Co-infection with Leucocytozoon and Other Haemosporidian Parasites Increases with Latitude and Altitude in New World Bird Communities

Fecchio, Alan; Bell, Jeffrey A.; Williams, Emily J.; Dispoto, Janice H.; Weckstein, Jason D.; de Angeli Dutra, Daniela

doi:10.1007/s00248-023-02283-x

Cited by 2 publications

(1 citation statement)

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“…We recorded very different species in these two environments and only two species were found in both areas (Table S1). Lastly, Leucocytozoon haplotypes seem to adapt better to cooler environments, with a similar pattern found in the New World bird communities (Reis et al, 2021;Fecchio et al, 2023). Moreover, previous studies suggested higher parasite prevalence during the breeding season than in the nonbreeding season (Cosgrove et al, 2008).…”

Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 61%

The impacts of host traits on parasite infection of montane birds in southwestern China

Zhan,

Huang,

Pagani-Núñez

et al. 2024

Front. Ecol. Evol.

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Parasitic infections have the potential to impact the hosts’ body condition, elevate physiological responses, and ultimately lead to increased mortality. Host-parasite interactions are tied to the ecological and life-history traits of the hosts. While montane birds are susceptible to avian blood parasites, few studies have simultaneously assessed how inter- and intra-specific traits of hosts influence their probability of parasite infection. In this study, we screened for avian blood parasites across 214 individuals from 51 species at two sites, including a lowland farmland at 700 m and a highland forest at 2,500 m, in the Gaoligong Mountains in southwestern China. Overall blood parasite prevalence was 53.74%, with divergent species-specific prevalence ranging from 6.25% to 66.67%. We also measured traits indicative of body condition and physiological responses of each sampled individual. Using Bayesian phylogenetic logistic models, we assessed whether parasite infection probability is associated with ecological and life history traits of host species. Larger bird species were more likely to be infected than smaller bird species, and omnivore species showed lower susceptibility than those with other diets such as insectivores and herbivores. In contrast, foraging strata, nest type, and participation in mixed-species flocks of host species did not affect infection probability. We then used a reduced sample of eight species with more than five individuals, to assess the associations between intra-specific infection probability and host body condition, represented by fat and muscle reserves, and acute stress responses measured through breath rate. While infected individuals were likely to have more fat reserves than non-infected individuals, we did not find any association between infection probability and muscle reserve and body mass, nor with breath rate. Our results revealed that at the species level, specific traits (body mass and diet) of host species predict infection probability and implied a potential link at the individual level between enhanced body condition and increased resilience to parasite infection.

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Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 61%

The impacts of host traits on parasite infection of montane birds in southwestern China

Zhan,

Huang,

Pagani-Núñez

et al. 2024

Front. Ecol. Evol.

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A new blood parasite of the accentor birds: description, molecular characterization, phylogenetic relationships and distribution

Valkiūnas,

Iezhova,

Duc

et al. 2024

Parasitology

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Haemoproteus bobricklefsi sp. nov. (Haemosporida, Haemoproteidae) was found in the dunnock Prunella modularis and represents the first blood parasite described in accentor birds of the Prunellidae. The description is based on the morphology of blood stages and includes information about a barcoding segment of the mitochondrial cytochrome b gene (lineage hDUNNO01) and the full mitochondrial genome, which can be used for identification and diagnosis of this infection. The new parasite can be readily distinguished from described species of haemoproteids parasitizing passeriform birds due to markedly variable position of nuclei in advanced and fully grown macrogametocytes. Illustrations of blood stages of the new species are given, and phylogenetic analyses based on partial mitochondrial cytochrome b gene sequences and the full mitochondrial genome identified the closely related lineages. DNA haplotype networks showed that transmission occurs in Europe and North America. This parasite was found in the dunnock in Europe and several species of the Passerellidae in North America. It is probably of Holarctic distribution, with the highest reported prevalence in the UK. The parasite distribution seems to be geographically patchy, with preference for areas of relatively cool climates. Phylogenetic analysis suggests that H. bobricklefsi sp. nov. belongs to the Parahaemoproteus subgenus and is probably transmitted by biting midges belonging to Culicoides (Ceratopogonidae). The available data on molecular occurrence indicate that this pathogen is prone to abortive development, so worth attention in regard of consequences for bird health.

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Co-infection with Leucocytozoon and Other Haemosporidian Parasites Increases with Latitude and Altitude in New World Bird Communities

Cited by 2 publications

References 50 publications

The impacts of host traits on parasite infection of montane birds in southwestern China

The impacts of host traits on parasite infection of montane birds in southwestern China

A new blood parasite of the accentor birds: description, molecular characterization, phylogenetic relationships and distribution

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