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Pereira H, Chakarov N, Hoffman JI, Rinaud T, Ottensmann M, Gladow KP, Tobias B, Caspers BA, Maraci Ö, Krüger O. Early-life factors shaping the gut microbiota of Common buzzard nestlings. Anim Microbiome 2024; 6:27. [PMID: 38745254 DOI: 10.1186/s42523-024-00313-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/19/2024] [Accepted: 05/01/2024] [Indexed: 05/16/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Exploring the dynamics of gut microbiome colonisation during early-life stages is important for understanding the potential impact of microbes on host development and fitness. Evidence from model organisms suggests a crucial early-life phase when shifts in gut microbiota can lead to immune dysregulation and reduced host condition. However, our understanding of gut microbiota colonisation in long-lived vertebrates, especially during early development, remains limited. We therefore used a wild population of common buzzard nestlings (Buteo buteo) to investigate connections between the early-life gut microbiota colonisation, environmental and host factors. RESULTS We targeted both bacterial and eukaryotic microbiota using the 16S and 28S rRNA genes. We sampled the individuals during early developmental stages in a longitudinal design. Our data revealed that age significantly affected microbial diversity and composition. Nest environment was a notable predictor of microbiota composition, with particularly eukaryotic communities differing between habitats occupied by the hosts. Nestling condition and infection with the blood parasite Leucocytozoon predicted microbial community composition. CONCLUSION Our findings emphasise the importance of studying microbiome dynamics to capture changes occurring during ontogeny. They highlight the role of microbial communities in reflecting host health and the importance of the nest environment for the developing nestling microbiome. Overall, this study contributes to understanding the complex interplay between microbial communities, host factors, and environmental variables, and sheds light on the ecological processes governing gut microbial colonisation during early-life stages.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hugo Pereira
- Department of Animal Behaviour, Bielefeld University, Konsequenz 45, 33615, Bielefeld, NRW, Germany.
| | - Nayden Chakarov
- Department of Animal Behaviour, Bielefeld University, Konsequenz 45, 33615, Bielefeld, NRW, Germany
- Joint Institute for Individualisation in a Changing Environment (JICE), Bielefeld University and University of Münster, Konsequenz 45, 33615, Bielefeld, NRW, Germany
| | - Joseph I Hoffman
- Department of Animal Behaviour, Bielefeld University, Konsequenz 45, 33615, Bielefeld, NRW, Germany
- Department of Evolutionary Population Genetics, Bielefeld University, Konsequenz 45, 33615, Bielefeld, NRW, Germany
- Joint Institute for Individualisation in a Changing Environment (JICE), Bielefeld University and University of Münster, Konsequenz 45, 33615, Bielefeld, NRW, Germany
- British Antarctic Survey, High Cross, Madingley Road, Cambridge, CB3 OET, UK
| | - Tony Rinaud
- Department of Animal Behaviour, Bielefeld University, Konsequenz 45, 33615, Bielefeld, NRW, Germany
| | - Meinolf Ottensmann
- Department of Animal Behaviour, Bielefeld University, Konsequenz 45, 33615, Bielefeld, NRW, Germany
| | - Kai-Philipp Gladow
- Department of Animal Behaviour, Bielefeld University, Konsequenz 45, 33615, Bielefeld, NRW, Germany
| | - Busche Tobias
- Medical School East Westphalia-Lippe & Center for Biotechnology (CeBiTec), Bielefeld University, Universitätsstraße 27, 33615, Bielefeld, NRW, Germany
| | - Barbara A Caspers
- Department of Behavioural Ecology, Bielefeld University, Konsequenz 45, 33615, Bielefeld, NRW, Germany
- Joint Institute for Individualisation in a Changing Environment (JICE), Bielefeld University and University of Münster, Konsequenz 45, 33615, Bielefeld, NRW, Germany
| | - Öncü Maraci
- Department of Behavioural Ecology, Bielefeld University, Konsequenz 45, 33615, Bielefeld, NRW, Germany
- Joint Institute for Individualisation in a Changing Environment (JICE), Bielefeld University and University of Münster, Konsequenz 45, 33615, Bielefeld, NRW, Germany
| | - Oliver Krüger
- Department of Animal Behaviour, Bielefeld University, Konsequenz 45, 33615, Bielefeld, NRW, Germany
- Joint Institute for Individualisation in a Changing Environment (JICE), Bielefeld University and University of Münster, Konsequenz 45, 33615, Bielefeld, NRW, Germany
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Petrov R, Yarkov D, Chakarov N. Genetic analysis of Saker Falcon ( Falcocherrug) subspecies. Biodivers Data J 2024; 12:e116889. [PMID: 38405379 PMCID: PMC10892141 DOI: 10.3897/bdj.12.e116889] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/05/2023] [Accepted: 01/26/2024] [Indexed: 02/27/2024] Open
Abstract
Two subspecies of Saker Falcon are commonly accepted - Western (Falcocherrugcherrug) and Eastern (Falcocherrugmilvipes), which are differentiated by their distribution range and phenotype. In Bulgaria, Western Saker Falcons are breeding ex situ in the Wildlife Rehabilitation and Breeding Centre, part of Green Balkans - Stara Zagora NGO, with the aim of restoring the nesting population of the species in the country and both Western and Eastern - in the Breeding Centre for Birds of Prey in Burgas for the purpose of sale for the needs of falconry in the country and abroad. In 2021, a total of 115 birds from the two breeding centres were sampled. The samples were analysed in Bielefeld University (Germany) at nine microsatellite loci. Structure analyses were performed to establish the optimal explanatory number of groups. We compared the putative genetic groups with the known/expected origin of falcons. A separation in two groups best explained the allelic variation between samples. Out of 68 Saker Falcons with putatively Eastern origin, 66 were ascribed to genetic group 2 and two falcons had unclear, mixed or hybrid genetic fingerprints. Out of 42 Sakers with putatively Western origin, 33 were ascribed to genetic group 1, seven to genetic group 2 and two individuals appeared to have a mixed signature of genetic groups 1 and 2 with dominating alleles of group 2. Five known hybrids were scored as mixed signature with dominating genetic cluster 2. This suggests that the two (Eastern and Western) populations of Saker Falcon origin suggested by the subspecies' definitions are also adequate to be considered in breeding programmes. Genetic cluster 1 might represent the ancestral alleles shared with other falcons, while specific novel alleles allow the discrimination of secured Eastern Sakers (group 2), while these populations may be occasionally invaded by individuals from the west.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rusko Petrov
- Green Balkans - Stara Zagora NGO, Stara Zagora, BulgariaGreen Balkans - Stara Zagora NGOStara ZagoraBulgaria
- Trakia University - Stara Zagora, Stara Zagora, BulgariaTrakia University - Stara ZagoraStara ZagoraBulgaria
| | - Dobri Yarkov
- Trakia University - Stara Zagora, Stara Zagora, BulgariaTrakia University - Stara ZagoraStara ZagoraBulgaria
| | - Nayden Chakarov
- University of Bielefeld, Germany, Bielefeld, GermanyUniversity of Bielefeld, GermanyBielefeldGermany
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Harl J, Fauchois A, Puech MP, Gey D, Ariey F, Izac B, Weissenböck H, Chakarov N, Iezhova T, Valkiūnas G, Duval L. Novel phylogenetic clade of avian Haemoproteus parasites (Haemosporida, Haemoproteidae) from Accipitridae raptors, with description of a new Haemoproteus species. Parasite 2024; 31:5. [PMID: 38334685 PMCID: PMC10854483 DOI: 10.1051/parasite/2023066] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/01/2023] [Accepted: 12/18/2023] [Indexed: 02/10/2024] Open
Abstract
Avian haemosporidian parasites (order Haemosporida, phylum Apicomplexa) are blood and tissue parasites transmitted by blood-sucking dipteran insects. Three genera (Plasmodium, Haemoproteus and Leucocytozoon) have been most often found in birds, with over 270 species described and named in avian hosts based mainly on the morphological characters of blood stages. A broad diversity of Haemoproteus parasites remains to be identified and characterized morphologically and molecularly, especially those infecting birds of prey, an underrepresented bird group in haemosporidian parasite studies. The aim of this study was to investigate and identify Haemoproteus parasites from a large sample comprising accipitriform raptors of 16 species combining morphological and new molecular protocols targeting the cytb genes of this parasite group. This study provides morphological descriptions and molecular characterizations of two Haemoproteus species, H. multivacuolatus n. sp. and H. nisi Peirce and Marquiss, 1983. Haemoproteus parasites of this group were so far found in accipitriform raptors only and might be classified into a separate subgenus or even genus. Cytb sequences of these parasites diverge by more than 15% from those of all others known avian haemosporidian genera and form a unique phylogenetic clade. This study underlines the importance of developing new diagnostic tools to detect molecularly highly divergent parasites that might be undetectable by commonly used conventional tools.
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Affiliation(s)
- Josef Harl
- Institute of Pathology, Department of Pathobiology, University of Veterinary Medicine Vienna Veterinaerplatz 1 1210 Vienna Austria
| | - Anaïs Fauchois
- Département Adaptations du Vivant (AVIV), Molécules de Communication et Adaptation des Microorganismes (MCAM, UMR 7245 CNRS), Muséum National d’Histoire Naturelle, CNRS, CP 52 57 rue Cuvier 75231 Cedex 05 Paris France
| | - Marie-Pierre Puech
- Hôpital de la faune sauvage des Garrigues et Cévennes – Goupil Connexion 34190 Brissac France
| | - Delphine Gey
- Département Adaptations du Vivant (AVIV), Molécules de Communication et Adaptation des Microorganismes (MCAM, UMR 7245 CNRS), Muséum National d’Histoire Naturelle, CNRS, CP 52 57 rue Cuvier 75231 Cedex 05 Paris France
| | - Frédéric Ariey
- Université de Paris, INSERM 1016, Institut Cochin, Service de Parasitologie-Mycologie Hôpital Cochin Paris France
| | - Brigitte Izac
- Université de Paris, INSERM 1016, Institut Cochin, Service de Parasitologie-Mycologie Hôpital Cochin Paris France
| | - Herbert Weissenböck
- Institute of Pathology, Department of Pathobiology, University of Veterinary Medicine Vienna Veterinaerplatz 1 1210 Vienna Austria
| | - Nayden Chakarov
- Department of Animal Behaviour, Bielefeld University Konsequenz 45 33615 Bielefeld Germany
| | | | | | - Linda Duval
- Département Adaptations du Vivant (AVIV), Molécules de Communication et Adaptation des Microorganismes (MCAM, UMR 7245 CNRS), Muséum National d’Histoire Naturelle, CNRS, CP 52 57 rue Cuvier 75231 Cedex 05 Paris France
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Petrov R, Hoareau T, Lesobre L, Andonova Y, Yarkov D, Chakarov N. Genetic diversity and relatedness amongst captive saker falcons ( Falcocherrug) in the Green Balkans' Wildlife Rehabilitation and Breeding Centre in Bulgaria. Biodivers Data J 2023; 11:e105863. [PMID: 38327296 PMCID: PMC10848330 DOI: 10.3897/bdj.11.e105863] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/03/2023] [Accepted: 06/23/2023] [Indexed: 02/09/2024] Open
Abstract
The globally endangered saker falcon (Falcocherrug) is currently being re-introduced in Bulgaria, where the falcons are bred in captivity and released through the hacking method. We relied on the birds' pedigree when forming the breeding pairs from 2011. In 2021-2022, we had the opportunity to evaluate our captive population via DNA tests. We performed the first genetic assessment of the sakers in the WRBC through a genome evaluation of the most important founders (n = 12) and, in 2022, we executed a microsatellite analysis on 30 saker falcons from the programme. We compared the results with the known pedigree and history of the saker falcons. The genetic tests helped to assign relatedness to some birds with missing or incomplete pedigrees, indicating the test can complement that information and lead to better management of the captive group. One pair was separated as a precaution as it was indicated by one the tests that the two birds are more closely related than expected. The research could be beneficial to other raptor captive breeding programmes dealing with a similar group composition.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rusko Petrov
- Green Balkans - Stara Zagora NGo, Stara Zagora, BulgariaGreen Balkans - Stara Zagora NGoStara ZagoraBulgaria
- Trakia University, Stara Zagora, BulgariaTrakia UniversityStara ZagoraBulgaria
| | - Thierry Hoareau
- Reneco International Wildlife Consultants LLC, Abu Dhabi, United Arab EmiratesReneco International Wildlife Consultants LLCAbu DhabiUnited Arab Emirates
| | - Loic Lesobre
- Reneco International Wildlife Consultants LLC, Abu Dhabi, United Arab EmiratesReneco International Wildlife Consultants LLCAbu DhabiUnited Arab Emirates
| | - Yana Andonova
- Green Balkans - Stara Zagora NGO, Stara Zagora, BulgariaGreen Balkans - Stara Zagora NGOStara ZagoraBulgaria
| | - Dobry Yarkov
- Trakia University, Stara Zagora, BulgariaTrakia UniversityStara ZagoraBulgaria
| | - Nayden Chakarov
- University of Bielefeld, Bielefeld, GermanyUniversity of BielefeldBielefeldGermany
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Winternitz J, Chakarov N, Rinaud T, Ottensmann M, Krüger O. High functional allelic diversity and copy number in both MHC classes in the common buzzard. BMC Ecol Evol 2023; 23:24. [PMID: 37355591 PMCID: PMC10290333 DOI: 10.1186/s12862-023-02135-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/11/2021] [Accepted: 06/12/2023] [Indexed: 06/26/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The major histocompatibility complex (MHC), which encodes molecules that recognize various pathogens and parasites and initiates the adaptive immune response in vertebrates, is renowned for its exceptional polymorphism and is a model of adaptive gene evolution. In birds, the number of MHC genes and sequence diversity varies greatly among taxa, believed due to evolutionary history and differential selection pressures. Earlier characterization studies and recent comparative studies suggest that non-passerine species have relatively few MHC gene copies compared to passerines. Additionally, comparative studies that have looked at partial MHC sequences have speculated that non-passerines have opposite patterns of selection on MHC class I (MHC-I) and class II (MHC-II) loci than passerines: namely, greater sequence diversity and signals of selection on MHC-II than MHC-I. However, new sequencing technology is revealing much greater MHC variation than previously expected while also facilitating full sequence variant detection directly from genomic data. Our study aims to take advantage of high-throughput sequencing methods to fully characterize both classes and domains of MHC of a non-passerine bird of prey, the common buzzard (Buteo buteo), to test predictions of MHC variation and differential selection on MHC classes. RESULTS Using genetic, genomic, and transcriptomic high-throughput sequencing data, we established common buzzards have at least three loci that produce functional alleles at both MHC classes. In total, we characterize 91 alleles from 113 common buzzard chicks for MHC-I exon 3 and 41 alleles from 125 chicks for MHC-IIB exon 2. Among these alleles, we found greater sequence polymorphism and stronger diversifying selection at MHC-IIB exon 2 than MHC-I exon 3, suggesting differential selection pressures on MHC classes. However, upon further investigation of the entire peptide-binding groove by including genomic data from MHC-I exon 2 and MHC-IIA exon 2, this turned out to be false. MHC-I exon 2 was as polymorphic as MHC-IIB exon 2 and MHC-IIA exon 2 was essentially invariant. Thus, comparisons between MHC-I and MHC-II that included both domains of the peptide-binding groove showed no differences in polymorphism nor diversifying selection between the classes. Nevertheless, selection analysis indicates balancing selection has been acting on common buzzard MHC and phylogenetic inference revealed that trans-species polymorphism is present between common buzzards and species separated for over 33 million years for class I and class II. CONCLUSIONS We characterize and confirm the functionality of unexpectedly high copy number and allelic diversity in both MHC classes of a bird of prey. While balancing selection is acting on both classes, there is no evidence of differential selection pressure on MHC classes in common buzzards and this result may hold more generally once more data for understudied MHC exons becomes available.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jamie Winternitz
- Department of Animal Behaviour, Bielefeld University, Morgenbreede 45, 33615 Bielefeld, Germany
| | - Nayden Chakarov
- Department of Animal Behaviour, Bielefeld University, Morgenbreede 45, 33615 Bielefeld, Germany
| | - Tony Rinaud
- Department of Animal Behaviour, Bielefeld University, Morgenbreede 45, 33615 Bielefeld, Germany
| | - Meinolf Ottensmann
- Department of Animal Behaviour, Bielefeld University, Morgenbreede 45, 33615 Bielefeld, Germany
| | - Oliver Krüger
- Department of Animal Behaviour, Bielefeld University, Morgenbreede 45, 33615 Bielefeld, Germany
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Badry A, Schenke D, Brücher H, Chakarov N, Grünkorn T, Illner H, Krüger O, Marczak T, Müskens G, Nachtigall W, Zollinger R, Treu G, Krone O. Correction to: Spatial variation of rodenticides and emerging contaminants in blood of raptor nestlings from Germany. Environ Sci Pollut Res Int 2022; 29:84019. [PMID: 36261640 PMCID: PMC9643191 DOI: 10.1007/s11356-022-23702-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/16/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Alexander Badry
- Department of Wildlife Diseases, Leibniz Institute for Zoo and Wildlife Research, Alfred‑Kowalke‑Straße 17, 10315, Berlin, Germany.
| | - Detlef Schenke
- Institute for Ecological Chemistry, Plant Analysis and Stored Product Protection, Julius Kühn-Institut, Königin‑Luise‑Straße 19, 14195, Berlin, Germany
| | - Helmut Brücher
- Wiesenweihenschutz Brandenburg, Hauptstraße 11, 14913, Rohrbeck, Germany
| | - Nayden Chakarov
- Department of Animal Behaviour, Bielefeld University, Morgenbreede 45, 33615, Bielefeld, Germany
| | | | - Hubertus Illner
- Arbeitsgemeinschaft Biologischer Umweltschutz/Biologische Station Soest, Teichstraße 19, 59505, Bad Sassendorf, Germany
| | - Oliver Krüger
- Department of Animal Behaviour, Bielefeld University, Morgenbreede 45, 33615, Bielefeld, Germany
| | | | - Gerard Müskens
- Müskens Fauna, van Nispenstraat 4, 6561 BG, Groesbeek, The Netherlands
| | | | - Ronald Zollinger
- Natuurplaza, P.O. Box 1413, NL‑6501, BK, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
| | - Gabriele Treu
- Department Chemicals, Umweltbundesamt, Wörlitzer Platz 1, 06844, Dessau‑Roßlau, Germany
| | - Oliver Krone
- Department of Wildlife Diseases, Leibniz Institute for Zoo and Wildlife Research, Alfred‑Kowalke‑Straße 17, 10315, Berlin, Germany
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Badry A, Schenke D, Brücher H, Chakarov N, Grünkorn T, Illner H, Krüger O, Marczak T, Müskens G, Nachtigall W, Zollinger R, Treu G, Krone O. Spatial variation of rodenticides and emerging contaminants in blood of raptor nestlings from Germany. Environ Sci Pollut Res Int 2022; 29:60908-60921. [PMID: 35435551 PMCID: PMC9427910 DOI: 10.1007/s11356-022-20089-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/05/2022] [Accepted: 04/01/2022] [Indexed: 05/11/2023]
Abstract
Wildlife exposures to pest controlling substances have resulted in population declines of many predatory species during the past decades. Many pesticides were subsequently classified as persistent, bioaccumulative, and toxic (PBT) and banned on national or global scales. However, despite their risks for non-target vertebrate wildlife, PBT substances such as anticoagulant rodenticides (ARs) are still permitted for use in Europe and have shown to threaten raptors. Whereas risks of ARs are known, much less information is available on emerging agrochemicals such as currently used PPPs and medicinal products (MPs) in higher trophic level species. We expect that currently used PPPs are relatively mobile (vs. lipophilic) as a consequence of the PBT criteria and thus more likely to be present in aqueous matrices. We therefore analyzed blood of 204 raptor nestlings of three terrestrial (red kite, common buzzard, Montagu's harrier) and two aquatic species (white-tailed sea eagle, osprey) from Germany. In total, we detected ARs in 22.6% of the red kites and 8.6% of the buzzards, whereas no Montagu's harriers or aquatic species were exposed prior to sampling. ΣAR concentration tended to be higher in North Rhine-Westphalia (vs. North-Eastern Germany) where population density is higher and intense livestock farming more frequent. Among the 90 targeted and currently used PPPs, we detected six substances from which bromoxynil (14.2%) was most frequent. Especially Montagu's harrier (31%) and red kites (22.6%) were exposed and concentrations were higher in North Rhine-Westphalia as well. Among seven MPs, we detected ciprofloxacin (3.4%), which indicates that risk mitigation measures may be needed as resistance genes were already detected in wildlife from Germany. Taken together, our study demonstrates that raptors are exposed to various chemicals during an early life stage depending on their sampling location and underpins that red kites are at particular risk for multiple pesticide exposures in Germany.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alexander Badry
- Department of Wildlife Diseases, Leibniz Institute for Zoo and Wildlife Research, Alfred-Kowalke-Straße 17, 10315, Berlin, Germany.
| | - Detlef Schenke
- Institute for Ecological Chemistry, Plant Analysis and Stored Product Protection, Julius Kühn-Institut, Königin-Luise-Straße 19, 14195, Berlin, Germany
| | - Helmut Brücher
- Wiesenweihenschutz Brandenburg, Hauptstraße 11, 14913, Rohrbeck, Germany
| | - Nayden Chakarov
- Department of Animal Behaviour, Bielefeld University, Morgenbreede 45, 33615, Bielefeld, Germany
| | | | - Hubertus Illner
- Arbeitsgemeinschaft Biologischer Umweltschutz/Biologische Station Soest, Teichstraße 19, 59505, Bad Sassendorf, Germany
| | - Oliver Krüger
- Department of Animal Behaviour, Bielefeld University, Morgenbreede 45, 33615, Bielefeld, Germany
| | | | - Gerard Müskens
- Müskens Fauna, van Nispenstraat 4, 6561 BG, Groesbeek, The Netherlands
| | | | - Ronald Zollinger
- Natuurplaza, P.O. Box 1413, NL-6501, BK, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
| | - Gabriele Treu
- Department Chemicals, Umweltbundesamt, Wörlitzer Platz 1, 06844, Dessau-Roßlau, Germany
| | - Oliver Krone
- Department of Wildlife Diseases, Leibniz Institute for Zoo and Wildlife Research, Alfred-Kowalke-Straße 17, 10315, Berlin, Germany
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Vendrami DLJ, Gossmann TI, Chakarov N, Paijmans AJ, Eyre-Walker A, Forcada J, Hoffman JI. Signatures of selection on mitonuclear integrated genes uncover hidden mitogenomic variation in fur seals. Genome Biol Evol 2022; 14:6637498. [PMID: 35809042 PMCID: PMC9338431 DOI: 10.1093/gbe/evac104] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 07/02/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Nuclear copies of mitochondrial genes (numts) are commonplace in vertebrate genomes and have been characterized in many species. However, relatively little attention has been paid to understanding their evolutionary origins and to disentangling alternative sources of insertions. Numts containing genes with intact mitochondrial reading frames represent good candidates for this purpose. The sequences of the genes they contain can be compared to their mitochondrial homologs to characterize synonymous to non-synonymous substitution rates, which can shed light on the selection pressures these genes have been subjected to. Here, we characterise 25 numts in the Antarctic fur seal (Arctocephalus gazella) genome. Among those containing genes with intact mitochondrial reading frames, three carry multiple substitutions in comparison to their mitochondrial homologs. Our analyses reveal that one represents a historic insertion subjected to strong purifying selection since it colonized the Otarioidea in a genomic region enriched in retrotransposons. By contrast, the other two numts appear to be more recent and their large number of substitutions can be attributed to non-canonical insertions, either the integration of heteroplasmic mtDNA or hybridization. Our study sheds new light on the evolutionary history of pinniped numts and uncovers the presence of hidden sources of mitonuclear variation.
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Affiliation(s)
- David L J Vendrami
- Department of Animal Behaviour, Bielefeld University, 33501 Bielefeld, Germany
| | - Toni I Gossmann
- Department of Animal Behaviour, Bielefeld University, 33501 Bielefeld, Germany
| | - Nayden Chakarov
- Department of Animal Behaviour, Bielefeld University, 33501 Bielefeld, Germany
| | - Anneke J Paijmans
- Department of Animal Behaviour, Bielefeld University, 33501 Bielefeld, Germany
| | - Adam Eyre-Walker
- School of Life Science, University of Sussex, Brighton, BN1 9QG, UK
| | - Jaume Forcada
- British Antarctic Survey, High Cross, Madingley Road, Cambridge CB3 OET, UK
| | - Joseph I Hoffman
- Department of Animal Behaviour, Bielefeld University, 33501 Bielefeld, Germany.,British Antarctic Survey, High Cross, Madingley Road, Cambridge CB3 OET, UK
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Wiegmann A, Springer A, Rinaud T, Ottensmann M, Legler M, Krüger O, Fehr M, Chakarov N, Strube C. The prevalence of Leucocytozoon spp. in nestlings of three wild raptor species including implications on haematological and blood chemistry values. Int J Parasitol Parasites Wildl 2021; 16:236-243. [PMID: 34760619 PMCID: PMC8567326 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijppaw.2021.10.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/10/2021] [Revised: 10/21/2021] [Accepted: 10/21/2021] [Indexed: 11/23/2022]
Abstract
Leucocytozoonosis is a vector-borne infection of birds, caused by members of the haemosporidian genus Leucocytozoon. The clinical presentation may range from asymptomatic to severe disease. Consequences of Leucocytozoon infection on blood profiles remain to be described, especially for different host species in the wild. In the current study, the prevalence of Leucocytozoon infection was determined in wild nestlings of three European raptor species, the common buzzard (Buteo buteo, n = 464), red kite (Milvus milvus, n = 46) and northern goshawk (Accipiter gentilis, n = 18). Among 528 nestlings, 51.9% (n = 274) were infected with Leucocytozoon spp., whereby the highest prevalence was found in common buzzards (54.9%), followed by red kites (32.6%) and northern goshawks (22.2%). For a subset of 87 individuals (50 common buzzards, 29 red kites, 8 northern goshawks), a detailed analysis of differential leukocyte counts and several blood chemistry parameters in response to infection was conducted: AP (alkaline phosphatase), AST (aspartate aminotransferase), GLDH (glutamate dehydrogenase), LDH (lactate dehydrogenase), GGT (gamma glutamyl transferase), CK (creatine kinase), BuChE (butyrylcholinesterase), BA (bile acids), ALB (albumin) and TP (total protein). Even though in the physiological range, infected nestlings displayed significantly increased levels of heterophils, aspartate aminotransferase, lactate dehydrogenase, bile acids and butyrylcholinesterase, but decreased lymphocyte and monocyte values compared to uninfected ones. Furthermore, significant species differences with regard to blood parameters, but no sex differences were found. Overall, obtained results show a high prevalence, but a low pathogenicity of Leucocytozoon spp. in wild raptor chicks, presumably resulting from coevolutionary adaptation, but show signatures of infection in the haematological and blood chemistry profiles. Leucocytozoon prevalence in nestlings of three wild raptor species was 52%. Common buzzards (Buteo buteo) showed the highest prevalence (55%). Examined blood parameter values varied with species, age and infection status. Leucocytozoon infections were associated with increased AST and BuChE. Leucocytozoon infections in Accipitridae nestlings seem to be of minor pathogenicity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anja Wiegmann
- Institute for Parasitology, Centre for Infection Medicine, University of Veterinary Medicine Hannover, Buenteweg 17, 30559, Hannover, Germany.,Department of Animal Behaviour, Bielefeld University, Konsequenz 45, 33615, Bielefeld, Germany
| | - Andrea Springer
- Institute for Parasitology, Centre for Infection Medicine, University of Veterinary Medicine Hannover, Buenteweg 17, 30559, Hannover, Germany
| | - Tony Rinaud
- Department of Animal Behaviour, Bielefeld University, Konsequenz 45, 33615, Bielefeld, Germany
| | - Meinolf Ottensmann
- Department of Animal Behaviour, Bielefeld University, Konsequenz 45, 33615, Bielefeld, Germany
| | - Marko Legler
- Clinic for Small Mammals, Reptiles and Birds, University of Veterinary Medicine Hannover, Buenteweg 9, 30559, Hannover, Germany
| | - Oliver Krüger
- Department of Animal Behaviour, Bielefeld University, Konsequenz 45, 33615, Bielefeld, Germany
| | - Michael Fehr
- Clinic for Small Mammals, Reptiles and Birds, University of Veterinary Medicine Hannover, Buenteweg 9, 30559, Hannover, Germany
| | - Nayden Chakarov
- Department of Animal Behaviour, Bielefeld University, Konsequenz 45, 33615, Bielefeld, Germany
| | - Christina Strube
- Institute for Parasitology, Centre for Infection Medicine, University of Veterinary Medicine Hannover, Buenteweg 17, 30559, Hannover, Germany
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10
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Moran NP, Caspers BA, Chakarov N, Ernst UR, Fricke C, Kurtz J, Lilie ND, Lo LK, Müller C, R R, Takola E, Trimmer PC, van Benthem KJ, Winternitz J, Wittmann MJ. Shifts between cooperation and antagonism driven by individual variation: a systematic synthesis review. OIKOS 2021. [DOI: 10.1111/oik.08201] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/20/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Nicholas P. Moran
- Centre for Ocean Life DTU‐Aqua, Technical Univ. of Denmark Lyngby Denmark
- Dept of Evolutionary Biology, Bielefeld Univ. Bielefeld Germany
| | | | | | - Ulrich R. Ernst
- Inst. for Evolution and Biodiversity, Univ. of Münster Münster Germany
- Apicultural State Inst., Univ. of Hohenheim Stuttgart Germany
| | - Claudia Fricke
- Inst. for Evolution and Biodiversity, Univ. of Münster Münster Germany
| | - Joachim Kurtz
- Inst. for Evolution and Biodiversity, Univ. of Münster Münster Germany
| | - Navina D. Lilie
- Dept of Evolutionary Biology, Bielefeld Univ. Bielefeld Germany
- Dept of Animal Behaviour, Bielefeld Univ. Bielefeld Germany
| | - Lai Ka Lo
- Inst. for Evolution and Biodiversity, Univ. of Münster Münster Germany
| | | | - Reshma R
- Inst. for Evolution and Biodiversity, Univ. of Münster Münster Germany
| | - Elina Takola
- Inst. of Ecology and Evolution, Friedrich Schiller Univ. Jena Jena Germany
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11
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Chakarov N, Veiga J, Ruiz-Arrondo I, Valera F. Atypical behavior of a black fly species connects cavity-nesting birds with generalist blood parasites in an arid area of Spain. Parasit Vectors 2021; 14:298. [PMID: 34082829 PMCID: PMC8173925 DOI: 10.1186/s13071-021-04798-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/11/2021] [Accepted: 05/20/2021] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The feeding behavior of bloodsucking insects determines the transmission, distribution, host spectrum and evolution of blood parasites in the wild. Conventional wisdom suggests that some vector groups (e.g. black flies, family Simuliidae) are consistently exophagous daytime biters. We aimed to understand more about the exceptions to this pattern by combining targeted trapping and molecular identification of parasites in vectors. METHODS In this study, we collected black flies in nest boxes used by European rollers Coracias garrulus in southeastern Spain. We molecularly analyzed 434 individual insects, identifying the black fly species caught in the nest boxes, their potential vertebrate blood meals, and the haemosporidian parasite lineages that they carried. RESULTS Only one black fly species, Simulium rubzovianum, appeared to enter the nest boxes of rollers. Among the trapped specimens, 15% contained vertebrate DNA, which always belonged to rollers, even though only half of those specimens were visibly engorged. Furthermore, 15% of all black flies contained Leucocytozoon lineages, indicating previous feeding on avian hosts but probably not on infected adult rollers. The known vertebrate hosts of the recorded Leucocytozoon lineages suggested that large and/or abundant birds are their hosts. Particularly represented were cavity-nesting species breeding in the vicinity, such as pigeons, corvids and owls. Open-nesting species such as thrushes and birds of prey were also represented. CONCLUSIONS Our data strongly suggest that S. rubzovianum bites uninfected roller nestlings and infected individuals of other species, potentially incubating adults, inside nest boxes and natural cavities. This simuliid does not appear to have a strong preference for specific host clades. Contrary to the general pattern for the group, and possibly enhanced by the harsh environmental conditions in the study area, this black fly appeared to intensively use and may even have a preference for confined spaces such as cavities for feeding and resting. Preferences of vectors for atypical microhabitat niches where hosts are less mobile may enable social and within-family transmission and parasite speciation in the long term. At the same time, a lack of host preference in concentrated multispecies communities can lead to host switches. Both processes may be underappreciated driving forces in the evolution of avian blood parasites.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nayden Chakarov
- Department of Animal Behaviour, Bielefeld University, Bielefeld, Germany
| | - Jesús Veiga
- Departamento de Ecología Funcional y Evolutiva, Estación Experimental de Zonas Áridas (EEZA-CSIC), Almería, Spain
| | - Ignacio Ruiz-Arrondo
- Centre for Rickettsiosis and Arthropod-Borne Diseases, Hospital Universitario San Pedro-CIBIR, Logroño, Spain
| | - Francisco Valera
- Departamento de Ecología Funcional y Evolutiva, Estación Experimental de Zonas Áridas (EEZA-CSIC), Almería, Spain
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12
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Chakarov N, Blanco G. Blood Parasites in Sympatric Vultures: Role of Nesting Habits and Effects on Body Condition. Int J Environ Res Public Health 2021; 18:2431. [PMID: 33801498 PMCID: PMC7967578 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph18052431] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/30/2021] [Revised: 02/25/2021] [Accepted: 02/25/2021] [Indexed: 11/18/2022]
Abstract
Avian haemosporidians are a common and widespread group of vector-borne parasites capable of infecting most bird species around the world. They can negatively affect host condition and fitness. Vultures are assumed to have a very low prevalence of these blood parasites, likely due to their strong immunity; however, factors contributing to variation in host exposure and susceptibility to haemosporidians are complex, and supporting evidence is still very limited. We analyzed blood samples collected from nestlings of three vulture species in Spain over 18 years, and used updated nested-PCR protocols capable of detecting all haesmosporidian cytochrome b lineages typical for diurnal birds of prey (Accipitriformes). Similarly to previous studies, we found low haemosporidian prevalence in cliff-breeding species, with Leucocytozoon as the only represented blood parasite genus: 3.1% in griffon vultures (Gyps fulvus) (n = 128) and 5.3% in Egyptian vultures (Neophron percnopterus) (n = 114). In contrast, the tree-breeding cinereous vulture (Aegypius monachus) had a substantially higher prevalence: 10.3% (n = 146). By far the most common lineage in Spanish scavenging raptors was the Leucocytozoon lineage CIAE02. No effects of nestling age and sex, or temporal trends in prevalence were found, but an effect of nest habitat (tree-nest vs. cliff-nest) was found in the griffon vulture. These patterns may be explained by a preference of vectors to forage in and around trees rather than on cliffs and wide open spaces. We found an apparent detrimental effect of haemosporidians on body mass of nestling cinereous vultures. Further research is needed to evaluate the pathogenicity of each haemosporidian lineage and their interaction with the immune system of nestlings, especially if compromised due to pollution with pharmaceuticals and infection by bacterial and mycotic pathogens.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nayden Chakarov
- Department of Animal Behaviour, Bielefeld University, Konsequenz 45, 33615 Bielefeld, Germany
| | - Guillermo Blanco
- Department of Evolutionary, Ecology, National Museum of Natural Sciences, CSIC. José Gutiérrez Abascal 2, 28006 Madrid, Spain;
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13
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Merling de Chapa M, Courtiol A, Engler M, Giese L, Rutz C, Lakermann M, Müskens G, van der Horst Y, Zollinger R, Wirth H, Kenntner N, Krüger O, Chakarov N, Müller AK, Looft V, Grünkorn T, Hallau A, Altenkamp R, Krone O. Phantom of the forest or successful citizen? Analysing how Northern Goshawks ( Accipiter gentilis) cope with the urban environment. R Soc Open Sci 2020; 7:201356. [PMID: 33489280 PMCID: PMC7813232 DOI: 10.1098/rsos.201356] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/31/2020] [Accepted: 11/30/2020] [Indexed: 05/31/2023]
Abstract
By 2040, roughly two-thirds of humanity are expected to live in urban areas. As cities expand, humans irreversibly transform natural ecosystems, creating both opportunities and challenges for wildlife. Here, we investigate how the Northern Goshawk (Accipiter gentilis) is adjusting to urban environments. We measured a variety of behavioural and ecological parameters in three urban and four rural study sites. City life appeared related to all parameters we measured. Urban female goshawks were overall 21.7 (CI95% 5.13-130) times more likely to defend their nestlings from humans than rural females. Urban goshawks were 3.64 (CI95% 2.05-6.66) times more likely to feed on pigeons and had diets exhibiting lower overall species richness and diversity. Urban females laid eggs 12.5 (CI95% 7.12-17.4) days earlier than rural individuals and were 2.22 (CI95% 0.984-4.73) times more likely to produce a brood of more than three nestlings. Nonetheless, urban goshawks suffered more from infections with the parasite Trichomonas gallinae, which was the second most common cause of mortality (14.6%), after collisions with windows (33.1%). In conclusion, although city life is associated with significant risks, goshawks appear to thrive in some urban environments, most likely as a result of high local availability of profitable pigeon prey. We conclude that the Northern Goshawk can be classified as an urban exploiter in parts of its distribution.
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Affiliation(s)
- Manuela Merling de Chapa
- Leibniz Institute for Zoo and Wildlife Research, Alfred-Kowalke-Straße 17, 10315 Berlin, Germany
| | - Alexandre Courtiol
- Leibniz Institute for Zoo and Wildlife Research, Alfred-Kowalke-Straße 17, 10315 Berlin, Germany
| | - Marc Engler
- Leibniz Institute for Zoo and Wildlife Research, Alfred-Kowalke-Straße 17, 10315 Berlin, Germany
| | - Lisa Giese
- Leibniz Institute for Zoo and Wildlife Research, Alfred-Kowalke-Straße 17, 10315 Berlin, Germany
| | - Christian Rutz
- Centre for Biological Diversity, School of Biology, University of St Andrews, St Andrews KY16 9TH, UK
| | | | - Gerard Müskens
- Wageningen Environmental Research (WENR), Animal Ecology Team, PO Box 47, NL-6700 AA, Wageningen, The Netherlands
| | - Youri van der Horst
- Vogeltrekstation, Dutch Centre for Avian Migration and Demography (NIOO-KNAW), Postbus 50, 6700 AB Wageningen, The Netherlands
| | | | - Hans Wirth
- Ornithologische Arbeitsgemeinschaft Schleswig-Holstein, Wiesengrund 11, 22967 Tremsbüttel, Germany
| | | | - Oliver Krüger
- Department of Animal Behaviour, Bielefeld University, Morgenbreede 45, 33615 Bielefeld, Germany
| | - Nayden Chakarov
- Department of Animal Behaviour, Bielefeld University, Morgenbreede 45, 33615 Bielefeld, Germany
| | - Anna-Katharina Müller
- Department of Animal Behaviour, Bielefeld University, Morgenbreede 45, 33615 Bielefeld, Germany
| | - Volkher Looft
- Landesnaturschutzverband Schleswig-Holstein e.V., Burgstraße 4, 24103 Kiel, Germany
| | | | | | | | - Oliver Krone
- Leibniz Institute for Zoo and Wildlife Research, Alfred-Kowalke-Straße 17, 10315 Berlin, Germany
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14
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Akemann G, Baake M, Chakarov N, Krüger O, Mielke A, Ottensmann M, Werdehausen R. Territorial behaviour of buzzards versus random matrix spacing distributions. J Theor Biol 2020; 509:110475. [PMID: 33017577 DOI: 10.1016/j.jtbi.2020.110475] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/07/2020] [Revised: 08/06/2020] [Accepted: 09/01/2020] [Indexed: 10/23/2022]
Abstract
A deeper understanding of the processes underlying the distribution of animals in space is crucial for both basic and applied ecology. The Common buzzard (Buteo buteo) is a highly aggressive, territorial bird of prey that interacts strongly with its intra- and interspecific competitors. We propose and use random matrix theory to quantify the strength and range of repulsion as a function of the buzzard population density, thus providing a novel approach to model density dependence. As an indicator of territorial behaviour, we perform a large-scale analysis of the distribution of buzzard nests in an area of 300 square kilometres around the Teutoburger Wald, Germany, as gathered over a period of 20 years. The nearest and next-to-nearest neighbour spacing distribution between nests is compared to the two-dimensional Poisson distribution, originating from uncorrelated random variables, to the complex eigenvalues of random matrices, which are strongly correlated, and to a two-dimensional Coulomb gas interpolating between these two. A one-parameter fit to a time-moving average reveals a significant increase of repulsion between neighbouring nests, as a function of the observed increase in absolute population density over the monitored period of time, thereby proving an unexpected yet simple model for density-dependent spacing of predator territories. A similar effect is obtained for next-to-nearest neighbours, albeit with weaker repulsion, indicating a short-range interaction. Our results show that random matrix theory might be useful in the context of population ecology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gernot Akemann
- Faculty of Physics, Bielefeld University, P.O. Box 100131, D-33501 Bielefeld, Germany.
| | - Michael Baake
- Faculty of Mathematics, Bielefeld University, P.O. Box 100131, D-33501 Bielefeld, Germany.
| | - Nayden Chakarov
- Faculty of Biology, Bielefeld University, P.O. Box 100131, D-33501 Bielefeld, Germany
| | - Oliver Krüger
- Faculty of Biology, Bielefeld University, P.O. Box 100131, D-33501 Bielefeld, Germany.
| | - Adam Mielke
- Faculty of Physics, Bielefeld University, P.O. Box 100131, D-33501 Bielefeld, Germany.
| | - Meinolf Ottensmann
- Faculty of Biology, Bielefeld University, P.O. Box 100131, D-33501 Bielefeld, Germany
| | - Rebecca Werdehausen
- Faculty of Physics, Bielefeld University, P.O. Box 100131, D-33501 Bielefeld, Germany
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15
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Chakarov N, Kampen H, Wiegmann A, Werner D, Bensch S. Blood parasites in vectors reveal a united blackfly community in the upper canopy. Parasit Vectors 2020; 13:309. [PMID: 32539849 PMCID: PMC7296761 DOI: 10.1186/s13071-020-04177-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/01/2020] [Accepted: 06/08/2020] [Indexed: 11/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Background The behaviour of blood-sucking arthropods is a crucial determinant of blood protozoan distribution and hence of host-parasite coevolution, but it is very challenging to study in the wild. The molecular identification of parasite lineages in vectors can be a useful key to understand the behaviour and transmission patterns realised by these vectors. Methods In this study, we collected blackflies around nests of three raptor species in the upper forest canopy in central Europe and examined the presence of vertebrate DNA and haemosporidian parasites in them. We molecularly analysed 156 blackfly individuals, their vertebrate blood meals, and the haemosporidian parasite lineages they carried. Results We identified nine species of Simulium blackflies, largely belonging to the subgenera Nevermannia and Eusimulium. Only 1% of the collected specimens was visibly engorged, and only 4% contained remains of host DNA. However, in 29% of the blackflies Leucocytozoon lineages were identified, which is evidence of a previous blood meal on an avian host. Based on the known vertebrate hosts of the recorded Leucocytozoon lineages, we can infer that large and/or abundant birds, such as thrushes, crows, pigeons, birds of prey, owls and tits are the main targets of ornithophilic blackflies in the canopy. Blackfly species contained similar proportions of host group-specific parasite lineages and thus do not appear to be associated with particular host groups. Conclusions The Leucocytozoon clade infecting thrushes, crows, and pigeons present in most represented blackfly species suggests a lack of association between hosts and blackflies, which can increase the probability of host switches of blood parasites. However, the composition of the simuliid species differed between nests of common buzzards, goshawks and red kites. This segregation can be explained by coinciding habitat preferences between host and vector, and may lead to the fast speciation of Leucocytozoon parasites. Thus, subtle ecological preferences and lack of host preference of vectors in the canopy may enable both parasite diversification and host switches, and enforce a habitat-dependent evolution of avian malaria parasites and related haemosporidia.![]()
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Affiliation(s)
- Nayden Chakarov
- Department of Animal Behaviour, Bielefeld University, Bielefeld, Germany. .,Molecular Ecology and Evolution Lab, Department of Biology, Lund University, Lund, Sweden.
| | - Helge Kampen
- Friedrich-Loeffler-Institut, Federal Research Institute for Animal Health, Greifswald, Insel Riems, Germany
| | - Anja Wiegmann
- Department of Animal Behaviour, Bielefeld University, Bielefeld, Germany
| | - Doreen Werner
- Research Area 2 'Land Use and Governance', Leibniz Centre for Agricultural Landscape Research, Muencheberg, Germany
| | - Staffan Bensch
- Molecular Ecology and Evolution Lab, Department of Biology, Lund University, Lund, Sweden
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16
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Stoffel MA, Acevedo-Whitehouse K, Morales-Durán N, Grosser S, Chakarov N, Krüger O, Nichols HJ, Elorriaga-Verplancken FR, Hoffman JI. Early sexual dimorphism in the developing gut microbiome of northern elephant seals. Mol Ecol 2020; 29:2109-2122. [PMID: 32060961 DOI: 10.1111/mec.15385] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/10/2019] [Revised: 02/07/2020] [Accepted: 02/10/2020] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
The gut microbiome is an integral part of a species' ecology, but we know little about how host characteristics impact its development in wild populations. Here, we explored the role of such intrinsic factors in shaping the gut microbiome of northern elephant seals (Mirounga angustirostris) during a critical developmental window of 6 weeks after weaning, when the pups stay ashore without feeding. We found substantial sex differences in the early-life gut microbiome, even though males and females could not yet be distinguished morphologically. Sex and age both explained around 15% of the variation in gut microbial beta diversity, while microbial communities sampled from the same individual showed high levels of similarity across time, explaining another 40% of the variation. Only a small proportion of the variation in beta diversity was explained by health status, assessed by full blood counts, but clinically healthy individuals had a greater microbial alpha diversity than their clinically abnormal peers. Across the post-weaning period, the northern elephant seal gut microbiome was highly dynamic. We found evidence for several colonization and extinction events as well as a decline in Bacteroides and an increase in Prevotella, a pattern that has previously been associated with the transition from nursing to solid food. Lastly, we show that genetic relatedness was correlated with gut microbiome similarity in males but not females, again reflecting early sex differences. Our study represents a naturally diet-controlled and longitudinal investigation of how intrinsic factors shape the early gut microbiome in a species with extreme sex differences in morphology and life history.
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Affiliation(s)
- Martin A Stoffel
- Department of Animal Behaviour, Bielefeld University, Bielefeld, Germany.,School of Natural Sciences and Psychology, Faculty of Science, Liverpool John Moores University, Liverpool, UK.,Institute of Evolutionary Biology, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK
| | - Karina Acevedo-Whitehouse
- Unit for Basic and Applied Microbiology, School of Natural Sciences, Autonomous University of Queretaro, Queretaro, México.,The Marine Mammal Center, Sausalito, CA, USA
| | - Nami Morales-Durán
- Unit for Basic and Applied Microbiology, School of Natural Sciences, Autonomous University of Queretaro, Queretaro, México
| | - Stefanie Grosser
- Division of Evolutionary Biology, Faculty of Biology, LMU Munich, Planegg-Martinsried, Germany
| | - Nayden Chakarov
- Department of Animal Behaviour, Bielefeld University, Bielefeld, Germany
| | - Oliver Krüger
- Department of Animal Behaviour, Bielefeld University, Bielefeld, Germany
| | - Hazel J Nichols
- Department of Animal Behaviour, Bielefeld University, Bielefeld, Germany.,Department of Biosciences, College of Science, Swansea University, Swansea, UK
| | - Fernando R Elorriaga-Verplancken
- Departamento de Pesquerías y Biología Marina, Centro Interdisciplinario de Ciencias Marinas (CICIMAR-IPN), Instituto Politécnico Nacional, La Paz, Mexico
| | - Joseph I Hoffman
- Department of Animal Behaviour, Bielefeld University, Bielefeld, Germany.,British Antarctic Survey, Cambridge, UK
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17
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Sumasgutner P, Terraube J, Coulon A, Villers A, Chakarov N, Kruckenhauser L, Korpimäki E. Landscape homogenization due to agricultural intensification disrupts the relationship between reproductive success and main prey abundance in an avian predator. Front Zool 2019; 16:31. [PMID: 31406493 PMCID: PMC6683578 DOI: 10.1186/s12983-019-0331-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/10/2019] [Accepted: 07/17/2019] [Indexed: 11/29/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Selecting high-quality habitat and the optimal time to reproduce can increase individual fitness and is a strong evolutionary factor shaping animal populations. However, few studies have investigated the interplay between land cover heterogeneity, limitation in food resources, individual quality and spatial variation in fitness parameters. Here, we explore how individuals of different quality respond to possible mismatches between a cue for prey availability (land cover heterogeneity) and the actual fluctuating prey abundance. Results We analyse timing of breeding and reproductive success in a migratory population of Eurasian kestrels (Falco tinnunculus) breeding in nest-boxes, over a full three-year abundance cycle of main prey (voles), and consider several components of individual quality, including body condition, blood parasite infection, and genetic diversity (n = 448 adults) that act on different time scales. Older individuals, and kestrel parents in higher body condition started egg-laying earlier than younger birds and those in lower body condition. Additionally, egg-laying was initiated earlier during the increase and decrease phases (2011 and 2012) than during the low phase of the vole cycle (2013). Nestling survival (ratio of eggs that fledged successfully) was higher in early nests and in heterogeneous landscapes (i.e., mosaic of different habitat types), which was evident during the increase and decrease phases of the vole cycle, but not during the low vole year. Conclusions We found a strong positive effect of landscape heterogeneity on nestling survival, but only when voles were relatively abundant, whereas a difference in the timing of breeding related to territory landscape heterogeneity was not evident. Therefore, landscape heterogeneity appeared as the main driver of high reproductive performance under favourable food conditions. Our results show that landscape homogenization linked to agricultural intensification disrupts the expected positive effect of vole abundance on reproductive success of kestrels. Electronic supplementary material The online version of this article (10.1186/s12983-019-0331-z) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.
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Affiliation(s)
- Petra Sumasgutner
- 1Department of Biology, Section of Ecology, University of Turku, Turku, Finland.,2Department of Integrative Zoology, University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria.,3FitzPatrick Institute of African Ornithology, DST-NRF Centre of Excellence, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa
| | - Julien Terraube
- 1Department of Biology, Section of Ecology, University of Turku, Turku, Finland.,4Global Change and Conservation Lab. Faculty of Biological and Environmental Sciences, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
| | - Aurélie Coulon
- 5CEFE, CNRS, Univ Montpellier, Univ Paul Valéry Montpellier 3, Montpellier, France.,6Centre d'Ecologie et des Sciences de la Conservation (CESCO), Muséum national d'Histoire naturelle, Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique, Sorbonne Université, Paris, France
| | - Alexandre Villers
- ONCFS, Unité Avifaune Migratrice, Station de Chizé, 405 route de Prissé-la-Charrière, 79360 Villiers-en-Bois, France
| | - Nayden Chakarov
- 8Department of Biology, Molecular Ecology and Evolution Lab, Lund University, Lund, Sweden.,9Department of Animal Behaviour, Bielefeld University, Bielefeld, Germany
| | - Luise Kruckenhauser
- Museum of Natural History Vienna, Central Research Laboratories, Vienna, Austria
| | - Erkki Korpimäki
- 1Department of Biology, Section of Ecology, University of Turku, Turku, Finland
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18
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Shurulinkov P, Spasov L, Stoyanov G, Chakarov N. Blood parasite infections in a wild population of ravens (Corvus corax) in Bulgaria. Malar J 2018; 17:33. [PMID: 29338711 PMCID: PMC5771030 DOI: 10.1186/s12936-018-2179-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/09/2017] [Accepted: 01/09/2018] [Indexed: 12/03/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Blood parasites have been studied intensely in many families of avian hosts, but corvids, a particularly cosmopolitan family, remain underexplored. Haemosporidian parasites of the common raven (Corvus corax) have not been studied, although it is the largest, most adaptable, and widespread corvid. Genetic sequence data from parasites of ravens can enhance the understanding of speciation patterns and specificity of haemosporidian parasites in corvids, and shed light how these hosts cope with parasite pressure. METHODS A baited cage trap was used to catch 86 ravens and a nested PCR protocol was used to amplify a 479 bp fragment of the haemosporidian cytochrome b gene from the samples. The obtained sequences were compared with the MalAvi database of all published haemosporidian lineages and a phylogenetic tree including all detected raven parasites was constructed. An examination of blood smears was performed for assessment of infection intensity. RESULTS Twenty blood parasite lineages were recovered from ravens caught in a wild population in Bulgaria. The prevalence of generalist Plasmodium lineages was 49%, and the prevalence of Leucocytozoon lineages was 31%. Out of 13 detected Leucocytozoon lineages six were known from different corvids, while seven others seem to be specific to ravens. A phylogenetic reconstruction suggests that Leucocytozoon lineages of ravens and other corvids are not monophyletic, with some groups appearing closely related to parasites of other host families. CONCLUSIONS Several different, morphologically cryptic groups of Leucocytozoon parasites appear to infect corvids. Ravens harbour both generalist corvid Leucocytozoon as well as apparently species-specific lineages. The extraordinary breeding ecology and scavenging lifestyle possibly allow ravens to evade vectors and have relatively low blood parasite prevalence compared to other corvids.
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Affiliation(s)
- Peter Shurulinkov
- National Museum of Natural History, Bulgarian Academy of Sciences, Sofia, Bulgaria
| | | | | | - Nayden Chakarov
- Department of Animal Behaviour, Bielefeld University, 33501, Bielefeld, Germany.
- Molecular Ecology and Evolution Lab, Department of Biology, Lund University, Lund, Sweden.
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19
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Mueller AK, Chakarov N, Heseker H, Krüger O. Intraguild predation leads to cascading effects on habitat choice, behaviour and reproductive performance. J Anim Ecol 2016; 85:774-84. [PMID: 26781959 DOI: 10.1111/1365-2656.12493] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/13/2015] [Accepted: 11/29/2015] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
Intraguild predation (IGP) is a commonly recognized mechanism influencing the community structure of predators, but the complex interactions are notoriously difficult to disentangle. The mesopredator suppression hypothesis predicts that a superpredator may either simultaneously repress two mesopredators, restrain the dominant one and thereby release the subdominant mesopredator, or elicit different responses by both mesopredators. We show the outcome arising from such conditions in a three-level predator assemblage (Eurasian eagle owl Bubo bubo L., northern goshawk Accipiter gentilis L. and common buzzard Buteo buteo L.) studied over 25 years. In the second half of the study period, the eagle owl re-colonized the study area, thereby providing a natural experiment of superpredator introduction. We combined this set-up with detailed GIS analysis of habitat use and a field experiment simulating intrusion by the superpredator into territories of the subdominant mesopredator, the buzzard. Although population trends were positive for all three species in the assemblage, the proportion of failed breeding attempts increased significantly in both mesopredators after the superpredator re-colonized the area. We predicted that superpredator-induced niche shifts in the dominant mesopredator may facilitate mesopredator coexistence in superpredator-free refugia. We found significant changes in nesting habitat choice in goshawk, but not in buzzard. Since competition for enemy-free refugia and the rapid increase in population density may have constrained niche shifts of the subdominant mesopredator, we further predicted behavioural changes in response to the superpredator. The field experiment indeed showed a significant increase in aggressive response of buzzards towards eagle owl territory intrusion over the course of 10 years, probably due to phenotypic plasticity in the response towards superpredation risk. Overall, our results show that intraguild predation can be a powerful force of behavioural change, simultaneously influencing habitat use and aggressiveness in predator communities. These changes might help to buffer mesopredator populations against the negative effects of intraguild predation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anna-Katharina Mueller
- Department of Animal Behaviour, Bielefeld University, PO Box 100131, Bielefeld, 33501, Germany
| | - Nayden Chakarov
- Department of Animal Behaviour, Bielefeld University, PO Box 100131, Bielefeld, 33501, Germany.,Department of Biology, Molecular Ecology and Evolution Lab, Lund University, Ecology Building, Lund, SE-22362, Sweden
| | - Hanna Heseker
- Department of Animal Behaviour, Bielefeld University, PO Box 100131, Bielefeld, 33501, Germany
| | - Oliver Krüger
- Department of Animal Behaviour, Bielefeld University, PO Box 100131, Bielefeld, 33501, Germany
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Pauli M, Chakarov N, Rupp O, Kalinowski J, Goesmann A, Sorenson MD, Krüger O, Hoffman JI. De novo assembly of the dual transcriptomes of a polymorphic raptor species and its malarial parasite. BMC Genomics 2015; 16:1038. [PMID: 26645667 PMCID: PMC4673757 DOI: 10.1186/s12864-015-2254-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/09/2015] [Accepted: 11/27/2015] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Studies of non-model species are important for understanding the molecular processes underpinning phenotypic variation under natural ecological conditions. The common buzzard (Buteo buteo; Aves: Accipitriformes) is a widespread and common Eurasian raptor with three distinct plumage morphs that differ in several fitness-related traits, including parasite infestation. To provide a genomic resource for plumage polymorphic birds in general and to search for candidate genes relating to fitness, we generated a transcriptome from a single dead buzzard specimen plus easily accessible, minimally invasive samples from live chicks. RESULTS We not only de novo assembled a near-complete buzzard transcriptome, but also obtained a significant fraction of the transcriptome of its malaria-like parasite, Leucocytozoon buteonis. By identifying melanogenesis-related transcripts that are differentially expressed in light ventral and dark dorsal feathers, but which are also expressed in other regions of the body, we also identified a suite of candidate genes that could be associated with fitness differences among the morphs. These include several immune-related genes, providing a plausible link between melanisation and parasite load. qPCR analysis of a subset of these genes revealed significant differences between ventral and dorsal feathers and an additional effect of morph. CONCLUSION This new resource provides preliminary insights into genes that could be involved in fitness differences between the buzzard colour morphs, and should facilitate future studies of raptors and their malaria-like parasites.
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Affiliation(s)
- Martina Pauli
- Department of Animal Behaviour, Bielefeld University, 33501, Bielefeld, Germany
| | - Nayden Chakarov
- Department of Animal Behaviour, Bielefeld University, 33501, Bielefeld, Germany.
- Present address: Molecular Ecology and Evolution Lab, Lund University, 223 62, Lund, Sweden.
| | - Oliver Rupp
- Bioinformatics and Systems Biology, Justus-Liebig-University, 35390, Giessen, Germany
- Center for Biotechnology, Bielefeld University, 33501, Bielefeld, Germany
| | - Jörn Kalinowski
- Center for Biotechnology, Bielefeld University, 33501, Bielefeld, Germany
| | - Alexander Goesmann
- Bioinformatics and Systems Biology, Justus-Liebig-University, 35390, Giessen, Germany
- Center for Biotechnology, Bielefeld University, 33501, Bielefeld, Germany
| | | | - Oliver Krüger
- Department of Animal Behaviour, Bielefeld University, 33501, Bielefeld, Germany
| | - Joseph Ivan Hoffman
- Department of Animal Behaviour, Bielefeld University, 33501, Bielefeld, Germany
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Chakarov N, Pauli M, Mueller AK, Potiek A, Grünkorn T, Dijkstra C, Krüger O. Territory Quality and Plumage Morph Predict Offspring Sex Ratio Variation in a Raptor. PLoS One 2015; 10:e0138295. [PMID: 26445010 PMCID: PMC4596812 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0138295] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/27/2015] [Accepted: 08/29/2015] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Parents may adapt their offspring sex ratio in response to their own phenotype and environmental conditions. The most significant causes for adaptive sex-ratio variation might express themselves as different distributions of fitness components between sexes along a given variable. Several causes for differential sex allocation in raptors with reversed sexual size dimorphism have been suggested. We search for correlates of fledgling sex in an extensive dataset on common buzzards Buteo buteo, a long-lived bird of prey. Larger female offspring could be more resource-demanding and starvation-prone and thus the costly sex. Prominent factors such as brood size and laying date did not predict nestling sex. Nonetheless, lifetime sex ratio (LSR, potentially indicative of individual sex allocation constraints) and overall nestling sex were explained by territory quality with more females being produced in better territories. Additionally, parental plumage morphs and the interaction of morph and prey abundance tended to explain LSR and nestling sex, indicating local adaptation of sex allocation However, in a limited census of nestling mortality, not females but males tended to die more frequently in prey-rich years. Also, although females could have potentially longer reproductive careers, a subset of our data encompassing full individual life histories showed that longevity and lifetime reproductive success were similarly distributed between the sexes. Thus, a basis for adaptive sex allocation in this population remains elusive. Overall, in common buzzards most major determinants of reproductive success appeared to have no effect on sex ratio but sex allocation may be adapted to local conditions in morph-specific patterns.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nayden Chakarov
- Department of Animal Behaviour, Bielefeld University, PO Box 10 01 31, 33501, Bielefeld, Germany
- * E-mail:
| | - Martina Pauli
- Department of Animal Behaviour, Bielefeld University, PO Box 10 01 31, 33501, Bielefeld, Germany
| | - Anna-Katharina Mueller
- Department of Animal Behaviour, Bielefeld University, PO Box 10 01 31, 33501, Bielefeld, Germany
| | - Astrid Potiek
- Department of Animal Behaviour, Bielefeld University, PO Box 10 01 31, 33501, Bielefeld, Germany
| | | | - Cor Dijkstra
- Behavioural Biology, University of Groningen, PO Box 11103, 9700 CC, Groningen, The Netherlands
| | - Oliver Krüger
- Department of Animal Behaviour, Bielefeld University, PO Box 10 01 31, 33501, Bielefeld, Germany
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Chakarov N, Linke B, Boerner M, Goesmann A, Krüger O, Hoffman JI. Apparent vector-mediated parent-to-offspring transmission in an avian malaria-like parasite. Mol Ecol 2015; 24:1355-63. [PMID: 25688585 DOI: 10.1111/mec.13115] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/24/2014] [Revised: 02/05/2015] [Accepted: 02/11/2015] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
Parasite transmission strategies strongly impact host-parasite co-evolution and virulence. However, studies of vector-borne parasites such as avian malaria have neglected the potential effects of host relatedness on the exchange of parasites. To test whether extended parental care in the presence of vectors increases the probability of transmission from parents to offspring, we used high-throughput sequencing to develop microsatellites for malaria-like Leucocytozoon parasites of a wild raptor population. We show that host siblings carry genetically more similar parasites than unrelated chicks both within and across years. Moreover, chicks of mothers of the same plumage morph carried more similar parasites than nestlings whose mothers were of different morphs, consistent with matrilineal transmission of morph-specific parasite strains. Ours is the first evidence of an association between host relatedness and parasite genetic similarity, consistent with vector-mediated parent-to-offspring transmission. The conditions for such 'quasi-vertical' transmission may be common and could suppress the evolution of pathogen virulence.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nayden Chakarov
- Department of Animal Behaviour, Bielefeld University, PO Box 10 01 31, 33501, Bielefeld, Germany
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Chakarov N, Jonker RM, Boerner M, Hoffman JI, Krüger O. Variation at phenological candidate genes correlates with timing of dispersal and plumage morph in a sedentary bird of prey. Mol Ecol 2013; 22:5430-40. [DOI: 10.1111/mec.12493] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/27/2013] [Revised: 07/19/2013] [Accepted: 08/08/2013] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Nayden Chakarov
- Department of Animal Behaviour; Bielefeld University; PO Box 10 01 31 33501 Bielefeld Germany
| | - Rudy M. Jonker
- Department of Animal Behaviour; Bielefeld University; PO Box 10 01 31 33501 Bielefeld Germany
| | - Martina Boerner
- Department of Animal Behaviour; Bielefeld University; PO Box 10 01 31 33501 Bielefeld Germany
| | - Joseph I. Hoffman
- Department of Animal Behaviour; Bielefeld University; PO Box 10 01 31 33501 Bielefeld Germany
| | - Oliver Krüger
- Department of Animal Behaviour; Bielefeld University; PO Box 10 01 31 33501 Bielefeld Germany
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Boerner M, Hoffman JI, Amos W, Chakarov N, Kruger O. No correlation between multi-locus heterozygosity and fitness in the common buzzard despite heterozygote advantage for plumage colour. J Evol Biol 2013; 26:2233-43. [PMID: 23980596 DOI: 10.1111/jeb.12221] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/29/2012] [Revised: 06/18/2013] [Accepted: 06/28/2013] [Indexed: 10/26/2022]
Abstract
Correlations between heterozygosity and fitness are frequently found but rarely well understood. Fitness can be affected by single loci of large effect which correlate with neutral markers via linkage disequilibrium, or as a result of variation in genome-wide heterozygosity following inbreeding. We explored these alternatives in the common buzzard, a raptor species in which three colour morphs differ in their lifetime reproductive success. Using 18 polymorphic microsatellite loci, we evaluated potential genetic differences among the morphs which may lead to subpopulation structuring and tested for correlations between three fitness-related traits and heterozygosity, both genome wide and at each locus separately. Despite their assortative mating pattern, the buzzard morphs were found to be genetically undifferentiated. Multilocus heterozygosity was only found to be correlated with a single fitness-related trait, infection with the blood parasite, Leucocytozoon buteonis, and this was via interactions with vole abundance and age. One locus also showed a significant relationship with blood parasite infection and ectoparasite infestation. The vicinity of this locus contains two genes, one of which is potentially implicated in the immune system of birds. We conclude that genome-wide heterozygosity is unlikely to be a major determinant of parasite burden and body condition in the polymorphic common buzzard.
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Affiliation(s)
- M Boerner
- Department of Animal Behaviour, Bielefeld University, Bielefeld, Germany
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Krüger O, Chakarov N, Nielsen JT, Looft V, Grünkorn T, Struwe-Juhl B, Møller AP. Population regulation by habitat heterogeneity or individual adjustment? J Anim Ecol 2011; 81:330-40. [DOI: 10.1111/j.1365-2656.2011.01904.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 38] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
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Chakarov N, Krüger O. Mesopredator release by an emergent superpredator: a natural experiment of predation in a three level guild. PLoS One 2010; 5:e15229. [PMID: 21151912 PMCID: PMC2997793 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0015229] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/01/2010] [Accepted: 10/29/2010] [Indexed: 11/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Intraguild predation (IGP) is widespread but it is often neglected that guilds commonly include many layers of dominance within. This could obscure the effects of IGP making unclear whether the intermediate or the bottom mesopredator will bear higher costs from the emergence of a new top predator. Methodology/Principal Findings In one of the most extensive datasets of avian IGP, we analyse the impact of recolonization of a superpredator, the eagle owl Bubo bubo on breeding success, territorial dynamics and population densities of two mesopredators, the northern goshawk Accipiter gentilis and its IG prey, the common buzzard Buteo buteo. The data covers more than two decades and encompass three adjacent plots. Eagle owls only recolonized the central plot during the second decade, thereby providing a natural experiment. Both species showed a decrease in standardized reproductive success and an increase in brood failure within 1.5 km of the superpredator. During the second decade, territory dynamics of goshawks was significantly higher in the central plot compared to both other plots. No such pattern existed in buzzards. Goshawk density in the second decade decreased in the central plot, while it increased in both other plots. Buzzard density in the second decade rapidly increased in the north, remained unchanged in the south and increased moderately in the center in a probable case of mesopredator release. Conclusions/Significance Our study finds support for top-down control on the intermediate mesopredator and both top-down and bottom-up control of the bottom mesopredator. In the face of considerable costs of IGP, both species probably compete to breed in predator-free refugia, which get mostly occupied by the dominant raptor. Therefore for mesopredators the outcome of IGP might depend directly on the number of dominance levels which supersede them.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nayden Chakarov
- Department of Animal Behaviour, University of Bielefeld, Bielefeld, Germany.
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Shurulinkov P, Chakarov N. Prevalence of blood parasites in different local populations of reed warbler (Acrocephalus scirpaceus) and great reed warbler (Acrocephalus arundinaceus). Parasitol Res 2006; 99:588-92. [PMID: 16670881 DOI: 10.1007/s00436-006-0202-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/02/2005] [Accepted: 03/31/2006] [Indexed: 10/24/2022]
Abstract
Blood parasite prevalence in two related warbler species (Acrocephalus arundinaceus and A. scirpaceus) was studied at three Bulgarian sites that differed mainly in altitude and weather. The prevalence of Haemoproteus, the most common parasite genus, was significantly lower at the highest altitude site (730 m above sea level, asl). Such a pattern was not found in ectoparasite-transmitted Hepatozoon. This can be explained with worsening conditions for the development of free-flying vectors with altitude and suggests loosening of the host-parasite conflict at higher breeding sites. The total heamatozoan prevalence was significantly higher in great reed warbler, compared with reed warbler especially as regards Haemoproteus parasites.
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Affiliation(s)
- Peter Shurulinkov
- Institute of Zoology, Bulgarian Academy of Sciences, Tsar Osvoboditel 1, 1000 Sofia, Bulgaria.
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