1
|
González S, Panadero R, Del Rio ML, Díez MN, Del Rosario Hidalgo M, Martínez A. Assesment of Hypoderma infestation in a wild population of Cervus elaphus from mountains Atlantic ecosystems in southwestern Europe (Spain). Vet Res Commun 2024; 48:761-771. [PMID: 37906354 PMCID: PMC10998772 DOI: 10.1007/s11259-023-10240-9] [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: 06/28/2023] [Accepted: 10/10/2023] [Indexed: 11/02/2023]
Abstract
Hypodermosis in Cervus elaphus was studied in the Riaño Regional Hunting Reserve, Province of León, north-western Spain. One hundred and ten red deer were examined for the presence of warble fly larvae. They were analyzed by PCR analysis of the COI region of mt-DNA and identified as Hypoderma actaeon. The prevalence of larvae was 42.7% with a mean intensity of 12.5 ± 18 (range 1-80) warbles/deer infested. The distribution of larvae in the infested animals showed an aggregated/overdispersed pattern (aggregation index = 25.84), where the larvae are not randomly or uniformly distributed, but strongly aggregated among their hosts. Larvae were found in all three states. First and second-instars were observed mainly in the autumn until the end of winter (November-March) and third-instars in late winter until mid-spring (March-May). The adult animals and the males had a higher prevalence than the young and the females, finding statistically significant differences only according to the sex of the animals. Seasonal variations were observed in the prevalence with the highest number of infested animals in winter and autumn, but not in terms of the mean intensity of parasites. Additionally, we assessed the presence of anti-Hypoderma antibodies in serum by means of indirect ELISA tests, using a crude larval extract (CLE) and a purified fraction the hypodermin C (HyC) obtained from first instars of Spanish isolates of Hypoderma lineatum (cattle). These findings confirm that H. actaeon is widely distributed in northern Spain, and provide new information about its chronobiology in mountainous Atlantic ecosystems from southwestern Europe.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Sara González
- Department of Animal Health, Parasitology and Parasitic Diseases, Faculty of Veterinary Science, University of León, 24071, León, Spain
| | - Rosario Panadero
- Department of Animal Pathology, Animal Health, Faculty of Veterinary Science, University of Santiago de Compostela, 27002, Lugo, Spain
| | - María Luisa Del Rio
- Department of Animal Health, Section of Immunobiology, Faculty of Veterinary Science, University of León, 24071, León, Spain
| | - María Natividad Díez
- Department of Animal Health, Parasitology and Parasitic Diseases, Faculty of Veterinary Science, University of León, 24071, León, Spain
| | - María Del Rosario Hidalgo
- Department of Animal Health, Parasitology and Parasitic Diseases, Faculty of Veterinary Science, University of León, 24071, León, Spain.
| | - Angélica Martínez
- Department of Biotechnology and Food Science, Faculty of Sciences, University of Burgos, 09001, Burgos, Spain
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
A SCOPING REVIEW OF THE RANGIFER TARANDUS INFECTIOUS DISEASE LITERATURE: GAP BETWEEN INFORMATION AND APPLICATION. J Wildl Dis 2022; 58:473-486. [PMID: 35675481 DOI: 10.7589/jwd-d-21-00165] [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: 10/21/2021] [Accepted: 02/28/2022] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
Abstract
The role and impact of infectious diseases in wildlife population dynamics are increasingly recognized, yet disease information is variably incorporated into wildlife management frameworks. This discrepancy is particularly relevant for Rangifer tarandus (caribou or reindeer), a keystone circumarctic species experiencing widespread population declines. The primary objective of this review was to characterize the available peer-reviewed literature on infectious diseases of Rangifer by using a scoping review methodology. Three databases of peer-reviewed literature-Web of Science, BIOSIS previews, and Scopus-were searched and 695 articles met the criteria for initial review. After screening for relevance and language, 349 articles, published between 1967 and 2020, remained. More than half of the excluded articles (181/346; 52%) were left out because they were not published in English; the majority of these excluded articles (120) were in Russian. From the 349 included articles, 137 (39%) pertained to wild (as opposed to semidomesticated or captive) Rangifer populations. Articles on infectious disease in wild Rangifer were published in 40 different journals across various disciplines; the most common journals were disease and parasitology oriented, accounting for 55% of included articles. Most studies were descriptive (87%), followed by experimental (9%). Of the pathogen taxa investigated, helminths were the most common, comprising 35% of articles. Rangifer subspecies were not equally represented in the literature, with barren-ground caribou (R. t. groenlandicus; n=40) and woodland caribou (R. t. caribou; n=39) having the greatest abundance and diversity of infectious disease information available. Few studies explicitly examined individual or population-level impacts of disease, or related disease to vital population rates, and only 27 articles explicitly related results to management or conservation. Findings from this review highlight an unbalanced distribution of studies across Rangifer ecotypes, a preference for dissemination in disease-specialized publication venues, and an opportunity for investigating population-level impacts that may be more readily integrated into caribou conservation frameworks.
Collapse
|
3
|
Binning SA, Craft ME, Zuk M, Shaw AK. How to study parasites and host migration: a roadmap for empiricists. Biol Rev Camb Philos Soc 2022; 97:1161-1178. [DOI: 10.1111/brv.12835] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/29/2021] [Revised: 01/15/2022] [Accepted: 01/17/2022] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Sandra A. Binning
- Département de sciences biologiques Université de Montréal 1375 Ave. Thérèse‐Lavoie‐Roux Montréal QC H2V 0B3 Canada
| | - Meggan E. Craft
- Department of Ecology, Evolution, and Behavior University of Minnesota 1479 Gortner Ave St. Paul MN 55108 U.S.A
| | - Marlene Zuk
- Department of Ecology, Evolution, and Behavior University of Minnesota 1479 Gortner Ave St. Paul MN 55108 U.S.A
| | - Allison K. Shaw
- Department of Ecology, Evolution, and Behavior University of Minnesota 1479 Gortner Ave St. Paul MN 55108 U.S.A
| |
Collapse
|
4
|
Gagnon M, Yannic G, Boyer F, Côté SD. Adult survival in migratory caribou is negatively associated with MHC functional diversity. Heredity (Edinb) 2020; 125:290-303. [PMID: 32728043 DOI: 10.1038/s41437-020-0347-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/24/2019] [Revised: 07/04/2020] [Accepted: 07/16/2020] [Indexed: 11/09/2022] Open
Abstract
Genes of the major histocompatibility complex (MHC) are involved in acquired immunity in vertebrates. Only a few studies have investigated the fitness consequences of MHC gene diversity in wild populations. Here, we looked at the association between annual survival and body mass and MHC-DRB exon 2 (MHC-DRB) genetic diversity, obtained from high-throughput sequencing, in two declining migratory caribou (Rangifer tarandus) herds. To disentangle the potential direct and general effects of MHC-DRB genetic diversity, we compared different indices of diversity that were either based on DNA-sequence variation or on physicochemical divergence of the translated peptides, thereby covering a gradient of allelic-to-functional diversity. We found that (1) body mass was not related to MHC-DRB diversity or genotype, and (2) adult survival probability was negatively associated with point accepted mutation distance, a corrected distance that considers the likelihood of each amino acid substitution to be accepted by natural selection. In addition, we found no evidence of fluctuating selection over time on MHC-DRB diversity. We concluded that direct effects were involved in the negative relationship between MHC functional diversity and survival, although the mechanism underlying this result remains unclear. A possible explanation could be that individuals with higher MHC diversity suffer higher costs of immunity (immunopathology). Our results suggest that genetic diversity is not always beneficial even in genes that are likely to be strongly shaped by balancing selection.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Marianne Gagnon
- Département de Biologie, Caribou Ungava and Centre d'Études Nordiques, Université Laval, 1045 avenue de la Médecine, Quebec City, QC, G1V 0A6, Canada
| | - Glenn Yannic
- Université Grenoble Alpes, Université Savoie Mont Blanc, CNRS, LECA, 38000, Grenoble, France.
| | - Frédéric Boyer
- Université Grenoble Alpes, Université Savoie Mont Blanc, CNRS, LECA, 38000, Grenoble, France
| | - Steeve D Côté
- Département de Biologie, Caribou Ungava and Centre d'Études Nordiques, Université Laval, 1045 avenue de la Médecine, Quebec City, QC, G1V 0A6, Canada
| |
Collapse
|
5
|
Joly K, Couriot O, Cameron MD, Gurarie E. Behavioral, Physiological, Demographic and Ecological Impacts of Hematophagous and Endoparasitic Insects on an Arctic Ungulate. Toxins (Basel) 2020; 12:toxins12050334. [PMID: 32443701 PMCID: PMC7290954 DOI: 10.3390/toxins12050334] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/05/2020] [Revised: 05/13/2020] [Accepted: 05/15/2020] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Animals that deliver a toxic secretion through a wound or to the body surface without a wound are considered venomous and toxungenous, respectively. Hematophagous insects, such as mosquitoes (Aedes spp.), meet the criteria for venomous, and some endoparasitic insects, such as warble flies (Hypoderma tarandi), satisfy the definition for toxungenous. The impacts of these insects on their hosts are wide ranging. In the Arctic, their primary host is the most abundant ungulate, the caribou (Rangifer tarandus). The most conspicuous impacts of these insects on caribou are behavioral. Caribou increase their movements during peak insect harassment, evading and running away from these parasites. These behavioral responses scale up to physiological effects as caribou move to less productive habitats to reduce harassment which increases energetic costs due to locomotion, reduces nutrient intake due to less time spent foraging, and can lead to poorer physiological condition. Reduced physiological condition can lead to lower reproductive output and even higher mortality rates, with the potential to ultimately affect caribou demographics. Caribou affect all trophic levels in the Arctic and the processes that connect them, thus altering caribou demographics could impact the ecology of the region. Broadening the definitions of venomous and toxungenous animals to include hematophagous and endoparasitic insects should not only generate productive collaborations among toxinologists and parasitologists, but will also lead to a deeper understanding of the ecology of toxic secretions and their widespread influence.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Kyle Joly
- Gates of the Arctic National Park and Preserve, Arctic Inventory and Monitoring Network, National Park Service, Fairbanks, AK 99709, USA;
- Correspondence:
| | - Ophélie Couriot
- National Socio-Environmental Synthesis Center, SESYNC, 1 Park Place, Suite 300, Annapolis, MD 21401, USA;
- Department of Biology, University of Maryland, College Park, MD 20742, USA;
| | - Matthew D. Cameron
- Gates of the Arctic National Park and Preserve, Arctic Inventory and Monitoring Network, National Park Service, Fairbanks, AK 99709, USA;
| | - Eliezer Gurarie
- Department of Biology, University of Maryland, College Park, MD 20742, USA;
| |
Collapse
|
6
|
Carlsson AM, Albon SD, Coulson SJ, Ropstad E, Stien A, Wilson K, Loe LE, Veiberg V, Irvine RJ. Little impact of over‐winter parasitism on a free‐ranging ungulate in the high Arctic. Funct Ecol 2018. [DOI: 10.1111/1365-2435.13037] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Anja Morven Carlsson
- Lancaster Environment CentreLancaster University Lancaster UK
- The James Hutton Institute Aberdeen UK
- Department of Arctic BiologyUniversity Centre in Svalbard Longyearbyen Norway
| | | | - Stephen J. Coulson
- Department of Arctic BiologyUniversity Centre in Svalbard Longyearbyen Norway
| | - Erik Ropstad
- School of Veterinary ScienceNorwegian University of Life Sciences Oslo Norway
| | - Audun Stien
- Norwegian Institute for Nature Research (NINA)Fram Centre Tromsø Norway
| | - Kenneth Wilson
- Lancaster Environment CentreLancaster University Lancaster UK
| | - Leif Egil Loe
- Faculty of Environmental Sciences and Natural Resource Management (MINA)Norwegian University of Life Sciences Åas Norway
| | - Vebjørn Veiberg
- Norwegian Institute for Nature Research (NINA) Trondheim Norway
| | | |
Collapse
|
7
|
Ezenwa VO, Snider MH. Reciprocal relationships between behaviour and parasites suggest that negative feedback may drive flexibility in male reproductive behaviour. Proc Biol Sci 2017; 283:rspb.2016.0423. [PMID: 27194703 DOI: 10.1098/rspb.2016.0423] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/24/2016] [Accepted: 04/22/2016] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Parasites are ubiquitous components of the environment that contribute to behavioural and life-history variation among hosts. Although it is well known that host behaviour can affect parasite infection risk and that parasites can alter host behaviour, the potential for dynamic feedback between these processes is poorly characterized. Using Grant's gazelle (Nanger granti) as a model, we tested for reciprocal effects of behaviour on parasites and parasites on behaviour to understand whether behaviour-parasite feedback could play a role in maintaining variation in male reproductive behaviour. Adult male gazelles either defend territories to attract mates or reside in bachelor groups. Territoriality is highly variable both within- and between-individuals, suggesting that territory maintenance is costly. Using a combination of longitudinal and experimental studies, we found that individual males transition frequently between territorial and bachelor reproductive status, and that elevated parasite burdens are a cost of territoriality. Moreover, among territorial males, parasites suppress aspects of behaviour related to territory maintenance and defence. These results suggest that territorial behaviour promotes the accumulation of parasites in males, and these parasites dampen the very behaviours required for territory maintenance. Our findings suggest that reciprocal feedback between host behaviour and parasitism could be a mechanism maintaining variation in male reproductive behaviour in the system.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Vanessa O Ezenwa
- Odum School of Ecology and Department of Infectious Diseases, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Georgia, Athens, GA, USA
| | - Matthew H Snider
- Odum School of Ecology and Department of Infectious Diseases, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Georgia, Athens, GA, USA
| |
Collapse
|
8
|
Takken Beijersbergen LM. Heaps of fascinating fragments: reconstructing a medieval reindeer population based on bone middens from the Hardangervidda high mountain plateau, Norway. ACTA ZOOL-STOCKHOLM 2016. [DOI: 10.1111/azo.12175] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
|
9
|
Raveh S, Neuhaus P, Dobson FS. Ectoparasites and fitness of female Columbian ground squirrels. Philos Trans R Soc Lond B Biol Sci 2016; 370:rstb.2014.0113. [PMID: 25870399 DOI: 10.1098/rstb.2014.0113] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Parasites play an important role in the evolution of host traits via natural selection, coevolution and sexually selected ornaments used in mate choice. These evolutionary scenarios assume fitness costs for hosts. To test this assumption, we conducted an ectoparasite removal experiment in free-living Columbian ground squirrels (Urocittelus columbianus) in four populations over three years. Adult females were randomly chosen to be either experimentally treated with anti-parasite treatments (spot-on solution and flea powder, N = 61) or a sham treatment (control, N = 44). We expected that experimental females would show better body condition, increased reproductive success and enhanced survival. Contrary to our expectations, body mass was not significantly different between treatments at mating, birth of litter or weaning of young. Further, neither number nor size of young at weaning differed significantly between the two treatments. Survival to the next spring for adult females and juveniles was not significantly different between experimental and control treatments. Finally, annual fitness was not affected by the treatments. We concluded that females and their offspring were able compensate for the presence of ectoparasites, suggesting little or no fitness costs of parasites for females in the different colonies and during the years of our experiments.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Shirley Raveh
- Department of Environmental Sciences Zoology and Evolution, University of Basel, Vesalgasse 1, 4051 Basel, Switzerland
| | - Peter Neuhaus
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Calgary, 2500 University Drive NW, Calgary, Alberta, Canada T2N 1N4
| | - F Stephen Dobson
- Department of Biological Sciences, Auburn University, Auburn, AL 36849, USA
| |
Collapse
|
10
|
Tryland M, Stubsjøen SM, Ågren E, Johansen B, Kielland C. Herding conditions related to infectious keratoconjunctivitis in semi-domesticated reindeer: a questionnaire-based survey among reindeer herders. Acta Vet Scand 2016; 58:22. [PMID: 27068819 PMCID: PMC4828894 DOI: 10.1186/s13028-016-0203-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/10/2016] [Accepted: 03/31/2016] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Infectious keratoconjunctivitis (IKC) in Eurasian semi-domesticated reindeer (Rangifer tarandus tarandus) is a multifactorial disease, associated to infectious agents such as Cervid herpesvirus 2 (CvHV2) and various species of bacteria, but environmental factors may also be necessary to initiate the disease. Little effort seems to have been invested in addressing the herder`s experience with this disease. An information letter with a link to an online questionnaire was sent to 410 herding community representatives in Norway and Sweden. Results Sixty-three herders responded, 76 % of these having reindeer in Norway and 24 % in Sweden. Thirty-three herders (55 %) responded that they had seen this disease during the preceding year (2010) and 23 (38 %) that they had seen it in previous years (2009 or earlier). The majority (67 %) claimed that only 1–5 animals in their herd were affected at one time, whereas three herders (7 %) responded that more than 30 animals had been affected. No environmental factor could be singled out as significantly associated with the appearance of IKC, but when categorizing the number of contact herds for each herd (i.e. sharing pastures, corrals etc.), IKC was observed more often in herds with many (>25) contact herds. The questionnaire revealed that a veterinarian is not always available for reindeer herders, but also that a veterinarian seldom is contacted for this disease. None of the herders practiced isolation of a diseased animal from the rest of the herd when IKC was observed. Slaughter was the action most commonly initiated by the herders in response to IKC, whereas the veterinarian usually prescribed antibiotics, usually an ophthalmic ointment, alone or combined with systemic treatment. The herders claimed that IKC and other diseases had less importance than predators concerning loss of animals. Conclusions IKC is to be considered a common disease, observed in 55 % of the herds (2010), typically affecting 1–5 animals, although larger outbreaks (>30 animals) occur. The herders usually slaughtered affected animals rather than consulting a veterinarian for medical treatment.
Collapse
|
11
|
Iversen M, Fauchald P, Langeland K, Ims RA, Yoccoz NG, Bråthen KA. Phenology and cover of plant growth forms predict herbivore habitat selection in a high latitude ecosystem. PLoS One 2014; 9:e100780. [PMID: 24972188 PMCID: PMC4074057 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0100780] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/11/2014] [Accepted: 05/29/2014] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
The spatial and temporal distribution of forage quality is among the most central factors affecting herbivore habitat selection. Yet, for high latitude areas, forage quantity has been found to be more important than quality. Studies on large ungulate foraging patterns are faced with methodological challenges in both assessing animal movements at the scale of forage distribution, and in assessing forage quality with relevant metrics. Here we use first-passage time analyses to assess how reindeer movements relate to forage quality and quantity measured as the phenology and cover of growth forms along reindeer tracks. The study was conducted in a high latitude ecosystem dominated by low-palatable growth forms. We found that the scale of reindeer movement was season dependent, with more extensive area use as the summer season advanced. Small-scale movement in the early season was related to selection for younger stages of phenology and for higher abundances of generally phenologically advanced palatable growth forms (grasses and deciduous shrubs). Also there was a clear selection for later phenological stages of the most dominant, yet generally phenologically slow and low-palatable growth form (evergreen shrubs). As the summer season advanced only quantity was important, with selection for higher quantities of one palatable growth form and avoidance of a low palatable growth form. We conclude that both forage quality and quantity are significant predictors to habitat selection by a large herbivore at high latitude. The early season selectivity reflected that among dominating low palatability growth forms there were palatable phenological stages and palatable growth forms available, causing herbivores to be selective in their habitat use. The diminishing selectivity and the increasing scale of movement as the season developed suggest a response by reindeer to homogenized forage availability of low quality.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Marianne Iversen
- Department of Arctic and Marine Biology, UiT The Arctic University of Norway, Tromsø, Norway
| | - Per Fauchald
- Norwegian Institute for Nature Research (NINA), Department of Arctic Ecology, Fram Centre, Tromsø, Norway
| | - Knut Langeland
- Norwegian Institute for Nature Research (NINA), Department of Arctic Ecology, Fram Centre, Tromsø, Norway
| | - Rolf A. Ims
- Department of Arctic and Marine Biology, UiT The Arctic University of Norway, Tromsø, Norway
| | - Nigel G. Yoccoz
- Department of Arctic and Marine Biology, UiT The Arctic University of Norway, Tromsø, Norway
| | - Kari Anne Bråthen
- Department of Arctic and Marine Biology, UiT The Arctic University of Norway, Tromsø, Norway
- * E-mail:
| |
Collapse
|
12
|
Dlugosz EM, Downs CJ, Khokhlova IS, Degen AA, Krasnov BR. Ectoparasite performance when feeding on reproducing mammalian females: an unexpected decrease when on pregnant hosts. J Exp Biol 2014; 217:1058-64. [PMID: 24311805 DOI: 10.1242/jeb.098376] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
Abstract
Reproduction is an energy-demanding activity in mammalian females, with increased energy requirements during pregnancy and, especially, during lactation. To better understand the interactions between parasitism and host reproduction, we investigated feeding and reproductive performance of fleas (Xenopsylla ramesis) parasitizing non-reproducing, pregnant or lactating gerbilline rodents (Meriones crassus). Based on energetic considerations, we predicted that feeding and reproductive performance of fleas would be lowest on non-breeding females, moderate on pregnant females and highest on lactating females. We estimated feeding performance of the fleas via absolute and mass-specific bloodmeal size and reproductive performance via egg production and latency to peak oviposition. Host reproductive status had no effect on either absolute or mass-specific bloodmeal size or the day of peak oviposition, but significantly affected the daily number of eggs produced by a female flea. Surprisingly, and contrary to our predictions, egg production of fleas fed on pregnant rodents was significantly lower than that of fleas on non-reproducing and lactating rodents, while no difference in egg production between fleas feeding on non-reproducing and lactating hosts was found. Our results suggest that differences in parasite reproduction when feeding on hosts of different reproductive status are not associated with the different energy requirements of the hosts at non-breeding, pregnancy and lactation but rather with variation in hormonal and/or immune status during these periods.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Elizabeth M Dlugosz
- Mitrani Department of Desert Ecology, Swiss Institute for Dryland Environmental and Energy Research, Jacob Blaustein Institutes for Desert Research, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, Sede-Boqer Campus, 84990 Midreshet Ben-Gurion, Israel
| | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
13
|
Bårdsen BJ, Næss MW, Tveraa T, Langeland K, Fauchald P. Risk-sensitive reproductive allocation: fitness consequences of body mass losses in two contrasting environments. Ecol Evol 2014; 4:1030-8. [PMID: 24772280 PMCID: PMC3997319 DOI: 10.1002/ece3.1010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/24/2013] [Revised: 01/10/2014] [Accepted: 01/28/2014] [Indexed: 11/26/2022] Open
Abstract
For long-lived organisms, the fitness value of survival is greater than that of current reproduction. Asymmetric fitness rewards suggest that organisms inhabiting unpredictable environments should adopt a risk-sensitive life history, predicting that it is adaptive to allocate resources to increase their own body reserves at the expense of reproduction. We tested this using data from reindeer populations inhabiting contrasting environments and using winter body mass development as a proxy for the combined effect of winter severity and density dependence. Individuals in good and harsh environments responded similarly: Females who lost large amounts of winter body mass gained more body mass the coming summer compared with females losing less mass during winter. Additionally, females experienced a cost of reproduction: On average, barren females gained more body mass than lactating females. Winter body mass development positively affected both the females' reproductive success and offspring body mass. Finally, we discuss the relevance of our findings with respect to scenarios for future climate change.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Bård-Jørgen Bårdsen
- Norwegian Institute for Nature Research (NINA), Arctic Ecology Department, Fram Centre Tromsø, NO-9296, Norway
| | - Marius Warg Næss
- CICERO - Center for International Climate and Environmental Research, Fram Centre Tromsø, NO-9296, Norway
| | - Torkild Tveraa
- Norwegian Institute for Nature Research (NINA), Arctic Ecology Department, Fram Centre Tromsø, NO-9296, Norway
| | - Knut Langeland
- Norwegian Institute for Nature Research (NINA), Arctic Ecology Department, Fram Centre Tromsø, NO-9296, Norway
| | - Per Fauchald
- Norwegian Institute for Nature Research (NINA), Arctic Ecology Department, Fram Centre Tromsø, NO-9296, Norway
| |
Collapse
|