño-Vázquez F, Merino S. Differential effects of environmental climatic variables on parasite abundances in blue tit nests during a decade. Integr Zool 2021; 17:511-529. [PMID: 34971472 PMCID: PMC9543696 DOI: 10.1111/1749-4877.12625] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
Models on climate change have predicted an increase of temperature over the earth's surface with potential drastic effects on living organisms. We analyzed the relationships between climatic conditions (temperature, rainfall, and wind speed) and the abundance of blood‐sucking flying insects (biting midges and blackflies) and nest‐dwelling ectoparasites (mites, fleas, and blowflies) collected from blue tit nests during bird breeding seasons for a period of 10 years. Average temperature, rainfall, and wind speed showed significant differences among years. Temperature and wind speed increased during the period of study while rainfall decreased. Biting midge, blackfly, and blowfly abundances increased across years but not flea and mite abundances. Hatching date decreased and brood size increased across years. Independently of year variation, parasites were related to climatic variables. For example, biting midge, blowfly, mite, and flea abundances were positive and significantly related to average temperature. We also found a positive and significant relationship between abundances of Haemoproteus infections and biting midge abundances during the first year of life of birds out of nests. However, abundance and prevalence of Lankesterella infections in yearlings were positive and significantly related to mite abundances during the year of birth of birds. Leucocytozoon and Lankesterella infections were also significantly related to climatic variables and Haemoproteus and Lankesterella infections increased across years. In addition, body condition of adult females and males were negatively related to flea larvae and blowfly abundance respectively. Nestling body condition was also negatively related to biting midge abundance. Changes in climatic conditions across years could therefore affect several parasites of birds but also to birds themselves.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Santiago Merino
- Evolutionary Ecology, Museo Nacional de Ciencias Naturales CSIC, Madrid, Spain
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29
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Abstract
Host-parasite coevolution may result in life-history changes in hosts that can limit the detrimental effects of parasitism. Fecundity compensation is one such life-history response, occurring when hosts increase their current reproductive output to make up for expected losses in future reproduction due to parasitic infection. However, the potential trade-offs between this increase in quantity and the quality of offspring have been relatively unexplored. This study uses the trematode, Schistosoma mansoni, and its snail intermediate host, Biomphalaria glabrata, to better understand how this host life-history response, fecundity compensation, impacts host reproduction. Measures of host reproductive output as well as offspring hatching success and survival were collected to assess the reproductive consequences of infection. Infected snails exhibited fecundity compensation by increasing the number of eggs laid and the overall probability of laying eggs compared to uninfected snails. Parental infection status did not play a significant role in hatching or offspring survival to maturity. Offspring from a later reproductive bout demonstrated a higher hatching success rate. Overall, the lack of an apparent trade-off between quantity and quality of offspring suggests that infected parental snails invest more resources towards reproduction not only to increase reproductive output, but also to maintain the fitness of their offspring, possibly at the expense of their own longevity.
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30
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Lu HJ, Wang XR, Liu YY, Chang L. Disease Prevalence and Fatality, Life History Strategies, and Behavioral Control of the COVID Pandemic. EVOLUTIONARY PSYCHOLOGICAL SCIENCE 2021; 8:20-29. [PMID: 34777951 PMCID: PMC8576458 DOI: 10.1007/s40806-021-00306-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/27/2021] [Revised: 10/18/2021] [Accepted: 10/18/2021] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
The COVID-19 pandemic caught the world by surprise and raised many questions. One of the questions is whether infectious diseases indeed drive fast life history (LH) as the extent research suggests. This paper challenges this assumption and raises a different perspective. We argue that infectious diseases enact either slower or faster LH strategies and the related disease control behavior depending on disease severity. We tested and supported the theorization based on a sample of 662 adult residents drawn from all 32 provinces and administrative regions of mainland China. The findings help to broaden LH perspectives and to better understand unusual social phenomena arising from the COVID-19 pandemic.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hui Jing Lu
- Department of Applied Social Sciences, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Kowloon, Hong Kong, China
| | - Xin Rui Wang
- Department of Psychology, Faculty of Social Sciences, University of Macau, Taipa, Macao, China
| | - Yuan Yuan Liu
- Department of Psychology, Faculty of Social Sciences, University of Macau, Taipa, Macao, China
| | - Lei Chang
- Department of Psychology, Faculty of Social Sciences, University of Macau, Taipa, Macao, China
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31
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Yang G, He H, Zhang G, Zhao W, Zhou J, Qian Y, Huang X, Dong L. Neglected parasite reservoirs in wetlands: Prevalence and diversity of avian haemosporidians in waterbird communities in Northeast China. Int J Parasitol Parasites Wildl 2021; 15:177-183. [PMID: 34141566 PMCID: PMC8182418 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijppaw.2021.04.013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/26/2021] [Revised: 04/12/2021] [Accepted: 04/26/2021] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
The diversity of waterbirds is threatened, and haemosporidian parasite infection is considered one of the most important causative factors. However, to date, only a few studies focusing on specific parasite species have been carried out, which cannot reflect the general patterns at the community level. To test whether the reported haemosporidian diversity in waterbirds is underestimated, we estimated the prevalence and lineage diversity of avian haemosporidian parasites in 353 waterbirds from 26 species in the Tumuji National Nature Reserve, Northeast China, as well as the host-parasite associations. According to the molecular analysis of cytochrome b (cyt b) barcode sequences, 28.3% of the birds were infected by 49 distinct parasite lineages, including 11 Plasmodium, 12 Haemoproteus, and 26 Leucocytozoon lineages, of which 39 were novel. The highest prevalence was contributed by Leucocytozoon (13.31%), followed by Plasmodium (13.03%) and Haemoproteus (4.25%), which suggested that waterbirds were infected to a lesser extent by Haemoproteus than by the other two genera. Among the most sampled birds, species belonging to Anatidae appeared to be susceptible to Leucocytozoon but resistant to Plasmodium, while Rallidae presented the opposite pattern. On the phylogenetic tree, most of the Leucocytozoon lineages detected in Anatidae clustered together and formed two well-supported clades, while lineages restricted to Gruidae were distantly related to other parasites in all three genera. SW5 was the most abundant lineage and therefore might be a major threat to waterbirds; among the hosts, the common coot harboured the highest diversity of parasite lineages and thus could act as a reservoir for potential transmission. This is the first study of avian haemosporidian infections in a wild waterbird community in Asia. Our findings have doubled the number of lineages recorded in waterbirds, broadened our understanding of host-parasite associations, and addressed the importance of studying haemosporidian infections in wild waterbird conservation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Guocheng Yang
- MOE Key Laboratory for Biodiversity Science and Ecological Engineering, College of Life Sciences, Beijing Normal University, Beijing, 100875, China
| | - Haiyan He
- MOE Key Laboratory for Biodiversity Science and Ecological Engineering, College of Life Sciences, Beijing Normal University, Beijing, 100875, China
| | - Guogang Zhang
- Key Laboratory of Forest Protection of National Forestry and Grassland Administration, National Bird Banding Center of China, Research Institute of Forest Ecology, Environment and Protection, Chinese Academy of Forestry, Beijing, 100091, China
| | - Wenyu Zhao
- MOE Key Laboratory for Biodiversity Science and Ecological Engineering, College of Life Sciences, Beijing Normal University, Beijing, 100875, China
| | - Jingying Zhou
- Tumuji National Nature Reserve of Inner Mongolia, Zhalaiteqi, Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region, 137600, China
| | - Ying Qian
- Tumuji National Nature Reserve of Inner Mongolia, Zhalaiteqi, Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region, 137600, China
| | - Xi Huang
- MOE Key Laboratory for Biodiversity Science and Ecological Engineering, College of Life Sciences, Beijing Normal University, Beijing, 100875, China
| | - Lu Dong
- MOE Key Laboratory for Biodiversity Science and Ecological Engineering, College of Life Sciences, Beijing Normal University, Beijing, 100875, China
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Bourret V, Gutiérrez López R, Melo M, Loiseau C. Metabarcoding options to study eukaryotic endoparasites of birds. Ecol Evol 2021; 11:10821-10833. [PMID: 34429884 PMCID: PMC8366860 DOI: 10.1002/ece3.7748] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/09/2021] [Revised: 04/30/2021] [Accepted: 05/11/2021] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
There is growing interest in the study of avian endoparasite communities, and metabarcoding is a promising approach to complement more conventional or targeted methods. In the case of eukaryotic endoparasites, phylogenetic diversity is extreme, with parasites from 4 kingdoms and 11 phyla documented in birds. We addressed this challenge by comparing different primer sets across 16 samples from 5 bird species. Samples consisted of blood, feces, and controlled mixes with known proportions of bird and nematode DNA. Illumina sequencing revealed that a 28S primer set used in combination with a custom blocking primer allowed detection of various plasmodiid parasites and filarioid nematodes in the blood, coccidia in the feces, as well as two potentially pathogenic fungal groups. When tested on the controlled DNA mixes, these primers also increased the proportion of nematode DNA by over an order of magnitude. An 18S primer set, originally designed to exclude metazoan sequences, was the most effective at reducing the relative number of avian DNA sequences and was the only one to detect Trypanosoma in the blood. Expectedly, however, it did not allow nematode detection and also failed to detect avian malaria parasites. This study shows that a 28S set including a blocking primer allows detection of several major and very diverse bird parasite clades, while reliable amplification of all major parasite groups may require a combination of markers. It helps clarify options for bird parasite metabarcoding, according to priorities in terms of the endoparasite clades and the ecological questions researchers wish to focus on.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vincent Bourret
- CIBIO‐InBIOCentro de Investigação em Biodiversidade e Recursos GenéticosUniversidade do PortoVairãoPortugal
| | - Rafael Gutiérrez López
- CIBIO‐InBIOCentro de Investigação em Biodiversidade e Recursos GenéticosUniversidade do PortoVairãoPortugal
| | - Martim Melo
- CIBIO‐InBIOCentro de Investigação em Biodiversidade e Recursos GenéticosUniversidade do PortoVairãoPortugal
- MHNC‐UP – Natural History and Science Museum of the University of PortoPortoPortugal
- FitzPatrick Institute of African OrnithologyUniversity of Cape TownCape TownSouth Africa
| | - Claire Loiseau
- CIBIO‐InBIOCentro de Investigação em Biodiversidade e Recursos GenéticosUniversidade do PortoVairãoPortugal
- CEFEUniversité de MontpellierCNRSMontpellierFrance
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First records of prevalence and diversity of avian haemosporidia in snipe species (genus Gallinago) of Japan. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL FOR PARASITOLOGY-PARASITES AND WILDLIFE 2021; 16:5-17. [PMID: 34377664 PMCID: PMC8326977 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijppaw.2021.07.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/07/2021] [Revised: 07/12/2021] [Accepted: 07/18/2021] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
Abstract
Migratory birds are important carriers of pathogens such as viruses, bacteria and protozoa. Avian haemosporidia have been detected from many wild birds of Japan, but the infection status of migratory birds and transmission area are still largely unknown. Gallinago snipes are long-distance migratory shorebirds, and five species migrate to or through Japan, including Latham's snipe which is near threatened. Haemosporidian parasites in four snipe species were investigated to understand the role of migratory birds in the transmission of avian haemosporidia. Namely, this study aimed: i) to investigate differences in parasite prevalence and related factors explaining infection likelihood among these migratory species, ii) to explore the diversity in haemosporidian lineages and possible transmission areas, and iii) to assess the possibility of morphological effects of infection. Blood samples were collected from snipes caught in central and southwest Japan during migration. Parasites cytb gene DNA were detected via PCR-based testing, and detected lineages were phylogenetically analyzed. Additionally, factors related to prevalence and morphological effects of infection were statistically tested. 383 birds from four Gallinago snipe species were caught, showing higher overall prevalence of avian haemosporidia (17.8 %) than reported in other wader species in previous studies. This high infection rate is presumably due to increased contact with vector insects, resultant of environmental preferences. The prevalence of Plasmodium spp. Was higher in Swinhoe's snipes, while Haemoproteus spp. Was higher in Latham's snipes. These differences are thought to be related to ecological factors including habitat use, distribution and migratory route. Six lineages detected from juveniles indicate transmission between the breeding and sampling area. Contrary to expectations, a direct link between morphological features and haemosporidian parasite infection were not detected. These findings provide valuable information for conservation of this endangered migratory bird group. Further studies linking biological and parasitological research are anticipated to contribute to conservational actions.
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Assessment of Associations between Malaria Parasites and Avian Hosts-A Combination of Classic System and Modern Molecular Approach. BIOLOGY 2021; 10:biology10070636. [PMID: 34356491 PMCID: PMC8301060 DOI: 10.3390/biology10070636] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/06/2021] [Revised: 06/20/2021] [Accepted: 07/01/2021] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
Simple Summary Throughout history, frequent outbreaks of diseases in humans have occurred following transmission from animals. While some diseases can jump between birds and mammals, others are stuck to closely related species. Understanding the mechanisms of host–parasite associations will enable us to predict the outbreaks of diseases and will therefore be important to society and ecological health. For decades, scientists have attempted to reveal how host–parasite associations are formed and persist. The key is to assess the ability of the parasite to infect and reproduce within the host without killing the host. Related studies have faced numerous challenges, but technical advances are providing solutions and are gradually broadening our understanding. In this review, I use bird malaria and related blood parasites as a model system and summarize the important advances in techniques and perspectives and how they provide new approaches for understanding the evolution of host–parasite associations to further predict disease outbreaks. Abstract Avian malaria and related haemosporidian parasites are responsible for fitness loss and mortality in susceptible bird species. This group of globally distributed parasites has long been used as a classical system for investigating host–parasite associations. The association between a parasite and its hosts can be assessed by the prevalence in the host population and infection intensity in a host individual, which, respectively, reflect the ability of the parasite to infect the host and reproduce within the host. However, the latter has long been poorly investigated due to numerous challenges, such as lack of general molecular markers and limited sensitivity of traditional methods, especially when analysing naturally infected birds. The recent development of genetic databases, together with novel molecular methodologies, has shed light on this long-standing problem. Real-time quantitative PCR has enabled more accurate quantification of avian haemosporidian parasites, and digital droplet PCR further improved experimental sensitivity and repeatability of quantification. In recent decades, parallel studies have been carried out all over the world, providing great opportunities for exploring the adaptation of haemosporidian parasites to different hosts and the variations across time and space, and further investigating the coevolutionary history between parasites and their hosts. I hereby review the most important milestones in diagnosis techniques of avian haemosporidian parasites and illustrate how they provide new insights for understanding host–parasite associations.
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Ferraguti M, Martínez-de la Puente J, Figuerola J. Ecological Effects on the Dynamics of West Nile Virus and Avian Plasmodium: The Importance of Mosquito Communities and Landscape. Viruses 2021; 13:v13071208. [PMID: 34201673 PMCID: PMC8310121 DOI: 10.3390/v13071208] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/28/2021] [Revised: 06/16/2021] [Accepted: 06/21/2021] [Indexed: 01/30/2023] Open
Abstract
Humans and wildlife are at risk from certain vector-borne diseases such as malaria, dengue, and West Nile and yellow fevers. Factors linked to global change, including habitat alteration, land-use intensification, the spread of alien species, and climate change, are operating on a global scale and affect both the incidence and distribution of many vector-borne diseases. Hence, understanding the drivers that regulate the transmission of pathogens in the wild is of great importance for ecological, evolutionary, health, and economic reasons. In this literature review, we discuss the ecological factors potentially affecting the transmission of two mosquito-borne pathogens circulating naturally between birds and mosquitoes, namely, West Nile virus (WNV) and the avian malaria parasites of the genus Plasmodium. Traditionally, the study of pathogen transmission has focused only on vectors or hosts and the interactions between them, while the role of landscape has largely been ignored. However, from an ecological point of view, it is essential not only to study the interaction between each of these organisms but also to understand the environmental scenarios in which these processes take place. We describe here some of the similarities and differences in the transmission of these two pathogens and how research into both systems may facilitate a greater understanding of the dynamics of vector-borne pathogens in the wild.
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Affiliation(s)
- Martina Ferraguti
- Department of Theoretical and Computational Ecology (TCE), Institute for Biodiversity and Ecosystem Dynamics (IBED), University of Amsterdam, Science Park 904, 1098XH Amsterdam, The Netherlands
- Correspondence: (M.F.); (J.M.-d.l.P.)
| | - Josué Martínez-de la Puente
- Department of Parasitology, University of Granada, E-18071 Granada, Spain
- CIBER of Epidemiology and Public Health (CIBERESP), Spain
- Correspondence: (M.F.); (J.M.-d.l.P.)
| | - Jordi Figuerola
- Doñana Biological Station (EBD-CSIC), E-41092 Seville, Spain;
- CIBER of Epidemiology and Public Health (CIBERESP), Spain
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Ishtiaq F. Ecology and Evolution of Avian Malaria: Implications of Land Use Changes and Climate Change on Disease Dynamics. J Indian Inst Sci 2021. [DOI: 10.1007/s41745-021-00235-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
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Ghaemitalab V, Mirshamsi O, Valkiūnas G, Aliabadian M. Prevalence and Genetic Diversity of Avian Haemosporidian Parasites in Southern Iran. Pathogens 2021; 10:645. [PMID: 34071073 PMCID: PMC8224752 DOI: 10.3390/pathogens10060645] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/11/2021] [Revised: 05/19/2021] [Accepted: 05/20/2021] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Avian haemosporidians are widespread and diverse and are classified in the genera Plasmodium, Haemoproteus, Leucocytozoon, and Fallisia. These species are known to cause haemosporidiosis and decreased fitness of their hosts. Despite the high diversity of habitats and animal species in Iran, only few studies have addressed avian haemosporidians in this geographic area. This study was performed in the south and southeast of Iran during the bird breeding seasons in 2017 and 2018, with the aim to partly fill in this gap. Blood samples of 237 passerine birds belonging to 41 species and 20 families were collected. Parasite infections were identified using a nested PCR protocol targeting a 479-base-pair fragment of the mitochondrial cytochrome b (cytb) gene of Haemoproteus, Plasmodium and Leucocytozoon species. The overall prevalence of haemosporidian parasites was 51.1%, and 55 different lineages were identified, of which 15 cytb lineages were new globally. The lineages of Haemoproteus predominated (63.6% of all detected lineages), followed by Leucocytozoon and Plasmodium. Nineteen new host records of haemosporidian cytb lineages were identified, and the majority of them were found in resident bird species, indicating local transmission. Thirteen co-infections (9.8% of infected individuals) of Haemoproteus and Leucocytozoon parasites in seven host species were observed. This study shows the presence of active local transmission of parasites to resident bird species in the southeast of Iran and contributes to the knowledge on haemosporidian parasite biodiversity in this poorly studied region of the world.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vajiheh Ghaemitalab
- Department of Biology, Faculty of Science, Ferdowsi University of Mashhad, Mashhad 9177948974, Iran; (V.G.); (O.M.)
| | - Omid Mirshamsi
- Department of Biology, Faculty of Science, Ferdowsi University of Mashhad, Mashhad 9177948974, Iran; (V.G.); (O.M.)
- Research Department of Zoological Innovations (RDZI), Institute of Applied Zoology, Faculty of Science, Ferdowsi University of Mashhad, Mashhad 9177948974, Iran
| | | | - Mansour Aliabadian
- Department of Biology, Faculty of Science, Ferdowsi University of Mashhad, Mashhad 9177948974, Iran; (V.G.); (O.M.)
- Research Department of Zoological Innovations (RDZI), Institute of Applied Zoology, Faculty of Science, Ferdowsi University of Mashhad, Mashhad 9177948974, Iran
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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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Prevalence and Diversity of Avian Haemosporidians May Vary with Anthropogenic Disturbance in Tropical Habitats in Myanmar. DIVERSITY 2021. [DOI: 10.3390/d13030111] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/25/2022]
Abstract
Avian malaria and related haemosporidians (genera Haemoproteus, Plasmodium and Leucocytozoon) infect most clades of bird. Although these parasites are present in almost all continents, they have been irregularly studied across different geographical regions. Despite the high bird diversity in Asia, the diversity of avian haemosporidians in this region is largely unknown. Moreover, anthropogenic changes to habitats in tropical regions may have a profound impact on the overall composition of haemosporidian communities. Here we analyzed the diversity and host association of bird haemosporidians from areas with different degrees of anthropogenic disturbance in Myanmar, revealing an unexplored diversity of these parasites (27% of newly-discovered haemosporidian lineages, and 64% of new records of host–parasite assemblages) in these tropical environments. This newly discovered diversity will be valuable for detecting host range and transmission areas of haemosporidian parasites. We also found slightly higher haemosporidian prevalence and diversity in birds from paddy fields than in individuals from urban areas and hills, thus implying that human alteration of natural environments may affect the dynamics of vector-borne diseases. These outcomes provide valuable insights for biodiversity conservation management in threatened tropical ecosystems.
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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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Santiago-Alarcon D, Ferreira FC. Does Plasmodium Infection Affect Mosquito Attraction? Front Ecol Evol 2020. [DOI: 10.3389/fevo.2020.582943] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/05/2023] Open
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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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Zurowski K, Janmaat AF, Kabaluk T, Cory JS. Modification of reproductive schedule in response to pathogen exposure in a wild insect: Support for the terminal investment hypothesis. J Evol Biol 2020; 33:1558-1566. [PMID: 32780527 DOI: 10.1111/jeb.13691] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/08/2020] [Revised: 06/29/2020] [Accepted: 08/07/2020] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
Trade-offs in the time and energy allocated to different functions, such as reproductive activities, can be driven by alterations in condition which reduce resources, often in response to extrinsic factors such as pathogens or parasites. When individuals are challenged by a pathogen, they may either reduce reproduction as a cost of increasing defence mechanisms or, alternatively, modify reproductive activities so as to increase fecundity thereby minimizing the fitness costs of earlier death, a behaviour consistent with the terminal investment hypothesis (TIH). The TIH predicts that individuals with decreased likelihood of future reproduction will maximize current reproductive effort, which may include shifts in reproductive timing. We examined how wild, adult female click beetles (Agriotes obscurus) responded after exposure to the fungal pathogen Metarhizium brunneum. Field-collected beetles exposed to a high concentration of M. brunneum died earlier and in greater numbers than those exposed to a low concentration. Using a multivariate approach, we examined the impact of pathogen challenge on lifespan and a suite of reproductive traits. Stepdown regression analysis showed that only female lifespan differed among the fungal treatments. Fungal-induced reductions in lifespan drove changes in the reproductive schedule, characterized by a decrease in preoviposition period. Moving the start of egg laying forward allowed the females to offset the costs of a shortened lifespan. These changes suggest that there is a threshold for terminal investment, which is dependent on strength of the survival threat. From an applied perspective, our findings imply that exposing adult click beetles to M. brunneum to reduce their population density might not succeed and is an approach that needs further investigation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kari Zurowski
- Department of Biological Sciences, Simon Fraser University, Burnaby, British Columbia, Canada
| | - Alida F Janmaat
- Department of Biology, University of the Fraser Valley, Abbotsford, British Columbia, Canada
| | - Todd Kabaluk
- Agassiz Research and Development Centre, Agassiz, British Columbia, Canada
| | - Jenny S Cory
- Department of Biological Sciences, Simon Fraser University, Burnaby, British Columbia, Canada
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Physiological and morphological correlates of blood parasite infection in urban and non-urban house sparrow populations. PLoS One 2020; 15:e0237170. [PMID: 32813710 PMCID: PMC7437892 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0237170] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/14/2020] [Accepted: 07/21/2020] [Indexed: 02/03/2023] Open
Abstract
In the last decade, house sparrow populations have shown a general decline, especially in cities. Avian malaria has been recently suggested as one of the potential causes of this decline, and its detrimental effects could be exacerbated in urban habitats. It was initially thought that avian malaria parasites would not have large negative effects on wild birds because of their long co-evolution with their hosts. However, it is now well-documented that they can have detrimental effects at both the primo- and chronical infection stages. In this study, we examined avian malaria infection and its physiological and morphological consequences in four populations of wild house sparrows (2 urban and 2 rural). We did not find any relationship between the proportions of infected individuals and the urbanisation score calculated for our populations. However, we observed that the proportion of infected individuals increased during the course of the season, and that juveniles were less infected than adults. We did not detect a strong effect of malaria infection on physiological, morphological and condition indexes. Complex parasite dynamics and the presence of confounding factors could have masked the potential effects of infection. Thus, longitudinal and experimental studies are needed to understand the evolutionary ecology of this very common, but still poorly understood, wild bird parasite.
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Huang X, Huang D, Liang Y, Zhang L, Yang G, Liu B, Peng Y, Deng W, Dong L. A new protocol for absolute quantification of haemosporidian parasites in raptors and comparison with current assays. Parasit Vectors 2020; 13:354. [PMID: 32680557 PMCID: PMC7368712 DOI: 10.1186/s13071-020-04195-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/17/2020] [Accepted: 06/17/2020] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Accurate quantification of infection intensity is essential to estimate infection patterns of avian haemosporidian parasites in order to understand the evolution of host-parasite associations. Traditional microscopy is cost-effective but requires high-quality blood smears and considerable experience, while the widely used semi-quantitative qPCR methods are mostly employed with ideal, laboratory-based golden samples and standard curves, which may limit the comparison of parasitemia from different laboratories. METHODS Here we present a digital droplet PCR (ddPCR) protocol for absolute quantification of avian haemosporidians in raptors. Novel primers were designed that target a conserved fragment of a rRNA region of the mitochondrial genome of the parasites. Sensitivity and repeatability were evaluated compared to qPCR and other assays. RESULTS This ddPCR assay enables accurate quantification of haemosporidian parasites belonging to Plasmodium, Haemoproteus and Leucocytozoon with minimum infection quantities of 10-5 (i.e. one parasite copy in 105 host genomes) without the use of standard curves. Quantities assessed by ddPCR were more accurate than qPCR using the same primers through reduction of non-specific amplification in low-intensity samples. The ddPCR technique was more consistent among technical duplicates and reactions, especially when infection intensities were low, and this technique demonstrated equal sensitivity with high correspondence (R2 = 0.97) compared to the widely used qPCR assay. Both ddPCR and qPCR identified more positive samples than the standard nested PCR protocol for the cytb gene used for barcoding avian haemosporidians. CONCLUSIONS We developed a novel ddPCR assay enabling accurate quantification of avian haemosporidians without golden samples or standard curves. This assay can be used as a robust method for investigating infection patterns in different host-parasite assemblages and can facilitate the comparison of results from different laboratories.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xi Huang
- College of Life Sciences, Beijing Normal University, Beijing, China.,MOE Key Laboratory for Biodiversity Sciences and Ecological Engineering, Beijing Normal University, Beijing, China
| | - Di Huang
- College of Life Sciences, Beijing Normal University, Beijing, China
| | - Yuge Liang
- College of Life Sciences, Beijing Normal University, Beijing, China
| | - Linlin Zhang
- College of Life Sciences, Beijing Normal University, Beijing, China
| | - Guocheng Yang
- College of Life Sciences, Beijing Normal University, Beijing, China
| | - Boye Liu
- Shaanxi Institute of Zoology, Xi'an, China
| | - Yangyang Peng
- College of Life Sciences, Beijing Normal University, Beijing, China
| | - Wenhong Deng
- College of Life Sciences, Beijing Normal University, Beijing, China. .,MOE Key Laboratory for Biodiversity Sciences and Ecological Engineering, Beijing Normal University, Beijing, China.
| | - Lu Dong
- College of Life Sciences, Beijing Normal University, Beijing, China. .,MOE Key Laboratory for Biodiversity Sciences and Ecological Engineering, Beijing Normal University, Beijing, China.
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Valkiūnas G, Ilgūnas M, Chagas CRF, Bernotienė R, Iezhova TA. Molecular characterization of swallow haemoproteids, with description of one new Haemoproteus species. Acta Trop 2020; 207:105486. [PMID: 32330450 DOI: 10.1016/j.actatropica.2020.105486] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/11/2020] [Revised: 04/01/2020] [Accepted: 04/01/2020] [Indexed: 02/01/2023]
Abstract
Haemoproteus species (Haemosporida, Haemoproteidae) are cosmopolitan bird blood parasites, which often cause relatively benign infections in adapted avian hosts, but severe and even lethal haemoproteosis might develop due to internal organ damage if these pathogens inhabit non-adapted (wrong) hosts. Haemoproteids of swallows (Hirundinidae) remain fragmentarily investigated, with only two haemoproteid species reported in this bird family, which members are cosmopolitan, diverse and inhabit various terrestrial ecosystems, particularly in tropical countries. This study describes and provides molecular characterization of Haemoproteus parahirundinis n. sp. (cytochrome b lineage hHIRUS05), parasite of the most broadly distributed swallow, the Barn swallow Hirundo rustica. Gametocytes, gametes and ookinetes of the new species were examined and compared with other haemoproteids described in swallows. The phylogenetic analysis indicated the existence of a largely undescribed Haemoproteus species diversity in birds of the Hirundinidae and also suggests that all lineages of haemoproteids reported in swallows are transmitted by Culicoides biting midges, but not louse flies of the Hippoboscidae, which often inhabit their nests. The biting midges should be the first targets in vectors research of swallow haemoproteids. This study indicates existence of Haemoproteus species, which are readily distinct based on morphological characters of their blood and sporogonic stages, but differ only negligently in partial cytochrome b sequences, the main markers broadly used in molecular characterization of haemoproteids. That calls for further taxonomic research on haemoproteid in swallows, many species of which are endangered or even threatened with extinction because of habitat degradation.
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Huang X, Jönsson J, Bensch S. Persistence of avian haemosporidians in the wild: a case study to illustrate seasonal infection patterns in relation to host life stages. Int J Parasitol 2020; 50:611-619. [PMID: 32598873 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijpara.2020.05.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/28/2019] [Revised: 04/29/2020] [Accepted: 05/15/2020] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
Abstract
Infection patterns of avian haemosporidians result from the evolution of their associations with hosts, and can be shaped by multiple biotic factors. However, at the level of parasite species, few studies have investigated the details of the temporal dynamics of infection patterns in wild bird communities. We hereby studied a wild bird community in southern Sweden to investigate two generalist parasites (cyt b lineages PARUS1 and WW2) of the morphological species Haemoproteus majoris in their main host species (tits and warblers, respectively) to look for seasonal (spring to autumn) and age class related variation in infection patterns. For both lineages, we detected a similar temporal pattern in prevalence and infection intensity, with peak levels during the main nesting season in adults and a few weeks later in juveniles. Infections in juveniles were detected as soon as they started to be caught by mist nets, implying that they became infected when still in the nest or during the first weeks post-fledging. The initially high intensities in juveniles were followed by a significant decrease during the hatching year, emphasising the importance of studying haemosporidian infections in nestlings and fledglings. Both prevalence and infection intensity in adults increased from spring to early summer, either due to spring relapses or new infections. Both prevalence and infection intensity declined in adults at the time when independent juveniles of the respective species started to appear, suggesting that the rate of parasite withdrawal from blood exceeded the rates of new infections gained and relapses of previous infections. Prevalence in both juveniles and adults approached zero towards the end of the summer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xi Huang
- College of Life Sciences, Beijing Normal University, Xinjiekouwai St. 19, 100875 Beijing, China; Department of Biology, Lund University, Sölvegatan 37, 22362 Lund, Sweden.
| | - Jane Jönsson
- Department of Biology, Lund University, Sölvegatan 37, 22362 Lund, Sweden
| | - Staffan Bensch
- Department of Biology, Lund University, Sölvegatan 37, 22362 Lund, Sweden
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Reinoso‐Pérez MT, Dhondt KV, Sydenstricker AV, Heylen D, Dhondt AA. Complex interactions between bacteria and haemosporidia in coinfected hosts: An experiment. Ecol Evol 2020; 10:5801-5814. [PMID: 32607191 PMCID: PMC7319152 DOI: 10.1002/ece3.6318] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/10/2020] [Revised: 04/02/2020] [Accepted: 04/05/2020] [Indexed: 01/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Hosts are typically coinfected by multiple parasite species whose interactions might be synergetic or antagonistic, producing unpredictable physiological and pathological impacts on the host. This study shows the interaction between Plasmodium spp. and Leucocytozoon spp. in birds experimentally infected or not infected with Mycoplasma gallisepticum.In 1994, the bacterium Mycoplasma gallisepticum jumped from poultry to wild birds in which it caused a major epidemic in North America. Birds infected with M. gallisepticum show conjunctivitis as well as increased levels of corticosterone.Malaria and other haemosporidia are widespread in birds, and chronic infections become apparent with the detectable presence of the parasite in peripheral blood in response to elevated levels of natural or experimental corticosterone levels.Knowing the immunosuppressive effect of corticosterone on the avian immune system, we tested the hypothesis that chronic infections of Plasmodium spp. and Leucocytozoon spp. in house finches would respond to experimental inoculation with M. gallisepticum as corticosterone levels are known to increase following inoculation. Plasmodium spp. infection intensity increased within days of M. gallisepticum inoculation as shown both by the appearance of infected erythrocytes and by the increase in the number and the intensity of positive PCR tests. Leucocytozoon spp. infection intensity increased when Plasmodium spp. infection intensity increased, but not in response to M. gallisepticum inoculation. Leucocytozoon spp. and Plasmodium spp. seemed to compete in the host as shown by a negative correlation between the changes in their PCR score when both pathogens were present in the same individual.Host responses to coinfection with multiple pathogens measured by the hematocrit and white blood cell count depended on the haemosporidian community composition. Host investment in the leukocyte response was higher in the single-haemosporidia-infected groups when birds were infected with M. gallisepticum.A trade-off was observed between the immune control of the chronic infection (Plasmodium spp./Leucocytozoon spp.) and the immune response to the novel bacterial infection (M. gallisepticum).
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Affiliation(s)
- María Teresa Reinoso‐Pérez
- Department of Natural ResourcesCornell UniversityIthacaNew York
- Laboratory of OrnithologyCornell UniversityIthacaNew York
| | - Keila V. Dhondt
- Department of Microbiology and ImmunologyCollege of Veterinary MedicineCornell UniversityIthacaNew York
| | | | - Dieter Heylen
- Department of Ecology and Evolutionary BiologyPrinceton UniversityPrincetonNew Jersey
- Interuniversity Institute for Biostatistics and statistical BioinformaticsHasselt UniversityDiepenbeekBelgium
| | - André A. Dhondt
- Laboratory of OrnithologyCornell UniversityIthacaNew York
- Department of Ecology and Evolutionary BiologyCornell UniversityIthacaNew York
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Nebel C, Harl J, Pajot A, Weissenböck H, Amar A, Sumasgutner P. High prevalence and genetic diversity of Haemoproteus columbae (Haemosporida: Haemoproteidae) in feral pigeons Columba livia in Cape Town, South Africa. Parasitol Res 2020; 119:447-463. [PMID: 31883048 PMCID: PMC6985069 DOI: 10.1007/s00436-019-06558-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/08/2019] [Accepted: 11/19/2019] [Indexed: 02/08/2023]
Abstract
In this study, we explore blood parasite prevalence, infection intensity, and co-infection levels in an urban population of feral pigeons Columba livia in Cape Town. We analyze the effect of blood parasites on host body condition and the association between melanin expression in the host's plumage and parasite infection intensity and co-infection levels. Relating to the haemosporidian parasite itself, we study their genetic diversity by means of DNA barcoding (cytochrome b) and show the geographic and host distribution of related parasite lineages in pigeons worldwide. Blood from 195 C. livia individuals was collected from April to June 2018. Morphometric measurements and plumage melanism were recorded from every captured bird. Haemosporidian prevalence and infection intensity were determined by screening blood smears and parasite lineages by DNA sequencing. Prevalence of Haemoproteus spp. was high at 96.9%. The body condition of the hosts was negatively associated with infection intensity. However, infection intensity was unrelated to plumage melanism. The cytochrome b sequences revealed the presence of four Haemoproteus lineages in our population of pigeons, which show high levels of co-occurrence within individual birds. Three lineages (HAECOL1, COLIV03, COQUI05) belong to Haemoproteus columbae and differ only by 0.1% to 0.8% in the cytochrome b gene. Another lineage (COLIV06) differs by 8.3% from the latter ones and is not linked to a morphospecies, yet. No parasites of the genera Leucocytozoon and Plasmodium were detected.
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Affiliation(s)
- Carina Nebel
- FitzPatrick Institute of African Ornithology, DST-NRF Centre of Excellence, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa
| | - Josef Harl
- Institute of Pathology, University of Veterinary Medicine, Vienna, Austria
| | - Adrien Pajot
- FitzPatrick Institute of African Ornithology, DST-NRF Centre of Excellence, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa
- Bordeaux Sciences Agro, 1 Cours du Général de Gaulle, Gradignan, France
| | | | - Arjun Amar
- FitzPatrick Institute of African Ornithology, DST-NRF Centre of Excellence, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa
| | - Petra Sumasgutner
- FitzPatrick Institute of African Ornithology, DST-NRF Centre of Excellence, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa
- Konrad Lorenz Forschungsstelle, Core Facility for Behaviour and Cognition, University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
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50
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Badás EP, Autor A, Martínez J, Rivero-de Aguilar J, Merino S. Individual Quality and Extra-Pair Paternity in the Blue Tit: Sexy Males Bear the Costs. Evolution 2020; 74:559-572. [PMID: 31944288 DOI: 10.1111/evo.13925] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/24/2019] [Accepted: 01/07/2020] [Indexed: 01/16/2023]
Abstract
Adaptive explanations for the evolution of extra-pair paternity (EPP) suggest that females seek extra-pair copulations with high quality males. Still, the link between ornamentation, individual quality, and paternity remains unclear. Moreover, honest signaling is essential when explaining EPP because it is needed for sexual selection to occur; yet, it is understudied in multiple ornaments. Because blue tits (Cyanistes caeruleus) show variable color expression in several plumage patches, we tested: (i) over two seasons, whether males in better condition, more ornamented and less infected by blood parasites gain EPP and have higher reproductive success, and (ii) over three seasons, whether mating patterns affect color change. Males with more saturated yellow feathers, brighter tails, and in better condition had higher reproductive success in one of the seasons. Contrary to expectation, in another season, males that gained EPP were parasitized by blood parasites, suggesting increased vector exposure during extra-pair copulations. Our results for two seasons show that males siring more extra-pair young were older and grew brighter cheek or tail feathers for the following season. Despite the increased mating costs, in socially monogamous avian systems, high quality males incur in EPP without compromising traits that may be under sexual selection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elisa P Badás
- Department of Evolutionary Ecology, National Museum of Natural Sciences, CSIC, Jose Gutierrez Abascal 2, 28006, Madrid, Spain.,School of Biology, The Faculty of Biological Sciences, University of Leeds, LS2 9JT, Leeds, UK
| | - Amaia Autor
- Department of Evolutionary Ecology, National Museum of Natural Sciences, CSIC, Jose Gutierrez Abascal 2, 28006, Madrid, Spain
| | - Javier Martínez
- Department of Biomedicine and Biotechnology (Area of Parasitology), University of Alcalá de Henares, Autovia A2, 28805, Alcalá de Henares, Madrid, Spain
| | - Juan Rivero-de Aguilar
- Institute of Ecology and Biodiversity, Department of Ecological Sciences, Faculty of Sciences, University of Chile, Las Palmeras 3425, Santiago, Chile
| | - Santiago Merino
- Department of Evolutionary Ecology, National Museum of Natural Sciences, CSIC, Jose Gutierrez Abascal 2, 28006, Madrid, Spain
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