1
|
Kohles JE, Page RA, Wikelski M, Dechmann DKN. Seasonal shifts in insect ephemerality drive bat foraging effort. Curr Biol 2024; 34:3241-3248.e3. [PMID: 38942018 DOI: 10.1016/j.cub.2024.05.074] [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: 12/11/2023] [Revised: 03/11/2024] [Accepted: 05/31/2024] [Indexed: 06/30/2024]
Abstract
Animal foraging is fundamentally shaped by food distribution and availability.1 However, the quantification of spatiotemporal food distribution is rare2 but crucial to explain variation in foraging behavior among species, populations, or individuals. Clumped but ephemeral food sources enable rapid energy intake but require increased effort to find,3 can generate variable foraging success,4 and force animals to forage more efficiently. We quantified seasonal shifts in the availability of such resources to test the proximate effects of food distribution on changes in movement patterns. The neotropical lesser bulldog bat (Noctilio albiventris) forages in a seasonal environment on emerging aquatic insects, whose numbers peak shortly after dusk.5,6 We GPS-tracked bats and quantified nocturnal insect distribution in their foraging area using floating camera traps across wet and dry seasons. Surprisingly, insects were 75% less abundant and swarms were 60% shorter lived (more ephemeral) in the wet season. As a result, wet season bats had to fly twice as far (total and maximum distance fromroost distances) and 45% longer (duration) per night. Within foraging bouts, wet season bats spent less time in each insect patch and searched longer for subsequent patches, reflecting increased temporal ephemerality and decreased spatial predictability of insects. Our results highlight the tight link between foraging effort and spatiotemporal distribution of food and the influence of constraints imposed by reproduction on behavioral flexibility and adaptations to the highly dynamic resource landscapes of mobile prey.7,8 Examining foraging behavior in light of spatiotemporal dynamics of resources can help predict how animals respond to shifts in food availability caused by escalating environmental changes.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Jenna E Kohles
- Max Planck Institute of Animal Behavior, Department of Migration, Am Obstberg 1, Radolfzell 78315, Germany; Centre for the Advanced Study of Collective Behaviour, University of Konstanz, Universitätsstraße 10, Konstanz 78464, Germany; Department of Biology, University of Konstanz, Universitätsstraße 10, Konstanz 78464, Germany; Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute, Luis Clement Avenue, Bldg. 401 Tupper, Ancon, Panama 0843-03092, Republic of Panama.
| | - Rachel A Page
- Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute, Luis Clement Avenue, Bldg. 401 Tupper, Ancon, Panama 0843-03092, Republic of Panama
| | - Martin Wikelski
- Max Planck Institute of Animal Behavior, Department of Migration, Am Obstberg 1, Radolfzell 78315, Germany; Department of Biology, University of Konstanz, Universitätsstraße 10, Konstanz 78464, Germany
| | - Dina K N Dechmann
- Max Planck Institute of Animal Behavior, Department of Migration, Am Obstberg 1, Radolfzell 78315, Germany; Department of Biology, University of Konstanz, Universitätsstraße 10, Konstanz 78464, Germany; Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute, Luis Clement Avenue, Bldg. 401 Tupper, Ancon, Panama 0843-03092, Republic of Panama
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Liu Q, Liu Z, Wang H, Yao X. Different species of Chiroptera: Immune cells and molecules. J Med Virol 2024; 96:e29772. [PMID: 38949201 DOI: 10.1002/jmv.29772] [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: 04/03/2024] [Revised: 05/24/2024] [Accepted: 06/17/2024] [Indexed: 07/02/2024]
Abstract
The distinct composition and immune response characteristics of bats' innate and adaptive immune systems, which enable them to serve as host of numerous serious zoonotic viruses without falling ill, differ substantially from those of other mammals, it have garnered significant attention. In this article, we offer a systematic review of the names, attributes, and functions of innate and adaptive immune cells & molecules across different bat species. This includes descriptions of the differences shown by research between 71 bat species in 10 families, as well as comparisons between bats and other mammals. Studies of the immune cells & molecules of different bat species are necessary to understand the unique antiviral immunity of bats. By providing comprehensive information on these unique immune responses, it is hoped that new insights will be provided for the study of co-evolutionary dynamics between viruses and the bat immune system, as well as human antiviral immunity.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Qinlu Liu
- Department of Immunology, Center of Immuno-molecular Engineering, Innovation & Practice Base for Graduate Students Education, Zunyi Medical University, Zunyi, Guizhou, China
| | - Zegang Liu
- Department of Immunology, Center of Immuno-molecular Engineering, Innovation & Practice Base for Graduate Students Education, Zunyi Medical University, Zunyi, Guizhou, China
| | - Huifang Wang
- Department of Immunology, Center of Immuno-molecular Engineering, Innovation & Practice Base for Graduate Students Education, Zunyi Medical University, Zunyi, Guizhou, China
| | - Xinsheng Yao
- Department of Immunology, Center of Immuno-molecular Engineering, Innovation & Practice Base for Graduate Students Education, Zunyi Medical University, Zunyi, Guizhou, China
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Ramadan RM, Mahdy OA, El-Saied MA, Mohammed FF, Salem MA. Novel insights into immune stress markers associated with myxosporeans gill infection in Nile tilapia (molecular and immunohistochemical studies). PLoS One 2024; 19:e0303702. [PMID: 38833454 PMCID: PMC11149867 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0303702] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/27/2024] [Accepted: 04/30/2024] [Indexed: 06/06/2024] Open
Abstract
Nile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus) is valued in aquaculture because of its quick development and ability to thrive in various environments. Myxosporeans are among the fish parasites that affect fish productivity, as they impact fish growth and reproduction, resulting in large fish deaths in farms and hatcheries. This study has been focused on morpho-molecular identification for the myxosporean parasites infecting Nile tilapia from three governorates in Egypt and assessment of gene expression of different cytokines (Interleukin-1βeta (IL-1β), major histocompatibility complex class II (MHC-II), and clusters of differentiation 4 (CD-4) and 8 (CD-8)) in tissues. Additionally, this work aimed to correlate the developed histopathological alterations and inflammatory reactions in gills with immunohistochemical expression of inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) and tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α). Finally, the infected fish's cortisol levels and blood glucose were assessed. Results of BLAST sequence analysis of the 18S rRNA for the collected protozoans confirmed Myxobolus agolus, M. brachysporus, M. tilapiae, and Henneguya species. The molecular characterization of the immunological status of gills revealed marked upregulation of different inflammatory cytokines in the gills of infected fish. There was a significantly increased serum cortisol and glucose level in infected fish compared with control, non-infected ones. Severe histopathological alterations were observed in the infected fish gills, associated with increased expression of iNOS and TNF-α and related to myxosporean infection. The present study provides new insights into oxidative stress biomarkers in Nile tilapia infected with Myxosporeans and elucidates the gill's immune status changes as a portal of entry for protozoa that contribute to tissue damage.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Reem M. Ramadan
- Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Department of Parasitology, Cairo University, Giza, Egypt
| | - Olfat A. Mahdy
- Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Department of Parasitology, Cairo University, Giza, Egypt
| | - Mohamed A. El-Saied
- Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Department of Pathology, Cairo University, Giza, Egypt
| | - Faten F. Mohammed
- Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Department of Pathology, Cairo University, Giza, Egypt
- Department of Pathology, College of Veterinary Medicine, King Faisal University, Al-Ahsa, Saudi Arabia
| | - Mai A. Salem
- Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Department of Parasitology, Cairo University, Giza, Egypt
| |
Collapse
|
4
|
Mahdy OA, Abdel-Maogood SZ, Abdelsalam M, Salem MA. A multidisciplinary study on Clinostomum infections in Nile tilapia: micro-morphology, oxidative stress, immunology, and histopathology. BMC Vet Res 2024; 20:60. [PMID: 38378547 PMCID: PMC10877748 DOI: 10.1186/s12917-024-03901-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/04/2023] [Accepted: 01/28/2024] [Indexed: 02/22/2024] Open
Abstract
Yellow grub disease, caused by Clinostomum metacercaria, is an endemic zoonotic infection in freshwater fish, responsible for Halzoun syndrome transmitted through the consumption of raw infected fish. This study aimed to conduct a multidisciplinary investigation integrating detailed morphology, oxidative stress, immunology, and histopathology alteration to advance our understanding of Clinostomum infection. In this annual study, 400 Nile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus) were collected from the Nile River at Al Bahr Al Aazam, Giza Governorate to assess Clinostomum infection prevalence. Of the examined fish, 160 individuals (40.0%) harboured larval Clinostomum infections. Clinostomum metacercariae were observed in various anatomical locations, with 135 fish (33.8%) in buccal cavities, 21 fish (5.25%) in gill chambers, and 4 fish (1.0%) on the skin. Infection intensity ranged from 2 to 12 cysts per fish, averaging 5 cysts, notably with skin infections characterized by a single cyst in each fish. Macroscopic encysted metacercariae were collected from buccal cavities, gills, and skin. Micro-morphology revealed distinct features in C. complanatum, including an elliptical oral sucker with collar-like rings and large sensory papilla-like structures, contrasting with the absence of these features in C. phalacrocoracis. Oxidative stress, assessed through malondialdehyde (MDA) and nitric oxide levels, revealed an elevation in MDA to 35.13 ± 6 nmol/g and nitric oxide to 25.80 ± 3.12 µmol/g in infected fish. In infected fish, MHC-I gene expression increased approximately 13-fold, MHC-II peaked at 19-fold, and IL-1β significantly upregulated by 17-fold, compared to control levels. Histopathology detailed associated lesions, such as cyst encapsulation and eosinophilic infiltration. Clinstomiasis and its impacts on fish hosts offer crucial insights to control this emerging fish-borne zoonotic disease, threatening wildlife, aquaculture, and human health.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Olfat A Mahdy
- Department of Parasitology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Cairo University, PO 11221, Giza, Egypt.
| | - Sahar Z Abdel-Maogood
- Department of Parasitology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Cairo University, PO 11221, Giza, Egypt
| | - Mohamed Abdelsalam
- Department of Aquatic Animal Medicine and Management, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Cairo University, PO 11221, Giza, Egypt.
| | - Mai A Salem
- Department of Parasitology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Cairo University, PO 11221, Giza, Egypt
| |
Collapse
|
5
|
Haikukutu L, Lyaku JR, Lyimo CM, Eiseb SJ, Makundi RH, Olayemi A, Wilhelm K, Müller-Klein N, Schmid DW, Fleischer R, Sommer S. Immunogenetics, sylvatic plague and its vectors: insights from the pathogen reservoir Mastomys natalensis in Tanzania. Immunogenetics 2023; 75:517-530. [PMID: 37853246 PMCID: PMC10651713 DOI: 10.1007/s00251-023-01323-7] [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: 06/14/2023] [Accepted: 10/08/2023] [Indexed: 10/20/2023]
Abstract
Yersinia pestis is a historically important vector-borne pathogen causing plague in humans and other mammals. Contemporary zoonotic infections with Y. pestis still occur in sub-Saharan Africa, including Tanzania and Madagascar, but receive relatively little attention. Thus, the role of wildlife reservoirs in maintaining sylvatic plague and spillover risks to humans is largely unknown. The multimammate rodent Mastomys natalensis is the most abundant and widespread rodent in peri-domestic areas in Tanzania, where it plays a major role as a Y. pestis reservoir in endemic foci. Yet, how M. natalensis' immunogenetics contributes to the maintenance of plague has not been investigated to date. Here, we surveyed wild M. natalensis for Y. pestis vectors, i.e., fleas, and tested for the presence of antibodies against Y. pestis using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays (ELISA) in areas known to be endemic or without previous records of Y. pestis in Tanzania. We characterized the allelic and functional (i.e., supertype) diversity of the major histocompatibility complex (MHC class II) of M. natalensis and investigated links to Y. pestis vectors and infections. We detected antibodies against Y. pestis in rodents inhabiting both endemic areas and areas considered non-endemic. Of the 111 nucleotide MHC alleles, only DRB*016 was associated with an increased infestation with the flea Xenopsylla. Surprisingly, we found no link between MHC alleles or supertypes and antibodies of Y. pestis. Our findings hint, however, at local adaptations towards Y. pestis vectors, an observation that more exhaustive sampling could unwind in the future.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Lavinia Haikukutu
- Department of Wildlife Management, Sokoine University of Agriculture, Morogoro, Tanzania.
- Institute of Evolutionary Ecology and Conservation Genomics, University of Ulm, Ulm, Germany.
- Africa Centre of Excellence for Innovative Rodent Pest Management and Biosensor Technology Development, Sokoine University of Agriculture, Morogoro, Tanzania.
| | - Japhet R Lyaku
- Department of Paraclinical Studies, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of Namibia, Windhoek, Namibia
| | - Charles M Lyimo
- Department of Animal, Aquaculture and Range Sciences, Sokoine University of Agriculture, Chuo Kikuu, Morogoro, Tanzania
| | - Seth J Eiseb
- Department of Environmental Sciences, University of Namibia, Windhoek, Namibia
| | - Rhodes H Makundi
- Africa Centre of Excellence for Innovative Rodent Pest Management and Biosensor Technology Development, Sokoine University of Agriculture, Morogoro, Tanzania
| | - Ayodeji Olayemi
- Institute of Evolutionary Ecology and Conservation Genomics, University of Ulm, Ulm, Germany
- Natural History Museum, Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile Ife, Osun State, Nigeria
| | - Kerstin Wilhelm
- Institute of Evolutionary Ecology and Conservation Genomics, University of Ulm, Ulm, Germany
| | - Nadine Müller-Klein
- Institute of Evolutionary Ecology and Conservation Genomics, University of Ulm, Ulm, Germany
| | - Dominik W Schmid
- Institute of Evolutionary Ecology and Conservation Genomics, University of Ulm, Ulm, Germany
| | - Ramona Fleischer
- Institute of Evolutionary Ecology and Conservation Genomics, University of Ulm, Ulm, Germany
| | - Simone Sommer
- Institute of Evolutionary Ecology and Conservation Genomics, University of Ulm, Ulm, Germany
| |
Collapse
|
6
|
Ospina-Pérez EM, Rivera-Páez FA, Ramírez-Chaves HE. Exploring the relationship between bats (Mammalia, Chiroptera) and ectoparasitic flies (Diptera, Hippoboscoidea) of the Orinoquia Region in South America. Zookeys 2023; 1179:1-34. [PMID: 37719778 PMCID: PMC10504637 DOI: 10.3897/zookeys.1179.103479] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/14/2023] [Accepted: 08/18/2023] [Indexed: 09/19/2023] Open
Abstract
Bat flies (Nycteribiidae and Streblidae) have been used to study co-evolutionary patterns between ectoparasites and bats. In the world, Nycteribiidae and Streblidae are represented by approximately 276 and 237 species, respectively. In regions such as the Orinoquia located in the north of South America (Colombia and Venezuela), the richness of bats is high (more than 100 documented species), but studies on Nycteribiidae and Streblidae are scarce and discontinuous. To contribute to the knowledge of ectoparasitic flies in the Orinoquia, records of flies and their interactions with bats were reviewed, including new records and associations using interaction networks. We documented 124 species of Streblidae and only 12 of Nycteribiidae for the Orinoquia in approximately 102 bat species reported in Colombia and Venezuela. New records for six species of bat flies in Colombia were found (Mastopteraguimaraesi, Noctiliostreblamaai, Paradyschiriaparvuloides, Trichobiusjubatus, Trichobiusparasiticus, and Basiliaferrisi) associated with six species of bats (Cynomopsplanirostris, Desmodusrotundus, Myotishandleyi, Molossusrufus, Noctilioalbiventris, and Phyllostomushastatus). The bat-ectoparasite interaction networks in the Orinoquia revealed a pattern of antagonistic relationships, with high specialization, modularity, and low connectivity and nesting. The identified networks are between bat fly species belonging to different ecomorphological groups with unique host species. This supports the idea of ecological niche partitioning among ectoparasitic bat flies and hosts. Our study expanded the knowledge of the distribution of some fly species and the associations with bat hosts in Colombia, by presenting morphological descriptions and new observations, which are key to understanding the ecology, diversity, and distribution of these species.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Erika M. Ospina-Pérez
- Doctorado en Ciencias – Biología, Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales, Universidad de Caldas, Calle 65 No. 26-10, 170004, Manizales, Caldas, ColombiaUniversidad de CaldasManizalesColombia
| | - Fredy A. Rivera-Páez
- Doctorado en Ciencias – Biología, Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales, Universidad de Caldas, Calle 65 No. 26-10, 170004, Manizales, Caldas, ColombiaUniversidad de CaldasManizalesColombia
| | - Héctor E. Ramírez-Chaves
- Doctorado en Ciencias – Biología, Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales, Universidad de Caldas, Calle 65 No. 26-10, 170004, Manizales, Caldas, ColombiaUniversidad de CaldasManizalesColombia
| |
Collapse
|
7
|
Li X, Liu T, Li A, Xiao Y, Sun K, Feng J. Diversifying selection and climatic effects on major histocompatibility complex class
II
gene diversity in the greater horseshoe bat. Evol Appl 2023; 16:688-704. [PMID: 36969140 PMCID: PMC10033860 DOI: 10.1111/eva.13528] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/15/2022] [Revised: 12/19/2022] [Accepted: 12/21/2022] [Indexed: 01/09/2023] Open
Abstract
Heterogeneous pathogenic stress can shape major histocompatibility complex (MHC) diversity by influencing the functional plasticity of the immune response. Therefore, MHC diversity could reflect environmental stress, demonstrating its importance in uncovering the mechanisms of adaptive genetic variation. In this study, we combined neutral microsatellite loci, an immune-related MHC II-DRB locus, and climatic factors to unravel the mechanisms affecting the diversity and genetic differentiation of MHC genes in the greater horseshoe bat (Rhinolophus ferrumequinum), a species with a wide geographical distribution that has three distinct genetic lineages in China. First, increased genetic differentiation at the MHC locus among populations compared using microsatellites indicated diversifying selection. Second, the genetic differentiation of MHC and microsatellites were significantly correlated, suggesting that demographic processes exist. However, MHC genetic differentiation was significantly correlated with geographical distance among populations, even after controlling for the neutral markers, suggesting a major effect of selection. Third, although the MHC genetic differentiation was larger than that for microsatellites, there was no significant difference in the genetic differentiation between the two markers among genetic lineages, indicating the effect of balancing selection. Fourth, combined with climatic factors, MHC diversity and supertypes showed significant correlations with temperature and precipitation, but not with the phylogeographic structure of R. ferrumequinum, suggesting an effect of local adaptation driven by climate on MHC diversity. Moreover, the number of MHC supertypes varied between populations and lineages, suggesting regional characteristics and support for local adaptation. Taken together, the results of our study provide insights into the adaptive evolutionary driving forces at different geographic scales in R. ferrumequinum. In addition, climate factors may have played a vital role in driving adaptive evolution in this species.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Xiaolin Li
- Jilin Provincial Key Laboratory of Animal Resource Conservation and Utilization Northeast Normal University Changchun China
- Key Laboratory of Vegetation Ecology, Ministry of Education Changchun China
| | - Tong Liu
- College of Life Science, Jilin Agricultural University Changchun China
| | - Aoqiang Li
- Jilin Provincial Key Laboratory of Animal Resource Conservation and Utilization Northeast Normal University Changchun China
| | - Yanhong Xiao
- Jilin Provincial Key Laboratory of Animal Resource Conservation and Utilization Northeast Normal University Changchun China
| | - Keping Sun
- Jilin Provincial Key Laboratory of Animal Resource Conservation and Utilization Northeast Normal University Changchun China
- Key Laboratory of Vegetation Ecology, Ministry of Education Changchun China
| | - Jiang Feng
- Jilin Provincial Key Laboratory of Animal Resource Conservation and Utilization Northeast Normal University Changchun China
- College of Life Science, Jilin Agricultural University Changchun China
| |
Collapse
|
8
|
Perez G. Role of bank vole (Myodes glareolus) personality on tick burden (Ixodes spp.). Folia Parasitol (Praha) 2022; 69. [DOI: 10.14411/fp.2022.014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/24/2021] [Accepted: 02/11/2022] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
|
9
|
Khan MK, Herberstein ME. Parasite‐mediated sexual selection in a damselfly. Ethology 2022. [DOI: 10.1111/eth.13315] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Md Kawsar Khan
- School of Natural Sciences Macquarie University Macquarie Park New South Wales Australia
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology Shahjalal University of Science and Technology Sylhet Bangladesh
| | - Marie E. Herberstein
- School of Natural Sciences Macquarie University Macquarie Park New South Wales Australia
| |
Collapse
|
10
|
Rogers EJ, McGuire L, Longstaffe FJ, Clerc J, Kunkel E, Fraser E. Relating wing morphology and immune function to patterns of partial and differential bat migration using stable isotopes. J Anim Ecol 2022; 91:858-869. [PMID: 35218220 DOI: 10.1111/1365-2656.13681] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/01/2021] [Accepted: 01/26/2022] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
Migration is energetically expensive and is predicted to drive similar morphological adaptations and physiological trade-offs in migratory bats and birds. Previous studies suggest that fixed traits like wing morphology vary among species and individuals according to selective pressures on flight, while immune defenses can vary flexibly within individuals as energy is variably reallocated throughout the year. We assessed intraspecific variation in wing morphology and immune function in silver-haired bats (Lasionycteris noctivagans), a species that follows both partial and differential migration patterns. We hypothesized that if bats experience energy constraints associated with migration, then wing morphology and immune function should vary based on migratory tendency (sedentary or migratory) and migration distance. We predicted that long-distance migrants would have reduced immune function and more migration-adapted wing shapes compared to resident or short-distance migrating bats. We estimated breeding latitude of spring migrants using stable hydrogen isotope techniques. Our sample consisted primarily of male bats, which we categorized as residents, long-distance northern migrants, short-distance northern migrants, and southern migrants (apparent breeding location south of capture site). Controlling for individual condition and capture date, we related wing characteristics and immune indices among groups. Some, but not all, aspects of wing form and immune function varied between migrants and residents. Long-distance northern migrants had larger wings than short-distance northern migrants and lower wing loading than southern migrants. Compared with resident bats, short-distance northern migrants had reduced IgG while southern migrants had heightened neutrophils and neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratios. Body fat, aspect ratio, wing tip shape, and bacteria killing ability did not vary with migration status or distance. In general, male silver-haired bats do not appear to mediate migration costs by substantially downregulating immune defenses or to be under stronger selection for wing forms adapted for fast, energy-efficient flight. Such phenotypic changes may be more adaptive for female silver-haired bats, which migrate farther and are more constrained by time in spring than males. Adaptations for aerial hawking and the use of heterothermy by migrating bats may also reduce the energetic cost of migration and the need for more substantial morphological and physiological trade-offs.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Elizabeth J Rogers
- Department of Biological Sciences, Texas Tech University, Lubbock, TX, USA.,Organismic and Evolutionary Biology Program, University of Massachusetts, Amherst, MA, USA
| | - Liam McGuire
- Department of Biological Sciences, Texas Tech University, Lubbock, TX, USA.,Department of Biology, University of Waterloo, Waterloo, ON, Canada
| | - Fred J Longstaffe
- Department of Earth Sciences, The University of Western Ontario, London, ON, Canada
| | - Jeff Clerc
- Department of Biological Sciences, Texas Tech University, Lubbock, TX, USA.,Normandeau Associates Inc, Gainesville, FL, USA
| | - Emma Kunkel
- Department of Biological Sciences, Texas Tech University, Lubbock, TX, USA
| | - Erin Fraser
- Environmental Science Program, Memorial University of Newfoundland (Grenfell Campus), Corner Brook, NL, Canada
| |
Collapse
|
11
|
Alcantara DMC, Graciolli G, Toma R, Souza CS. Sex-biased parasitism, host mass and mutualistic bat flies: an antagonistic individual-based network of bat-bat fly interactions. Int J Parasitol 2021; 52:217-224. [PMID: 34863803 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijpara.2021.10.010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/19/2021] [Revised: 10/06/2021] [Accepted: 10/11/2021] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
Individual-based networks provide the building blocks for community-level networks. However, network studies of bats and their parasites have focused only on the species level. Intrapopulation variation may allow certain host individuals to play important roles in the dynamics of the parasites. Therefore, we evaluated how the variation in host sex, body size, ectoparasite abundance and co-occurrence configure individual-based networks of the lesser bulldog bat Noctilio albiventris and bat flies. We expected bat individuals with greater body mass and forearms acting as the core in the network. We also expected males to play a more important role in the network. We sampled a network of N. albiventris bat individuals and their bat flies to describe the structure of an antagonistic individual-based network. We aimed to identify the most relevant bat individuals in the network, focusing on the implications inherent to each of the following approaches: (i) core-periphery organization; (ii) modularity; (iii) species level metrics; and (iv) the main ecological driver of bat individual roles in the network, using niche-based predictors (body mass, forearm and sex). We showed that a network of N. albiventris individuals and their bat flies had low modularity containing a persistent nucleus of individuals and bat flies with well-established interactions. Male individuals with greater body mass played an important role in the network, while for females neither mass nor forearm length were important predictors of their role in the network. Finally, individuals with a high abundance of Paradyschiria parvula played a core role. These results provide an alternative perspective to understand the patterns and mechanisms of interspecific interactions between parasites on the host, as well as sex-biased parasitism.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Daniel Maximo Correa Alcantara
- Departamento de Zoologia, Instituto de Biociências, Universidade de São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil; Fundação Oswaldo Cruz de Mato Grosso do Sul, Campo Grande, Mato Grosso do Sul, Brazil.
| | - Gustavo Graciolli
- Setor de Zoologia, Instituto de Biociências, Universidade Federal de Mato Grosso do Sul, Campo Grande, Mato Grosso do Sul, Brazil
| | - Ronaldo Toma
- Fundação Oswaldo Cruz de Mato Grosso do Sul, Campo Grande, Mato Grosso do Sul, Brazil
| | - Camila Silveira Souza
- Departamento de Biologia Geral, Programa de Pós-Graduação em Botânica Aplicada, Universidade Estadual de Montes Claros, Montes Claros, Minas Gerais, Brazil
| |
Collapse
|
12
|
Ivy-Israel NMD, Moore CE, Schwartz TS, Steury TD, Zohdy S, Newbolt CH, Ditchkoff SS. Association between sexually selected traits and allelic distance in two unlinked MHC II loci in white-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus). Evol Ecol 2021. [DOI: 10.1007/s10682-021-10108-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/21/2022]
|
13
|
Zamora-Mejías D, Morales-Malacara JB, Rodríguez-Herrera B, Ojeda M, Medellín RA. Does latitudinal migration represent an advantage in the decrease of ectoparasitic loads in Leptonycteris yerbabuenae (Chiroptera)? J Mammal 2020. [DOI: 10.1093/jmammal/gyaa075] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Abstract
Latitudinal migration increases fitness of migrants by allowing them to exploit favorable conditions in nonadjacent geographic regions. Other consequences also may follow, such as interactions with parasites. Migrants may have lower parasite prevalence and abundance than resident individuals because of their ability to abandon infested areas or due to mortality of highly infested hosts. To further understand whether variation in ectoparasite loads is influenced by migration, we investigated whether prevalence and abundance of two species of obligate ectoparasites, the wing mite Periglischrus paracaligus (Mesostigmata: Spinturnicidae) and the bat fly Nycterophilia coxata (Diptera: Streblidae, Nycterophiliinae), of the lesser long-nosed bat, Leptonycteris yerbabuenae, varied between migratory and resident populations throughout their range in Mexico. We examined the presence or absence of migratory behavior, as well as sex and reproductive status of the host because ectoparasitism differentially affects the sexes. Our results showed that the prevalence of both ectoparasites did not vary between migrant and resident females or males, but abundance of the wing mite P. paracaligus was lower in migrant females compared with resident females, with an important influence from the reproductive status of the host. A partial negative relationship between ectoparasite loads and latitudinal migration therefore was demonstrated.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Daniel Zamora-Mejías
- Posgrado en Ciencias Biológicas, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, México D.F., México
- Instituto de Ecología, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Ciudad Universitaria, México
| | - Juan B Morales-Malacara
- Unidad Multidisciplinaria de Docencia e Investigación, Facultad de Ciencias, Campus Juriquilla, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Querétaro, México
| | | | - Margarita Ojeda
- Laboratorio de Ecología y Sistemática de Microartrópodos, Departamento de Ecología y Recursos Naturales, Facultad de Ciencias, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Coyoacán, Ciudad Universitaria, Ciudad de México, México
| | - Rodrigo A Medellín
- Instituto de Ecología, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Ciudad Universitaria, México
| |
Collapse
|
14
|
Zhu Y, Grueber C, Li Y, He M, Hu L, He K, Liu H, Zhang H, Wu H. MHC-associated Baylisascaris schroederi load informs the giant panda reintroduction program. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL FOR PARASITOLOGY-PARASITES AND WILDLIFE 2020; 12:113-120. [PMID: 32528846 PMCID: PMC7283101 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijppaw.2020.05.010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/15/2020] [Revised: 05/24/2020] [Accepted: 05/24/2020] [Indexed: 12/27/2022]
Abstract
Reintroducing captive giant pandas (Ailuropoda melanoleuca) to the wild is the ultimate goal of their ex situ conservation. Choosing higher fitness candidates to train prior to release is the first step in the giant panda reintroduction program. Disease resistance is one important index of individual fitness and presumed to be related to variation at major histocompatibility complex genes (MHC). Here, we used seven polymorphic functional MHC genes (Aime-C, Aime-I, Aime-L, Aime-DQA1, Aime-DQA2, Aime-DQB1 and Aime-DRB3) and estimate their relationship with Baylisascaris schroederi (Ascarididae) infection in giant panda. We found that DQA1 heterozygous pandas were less frequently infected than homozygotes. The presence of one MHC genotype and one MHC allele were also associated with B. schroederi infection: Aime-C*0203 and Aime-L*08 were both associated with B. schroederi resistance. Our results indicate that both heterozygosity and certain MHC variants are important for panda disease resistance, and should therefore be considered in future reintroduction programs for this species alongside conventional selection criteria (such as physical condition and pedigree-based information). MHC heterozygous pandas were less frequently infected by Baylisascaris schroederi than homozygotes. Presence of Aime-C*0203 and Aime-L*08 are associated with Baylisascaris schroederi resistance. MHC types are important for panda parasite resistance.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Ying Zhu
- Sichuan Province Laboratory for Natural Resources Protection and Sustainable Utilization, Sichuan Provincial Academy of Natural Resource Sciences, Chengdu, China.,Faculty of Science, School of Life and Environmental Sciences, The University of Sydney, Sydney, Australia
| | - Catherine Grueber
- Faculty of Science, School of Life and Environmental Sciences, The University of Sydney, Sydney, Australia
| | - Yudong Li
- Sichuan Province Laboratory for Natural Resources Protection and Sustainable Utilization, Sichuan Provincial Academy of Natural Resource Sciences, Chengdu, China
| | - Ming He
- China Conservation and Research Center for the Giant Panda, Dujiangyan, Sichuan, China
| | - Lan Hu
- China Conservation and Research Center for the Giant Panda, Dujiangyan, Sichuan, China
| | - Ke He
- College of Animal Sciences & Technology, Zhejiang A & F University, Hangzhou, China
| | - Hongyi Liu
- College of Biology and the Environment, Nanjing Forestry University, Nanjing, China
| | - Hemin Zhang
- China Conservation and Research Center for the Giant Panda, Dujiangyan, Sichuan, China
| | - Honglin Wu
- China Conservation and Research Center for the Giant Panda, Dujiangyan, Sichuan, China
| |
Collapse
|
15
|
Vlček J, Štefka J. Association between louse abundance and MHC II supertypes in Galápagos mockingbirds. Parasitol Res 2020; 119:1597-1605. [PMID: 32006226 DOI: 10.1007/s00436-020-06617-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/17/2019] [Accepted: 01/22/2020] [Indexed: 01/30/2023]
Abstract
Major histocompatibility complex class II (MHC II) is an essential molecule triggering the adaptive immune response by the presentation of pathogens to helper T cells. The association between individual MHC II variants and various parasites has become a frequent finding in studies of vertebrate populations. However, although bird ectoparasites have a significant effect on their host's fitness, and the host's immune system can regulate ectoparasitic infections, no study has yet investigated the association between MHC II polymorphism and ectoparasite infection in the populations of free-living birds. Here, we test whether an association exists between the abundance of a chewing louse (Myrsidea nesomimi) and MHC II polymorphism of its hosts, the Galápagos mockingbirds (Mimus). We have found that the presence of two MHC II supertypes (functionally differentiated clusters) was significantly associated with louse abundance. This pattern supports the theory that a co-evolutionary interaction stands behind the maintenance of MHC polymorphism. Moreover, we have found a positive correlation between louse abundance and heterophil/lymphocyte ratio (an indicator of immunological stress) that serves as an additional piece of evidence that ectoparasite burden is affected by immunological state of Galápagos mockingbirds.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Jakub Vlček
- Institute of Parasitology, Biology Centre CAS, Branišovská 1160/31, 37005, České Budějovice, Czech Republic. .,Faculty of Science, University of South Bohemia, Branišovská, 1760, České Budějovice, Czech Republic.
| | - Jan Štefka
- Institute of Parasitology, Biology Centre CAS, Branišovská 1160/31, 37005, České Budějovice, Czech Republic.,Faculty of Science, University of South Bohemia, Branišovská, 1760, České Budějovice, Czech Republic
| |
Collapse
|
16
|
Qurkhuli T, Schwensow N, Brändel SD, Tschapka M, Sommer S. Can extreme MHC class I diversity be a feature of a wide geographic range? The example of Seba's short-tailed bat (Carollia perspicillata). Immunogenetics 2019; 71:575-587. [PMID: 31520134 PMCID: PMC7079943 DOI: 10.1007/s00251-019-01128-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/13/2019] [Accepted: 08/14/2019] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
The major histocompatibility complex (MHC) is one of the most diverse genetic regions under pathogen-driven selection because of its central role in antigen binding and immunity. The highest MHC variability, both in terms of the number of individual alleles and gene copies, has so far been found in passerine birds; this is probably attributable to passerine adaptation to both a wide geographic range and a diverse array of habitats. If extraordinary high MHC variation and duplication rates are adaptive features under selection during the evolution of ecologically and taxonomically diverse species, then similarly diverse MHC architectures should be found in bats. Bats are an extremely species-rich mammalian group that is globally widely distributed. Many bat species roost in multitudinous groups and have high contact rates with pathogens, conspecifics, and allospecifics. We have characterized the MHC class I diversity in 116 Panamanian Seba's short-tailed bats (Carollia perspicillata), a widely distributed, generalist, neotropical species. We have detected a remarkable individual and population-level diversity of MHC class I genes, with between seven and 22 alleles and a unique genotype in each individual. This diversity is comparable with that reported in passerine birds and, in both taxonomic groups, further variability has evolved through length polymorphisms. Our findings support the hypothesis that, for species with a geographically broader range, high MHC class I variability is particularly adaptive. Investigation of the details of the underlying adaptive processes and the role of the high MHC diversity in pathogen resistance are important next steps for a better understanding of the role of bats in viral evolution and as carriers of several deadly zoonotic viruses.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Tamar Qurkhuli
- Institute for Evolutionary Ecology and Conservation Genomics, University of Ulm, Albert-Einstein Allee 11, 89081, Ulm, Germany
| | - Nina Schwensow
- Institute for Evolutionary Ecology and Conservation Genomics, University of Ulm, Albert-Einstein Allee 11, 89081, Ulm, Germany
| | - Stefan Dominik Brändel
- Institute for Evolutionary Ecology and Conservation Genomics, University of Ulm, Albert-Einstein Allee 11, 89081, Ulm, Germany
- Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute, Apartado, 0843-03092, Panamá, República de Panamá
| | - Marco Tschapka
- Institute for Evolutionary Ecology and Conservation Genomics, University of Ulm, Albert-Einstein Allee 11, 89081, Ulm, Germany
- Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute, Apartado, 0843-03092, Panamá, República de Panamá
| | - Simone Sommer
- Institute for Evolutionary Ecology and Conservation Genomics, University of Ulm, Albert-Einstein Allee 11, 89081, Ulm, Germany.
| |
Collapse
|
17
|
Leclaire S, Strandh M, Dell'Ariccia G, Gabirot M, Westerdahl H, Bonadonna F. Plumage microbiota covaries with the major histocompatibility complex in blue petrels. Mol Ecol 2019; 28:833-846. [PMID: 30582649 DOI: 10.1111/mec.14993] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/30/2018] [Revised: 12/05/2018] [Accepted: 12/17/2018] [Indexed: 01/04/2023]
Abstract
To increase fitness, a wide range of vertebrates preferentially mate with partners that are dissimilar at the major histocompatibility complex (MHC) or that have high MHC diversity. Although MHC often can be assessed through olfactory cues, the mechanism by which MHC genes influence odour remains largely unclear. MHC class IIB molecules, which enable recognition and elimination of extracellular bacteria, have been suggested to influence odour indirectly by shaping odour-producing microbiota, i.e. bacterial communities. However, there is little evidence of the predicted covariation between an animal's MHC genotype and its bacterial communities in scent-producing body surfaces. Here, using high-throughput sequencing, we tested the covariation between MHC class IIB genotypes and feather microbiota in the blue petrel (Halobaena caerulea), a seabird with highly developed olfaction that has been suggested to rely on oduor cues during an MHC-based mate choice. First, we show that individuals with similar MHC class IIB profiles also have similar bacterial assemblages in their feathers. Then, we show that individuals with high MHC diversity have less diverse feather microbiota and also a reduced abundance of a bacterium of the genus Arsenophonus, a genus in which some species are symbionts of avian ectoparasites. Our results, showing that feather microbiota covary with MHC, are consistent with the hypothesis that individual MHC genotype may shape the semiochemical-producing microbiota in birds.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Sarah Leclaire
- Laboratoire Evolution & Diversité Biologique, UMR 5174 (CNRS, Université Paul Sabatier, ENFA), Toulouse, France.,Centre d'Ecologie Fonctionnelle et Evolutive, CNRS-CEFE, Montpellier, France
| | - Maria Strandh
- Molecular Ecology and Evolution Lab, Lund University, Lund, Sweden
| | - Gaia Dell'Ariccia
- Centre d'Ecologie Fonctionnelle et Evolutive, CNRS-CEFE, Montpellier, France
| | - Marianne Gabirot
- Centre d'Ecologie Fonctionnelle et Evolutive, CNRS-CEFE, Montpellier, France
| | | | - Francesco Bonadonna
- Centre d'Ecologie Fonctionnelle et Evolutive, CNRS-CEFE, Montpellier, France
| |
Collapse
|
18
|
Hacking JD, Stuart‐Fox D, Godfrey SS, Gardner MG. Specific MHC class I supertype associated with parasite infection and color morph in a wild lizard population. Ecol Evol 2018; 8:9920-9933. [PMID: 30386586 PMCID: PMC6202711 DOI: 10.1002/ece3.4479] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/02/2018] [Revised: 07/19/2018] [Accepted: 07/23/2018] [Indexed: 12/30/2022] Open
Abstract
The major histocompatibility complex (MHC) is a large gene family that plays a central role in the immune system of all jawed vertebrates. Nonavian reptiles are underrepresented within the MHC literature and little is understood regarding the mechanisms maintaining MHC diversity in this vertebrate group. Here, we examined the relative roles of parasite-mediated selection and sexual selection in maintaining MHC class I diversity of a color polymorphic lizard. We discovered evidence for parasite-mediated selection acting via rare-allele advantage or fluctuating selection as ectoparasite load was significantly lower in the presence of a specific MHC supertype (functional clustering of alleles): supertype four. Based on comparisons between ectoparasite prevalence and load, and assessment of the impact of ectoparasite load on host fitness, we suggest that supertype four confers quantitative resistance to ticks or an intracellular tickborne parasite. We found no evidence for MHC-associated mating in terms of pair genetic distance, number of alleles, or specific supertypes. An association was uncovered between supertype four and male throat color morph. However, it is unlikely that male throat coloration acts as a signal of MHC genotype to conspecifics because we found no evidence to suggest that male throat coloration predicts male mating status. Overall, our results suggest that parasite-mediated selection plays a role in maintaining MHC diversity in this population via rare-allele advantage and/or fluctuating selection. Further work is required to determine whether sexual selection also plays a role in maintaining MHC diversity in agamid lizards.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Jessica D. Hacking
- College of Science and EngineeringFlinders UniversityBedford ParkSouth AustraliaAustralia
| | - Devi Stuart‐Fox
- School of BioSciencesUniversity of MelbourneParkvilleVictoriaAustralia
| | | | - Michael G. Gardner
- College of Science and EngineeringFlinders UniversityBedford ParkSouth AustraliaAustralia
- Evolutionary Biology UnitSouth Australian MuseumAdelaideSouth AustraliaAustralia
| |
Collapse
|
19
|
Estrada-Villegas S, Halczok TK, Tschapka M, Page RA, Brändel SD, Hiller T. Bats and their Bat Flies: Community Composition and Host Specificity on a Pacific Island Archipelago. ACTA CHIROPTEROLOGICA 2018. [DOI: 10.3161/15081109acc2018.20.1.012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Sergio Estrada-Villegas
- Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute, Apartado 0843-03092, Balboa, Ancón, Panama
- Department of Biological Sciences, Marquette University, PO Box 1881, Milwaukee, WI 53201-1881, USA
- Programa para la Conservación de los Murciélagos de Colombia PCMCo. Carrera 10 # 65 - 63 - Oficina 201-3, Bogotá, Colombia
| | - Tanja K. Halczok
- Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute, Apartado 0843-03092, Balboa, Ancón, Panama
- Zoological Institute and Museum, University of Greifswald, Soldmannstrasse 14, 17489 Greifswald, Germany
| | - Marco Tschapka
- Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute, Apartado 0843-03092, Balboa, Ancón, Panama
- Institute of Evolutionary Ecology and Conservation Genomics, University of Ulm, Albert-Einstein Allee 11, 89069 Ulm, Germany
| | - Rachel A. Page
- Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute, Apartado 0843-03092, Balboa, Ancón, Panama
| | - Stefan D. Brändel
- Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute, Apartado 0843-03092, Balboa, Ancón, Panama
- Institute of Evolutionary Ecology and Conservation Genomics, University of Ulm, Albert-Einstein Allee 11, 89069 Ulm, Germany
| | - Thomas Hiller
- Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute, Apartado 0843-03092, Balboa, Ancón, Panama
- Institute of Evolutionary Ecology and Conservation Genomics, University of Ulm, Albert-Einstein Allee 11, 89069 Ulm, Germany
| |
Collapse
|
20
|
Acevedo-Whitehouse K, Gulland FMD, Bowen L. MHC class II DRB diversity predicts antigen recognition and is associated with disease severity in California sea lions naturally infected with Leptospira interrogans. INFECTION GENETICS AND EVOLUTION 2017; 57:158-165. [PMID: 29183820 DOI: 10.1016/j.meegid.2017.11.023] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/01/2017] [Revised: 11/07/2017] [Accepted: 11/23/2017] [Indexed: 12/26/2022]
Abstract
We examined the associations between California sea lion MHC class II DRB (Zaca-DRB) configuration and diversity, and leptospirosis. As Zaca-DRB gene sequences are involved with antigen presentation of bacteria and other extracellular pathogens, we predicted that they would play a role in determining responses to these pathogenic spirochaetes. Specifically, we investigated whether Zaca-DRB diversity (number of genes) and configuration (presence of specific genes) explained differences in disease severity, and whether higher levels of Zaca-DRB diversity predicted the number of specific Leptospira interrogans serovars that a sea lion's serum would react against. We found that serum from diseased sea lions with more Zaca-DRB loci reacted against a wider array of serovars. Specific Zaca-DRB loci were linked to reactions with particular serovars. Interestingly, sea lions with clinical manifestation of leptospirosis that had higher numbers of Zaca-DRB loci were less likely to recover from disease than those with lower diversity, and those that harboured Zaca-DRB.C or -G were 4.5 to 5.3 times more likely to die from leptospirosis, regardless of the infective serovars. We propose that for leptospirosis, a disadvantage of having a wider range of antigen presentation might be increased disease severity due to immunopathology. Ours is the first study to examine the importance of Zaca-DRB diversity for antigen detection and disease severity following natural exposure to infective leptospires.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Karina Acevedo-Whitehouse
- Unit for Basic and Applied Microbiology, School of Natural Sciences, Autonomous University of Queretaro, Av. de las Ciencias S/N, Queretaro 76230, Mexico; The Marine Mammal Center, 2000 Bunker Road, Sausalito, CA 94965, USA.
| | | | - Lizabeth Bowen
- USGS Western Ecological Research Center, 1 Shields Ave., University of California, Davis, CA 95616-5224, USA
| |
Collapse
|
21
|
Kaesler E, Kappeler PM, Brameier M, Demeler J, Kraus C, Rakotoniaina JH, Hämäläinen AM, Huchard E. Shared evolutionary origin of major histocompatibility complex polymorphism in sympatric lemurs. Mol Ecol 2017; 26:5629-5645. [PMID: 28833696 DOI: 10.1111/mec.14336] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/09/2016] [Revised: 07/12/2017] [Accepted: 08/05/2017] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
Genes of the major histocompatibility complex (MHC) play a central role in adaptive immune responses of vertebrates. They exhibit remarkable polymorphism, often crossing species boundaries with similar alleles or allelic motifs shared across species. This pattern may reflect parallel parasite-mediated selective pressures, either favouring the long maintenance of ancestral MHC allelic lineages across successive speciation events by balancing selection ("trans-species polymorphism"), or alternatively favouring the independent emergence of functionally similar alleles post-speciation via convergent evolution. Here, we investigate the origins of MHC similarity across several species of dwarf and mouse lemurs (Cheirogaleidae). We examined MHC class II variation in two highly polymorphic loci (DRB, DQB) and evaluated the overlap of gut-parasite communities in four sympatric lemurs. We tested for parasite-MHC associations across species to determine whether similar parasite pressures may select for similar MHC alleles in different species. Next, we integrated our MHC data with those previously obtained from other Cheirogaleidae to investigate the relative contribution of convergent evolution and co-ancestry to shared MHC polymorphism by contrasting patterns of codon usage at functional vs. neutral sites. Our results indicate that parasites shared across species may select for functionally similar MHC alleles, implying that the dynamics of MHC-parasite co-evolution should be envisaged at the community level. We further show that balancing selection maintaining trans-species polymorphism, rather than convergent evolution, is the primary mechanism explaining shared MHC sequence motifs between species that diverged up to 30 million years ago.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Eva Kaesler
- Deutsches Primatenzentrum GmbH - Leibniz-Institut für Primatenforschung, Verhaltensökologie & Soziobiologie, Göttingen, Germany
| | - Peter M Kappeler
- Deutsches Primatenzentrum GmbH - Leibniz-Institut für Primatenforschung, Verhaltensökologie & Soziobiologie, Göttingen, Germany.,Johann Friedrich Blumenbach Institut für Zoologie & Anthropologie, Georg-August-Universität Göttingen, Göttingen, Germany
| | - Markus Brameier
- Deutsches Primatenzentrum GmbH - Leibniz-Institut für Primatenforschung, Göttingen, Germany
| | - Janina Demeler
- Institut für Parasitologie und Tropenveterinärmedizin, Berlin, Germany
| | - Cornelia Kraus
- Deutsches Primatenzentrum GmbH - Leibniz-Institut für Primatenforschung, Verhaltensökologie & Soziobiologie, Göttingen, Germany.,Johann Friedrich Blumenbach Institut für Zoologie & Anthropologie, Georg-August-Universität Göttingen, Göttingen, Germany
| | - Josué H Rakotoniaina
- Johann Friedrich Blumenbach Institut für Zoologie & Anthropologie, Georg-August-Universität Göttingen, Göttingen, Germany
| | - Anni M Hämäläinen
- Johann Friedrich Blumenbach Institut für Zoologie & Anthropologie, Georg-August-Universität Göttingen, Göttingen, Germany
| | - Elise Huchard
- Institute for Evolutionary Biology, Montpellier (ISEM, UMR 5554), CNRS, Université Montpellier, Montpellier Cedex 5, France
| |
Collapse
|
22
|
Davy CM, Donaldson ME, Rico Y, Lausen CL, Dogantzis K, Ritchie K, Willis CK, Burles DW, Jung TS, McBurney S, Park A, McAlpine DF, Vanderwolf KJ, Kyle CJ. Prelude to a panzootic: Gene flow and immunogenetic variation in northern little brown myotis vulnerable to bat white-nose syndrome. Facets (Ott) 2017. [DOI: 10.1139/facets-2017-0022] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/22/2022] Open
Abstract
The fungus that causes bat white-nose syndrome (WNS) recently leaped from eastern North America to the Pacific Coast. The pathogen’s spread is associated with the genetic population structure of a host ( Myotis lucifugus). To understand the fine-scale neutral and immunogenetic variation among northern populations of M. lucifugus, we sampled 1142 individuals across the species’ northern range. We used genotypes at 11 microsatellite loci to reveal the genetic structure of, and directional gene flow among, populations to predict the likely future spread of the pathogen in the northwest and to estimate effective population size ( Ne). We also pyrosequenced the DRB1-like exon 2 of the class II major histocompatibility complex (MHC) in 160 individuals to explore immunogenetic selection by WNS. We identified three major neutral genetic clusters: Eastern, Montane Cordillera (and adjacent sampling areas), and Haida Gwaii, with admixture at intermediate areas and significant substructure west of the prairies. Estimates of Ne were unexpectedly low (289–16 000). Haida Gwaii may provide temporary refuge from WNS, but the western mountain ranges are not barriers to its dispersal in M. lucifugus and are unlikely to slow its spread. Our major histocompatibility complex (MHC) data suggest potential selection by WNS on the MHC, but gene duplication limited the immunogenetic analyses.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Christina M. Davy
- Wildlife Research and Monitoring Section, Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry, 2140 East Bank Drive, Peterborough, ON K9J 7B8, Canada
- Department of Biology, University of Winnipeg, 515 Portage Avenue, Winnipeg, MB R3B 2E9, Canada
- Environmental and Life Sciences Graduate Program, Trent University, Peterborough, ON K9J 7B8, Canada
| | - Michael E. Donaldson
- Environmental and Life Sciences Graduate Program, Trent University, Peterborough, ON K9J 7B8, Canada
- Forensic Science Department, Trent University, 2140 East Bank Drive, Peterborough, ON K9J 7B8, Canada
| | - Yessica Rico
- Wildlife Research and Monitoring Section, Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry, 2140 East Bank Drive, Peterborough, ON K9J 7B8, Canada
- Catedrático CONACYT, Instituto de Ecología A.C., Centro Regional del Bajío, Avenida Lázaro Cárdenas 253, Pátzcuaro, Michoacán 61600, México
| | - Cori L. Lausen
- Wildlife Conservation Society Canada, P.O. Box 606, Kaslo, BC V0G 1M0, Canada
| | - Kathleen Dogantzis
- Forensic Science Department, Trent University, 2140 East Bank Drive, Peterborough, ON K9J 7B8, Canada
| | - Kyle Ritchie
- Forensic Science Department, Trent University, 2140 East Bank Drive, Peterborough, ON K9J 7B8, Canada
| | - Craig K.R. Willis
- Department of Biology, University of Winnipeg, 515 Portage Avenue, Winnipeg, MB R3B 2E9, Canada
| | - Douglas W. Burles
- Gwaii Haanas National Park Reserve/Haida Heritage Site, P.O. Box 37, Queen Charlotte City, BC V0T 1S0, Canada
| | - Thomas S. Jung
- Yukon Department of Environment, P.O. Box 2703, Whitehorse, YT Y1A 2C6, Canada
| | - Scott McBurney
- Canadian Wildlife Health Cooperative, Atlantic Region, Atlantic Veterinary College, University of Prince Edward Island, 550 University Avenue, Charlottetown, PEI C1A 4P3, Canada
| | - Allysia Park
- Canadian Wildlife Health Cooperative, Atlantic Region, Atlantic Veterinary College, University of Prince Edward Island, 550 University Avenue, Charlottetown, PEI C1A 4P3, Canada
| | - Donald F. McAlpine
- New Brunswick Museum, 277 Douglas Avenue, Saint John, NB E2K 1E5, Canada
| | - Karen J. Vanderwolf
- New Brunswick Museum, 277 Douglas Avenue, Saint John, NB E2K 1E5, Canada
- Canadian Wildlife Federation, 350 Promenade Michael Cowpland Drive, Kanata, ON K2M 2G4, Canada
| | - Christopher J. Kyle
- Wildlife Research and Monitoring Section, Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry, 2140 East Bank Drive, Peterborough, ON K9J 7B8, Canada
- Environmental and Life Sciences Graduate Program, Trent University, Peterborough, ON K9J 7B8, Canada
- Forensic Science Department, Trent University, 2140 East Bank Drive, Peterborough, ON K9J 7B8, Canada
| |
Collapse
|
23
|
Ng JHJ, Tachedjian M, Wang LF, Baker ML. Insights into the ancestral organisation of the mammalian MHC class II region from the genome of the pteropid bat, Pteropus alecto. BMC Genomics 2017; 18:388. [PMID: 28521747 PMCID: PMC5437515 DOI: 10.1186/s12864-017-3760-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/17/2016] [Accepted: 05/03/2017] [Indexed: 01/08/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Bats are an extremely successful group of mammals and possess a variety of unique characteristics, including their ability to co-exist with a diverse range of pathogens. The major histocompatibility complex (MHC) is the most gene dense and polymorphic region of the genome and MHC class II (MHC-II) molecules play a vital role in the presentation of antigens derived from extracellular pathogens and activation of the adaptive immune response. Characterisation of the MHC-II region of bats is crucial for understanding the evolution of the MHC and of the role of pathogens in shaping the immune system. RESULTS Here we describe the relatively contracted MHC-II region of the Australian black flying-fox (Pteropus alecto), providing the first detailed insight into the MHC-II region of any species of bat. Twelve MHC-II genes, including one locus (DRB2) located outside the class II region, were identified on a single scaffold in the bat genome. The presence of a class II locus outside the MHC-II region is atypical and provides evidence for an ancient class II duplication block. Two non-classical loci, DO and DM and two classical, DQ and DR loci, were identified in P. alecto. A putative classical, DPB pseudogene was also identified. The bat's antigen processing cluster, though contracted, remains highly conserved, thus supporting its importance in antigen presentation and disease resistance. CONCLUSIONS This detailed characterisation of the bat MHC-II region helps to fill a phylogenetic gap in the evolution of the mammalian class II region and is a stepping stone towards better understanding of the immune responses in bats to viral, bacterial, fungal and parasitic infections.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Justin H J Ng
- CSIRO Australian Animal Health Laboratory, Health and Biosecurity Business Unit, Geelong, VIC, 3220, Australia
- Faculty of Veterinary Science, University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW, 2006, Australia
- Programme in Emerging Infectious Diseases, Duke-National University of Singapore Medical School, Singapore, 169857, Singapore
| | - Mary Tachedjian
- CSIRO Australian Animal Health Laboratory, Health and Biosecurity Business Unit, Geelong, VIC, 3220, Australia
| | - Lin-Fa Wang
- CSIRO Australian Animal Health Laboratory, Health and Biosecurity Business Unit, Geelong, VIC, 3220, Australia
- Programme in Emerging Infectious Diseases, Duke-National University of Singapore Medical School, Singapore, 169857, Singapore
| | - Michelle L Baker
- CSIRO Australian Animal Health Laboratory, Health and Biosecurity Business Unit, Geelong, VIC, 3220, Australia.
| |
Collapse
|
24
|
Santos PSC, Courtiol A, Heidel AJ, Höner OP, Heckmann I, Nagy M, Mayer F, Platzer M, Voigt CC, Sommer S. MHC-dependent mate choice is linked to a trace-amine-associated receptor gene in a mammal. Sci Rep 2016; 6:38490. [PMID: 27941813 PMCID: PMC5150237 DOI: 10.1038/srep38490] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/25/2015] [Accepted: 11/11/2016] [Indexed: 01/28/2023] Open
Abstract
Major histocompatibility complex (MHC) genes play a pivotal role in vertebrate self/nonself recognition, parasite resistance and life history decisions. In evolutionary terms, the MHC’s exceptional diversity is likely maintained by sexual and pathogen-driven selection. Even though MHC-dependent mating preferences have been confirmed for many species, the sensory and genetic mechanisms underlying mate recognition remain cryptic. Since olfaction is crucial for social communication in vertebrates, variation in chemosensory receptor genes could explain MHC-dependent mating patterns. Here, we investigated whether female mate choice is based on MHC alleles and linked to variation in chemosensory trace amine-associated receptors (TAARs) in the greater sac-winged bat (Saccopteryx bilineata). We sequenced several MHC and TAAR genes and related their variation to mating and paternity data. We found strong evidence for MHC class I-dependent female choice for genetically diverse and dissimilar males. We also detected a significant interaction between mate choice and the female TAAR3 genotype, with TAAR3-heterozygous females being more likely to choose MHC-diverse males. These results suggest that TAARs and olfactory cues may be key mediators in mammalian MHC-dependent mate choice. Our study may help identify the ligands involved in the chemical communication between potential mates.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Pablo S C Santos
- Leibniz Institute for Zoo and Wildlife Research (IZW) Berlin, Germany.,Institute of Evolutionary Ecology and Conservation Genomics, University of Ulm, Ulm, Germany
| | - Alexandre Courtiol
- Leibniz Institute for Zoo and Wildlife Research (IZW) Berlin, Germany.,Berlin Center for Genomics in Biodiversity Research (BeGenDiv), 14195 Berlin, Germany
| | - Andrew J Heidel
- Leibniz Institute on Age - Fritz Lipmann Institute, Jena, Germany
| | - Oliver P Höner
- Leibniz Institute for Zoo and Wildlife Research (IZW) Berlin, Germany
| | - Ilja Heckmann
- Leibniz Institute for Zoo and Wildlife Research (IZW) Berlin, Germany
| | - Martina Nagy
- Museum für Naturkunde, Leibniz Institute for Research on Evolution and Biodiversity, Berlin, Germany
| | - Frieder Mayer
- Museum für Naturkunde, Leibniz Institute for Research on Evolution and Biodiversity, Berlin, Germany
| | - Matthias Platzer
- Leibniz Institute on Age - Fritz Lipmann Institute, Jena, Germany
| | - Christian C Voigt
- Leibniz Institute for Zoo and Wildlife Research (IZW) Berlin, Germany
| | - Simone Sommer
- Leibniz Institute for Zoo and Wildlife Research (IZW) Berlin, Germany.,Institute of Evolutionary Ecology and Conservation Genomics, University of Ulm, Ulm, Germany
| |
Collapse
|
25
|
Lei W, Zhou X, Fang W, Lin Q, Chen X. Major histocompatibility complex class II DAB alleles associated with intestinal parasite load in the vulnerable Chinese egret (Egretta eulophotes). Ecol Evol 2016; 6:4421-34. [PMID: 27386085 PMCID: PMC4930990 DOI: 10.1002/ece3.2226] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/23/2015] [Revised: 05/04/2016] [Accepted: 05/16/2016] [Indexed: 11/09/2022] Open
Abstract
The maintenance of major histocompatibility complex (MHC) polymorphism has been hypothesized to result from many mechanisms such as rare-allele advantage, heterozygote advantage, and allele counting. In the study reported herein, 224 vulnerable Chinese egrets (Egretta eulophotes) were used to examine these hypotheses as empirical results derived from bird studies are rare. Parasite survey showed that 147 (65.63%) individuals were infected with 1-3 helminths, and 82.31% of these infected individuals carried Ascaridia sp. Using asymmetric polymerase chain reaction technique, 10 DAB1, twelve DAB2, and three DAB3 exon 2 alleles were identified at each single locus. A significant association of the rare allele Egeu-DAB2*05 (allele frequency: 0.022) with helminth resistance was found for all helminths, as well as for the most abundant morphotype Ascaridia sp. in the separate analyses. Egeu-DAB2*05 occurred frequently in uninfected individuals, and individuals carrying Egeu-DAB2*05 had significantly lower helminth morphotypes per individual (HMI) (the number of HMI) and the fecal egg count values. Further, the parasite infection measurements were consistently lower in individuals with an intermediate number of different alleles in the duplicated DAB loci. Significantly, heterozygosity within each DAB locus was not correlated with any parasite infection measurements. These results indicate that the diversity in MHC Egeu-DAB gene is associated with intestinal parasite load and maintained by pathogen-driven selection that probably operate through both the rare-allele advantage and the allele counting strategy, and suggest that Egeu-DAB2*05 might be a valuable indicator of better resistance to helminth diseases in the vulnerable Chinese egret.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Wei Lei
- Key Laboratory of Ministry of Education for Coast and Wetland EcosystemsCollege of the Environment and EcologyXiamen UniversityXiamen361102China
| | - Xiaoping Zhou
- Key Laboratory of Ministry of Education for Coast and Wetland EcosystemsCollege of the Environment and EcologyXiamen UniversityXiamen361102China
| | - Wenzhen Fang
- Key Laboratory of Ministry of Education for Coast and Wetland EcosystemsCollege of the Environment and EcologyXiamen UniversityXiamen361102China
| | - Qingxian Lin
- Key Laboratory of Ministry of Education for Coast and Wetland EcosystemsCollege of the Environment and EcologyXiamen UniversityXiamen361102China
| | - Xiaolin Chen
- Key Laboratory of Ministry of Education for Coast and Wetland EcosystemsCollege of the Environment and EcologyXiamen UniversityXiamen361102China
| |
Collapse
|
26
|
Ng JHJ, Tachedjian M, Deakin J, Wynne JW, Cui J, Haring V, Broz I, Chen H, Belov K, Wang LF, Baker ML. Evolution and comparative analysis of the bat MHC-I region. Sci Rep 2016; 6:21256. [PMID: 26876644 PMCID: PMC4753418 DOI: 10.1038/srep21256] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/07/2015] [Accepted: 01/20/2016] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Bats are natural hosts to numerous viruses and have ancient origins, having diverged from other eutherian mammals early in evolution. These characteristics place them in an important position to provide insights into the evolution of the mammalian immune system and antiviral immunity. We describe the first detailed partial map of a bat (Pteropus alecto) MHC-I region with comparative analysis of the MHC-I region and genes. The bat MHC-I region is highly condensed, yet relatively conserved in organisation, and is unusual in that MHC-I genes are present within only one of the three highly conserved class I duplication blocks. We hypothesise that MHC-I genes first originated in the β duplication block, and subsequently duplicated in a step-wise manner across the MHC-I region during mammalian evolution. Furthermore, bat MHC-I genes contain unique insertions within their peptide-binding grooves potentially affecting the peptide repertoire presented to T cells, which may have implications for the ability of bats to control infection without overt disease.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Justin H. J. Ng
- CSIRO Health and Biosecurity Business Unit, Australian Animal Health Laboratory, Geelong, VIC 3220, Australia
- Faculty of Veterinary Science, University of Sydney, NSW 2006, Australia
- Program in Emerging Infectious Diseases, Duke-National University of Singapore Medical School, Singapore 169857
| | - Mary Tachedjian
- CSIRO Health and Biosecurity Business Unit, Australian Animal Health Laboratory, Geelong, VIC 3220, Australia
| | - Janine Deakin
- Institute for Applied Ecology, The University of Canberra, ACT 2617, Australia
| | - James W. Wynne
- CSIRO Health and Biosecurity Business Unit, Australian Animal Health Laboratory, Geelong, VIC 3220, Australia
| | - Jie Cui
- Program in Emerging Infectious Diseases, Duke-National University of Singapore Medical School, Singapore 169857
| | - Volker Haring
- CSIRO, Australian Animal Health Laboratory, Geelong, VIC 3220, Australia
| | - Ivano Broz
- CSIRO, Australian Animal Health Laboratory, Geelong, VIC 3220, Australia
| | - Honglei Chen
- CSIRO, Australian Animal Health Laboratory, Geelong, VIC 3220, Australia
| | - Katherine Belov
- Faculty of Veterinary Science, University of Sydney, NSW 2006, Australia
| | - Lin-Fa Wang
- Program in Emerging Infectious Diseases, Duke-National University of Singapore Medical School, Singapore 169857
| | - Michelle L. Baker
- CSIRO Health and Biosecurity Business Unit, Australian Animal Health Laboratory, Geelong, VIC 3220, Australia
| |
Collapse
|
27
|
Cohen C, Einav M, Hawlena H. Path analyses of cross-sectional and longitudinal data suggest that variability in natural communities of blood-associated parasites is derived from host characteristics and not interspecific interactions. Parasit Vectors 2015; 8:429. [PMID: 26286391 PMCID: PMC4545369 DOI: 10.1186/s13071-015-1029-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/11/2015] [Accepted: 08/02/2015] [Indexed: 12/02/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The parasite composition of wild host individuals often impacts their behavior and physiology, and the transmission dynamics of pathogenic species thereby determines disease risk in natural communities. Yet, the determinants of parasite composition in natural communities are still obscure. In particular, three fundamental questions remain open: (1) what are the relative roles of host and environmental characteristics compared with direct interactions between parasites in determining the community composition of parasites? (2) do these determinants affect parasites belonging to the same guild and those belonging to different guilds in similar manners? and (3) can cross-sectional and longitudinal analyses work interchangeably in detecting community determinants? Our study was designed to answer these three questions in a natural community of rodents and their fleas, ticks, and two vector-borne bacteria. METHODS We sampled a natural population of Gerbillus andersoni rodents and their blood-associated parasites on two occasions. By combining path analysis and model selection approaches, we then explored multiple direct and indirect paths that connect (i) the environmental and host-related characteristics to the infection probability of a host by each of the four parasite species, and (ii) the infection probabilities of the four species by each other. RESULTS Our results suggest that the majority of paths shaping the blood-associated communities are indirect, mostly determined by host characteristics and not by interspecific interactions or environmental conditions. The exact effects of host characteristics on infection probability by a given parasite depend on its life history and on the method of sampling, in which the cross-sectional and longitudinal methods are complementary. CONCLUSIONS Despite the awareness of the need of ecological investigations into natural host-vector-parasite communities in light of the emergence and re-emergence of vector-borne diseases, we lack sampling methods that are both practical and reliable. Here we illustrated how comprehensive patterns can be revealed from observational data by applying path analysis and model selection approaches and combining cross-sectional and longitudinal analyses. By employing this combined approach on blood-associated parasites, we were able to distinguish between direct and indirect effects and to predict the causal relationships between host-related characteristics and the parasite composition over time and space. We concluded that direct interactions within the community play only a minor role in determining community composition relative to host characteristics and the life history of the community members.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Carmit Cohen
- Department of Life Sciences, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, Beer-Sheva, 84105, Israel.
| | - Monica Einav
- Department of Life Sciences, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, Beer-Sheva, 84105, Israel.
| | - Hadas Hawlena
- Department of Life Sciences, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, Beer-Sheva, 84105, Israel.
- Mitrani Department of Desert Ecology, Jacob Blaustein Institutes for Desert Research, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, Midreshet Ben-Gurion, Israel.
| |
Collapse
|
28
|
Sommer S, Rakotondranary SJ, Ganzhorn JU. Maintaining microendemic primate species along an environmental gradient - parasites as drivers for species differentiation. Ecol Evol 2014; 4:4751-65. [PMID: 25558366 PMCID: PMC4278824 DOI: 10.1002/ece3.1311] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/08/2014] [Revised: 10/10/2014] [Accepted: 10/10/2014] [Indexed: 11/07/2022] Open
Abstract
Understanding the drivers of species adaptations to changing environments on the one hand and the limits for hybridization on the other hand is among the hottest questions in evolutionary biology. Parasites represent one of the major selective forces driving host evolution and at least those with free-living stages are at the same time dependent on the ecological conditions of their host's habitat. Local immunological adaptations of host species to varying parasite pressure are therefore expected and might represent the genetic basis for ecological speciation and the maintenance of recently diverged species. Madagascar provides one of the rare examples where two partially sympatric primate species (Microcebus griseorufus, M. murinus) and their hybrids, as well as an allopatric species (M. cf rufus) live in close proximity along a very steep environmental gradient ranging from southern dry spiny bush to gallery forest to evergreen eastern humid rain forest, thus mimicking the situation encountered during extensions and retreats of vegetation formations under changing climatic conditions. This system was used to study parasite infection and immune gene (MHC) adaptations to varying parasite pressure that might provide selective advantages to pure species over hybrids. Parasite burdens increased with increasing humidity. M. griseorufus, M. murinus, and their hybrids but not M. rufus shared the same MHC alleles, indicating either retention of ancestral polymorphism or recent gene flow. The hybrids had much higher prevalence of intestinal parasites than either of the parent species living under identical environmental conditions. The different representation of parasites can indicate a handicap for hybrids that maintains species identities.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Simone Sommer
- Evolutionary Genetics, Leibniz-Institute for Zoo- and Wildlife ResearchAlfred-Kowalke-Strasse 10, Berlin, 10315, Germany
- Institute for Experimental Ecology, University of UlmAlbert-Einstein Allee 11, Ulm, 89069, Germany
| | - Solofomalla Jacques Rakotondranary
- Department of Animal Ecology and Conservation, University of Hamburg, Biozentrum GrindelMartin-Luther-King Platz 3, Hamburg, 20146, Germany
| | - Jörg U Ganzhorn
- Department of Animal Ecology and Conservation, University of Hamburg, Biozentrum GrindelMartin-Luther-King Platz 3, Hamburg, 20146, Germany
| |
Collapse
|
29
|
Pilosof S, Fortuna MA, Cosson JF, Galan M, Kittipong C, Ribas A, Segal E, Krasnov BR, Morand S, Bascompte J. Host-parasite network structure is associated with community-level immunogenetic diversity. Nat Commun 2014; 5:5172. [PMID: 25312328 DOI: 10.1038/ncomms6172] [Citation(s) in RCA: 40] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/13/2014] [Accepted: 09/08/2014] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Genes of the major histocompatibility complex (MHC) encode proteins that recognize foreign antigens and are thus crucial for immune response. In a population of a single host species, parasite-mediated selection drives MHC allelic diversity. However, in a community-wide context, species interactions may modulate selection regimes because the prevalence of a given parasite in a given host may depend on its prevalence in other hosts. By combining network analysis with immunogenetics, we show that host species infected by similar parasites harbour similar alleles with similar frequencies. We further show, using a Bayesian approach, that the probability of mutual occurrence of a functional allele and a parasite in a given host individual is nonrandom and depends on other host-parasite interactions, driving co-evolution within subgroups of parasite species and functional alleles. Therefore, indirect effects among hosts and parasites can shape host MHC diversity, scaling it from the population to the community level.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Shai Pilosof
- Mitrani Department of Desert Ecology and Albert Katz International School for Desert Studies, Jacob Blaustein Institutes for Desert Research, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, Midreshet Ben-Gurion 8499000, Israel
| | - Miguel A Fortuna
- Integrative Ecology Group, Estación Biológica de Doñana (EBD-CSIC), Seville 41092, Spain
| | - Jean-François Cosson
- INRA, UMR CBGP (INRA/IRD/Cirad/Montpellier SupAgro), Campus International de Baillarguet, CS 30016, 34988 Montferrier-sur-Lez cedex, France
| | - Maxime Galan
- INRA, UMR CBGP (INRA/IRD/Cirad/Montpellier SupAgro), Campus International de Baillarguet, CS 30016, 34988 Montferrier-sur-Lez cedex, France
| | - Chaisiri Kittipong
- Department of Helminthology, Faculty of Tropical Medicine, Mahidol University, Bangkok 10400, Thailand
| | - Alexis Ribas
- Biodiversity Research Group, Faculty of Science, Udon Thani Rajabhat University, Udon Thani 41000, Thailand
| | - Eran Segal
- Department of Computer Science and Applied Mathematics, Weizmann Institute, Rehovot, 76100, Israel
| | - Boris R Krasnov
- Mitrani Department of Desert Ecology and Albert Katz International School for Desert Studies, Jacob Blaustein Institutes for Desert Research, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, Midreshet Ben-Gurion 8499000, Israel
| | - Serge Morand
- 1] Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique-Institut des Sciences de l'Évolution, Université Montpellier 2, Montpellier 34095, France [2] Centre de coopération International en Recherche Agronomique pour le Développement, Animal et Gestion Intégrée des Risques, Campus de Baillarguet, F-34093 Montpellier Cedex 5, France [3] Centre d'Infectiologie Christophe Mérieux du Laos, PO Box 3888, Samsenthai Road, Vientiane, Lao PDR
| | - Jordi Bascompte
- Integrative Ecology Group, Estación Biológica de Doñana (EBD-CSIC), Seville 41092, Spain
| |
Collapse
|
30
|
Major histocompatibility complex alleles associated with parasite susceptibility in wild giant pandas. Heredity (Edinb) 2014; 114:85-93. [PMID: 25248466 DOI: 10.1038/hdy.2014.73] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/05/2013] [Revised: 06/20/2014] [Accepted: 06/23/2014] [Indexed: 02/03/2023] Open
Abstract
Major histocompatibility complex (MHC) polymorphism is thought to be driven by antagonistic coevolution between pathogens and hosts, mediated through either overdominance or frequency-dependent selection. However, investigations under natural conditions are still rare for endangered mammals which often exhibit depleted variation, and the mechanism of selection underlying the maintenance of characteristics remains a considerable debate. In this study, 87 wild giant pandas were used to investigate MHC variation associated with parasite load. With the knowledge of the MHC profile provided by the genomic data of the giant panda, seven DRB1, seven DQA1 and eight DQA2 alleles were identified at each single locus. Positive selection evidenced by a significantly higher number of non-synonymous substitutions per non-synonymous codon site relative to synonymous substitutions per synonymous codon site could only be detected at the DRB1 locus, which leads to the speculation that DRB1 may have a more important role in dealing with parasite infection for pandas. Coprological analyses revealed that 55.17% of individuals exhibited infection with 1-2 helminthes and 95.3% of infected pandas carried Baylisascaris shroederi. Using a generalized linear model, we found that Aime-DRB1*10 was significantly associated with parasite infection, but no resistant alleles could be detected. MHC heterozygosity of the pandas was found to be uncorrelated with the infection status or the infection intensity. These results suggested that the possible selection mechanisms in extant wild pandas may be frequency dependent rather than being determined by overdominance selection. Our findings could guide the candidate selection for the ongoing reintroduction or translocation of pandas.
Collapse
|
31
|
Winternitz JC, Wares JP, Yabsley MJ, Altizer S. Wild cyclic voles maintain high neutral and MHC diversity without strong evidence for parasite-mediated selection. Evol Ecol 2014. [DOI: 10.1007/s10682-014-9709-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/12/2023]
|
32
|
Kamath PL, Turner WC, Küsters M, Getz WM. Parasite-mediated selection drives an immunogenetic trade-off in plains zebras (Equus quagga). Proc Biol Sci 2014; 281:20140077. [PMID: 24718761 DOI: 10.1098/rspb.2014.0077] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Pathogen evasion of the host immune system is a key force driving extreme polymorphism in genes of the major histocompatibility complex (MHC). Although this gene family is well characterized in structure and function, there is still much debate surrounding the mechanisms by which MHC diversity is selectively maintained. Many studies have investigated relationships between MHC variation and specific pathogens, and have found mixed support for and against the hypotheses of heterozygote advantage, frequency-dependent or fluctuating selection. Few, however, have focused on the selective effects of multiple parasite types on host immunogenetic patterns. Here, we examined relationships between variation in the equine MHC gene, ELA-DRA, and both gastrointestinal (GI) and ectoparasitism in plains zebras (Equus quagga). Specific alleles present at opposing population frequencies had antagonistic effects, with rare alleles associated with increased GI parasitism and common alleles with increased tick burdens. These results support a frequency-dependent mechanism, but are also consistent with fluctuating selection. Maladaptive GI parasite 'susceptibility alleles' were reduced in frequency, suggesting that these parasites may play a greater selective role at this locus. Heterozygote advantage, in terms of allele mutational divergence, also predicted decreased GI parasite burden in genotypes with a common allele. We conclude that an immunogenetic trade-off affects resistance/susceptibility to parasites in this system. Because GI and ectoparasites do not directly interact within hosts, our results uniquely show that antagonistic parasite interactions can be indirectly modulated through the host immune system. This study highlights the importance of investigating the role of multiple parasites in shaping patterns of host immunogenetic variation.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Pauline L Kamath
- US Geological Survey, Northern Rocky Mountain Science Center, , 2327 University Way, Bozeman, MT 59715, USA, Department of Environmental Science, Policy, and Management, University of California, , 130 Mulford Hall No. 3114, Berkeley, CA 94720, USA, Centre for Ecological and Evolutionary Synthesis (CEES), Department of Biosciences, University of Oslo, , PO Box 1066 Blindern, Oslo 0361, Norway, Berkeley Etosha Anthrax Research Project, , Swakopmund, Namibia, School of Mathematical Sciences, University of KwaZulu-Natal, , Private Bag X54001, 14, Durban 4000, South Africa
| | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
33
|
Müller N, Ostner J, Schülke O, Walter L. Towards the non-invasive assessment of MHC genotype in wild primates: analysis of wild Assamese macaque MHC-DRB from fecal samples. Am J Primatol 2013; 76:230-8. [PMID: 24151109 DOI: 10.1002/ajp.22225] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/04/2013] [Revised: 09/04/2013] [Accepted: 09/17/2013] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
The major histocompatibility complex (MHC) plays an important role in the immune response and may thus crucially affect an individual's fitness, relevant also for studies on evolutionary ecology and wildlife conservation. Detailed knowledge on the genomic organization, polymorphism and diversity of the MHC has a narrow taxonomic focus though and among macaques is only available for rhesus and long-tailed macaques-the species most commonly kept for biomedical research. The lack of data on wild populations is largely due to the difficulty of obtaining blood or tissue samples necessary for genotyping approaches. Here, we aimed at analyzing MHC-DRB from non-invasively collected fecal samples in wild Assamese macaques (Macaca assamensis), utilizing the MHC-DRB-STR (D6S2878) microsatellite marker. Due to the fecal DNA source incomplete genotypes occurred, which may be improved in the future by method refinement. We detected 28 distinct DRB-STR lengths in 43 individuals with individual genotypes containing 1-9 MHC-DRB-STRs and defined four haplotypes segregating between families in Mendelian fashion. Our results indicate that variability and diversity of MHC-DRB in Assamese macaques is comparable to that of other macaque species and importantly, that fecal samples can be used for non-invasive analysis of MHC genes after refinement of the applied methods, opening a number of opportunities for MHC research on natural populations.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Nadine Müller
- Social Evolution in Primates Group, Courant Research Center Evolution of Social Behavior, Georg-August University Göttingen, Göttingen, Germany
| | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
34
|
Sommer S, Courtiol A, Mazzoni CJ. MHC genotyping of non-model organisms using next-generation sequencing: a new methodology to deal with artefacts and allelic dropout. BMC Genomics 2013; 14:542. [PMID: 23937623 PMCID: PMC3750822 DOI: 10.1186/1471-2164-14-542] [Citation(s) in RCA: 95] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/31/2013] [Accepted: 07/30/2013] [Indexed: 01/05/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The Major Histocompatibility Complex (MHC) is the most important genetic marker to study patterns of adaptive genetic variation determining pathogen resistance and associated life history decisions. It is used in many different research fields ranging from human medical, molecular evolutionary to functional biodiversity studies. Correct assessment of the individual allelic diversity pattern and the underlying structural sequence variation is the basic requirement to address the functional importance of MHC variability. Next-generation sequencing (NGS) technologies are likely to replace traditional genotyping methods to a great extent in the near future but first empirical studies strongly indicate the need for a rigorous quality control pipeline. Strict approaches for data validation and allele calling to distinguish true alleles from artefacts are required. RESULTS We developed the analytical methodology and validated a data processing procedure which can be applied to any organism. It allows the separation of true alleles from artefacts and the evaluation of genotyping reliability, which in addition to artefacts considers for the first time the possibility of allelic dropout due to unbalanced amplification efficiencies across alleles. Finally, we developed a method to assess the confidence level per genotype a-posteriori, which helps to decide which alleles and individuals should be included in any further downstream analyses. The latter method could also be used for optimizing experiment designs in the future. CONCLUSIONS Combining our workflow with the study of amplification efficiency offers the chance for researchers to evaluate enormous amounts of NGS-generated data in great detail, improving confidence over the downstream analyses and subsequent applications.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Simone Sommer
- Evolutionary Genetics, Leibniz-Institute for Zoo and Wildlife Research (IZW), Alfred-Kowalke-Straße 17, D-10315 Berlin, Germany
| | - Alexandre Courtiol
- Evolutionary Genetics, Leibniz-Institute for Zoo and Wildlife Research (IZW), Alfred-Kowalke-Straße 17, D-10315 Berlin, Germany
| | - Camila J Mazzoni
- Evolutionary Genetics, Leibniz-Institute for Zoo and Wildlife Research (IZW), Alfred-Kowalke-Straße 17, D-10315 Berlin, Germany
- Berlin Center for Genomics in Biodiversity Research, Koenigin-Luise-Straße 6-8, D-14195 Berlin, Germany
| |
Collapse
|
35
|
Axtner J, Sommer S. The functional importance of sequence versus expression variability of MHC alleles in parasite resistance. Genetica 2012. [PMID: 23180005 DOI: 10.1007/s10709-012-9689-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/27/2022]
Abstract
Understanding selection processes driving the pronounced allelic polymorphism of the major histocompatibility complex (MHC) genes and its functional associations to parasite load have been the focus of many recent wildlife studies. Two main selection scenarios are currently debated which explain the susceptibility or resistance to parasite infections either by the effects of (1) specific MHC alleles which are selected frequency-dependent in space and time or (2) a heterozygote or divergent allele advantage. So far, most studies have focused only on structural variance in co-evolutionary processes although this might not be the only trait subject to natural selection. In the present study, we analysed structural variance stretching from exon1 through exon3 of MHC class II DRB genes as well as genotypic expression variance in relation to the gastrointestinal helminth prevalence and infection intensity in wild yellow-necked mice (Apodemus flavicollis). We found support for the functional importance of specific alleles both on the sequence and expression level. By resampling a previously investigated study population we identified specific MHC alleles affected by temporal shifts in parasite pressure and recorded associated changes in allele frequencies. The allele Apfl-DRB*23 was associated with resistance to infections by the oxyurid nematode Syphacia stroma and at the same time with susceptibility to cestode infection intensity. In line with our expectation, MHC mRNA transcript levels tended to be higher in cestode-infected animals carrying the allele Apfl-DRB*23. However, no support for a heterozygote or divergent allele advantage on the sequence or expression level was detected. The individual amino acid distance of genotypes did not explain individual differences in parasite loads and the genetic distance had no effect on MHC genotype expression. For ongoing studies on the functional importance of expression variance in parasite resistance, allele-specific expression data would be preferable.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Jan Axtner
- Evolutionary Genetics, Leibniz Institute for Zoo and Wildlife Research, Alfred-Kowalke-Str. 15, 10315, Berlin, Germany.
| | | |
Collapse
|