Unforeseen biogeographical patterns in a multiple parasite system in Macaronesia

Illera, Juan Carlos; Fernández-Álvarez, Ángela; Hernández-Flores, Carmen N.; Foronda, Pilar

doi:10.1111/jbi.12548

Cited by 33 publications

(39 citation statements)

References 55 publications

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“…As generalist parasites are considered poor competitors (Hellgren et al , 2009), an increase of co-infections on islands could play a role in limiting parasite densities and prevalence. Previous studies on the prevalence of blood parasites on islands were inconclusive, with either higher (Illera et al , 2015) or lower prevalence on islands (Pérez-Rodríguez et al , 2013). These conflicting results may arise from the fact that parasite prevalence is also likely to vary in relation to environmental and local factors.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Insularity effects on the assemblage of the blood parasite community of the birds from the Gulf of Guinea

Loiseau

Melo

Lobato

et al. 2017

Journal of Biogeography

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Aim Lower species diversity, increased population densities and ecological niche enlargement are common characteristics of island faunas. However it remains to be determined if they extend to the parasite community. We tested if Haemosporidia parasite pressure varies between islands and the mainland with two different levels of analysis: i) at the host community level, and ii) with paired-species comparisons between islands and the mainland. Location Gulf of Guinea, West Africa. Methods We used molecular-based methods to identify avian Haemosporidian parasites (Plasmodium, Haemoproteus and Leucocytozoon) to describe their diversity, prevalence, host specificity and their phylogenetic relationships in five islands of the Gulf of Guinea and in nearby mainland areas. Results We found reduced Haemosporidia diversity on islands for Haemoproteus and Leucocytozoon, but not for Plasmodium. In addition, lower parasite prevalence on islands was found using a paired-species approach. Although the mean host specificity of the parasite community on islands did not differ from the mainland, we found a very distinct parasite species assemblage on the islands, which was composed of both the most generalist and the most specialist lineages. Main conclusions This study supports the hypothesis that parasite pressure is reduced on islands. Colonization is made by generalists with high host switching capacities, with some subsequently evolving into highly specialised parasites. This suggests that ‘taxon cycle’ dynamics may explain the assemblage of insular parasite communities.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…To date, it remains uncertain if and how these patterns described for insular vertebrates apply to their parasite fauna (Illera et al , 2015; Jean et al , 2016). Although island biogeography of parasites and their colonization histories have received increasing attention in recent years (e.g.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Insularity effects on the assemblage of the blood parasite community of the birds from the Gulf of Guinea

Loiseau

Melo

Lobato

et al. 2017

Journal of Biogeography

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“…However, few studies have explored the LDG within a host species, and even fewer have used a globally-distributed species, as recommended by Poulin (2014). Illera et al (2015) failed to find a significant relationship between latitude and richness of three genera of haematozoa and coccidians in spectacled warblers in Macaronesia. Calvete et al (2003) found an inverse relationship between species diversity and latitude in their investigation of helminth communities of a partridge species in Spain, with higher diversity at lower latitudes (although the study area covered approximately six degrees in latitude).…”

Section: A Review Of Past Studies On the Latitudinal Diversity Pattermentioning

confidence: 99%

Latitudinal gradients of parasite richness: a review and new insights from helminths of cricetid rodents

Preisser

2019

Ecography

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The latitudinal diversity gradient (LDG), or the trend of higher species richness at lower latitudes, has been well documented in multiple groups of free-living organisms. Investigations of the LDG in parasitic organisms are comparatively scarce. Here, I investigated latitudinal patterns of parasite diversity by reviewing published studies and by conducting a novel investigation of the LDG of helminths (parasitic nematodes, trematodes and cestodes) of cricetid rodents (Rodentia: Cricetidae). Using host-parasite records from 175 parasite communities and 60 host species, I tested for the presence and direction of a latitudinal pattern of helminth richness. Additionally, I examined four abiotic factors (mean annual temperature, annual precipitation, annual temperature range and annual precipitation range) and two biotic variables (host body mass and host diet) as potential correlates of parasite richness. The analyses were performed with and without phylogenetic comparative methods, as necessary. In this system, helminths followed the traditional LDG, with increasing species richness with decreasing latitude. Nematode richness appeared to drive this pattern, as cestodes and trematodes exhibited a reverse LDG and no latitudinal pattern, respectively. Overall helminth richness and nematode richness were higher in areas with higher mean annual temperatures, annual precipitation and annual precipitation ranges and lower annual temperature ranges, characteristics that often typify lower latitudes. Cestode richness was higher in areas of lower mean annual temperatures, annual precipitation and annual precipitation ranges and higher annual temperature ranges, while trematode richness showed no relationship with climate variables when phylogenetic comparative methods were used. Host diet was significantly correlated with cestode and trematode species richness, while host body mass was significantly correlated with nematode species richness. Results of this study support a complex association between parasite richness and latitude, and indicate that researchers should carefully consider other factors when trying to understand diversity gradients in parasitic organisms.

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“…Islands are excellent environments for investigating pathogen-mediated selection. In line with island biogeography theory (MacArthur & Wilson, 1967), pathogen diversity and abundance are often lower on islands compared with the mainland, simplifying the study of host-pathogen interactions (Pérez-Rodríguez, Ramírez, Richardson, & Pérez-Tris, 2013;Clark, Clegg, & Lima, 2014; but see Illera, Fernández-Álvarez, Hernández-Flores, & Foronda, 2015).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Adaptive landscape genetics and malaria across divergent island bird populations

Armstrong

Davies

González-Quevedo

et al. 2019

Ecology and Evolution

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Environmental conditions play a major role in shaping the spatial distributions of pathogens, which in turn can drive local adaptation and divergence in host genetic diversity. Haemosporidians, such as Plasmodium (malaria), are a strong selective force, impacting survival and fitness of hosts, with geographic distributions largely determined by habitat suitability for their insect vectors. Here, we have tested whether patterns of fine‐scale local adaptation to malaria are replicated across discrete, ecologically differing island populations of Berthelot's pipits Anthus berthelotii. We sequenced TLR4, an innate immunity gene that is potentially under positive selection in Berthelot's pipits, and two SNPs previously identified as being associated with malaria infection in a genome‐wide association study (GWAS) in Berthelot's pipits in the Canary Islands. We determined the environmental predictors of malaria infection, using these to estimate variation in malaria risk on Porto Santo, and found some congruence with previously identified environmental risk factors on Tenerife. We also found a negative association between malaria infection and a TLR4 variant in Tenerife. In contrast, one of the GWAS SNPs showed an association with malaria risk in Porto Santo, but in the opposite direction to that found in the Canary Islands GWAS. Together, these findings suggest that disease‐driven local adaptation may be an important factor in shaping variation among island populations.

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Unforeseen biogeographical patterns in a multiple parasite system in Macaronesia

Cited by 33 publications

References 55 publications

Insularity effects on the assemblage of the blood parasite community of the birds from the Gulf of Guinea

Insularity effects on the assemblage of the blood parasite community of the birds from the Gulf of Guinea

Latitudinal gradients of parasite richness: a review and new insights from helminths of cricetid rodents

Adaptive landscape genetics and malaria across divergent island bird populations

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