Steroid hormones, ectoparasites, and color: Sex, species, and seasonal differences in Sceloporus lizards

Argáez, Víctor; Pruett, Jake A.; Seddon, Ryan J.; Solano‐Zavaleta, Israel; Hews, Diana K.; Zúñiga‐Vega, J. Jaime

doi:10.1016/j.ygcen.2021.113717

Cited by 6 publications

(3 citation statements)

References 96 publications

Supporting

Mentioning

Contrasting

Order By: Relevance

“…We also found a higher probability of ectoparasite presence in male rodent hosts, which may be due to the levels of several steroid hormones (e.g., testosterone, progesterone, and estrogens, which affect immunocompetence) and the greater mobility of males (Argaez et al., 2021; Krasnov et al., 2005; Obiegala et al., 2021; Rosà et al., 2006; Shilereyo et al., 2022). Contrarily, other studies have found little support for this ‘sex‐biased’ hypothesis (Kiffner et al., 2011).…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 64%

Host sweet host: Rodent communities support similar ectoparasite diversity regardless of anthropogenic disturbance

Gil‐Fernández,

Vargas‐Sandoval,

Delfín‐Alfonso

et al. 2024

J Applied Entomology

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Rodents are important hosts for ectoparasites, such as fleas, ticks, and mites, which means they are also important intermediate hosts for many zoonotic diseases. As anthropogenic environments bring humans and rodents into closer contact, an understanding of host–ectoparasite ecology is essential to predict and manage disease spillover risks. We aimed to understand how disturbances in vegetation cover affect rodent ectoparasite diversity, prevalence, spatial segregation, host (i.e., sex, genus, size, and habitat domain), and environmental (i.e., vegetation structure, forest cover, and rainfall) variables in the state of Michoacan, Mexico. We investigated these relationships by trapping rodents in five paired disturbed (reduced vegetation cover and regular human activities) and undisturbed (no reduction in vegetation cover) sites in the summer and autumn of 2022. From 110 trapped rodents, we collected 138 ectoparasites on 38 individuals. We found no difference in rodent diversity, ectoparasite diversity, or ectoparasite prevalence between disturbed and undisturbed sites. However, arboreal and male rodents had a higher probability of carrying ectoparasites than ground‐dwelling and female rodents. Rodents with ectoparasites were not spatially clustered; rather, they were randomly distributed across trapping grids. We also identified two rodent genera (Rattus and Sigmodon) that carry ectoparasites of medical importance and that are in close contact with humans. Our results highlight the necessity of constant monitoring of rodents, ectoparasites, and their associated transmittable diseases. Assessing these interactions and how they are affected by anthropogenic disturbance could better inform management decisions and support the need for rodent conservation programmes in the area.

show abstract

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 64%

Host sweet host: Rodent communities support similar ectoparasite diversity regardless of anthropogenic disturbance

Gil‐Fernández,

Vargas‐Sandoval,

Delfín‐Alfonso

et al. 2024

J Applied Entomology

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

show abstract

“…In this sense, the search for identifying sources of susceptibility variation and biomarkers for health and immunosuppression has aroused the interest of researchers in different contexts at the international level. 29 Indeed, the literature suggests that the association between sex steroids and the innate and adaptive immune response may cause differences in susceptibility to infectious diseases between men and women. 23 Thus, hormonal conditions favour increased male susceptibility to bacterial, viral, fungal and parasitic infections associated with the immunosuppressive effects of testosterone that determine greater severity and prevalence than women.…”

Section: Hormonal Variations and Immune Re S P On S E In Infec Ti Ous Dise A Se Smentioning

confidence: 99%

“…23 Thus, hormonal conditions favour increased male susceptibility to bacterial, viral, fungal and parasitic infections associated with the immunosuppressive effects of testosterone that determine greater severity and prevalence than women. 29,30 Despite this finding and the fact that sexual dimorphism is an expressive reality in many species, the mechanisms underlying these differences are still gaps in knowledge and are targets for new studies.…”

Section: Hormonal Variations and Immune Re S P On S E In Infec Ti Ous Dise A Se Smentioning

confidence: 99%

Influence of sex hormones on the immune response to leishmaniasis

Albuquerque

Silva

Batista

et al. 2021

Parasite Immunology

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

The difference in life expectancy between men and women is notorious. 1 Since more males are born every year than females, 2 there is higher mortality among males, which is associated with a higher incidence of diseases and injuries leading to worse health-related quality of life. Epidemiological indicators surveyed by the Global Burden of Diseases (GBD) indicate that mortality estimates are higher among men of different ages or associated clinical conditions. 3 In this context, the global mortality rate in 2019 was 790.6 per 100,000/inhabitants for men and 670.16 per 100,000 inhabitants for women, and the burden of disease represented by Disability Adjusted Life Years (DALYs) also prevails in men, which was 34,732.76 per 100,000 inhabitants compared to 30,858.4 per 100,000 inhabitants in women. 4 Regarding visceral leishmaniasis (VL), the GBD confirms a more significant epidemiological impact on males due to the higher

show abstract

High-temperature stress will put the thermo-sensitive teleost yellow catfish (Tachysurus fulvidraco) in danger through reducing reproductivity

Chen

et al. 2022

Ecotoxicology and Environmental Safety

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Steroid hormones, ectoparasites, and color: Sex, species, and seasonal differences in Sceloporus lizards

Cited by 6 publications

References 96 publications

Host sweet host: Rodent communities support similar ectoparasite diversity regardless of anthropogenic disturbance

Host sweet host: Rodent communities support similar ectoparasite diversity regardless of anthropogenic disturbance

Influence of sex hormones on the immune response to leishmaniasis

High-temperature stress will put the thermo-sensitive teleost yellow catfish (Tachysurus fulvidraco) in danger through reducing reproductivity

Contact Info

Product

Resources

About