1
|
Rivero de Aguilar J, Barroso O, Bonaccorso E, Cadena H, Hussing L, Jorquera J, Martinez J, Martínez‐de la Puente J, Marzal A, León Miranda F, Merino S, Matta NE, Ramenofsky M, Rozzi R, Valeris‐Chacín CE, Vásquez RA, Vianna JA, Wingfield JC. Associations among MHC genes, latitude, and avian malaria infections in the rufous-collared sparrow ( Zonotrichia capensis). Ecol Evol 2024; 14:e11634. [PMID: 39026957 PMCID: PMC11255377 DOI: 10.1002/ece3.11634] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/31/2024] [Accepted: 06/12/2024] [Indexed: 07/20/2024] Open
Abstract
The major histocompatibility complex (MHC) is a genetic region in jawed vertebrates that contains key genes involved in the immune response. Associations between the MHC and avian malaria infections in wild birds have been observed and mainly explored in the Northern Hemisphere, while a general lack of information remains in the Southern Hemisphere. Here, we investigated the associations between the MHC genes and infections with Plasmodium and Haemoproteus blood parasites along a latitudinal gradient in South America. We sampled 93 rufous-collared sparrows (Zonotrichia capensis) individuals from four countries, Colombia, Ecuador, Peru, and Chile, and estimated MHC-I and MHC-II allele diversity. We detected between 1-4 (MHC-I) and 1-6 (MHC-II) amino acidic alleles per individual, with signs of positive selection. We obtained generalized additive mixed models to explore the associations between MHC-I and MHC-II diversity and latitude. We also explored the relationship between infection status and latitude/biome. We found a non-linear association between the MHC-II amino acidic allele diversity and latitude. Individuals from north Chile presented a lower MHC genetic diversity than those from other locations. We also found an association between deserts and xeric shrublands and a lower prevalence of Haemoproteus parasites. Our results support a lower MHC genetic in arid or semi-arid habitats in the region with the lower prevalence of Haemoproteus parasites.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Juan Rivero de Aguilar
- Centro Subantártico Cabo de Hornos (CHIC)Universidad de MagallanesPuerto WilliamsChile
- Departamento de Ciencias Ecológicas, Facultad de CienciasUniversidad de ChileSantiagoChile
- Instituto de Ecología y Biodiversidad, Facultad de CienciasUniversidad de ChileSantiagoChile
| | - Omar Barroso
- Centro Subantártico Cabo de Hornos (CHIC)Universidad de MagallanesPuerto WilliamsChile
| | - Elisa Bonaccorso
- Laboratorio de Biología Evolutiva, and Instituto Biósfera, Colegio de Ciencias Biológicas y AmbientalesUniversidad San Francisco de QuitoQuitoEcuador
- Centro de la Biodiversidad y Cambio ClimáticoUniversidad Tecnológica IndoaméricaQuitoEcuador
| | - Hector Cadena
- Centro de la Biodiversidad y Cambio ClimáticoUniversidad Tecnológica IndoaméricaQuitoEcuador
| | - Lucas Hussing
- Departamento de Ciencias Ecológicas, Facultad de CienciasUniversidad de ChileSantiagoChile
| | - Josefina Jorquera
- Departamento de Ecología, Instituto Para el Desarrollo Sustentable, Facultad de Ciencias BiológicasPontificia Universidad Católica de ChileSantiagoChile
| | - Javier Martinez
- Departamento de Biomedicina y Biotecnología (Area de Parasitología)Universidad de Alcalá de HenaresMadridSpain
| | - Josué Martínez‐de la Puente
- Departamento de ParasitologíaUniversidad de GranadaGranadaSpain
- Ciber de Epidemiología y Salud Pública (CIBERESP)MadridSpain
| | - Alfonso Marzal
- Departamento de Anatomía, Biología Celular y Zoología, Facultad de BiologíaUniversidad de ExtremaduraBadajozSpain
- Grupo de Investigaciones en Fauna SilvestreUniversidad Nacional de San MartínTarapotoPeru
| | - Fabiola León Miranda
- Departamento de Ecología, Instituto Para el Desarrollo Sustentable, Facultad de Ciencias BiológicasPontificia Universidad Católica de ChileSantiagoChile
| | - Santiago Merino
- Departamento de Ecología EvolutivaMuseo Nacional de Ciencias Naturales CSICMadridSpain
| | - Nubia E. Matta
- Departamento de Biología, Facultad de CienciasUniversidad Nacional de ColombiaBogotáColombia
| | - Marilyn Ramenofsky
- Department of Neurobiology, Physiology and BehaviorUniversity of CaliforniaDavisCaliforniaUSA
| | - Ricardo Rozzi
- Centro Subantártico Cabo de Hornos (CHIC)Universidad de MagallanesPuerto WilliamsChile
| | - Carlos E. Valeris‐Chacín
- Centro Subantártico Cabo de Hornos (CHIC)Universidad de MagallanesPuerto WilliamsChile
- Departamento de Ciencias Ecológicas, Facultad de CienciasUniversidad de ChileSantiagoChile
| | - Rodrigo A. Vásquez
- Centro Subantártico Cabo de Hornos (CHIC)Universidad de MagallanesPuerto WilliamsChile
- Departamento de Ciencias Ecológicas, Facultad de CienciasUniversidad de ChileSantiagoChile
- Instituto de Ecología y Biodiversidad, Facultad de CienciasUniversidad de ChileSantiagoChile
| | - Juliana A. Vianna
- Departamento de Ecología, Instituto Para el Desarrollo Sustentable, Facultad de Ciencias BiológicasPontificia Universidad Católica de ChileSantiagoChile
- Millennium Institute Center for Genome Regulation (CRG)Millennium Institute of Biodiversity of Antarctic and Subantarctic Ecosystems (BASE), Millennium Nucleus of Patagonian Limit of Life (LiLi)SantiagoChile
| | - John C. Wingfield
- Department of Neurobiology, Physiology and BehaviorUniversity of CaliforniaDavisCaliforniaUSA
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Hernández-Ospina MC, Chitan-Guerrero D, Alvarez-Londoño J, Bohada-Murillo M, Martínez-Sánchez ET, Rivera-Páez FA, Castaño-Villa GJ. Avian haemosporidians of the genera Plasmodium and Haemoproteus from resident and Neotropical migrant birds in Colombia. Parasitol Res 2024; 123:252. [PMID: 38922536 PMCID: PMC11208266 DOI: 10.1007/s00436-024-08260-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/29/2024] [Accepted: 05/31/2024] [Indexed: 06/27/2024]
Abstract
Avian haemosporidians of the genera Plasmodium and Haemoproteus are a group of widely distributed blood parasites that can negatively affect the fitness of their hosts. Colombia contains the greatest diversity of birds on the planet, but knowledge about the associations between haemosporidian and its avifauna is scarce and fragmented. We collected blood samples from 255 birds (203 residents and 52 neotropical migrants) belonging to 27 families and 108 species. The study was conducted in six localities in the inter-Andean valleys of the Cauca and Magdalena rivers. Parasites of the genera Plasmodium and Haemoproteus were identified in the samples by morphological and molecular analysis of a fragment of the mitochondrial gene cyt b. Among the samples, 9.3% (n = 24) were positive for Plasmodium or Haemoproteus. Co-infection with Plasmodium and Haemoproteus was found in Red-eyed Vireo. Seventeen haemosporidian lineages were identified, five of which were reported for the first time in resident birds (Common Ground Dove, Checker-throated Stipplethroat, Tropical Kingbird, Pale-breasted Thrush, and Ruddy-breasted Seedeater) and one in the Summer Tanager (neotropical migrant). The research results confirm the wide diversity of haemosporidian present in tropical lowlands and the possible role of neotropical migratory birds in dissemination on haemosporidian along their migratory routes.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Maria Camila Hernández-Ospina
- Grupo de Investigación en Genética, Biodiversidad y Manejo de Ecosistemas-GEBIOME, Departamento de Ciencias Biológicas, Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales, Universidad de Caldas, Calle 65 No. 26-10 A.A 275, Manizales, Caldas, Colombia
| | - Diego Chitan-Guerrero
- Grupo de Investigación en Genética, Biodiversidad y Manejo de Ecosistemas-GEBIOME, Departamento de Ciencias Biológicas, Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales, Universidad de Caldas, Calle 65 No. 26-10 A.A 275, Manizales, Caldas, Colombia
| | - Johnathan Alvarez-Londoño
- Grupo de Investigación en Genética, Biodiversidad y Manejo de Ecosistemas-GEBIOME, Departamento de Ciencias Biológicas, Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales, Universidad de Caldas, Calle 65 No. 26-10 A.A 275, Manizales, Caldas, Colombia
- Maestría en Ciencias Biológicas, Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales, Universidad de Caldas, Calle 65 No. 26-10 A.A 275, Manizales, Caldas, Colombia
| | - Mauricio Bohada-Murillo
- Maestría en Ciencias Biológicas, Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales, Universidad de Caldas, Calle 65 No. 26-10 A.A 275, Manizales, Caldas, Colombia
- Grupo de Investigación en Ecosistemas Tropicales, Departamento de Ciencias Biológicas, Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales, Universidad de Caldas, Calle 65 No. 26-10 A.A 275, Manizales, Caldas, Colombia
| | - Estefani T Martínez-Sánchez
- Grupo de Investigación en Genética, Biodiversidad y Manejo de Ecosistemas-GEBIOME, Departamento de Ciencias Biológicas, Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales, Universidad de Caldas, Calle 65 No. 26-10 A.A 275, Manizales, Caldas, Colombia
- Doctorado en Ciencias-Biología, Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales, Universidad de Caldas, Calle 65 No. 26-10 A.A 275, Manizales, Caldas, Colombia
| | - Fredy A Rivera-Páez
- Grupo de Investigación en Genética, Biodiversidad y Manejo de Ecosistemas-GEBIOME, Departamento de Ciencias Biológicas, Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales, Universidad de Caldas, Calle 65 No. 26-10 A.A 275, Manizales, Caldas, Colombia.
| | - Gabriel J Castaño-Villa
- Grupo de Investigación en Genética, Biodiversidad y Manejo de Ecosistemas-GEBIOME, Departamento de Desarrollo Rural y Recursos Naturales, Facultad de Ciencias Agropecuarias, Universidad de Caldas, Carrera 35 No. 62-160 A.A 275, Manizales, Caldas, Colombia
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Fecchio A, Batalha-Filho H, Dispoto JH, Bell JA, Weckstein JD. Distinct biogeographic processes and areas of endemism contributed differentially to Plasmodium and Parahaemoproteus community assembly on Marajó Island. Mol Phylogenet Evol 2023:107828. [PMID: 37247702 DOI: 10.1016/j.ympev.2023.107828] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/08/2022] [Revised: 05/16/2023] [Accepted: 05/26/2023] [Indexed: 05/31/2023]
Abstract
Amazonia is the primary source of haemosporidian diversity for South American biomes. Yet, our understanding of the contribution of each area of endemism and the biogeographical processes that generated such diversity in this group of vector transmitted parasites remains incomplete. For example, a recently formed fluvial island in the Amazon delta - Marajó Island, is composed of avian lineages from adjacent Amazonian areas of endemism, but also from open habitats, such as Cerrado. This raises the question: Is the parasite assemblage found in avian hosts on this island formed by parasite lineages from adjacent Amazonian areas of endemism or Cerrado? Here, we assessed the spatiotemporal evolution of Plasmodium and Parahaemoproteus parasites. Our biogeographic analysis showed that dispersal dominated Plasmodium diversification, whereas duplication was more frequent for the genus Parahaemoproteus. We show that the Inambari area of endemism was the primary source for Plasmodium diversity on Marajó Island, but that this island received more Parahaemoproteus lineages from Cerrado than any Amazonian area of endemism. The unique patterns of dispersal for each parasite genus coupled with their propensity to shift hosts locally may have facilitated their diversification across Amazonia, suggesting that differences in deep evolutionary history may have constrained their colonization of Marajó Island.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Alan Fecchio
- Centro de Investigación Esquel de Montaña y Estepa Patagónica (CIEMEP), CONICET - Universidad Nacional de la Patagonia San Juan Bosco, Esquel, Chubut, Argentina
| | - Henrique Batalha-Filho
- Laboratório de Evolução e Biogeografia, Instituto de Biologia, Universidade Federal da Bahia, Salvador, BA, Brazil
| | - Janice H Dispoto
- Department of Ornithology, Academy of Natural Sciences of Drexel University, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Jeffrey A Bell
- Department of Biology, University of North Dakota, Grand Forks, ND, USA
| | - Jason D Weckstein
- Department of Ornithology, Academy of Natural Sciences of Drexel University, Philadelphia, PA, USA; Department of Biodiversity, Earth, and Environmental Sciences, Drexel University, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| |
Collapse
|
4
|
Rodríguez‐Hernández K, Álvarez‐Mendizábal P, Chapa‐Vargas L, Escobar F, Dáttilo W, Santiago‐Alarcon D. Infection intensity shapes specialization and beta diversity of haemosporidian–bird networks across elevations. Ecosphere 2023. [DOI: 10.1002/ecs2.4481] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 03/30/2023] Open
|
5
|
First Report of Blood Parasites in Black-Capped Sparrow (Arremon abeillei) from Neotropical Dry Deciduous Forest. J Wildl Dis 2022; 58:892-896. [PMID: 35951027 DOI: 10.7589/jwd-d-21-00200] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/17/2021] [Accepted: 04/26/2022] [Indexed: 12/04/2022]
Abstract
Avian haemosporidian parasites (Order: Haemosporida) are a diverse group of microorganisms that spend part of their life cycle in the erythrocytes of avian hosts. Parasite presence has been confirmed in all Ecuadorian regions, but some ecosystems, such as the deciduous dry forest of the Coastal region, have not been evaluated for parasite presence. Data on presence or absence, and prevalence, of haemosporidian blood parasites were obtained from avian blood samples collected in two different dry deciduous forests in Guayaquil, Ecuador: Bosque Protector Prosperina and Área Nacional de Recreación Parque Lago. Mist netting was performed between December 2018 and September 2019; blood smears were prepared from blood taken from 35 individuals of 20 bird species and all samples were analyzed by optical microscope observation. Most species showed no evidence of parasite infection, but haemosporidia were found on a blood smear obtained from a Black-capped Sparrow, Arremon abeillei (Passerelleidae), confirming this species as a newly discovered host of blood parasites.
Collapse
|
6
|
Hailu AW, Degarege A, Petros B, Costa D, Ayene YY, Villier VC, Mouhajir A, Favennec L, Razakandrainibe R, Adamu H. Genetic diversity of Cryptosporidium spp. in non-human primates in rural and urban areas of Ethiopia. PLoS One 2022; 17:e0267103. [PMID: 35421188 PMCID: PMC9009656 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0267103] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/26/2021] [Accepted: 04/01/2022] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Non-Human Primates (NHPs) harbor Cryptosporidium genotypes that can infect humans and vice versa. NHPs Chlorocebus aethiops and Colobus guereza and humans have overlapping territories in some regions of Ethiopia, which may increase the risk of zoonotic transmission of Cryptosporidium. This cross-sectional study examined the molecular prevalence and subtypes of Cryptosporidium spp. from 185 fecal samples of Chlorocebus aethiops and Colobus guereza in rural and urban areas in Ethiopia. Samples were tested for Cryptosporidium infection using nested polymerase chain reaction (PCR), and subtypes were determined by sequencing a fragment of the 60-kDa glycoprotein gene (gp60). Of the 185 samples, fifty-one (27.56%) tested positive for Cryptosporidium infection. The species detected were C. parvum (n = 34), C. hominis (n = 12), and C. cuniculus (n = 3). Mixed infection with C. parvum and C. hominis were detected in 2 samples. Four C. hominis family subtypes (Ia, Ib, Id, and Ie) and one C. parvum family subtype (IIa) were identified. C. hominis IaA20 (n = 7) and C. parvum IIaA17G1R1 (n = 6) were the most prevalent subtypes detected. These results confirm that Chlorocebus aethiops and Colobus guereza can be infected with diverse C. parvum and C. hominis subtypes that can also potentially infect humans. Additional studies could help to understand the role of NHPs in the zoonotic transmission of Cryptosporidium in Ethiopia.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Ambachew W. Hailu
- Department of Microbial Cellular and Molecular Biology, Biomedical Sciences Stream Addis Ababa University, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
- * E-mail:
| | - Abraham Degarege
- Department of Epidemiology, College of Public Health, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, Nebraska, United States of America
| | - Beyene Petros
- Department of Microbial Cellular and Molecular Biology, Biomedical Sciences Stream Addis Ababa University, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
| | - Damien Costa
- EA ESCAPE 7510, University of Medicine Pharmacy Rouen, Rouen, France
- CNR LE Cryptosporidiosis, Santé Publique France, Rouen, France
| | - Yonas Yimam Ayene
- Department of Medical Parasitology and Mycology, School of Public Health, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | | | | | - Loic Favennec
- EA ESCAPE 7510, University of Medicine Pharmacy Rouen, Rouen, France
- CNR LE Cryptosporidiosis, Santé Publique France, Rouen, France
| | - Romy Razakandrainibe
- EA ESCAPE 7510, University of Medicine Pharmacy Rouen, Rouen, France
- CNR LE Cryptosporidiosis, Santé Publique France, Rouen, France
| | - Haileeysus Adamu
- Institute of Biotechnology, Addis 12 Ababa University, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
| |
Collapse
|
7
|
Clark NF, Taylor-Robinson AW. An Ecologically Framed Comparison of The Potential for Zoonotic Transmission of Non-Human and Human-Infecting Species of Malaria Parasite. THE YALE JOURNAL OF BIOLOGY AND MEDICINE 2021; 94:361-373. [PMID: 34211355 PMCID: PMC8223545] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
Abstract
The threats, both real and perceived, surrounding the development of new and emerging infectious diseases of humans are of critical concern to public health and well-being. Among these risks is the potential for zoonotic transmission to humans of species of the malaria parasite, Plasmodium, that have been considered historically to infect exclusively non-human hosts. Recently observed shifts in the mode, transmission, and presentation of malaria among several species studied are evidenced by shared vectors, atypical symptoms, and novel host-seeking behavior. Collectively, these changes indicate the presence of environmental and ecological pressures that are likely to influence the dynamics of these parasite life cycles and physiological make-up. These may be further affected and amplified by such factors as increased urban development and accelerated rate of climate change. In particular, the extended host-seeking behavior of what were once considered non-human malaria species indicates the specialist niche of human malaria parasites is not a limiting factor that drives the success of blood-borne parasites. While zoonotic transmission of non-human malaria parasites is generally considered to not be possible for the vast majority of Plasmodium species, failure to consider the feasibility of its occurrence may lead to the emergence of a potentially life-threatening blood-borne disease of humans. Here, we argue that recent trends in behavior among what were hitherto considered to be non-human malaria parasites to infect humans call for a cross-disciplinary, ecologically-focused approach to understanding the complexities of the vertebrate host/mosquito vector/malaria parasite triangular relationship. This highlights a pressing need to conduct a multi-species investigation for which we recommend the construction of a database to determine ecological differences among all known Plasmodium species, vectors, and hosts. Closing this knowledge gap may help to inform alternative means of malaria prevention and control.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Nicole F. Clark
- Institute for Applied Ecology, University of Canberra,
Bruce, Australia,College of Medicine and Public Health, Flinders
University, Australia
| | - Andrew W. Taylor-Robinson
- Infectious Diseases Research Group, School of Health,
Medical & Applied Sciences, Central Queensland University, Brisbane,
Australia,College of Health & Human Sciences, Charles Darwin
University, Casuarina, Australia,To whom all correspondence should be addressed:
Prof Andrew W. Taylor-Robinson, Infectious Diseases Research Group, School of
Health, Medical & Applied Sciences, Central Queensland University, 160 Ann
Street, Brisbane, QLD 4000, Australia; Tel: +61 7 3295 1185;
; ORCID iD: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-7342-8348
| |
Collapse
|
8
|
Doussang D, Sallaberry-Pincheira N, Cabanne GS, Lijtmaer DA, González-Acuña D, Vianna JA. Specialist versus generalist parasites: the interactions between host diversity, environment and geographic barriers in avian malaria. Int J Parasitol 2021; 51:899-911. [PMID: 34044005 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijpara.2021.04.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/17/2020] [Revised: 04/03/2021] [Accepted: 04/12/2021] [Indexed: 10/21/2022]
Abstract
The specialist versus generalist strategies of hemoparasites in relation to their avian host, as well as environmental factors, can influence their prevalence, diversity and distribution. In this paper we investigated the influence of avian host species, as well as the environmental and geographical factors, on the strategies of Haemoproteus and Plasmodium hemoparasites. We determined prevalence and diversity by targeting their cytochrome b (Cytb) in a total of 2,590 passerine samples from 138 localities of Central and South America, and analysed biogeographic patterns and host-parasite relationships. We found a total prevalence of 23.2%. Haemoproteus presented a higher prevalence (15.3%) than Plasmodium (4.3%), as well as a higher diversity and host specificity. We determined that Plasmodium and Haemoproteus prevalences correlated positively with host diversity (Shannon index) and were significantly influenced by bird diversity, demonstrating a possible "amplification effect". We found an effect of locality and the avian family for prevalences of Haemoproteus and Plasmodium. These results suggest that Haemoproteus is more specialist than Plasmodium and could be mostly influenced by its avian host and the Andes Mountains.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Daniela Doussang
- Facultad de Ciencias Veterinarias, Universidad de Concepción, Casilla 537, Chillán, Chile; Escuela de Medicina Veterinaria, Facultad de Ciencias de la Vida, Universidad Andres Bello, Chile
| | | | - Gustavo S Cabanne
- Museo Argentino de Ciencias Naturales "Bernardino Rivadavia", Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Darío A Lijtmaer
- Museo Argentino de Ciencias Naturales "Bernardino Rivadavia", Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Daniel González-Acuña
- Facultad de Ciencias Veterinarias, Universidad de Concepción, Casilla 537, Chillán, Chile
| | - Juliana A Vianna
- Departamento de Ecosistemas y Medio Ambiente, Facultad de Agronomía e Ingeniería Forestal, Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile, Código Postal, 6904411, Casilla 306, Correo 22, Santiago, Chile.
| |
Collapse
|
9
|
Starkloff NC, Turner WC, FitzGerald AM, Oftedal MC, Martinsen ES, Kirchman JJ. Disentangling the effects of host relatedness and elevation on haemosporidian parasite turnover in a clade of songbirds. Ecosphere 2021. [DOI: 10.1002/ecs2.3497] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Naima C. Starkloff
- Department of Biological Sciences University at Albany, State University of New York Albany New York12222USA
- New York State Museum Albany New York12230USA
| | - Wendy C. Turner
- Department of Biological Sciences University at Albany, State University of New York Albany New York12222USA
| | - Alyssa M. FitzGerald
- Department of Biological Sciences University at Albany, State University of New York Albany New York12222USA
- New York State Museum Albany New York12230USA
- Institute of Marine Sciences University of California Santa Cruz Santa Cruz California95064USA
| | - Michelle C. Oftedal
- Department of Biological Sciences University at Albany, State University of New York Albany New York12222USA
- New York State Museum Albany New York12230USA
| | | | | |
Collapse
|
10
|
Abad CS, Tellkamp MP, Amaro IR, Spencer LM. Incidence of avian malaria in hummingbirds in humid premontane forests of Pichincha Province, Ecuador: A pilot study. Vet World 2021; 14:889-896. [PMID: 34083937 PMCID: PMC8167542 DOI: 10.14202/vetworld.2021.889-896] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/23/2020] [Accepted: 02/23/2021] [Indexed: 12/26/2022] Open
Abstract
Background and Aim: Avian malaria is a tropical disease caused by protozoans of the genera Plasmodium and Haemoproteus. As a nonlethal disease, avian malaria can affect the lifespan and reproductive rate of birds. If there is a differential effect depending on bird species, then this disease might have a significant effect on avian biodiversity. The current study aimed to determine the incidence of Plasmodium in hummingbirds in humid premontane forest areas. Materials and Methods: Blood samples (n=60) were collected from hummingbirds from two areas (Santuario de Aves Milpe and Hacienda Puyucunapi) of Pichincha Province, Ecuador. Prevalence and parasitemia were determined by microscopic examination of blood smears stained with Giemsa reagent. Both study sites are part of a 1000 m elevational gradient; hence, elevation was used as a predictor variable for prevalence and parasitemia levels in a Mann–Whitney U-test. This test was also used to test for a sex bias. Results: This study reports on a total of 12 bird species that inhabit both study sites. At Milpe, the lower elevation site, a prevalence of 100% was recorded, whereas at Puyucunapi, the prevalence was 96%. The combined prevalence was 97%. Elevation and sex did not influence prevalence nor parasitemia in hummingbirds. Conclusion: This study does not suggest a significant elevation or sex bias on prevalence and parasitemia in hummingbirds.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Claudia S Abad
- Department of Biology, School of Biological Sciences and Engineering, Yachay Tech University, Urcuquí, Ecuador
| | - Markus P Tellkamp
- Department of Biology, School of Biological Sciences and Engineering, Yachay Tech University, Urcuquí, Ecuador
| | - Isidro R Amaro
- Department of Mathematics, School of Mathematical and Computational Sciences, Yachay Tech University, Urcuquí, Ecuador
| | - Lilian M Spencer
- Department of Biology, School of Biological Sciences and Engineering, Yachay Tech University, Urcuquí, Ecuador.,Department of Cell Biology, Simón Bolívar University, AP 89000 Caracas, Venezuela
| |
Collapse
|
11
|
Garcia-Longoria L, Muriel J, Magallanes S, Villa-Galarce ZH, Ricopa L, Inga-Díaz WG, Fong E, Vecco D, Guerra-SaldaÑa C, Salas-Rengifo T, Flores-Saavedra W, Espinoza K, Mendoza C, SaldaÑa B, González-Blázquez M, Gonzales-Pinedo H, Luján-Vega C, Del Águila CA, Vilca-Herrera Y, Pineda CA, Reategui C, Cárdenas-Callirgos JM, Iannacone JA, Mendoza JL, Sehgal RNM, Marzal A. Diversity and host assemblage of avian haemosporidians in different terrestrial ecoregions of Peru. Curr Zool 2021; 68:27-40. [PMID: 35169627 PMCID: PMC8836326 DOI: 10.1093/cz/zoab030] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/01/2020] [Accepted: 03/26/2021] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Characterizing the diversity and structure of host–parasite communities is crucial to understanding their eco-evolutionary dynamics. Malaria and related haemosporidian parasites are responsible for fitness loss and mortality in bird species worldwide. However, despite exhibiting the greatest ornithological biodiversity, avian haemosporidians from Neotropical regions are quite unexplored. Here, we analyze the genetic diversity of bird haemosporidian parasites (Plasmodium and Haemoproteus) in 1,336 individuals belonging to 206 bird species to explore for differences in diversity of parasite lineages and bird species across 5 well-differentiated Peruvian ecoregions. We detected 70 different haemosporidian lineages infecting 74 bird species. We showed that 25 out of the 70 haplotypes had not been previously recorded. Moreover, we also identified 81 new host–parasite interactions representing new host records for these haemosporidian parasites. Our outcomes revealed that the effective diversity (as well as the richness, abundance, and Shannon–Weaver index) for both birds and parasite lineages was higher in Amazon basin ecoregions. Furthermore, we also showed that ecoregions with greater diversity of bird species also had high parasite richness, hence suggesting that host community is crucial in explaining parasite richness. Generalist parasites were found in ecoregions with lower bird diversity, implying that the abundance and richness of hosts may shape the exploitation strategy followed by haemosporidian parasites. These outcomes reveal that Neotropical region is a major reservoir of unidentified haemosporidian lineages. Further studies analyzing host distribution and specificity of these parasites in the tropics will provide important knowledge about phylogenetic relationships, phylogeography, and patterns of evolution and distribution of haemosporidian parasites.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Luz Garcia-Longoria
- Departamento de Anatomía, Biología Celular y Zoología, Universidad de Extremadura, Badajoz E-506071, Spain
- Molecular Ecology and Evolution Lab, Department of Biology, Lund University, Sölvegatan 37, SE-22362 Lund, Sweden
| | - Jaime Muriel
- Instituto Pirenaico de Ecología—IPE (CSIC), Avda. Nuestra Señora de la Victoria 16, Jaca 22700, Spain
| | - Sergio Magallanes
- Departamento de Anatomía, Biología Celular y Zoología, Universidad de Extremadura, Badajoz E-506071, Spain
| | - Zaira Hellen Villa-Galarce
- DIRESA, Dirección Regional de Salud, Loreto 16001, Peru
- Departamento Académico de Microbiología y Parasitología. Facultad de Ciencias Biológicas, Universidad Nacional de la Amazonía Peruana, Iquitos 16001, Peru
| | - Leonila Ricopa
- Departamento Académico de Microbiología y Parasitología. Facultad de Ciencias Biológicas, Universidad Nacional de la Amazonía Peruana, Iquitos 16001, Peru
| | | | - Esteban Fong
- EverGreen Institute—San Rafael, Distrito de Indiana, Loreto 16200, Peru
- Observatorio de Aves Loreto (LBO), Distrito de San Juan, Loreto 16008, Peru
| | - Daniel Vecco
- Centro Urku de Estudios Amazónicos, Tarapoto 22200, Peru
| | | | | | - Wendy Flores-Saavedra
- Sanidad Animal—Facultad de Zootecnia, Universidad Nacional Agraria La Molina, Lima 15012, Peru
| | - Kathya Espinoza
- Laboratorio de Microbiología, Facultad de Medicina Veterinaria y Zootecnia, Universidad Cient쥩ca del Sur, Lima 15067, Peru
| | - Carlos Mendoza
- Laboratorio de Análisis Clínico Moraleslab SAC, Morales, San Martín 22201, Peru
| | - Blanca SaldaÑa
- Laboratorio de Análisis Clínico Moraleslab SAC, Morales, San Martín 22201, Peru
| | - Manuel González-Blázquez
- Departamento de Anatomía, Biología Celular y Zoología, Universidad de Extremadura, Badajoz E-506071, Spain
| | | | - Charlene Luján-Vega
- Pharmacology and Toxicology Graduate Group, University of California, Davis, DA 95616, USA
| | | | - Yessica Vilca-Herrera
- Facultad de Ciencias Biológicas, Universidad Nacional Mayor de San Marcos, Lima 15081, Perú
| | - Carlos Alberto Pineda
- Facultad de Medicina Veterinaria, Universidad Nacional Hermilio Valdizan, Huánuco, 10160, Peru
| | - Carmen Reategui
- Departamento Académico de Microbiología y Parasitología. Facultad de Ciencias Biológicas, Universidad Nacional de la Amazonía Peruana, Iquitos 16001, Peru
| | | | - José Alberto Iannacone
- Laboratorio de Ecología y Biodiversidad Animal, Universidad Nacional Federico Villarreal, El Agustino, Lima 15007, Peru
- Laboratorio de Invertebrados, Universidad Ricardo Palma—Santiago de Surco, Lima 15537, Peru
| | - Jorge Luis Mendoza
- Laboratorio de Ecología y Biodiversidad Animal, Universidad Nacional Federico Villarreal, El Agustino, Lima 15007, Peru
| | - Ravinder N M Sehgal
- Department of Biology, San Francisco State University, San Francisco, CA 94132, USA
| | - Alfonso Marzal
- Departamento de Anatomía, Biología Celular y Zoología, Universidad de Extremadura, Badajoz E-506071, Spain
| |
Collapse
|
12
|
BLOOD PARASITE INFECTIONS IN STRIGIFORMES AND PSITTACIFORMES SPECIES IN CAPTIVITY WITH A NEW RECORD OF POTENTIAL FATAL BLOOD PARASITE TRANSMISSION TO PARROTS. J Zoo Wildl Med 2021; 51:799-813. [PMID: 33480560 DOI: 10.1638/2019-0187] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 08/15/2020] [Indexed: 11/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Although parrot species are infrequently infected by hemoparasites in the wild, some fatal infections have been reported in captive individuals. Conversely birds of prey are frequently infected by hemoparasites. In this study, 193 captive birds from Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES) centers in Madrid, Spain, belonging to orders Psittaciformes, Accipitriformes, Strigiformes, and Falconiformes, were blood-sampled in search of parasite infections. Molecular and microscopic analyses were conducted to detect parasites of the following genera: Haemoproteus, Plasmodium, Leucocytozoon, Trypanosoma, Babesia, and Lankesterella. Infections by microfilariae and Coccidia were also searched in blood samples. Surprisingly, infections by Haemoproteus syrnii, a common parasite from owls, were detected in the cadavers of two species of parrots, Trichoglossus haematodus and Psittacula cyanocephala. The same haplotype was also detected in the cadavers of two owl species, Tyto alba and Strix rufipes. All these birds were housed and died in the same center. Infections by species of Plasmodium, Leucocytozoon, and Trypanosoma were also found in different species of raptors. Nocturnal raptors (Strigiformes) show significantly higher prevalence of infection by blood parasites than diurnal raptors (Falconiformes and Accipitriformes). In conclusion, a potential fatal transmission of Haemoproteus syrnii, from Strigiformes to Psittaciformes species, is reported and several infections by different blood parasites were detected in birds of prey. These results emphasize the importance of increasing prevention measures to avoid or reduce the transmission of blood parasites among birds from different species housed in these types of centers.
Collapse
|
13
|
Cohen JM, Sauer EL, Santiago O, Spencer S, Rohr JR. Divergent impacts of warming weather on wildlife disease risk across climates. Science 2021; 370:370/6519/eabb1702. [PMID: 33214248 DOI: 10.1126/science.abb1702] [Citation(s) in RCA: 61] [Impact Index Per Article: 20.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/04/2020] [Accepted: 09/10/2020] [Indexed: 12/31/2022]
Abstract
Disease outbreaks among wildlife have surged in recent decades alongside climate change, although it remains unclear how climate change alters disease dynamics across different geographic regions. We amassed a global, spatiotemporal dataset describing parasite prevalence across 7346 wildlife populations and 2021 host-parasite combinations, compiling local weather and climate records at each location. We found that hosts from cool and warm climates experienced increased disease risk at abnormally warm and cool temperatures, respectively, as predicted by the thermal mismatch hypothesis. This effect was greatest in ectothermic hosts and similar in terrestrial and freshwater systems. Projections based on climate change models indicate that ectothermic wildlife hosts from temperate and tropical zones may experience sharp increases and moderate reductions in disease risk, respectively, though the magnitude of these changes depends on parasite identity.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Jeremy M Cohen
- Department of Integrative Biology, University of South Florida, Tampa, FL, USA. .,Department of Forest and Wildlife Ecology, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI, USA
| | - Erin L Sauer
- Department of Integrative Biology, University of South Florida, Tampa, FL, USA.,Department of Forest and Wildlife Ecology, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI, USA
| | - Olivia Santiago
- Department of Integrative Biology, University of South Florida, Tampa, FL, USA
| | - Samuel Spencer
- Department of Integrative Biology, University of South Florida, Tampa, FL, USA
| | - Jason R Rohr
- Department of Integrative Biology, University of South Florida, Tampa, FL, USA.,Department of Biological Sciences, University of Notre Dame, Notre Dame, IN, USA
| |
Collapse
|
14
|
Gupta P, Vishnudas CK, Robin VV, Dharmarajan G. Host phylogeny matters: Examining sources of variation in infection risk by blood parasites across a tropical montane bird community in India. Parasit Vectors 2020; 13:536. [PMID: 33115505 PMCID: PMC7594458 DOI: 10.1186/s13071-020-04404-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/01/2020] [Accepted: 10/14/2020] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Identifying patterns and drivers of infection risk among host communities is crucial to elucidate disease dynamics and predict infectious disease risk in wildlife populations. Blood parasites of the genera Plasmodium and Haemoproteus are a diverse group of vector-borne protozoan parasites that affect bird populations globally. Despite their widespread distribution and exceptional diversity, factors underlying haemosporidian infection risk in wild bird communities remain poorly understood. While some studies have examined variation in avian haemosporidian risk, researchers have primarily focused on host ecological traits without considering host phylogenetic relationships. In this study, we employ a phylogenetically informed approach to examine the association between host ecological traits and haemosporidian infection risk in endemic bird communities in the Western Ghats Sky Islands. Methods We used parasite sequence data based on partial mitochondrial cytochrome b gene, that was amplified from genomic DNA extracted from 1177 birds (28 species) across the Western Ghats to assess infection of birds with haemosporidian parasites. We employed a Bayesian phylogenetic mixed effect modelling approach to test whether haemosporidian infection risk was affected by seven species-specific and four individual-level ecological predictors. We also examined the effect of host phylogenetic relationships on the observed patterns of variation in haemosporidian infection risk by estimating phylogenetic signal. Results Our study shows that host ecological traits and host phylogeny differentially influence infection risk by Plasmodium (generalist parasite) and Haemoproteus (specialist parasite). For Plasmodium, we found that sociality, sexual dimorphism and foraging strata were important ecological predictors. For Haemoproteus, patterns of infection risk among host species were associated with sociality, species elevation and individual body condition. Interestingly, variance in infection risk explained by host phylogeny was higher for Haemoproteus parasites compared to Plasmodium. Conclusions Our study highlights that while host ecological traits promoting parasite exposure and host susceptibility are important determinants of infection risk, host phylogeny also contributes substantially to predicting patterns of haemosporidian infection risk in multi-host communities. Importantly, infection risk is driven by joint contributions of host ecology and host phylogeny and studying these effects together could increase our ability to better understand the drivers of infection risk and predict future disease threats. Graphical abstract ![]()
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Pooja Gupta
- Savannah River Ecology Laboratory, University of Georgia, Aiken, SC, USA. .,Warnell School of Forestry and Natural Resources, University of Georgia, Athens, GA, 30602, USA. .,Indian Institute of Science Education and Research Kolkata, Mohanpur, West Bengal, 741246, India.
| | - C K Vishnudas
- Indian Institute of Science Education and Research Tirupati, Mangalam, Tirupati, 517507, India
| | - V V Robin
- Indian Institute of Science Education and Research Tirupati, Mangalam, Tirupati, 517507, India
| | - Guha Dharmarajan
- Savannah River Ecology Laboratory, University of Georgia, Aiken, SC, USA.,Indian Institute of Science Education and Research Kolkata, Mohanpur, West Bengal, 741246, India
| |
Collapse
|
15
|
Lopes VL, Costa FV, Rodrigues RA, Braga ÉM, Pichorim M, Moreira PA. High fidelity defines the temporal consistency of host-parasite interactions in a tropical coastal ecosystem. Sci Rep 2020; 10:16839. [PMID: 33033317 PMCID: PMC7545182 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-020-73563-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/23/2020] [Accepted: 09/17/2020] [Indexed: 11/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Host-parasite interactions represent a selective force that may reduce hosts’ lifespan, their reproductive success and survival. Environmental conditions can affect host-parasite communities, leading to distinct patterns of interactions with divergent ecological and evolutionary consequences for their persistence. Here, we tested whether climatic oscillation shapes the temporal dynamics of bird-haemosporidian associations, assessing the main mechanisms involved in the temporal dissimilarity of their interactions’ networks. For two years, we monthly sampled birds in a tropical coastal ecosystem to avian malaria molecular diagnosis. The studied networks exhibited high specialization, medium modularity, with low niche overlap among parasites lineages. Moreover, alpha and β-diversity of hosts, parasites and their interactions, as well as the structure of their networks were temporally consistent, i.e., stable under fluctuations in temperature or precipitation over seasons. The structure and temporal consistency of the studied antagonistic networks suggest a high fidelity between partners, which is likely relevant for their evolutionary persistence.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- V L Lopes
- Programa de Pós-Graduação em Ecologia de Biomas Tropicais, Universidade Federal de Ouro Preto - UFOP, Ouro Preto, Minas Gerais, Brazil.,Departamento de Biodiversidade, Evolução e Meio Ambiente, Universidade Federal de Ouro Preto - UFOP, Campus Morro do Cruzeiro, Ouro Preto, Minas Gerais, 35400-000, Brazil
| | - F V Costa
- Programa de Pós-Graduação em Ecologia de Biomas Tropicais, Universidade Federal de Ouro Preto - UFOP, Ouro Preto, Minas Gerais, Brazil
| | - R A Rodrigues
- Departamento de Parasitologia, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais - UFMG, Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais, Brazil
| | - É M Braga
- Departamento de Parasitologia, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais - UFMG, Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais, Brazil
| | - M Pichorim
- Laboratório de Ornitologia, Departamento de Botânica e Zoologia, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Norte - UFRN, Natal, Rio Grande do Norte, Brazil
| | - P A Moreira
- Programa de Pós-Graduação em Ecologia de Biomas Tropicais, Universidade Federal de Ouro Preto - UFOP, Ouro Preto, Minas Gerais, Brazil. .,Departamento de Biodiversidade, Evolução e Meio Ambiente, Universidade Federal de Ouro Preto - UFOP, Campus Morro do Cruzeiro, Ouro Preto, Minas Gerais, 35400-000, Brazil.
| |
Collapse
|
16
|
Bell JA, González-Acuña D, Tkach VV. Haemosporidian Parasites of Chilean Ducks: The Importance of Biogeography and Nonpasserine Hosts. J Parasitol 2020; 106:211-220. [PMID: 32164026 DOI: 10.1645/19-130] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Biogeography is known to have shaped the diversity and evolutionary history of avian haemosporidian parasites across the Neotropics. However, a paucity of information exists for the temperate Neotropics and especially from nonpasserine hosts. To understand the effect of biogeography in the temperate Neotropics on haemosporidians of nonpasserine hosts we screened ducks (Anseriformes) from central Chile for the presence of these parasites. Forty-two individuals of 4 duck species (Anas flavirostris, Anas georgica, Mareca sibilatrix, Spatula cyanoptera cyanoptera) were collected and assessed for haemosporidian parasite infections by real-time polymerase chain reaction screening and subsequent sequencing of the mitochondrial cytochrome b gene. Haemoproteus (subgenus Haemoproteus) and Plasmodium were detected in 2 host species, A. georgica and S. c. cyanoptera, with no Leucocytozoon found. Overall haemosporidian prevalence was low (14.2%), with the prevalence of Plasmodium (11.9%) being substantially greater than that of Haemoproteus (4.8%). Six haemosporidian cytochrome b lineages were recovered, 2 Haemoproteus and 4 Plasmodium, with all 6 lineages identified for the first time. In phylogenetic reconstruction, the Chilean Plasmodium lineages were more closely related to South American lineages from passerine birds than to known lineages from anseriforms. The subgenus Haemoproteus known from nonpasseriformes has never been identified from any anseriform host; however, we recovered 2 lineages from this subgenus, one from each A. georgica and S. c. cyanoptera. Further work is needed to determine if this presents true parasitism in ducks or only a spillover infection. The results of phylogenetic reconstruction demonstrate a unique evolutionary history of these Chilean parasites, differing from what is known for this host group. The unique geography of Chile, with a large part of the country being relatively isolated by the Atacama Desert in the north and the Andes in the east and south, would present opportunities for parasite diversification. Further work is needed to investigate how strongly the biogeographical isolation has shaped the haemosporidian parasites of this area. Our results add to the growing body of evidence that nonpasserine hosts support unique lineages of haemosporidian parasites, while also demonstrating the role of biogeography in haemosporidian parasite diversity in the temperate Neotropics.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Jeffrey A Bell
- Department of Biology, University of North Dakota, 10 Cornell Street STOP 9019, Grand Forks, North Dakota 58202
| | - Daniel González-Acuña
- Department of Animal Science, Faculty of Veterinary Sciences, Universidad de Concepción, Box 10 537, Chillán 3780000, Chile
| | - Vasyl V Tkach
- Department of Biology, University of North Dakota, 10 Cornell Street STOP 9019, Grand Forks, North Dakota 58202
| |
Collapse
|
17
|
Evolutionary ecology, taxonomy, and systematics of avian malaria and related parasites. Acta Trop 2020; 204:105364. [PMID: 32007445 DOI: 10.1016/j.actatropica.2020.105364] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/03/2019] [Revised: 01/27/2020] [Accepted: 01/28/2020] [Indexed: 12/25/2022]
Abstract
Haemosporidian parasites of the genera Plasmodium, Leucocytozoon, and Haemoproteus are one of the most prevalent and widely studied groups of parasites infecting birds. Plasmodium is the most well-known haemosporidian as the avian parasite Plasmodium relictum was the original transmission model for human malaria and was also responsible for catastrophic effects on native avifauna when introduced to Hawaii. The past two decades have seen a dramatic increase in research on avian haemosporidian parasites as a model system to understand evolutionary and ecological parasite-host relationships. Despite haemosporidians being one the best studied groups of avian parasites their specialization among avian hosts and variation in prevalence amongst regions and host taxa are not fully understood. In this review we focus on describing the current phylogenetic and morphological diversity of haemosporidian parasites, their specificity among avian and vector hosts, and identifying the determinants of haemosporidian prevalence among avian species. We also discuss how these parasites might spread across regions due to global climate change and the importance of avian migratory behavior in parasite dispersion and subsequent diversification.
Collapse
|
18
|
Lotta IA, Valkiūnas G, Pacheco MA, Escalante AA, Hernández SR, Matta NE. Disentangling Leucocytozoon parasite diversity in the neotropics: Descriptions of two new species and shortcomings of molecular diagnostics for leucocytozoids. Int J Parasitol Parasites Wildl 2019; 9:159-173. [PMID: 31193389 PMCID: PMC6526250 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijppaw.2019.05.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/30/2019] [Revised: 05/07/2019] [Accepted: 05/07/2019] [Indexed: 01/04/2023]
Abstract
Avian communities from South America harbor an extraordinary diversity of Leucocytozoon species (Haemosporida, Leucocytozoidae). Here, of 890 birds sampled, 10 (1.2%) were infected with Leucocytozoon parasites. Among them, two new species were discovered and described. Leucocytozoon grallariae sp. nov. and Leucocytozoon neotropicalis sp. nov. were found in non-migratory highland passeriforms belonging to the Grallaridae and Cotingidae, respectively. They both possess gametocytes in fusiform host cells. However, due to combining microscopic examination and molecular detection, it was revealed that these parasites were present in co-infections with other Leucocytozoon species, which gametocytes develop in roundish host cells, therefore exhibiting two highly distant parasite lineages isolated from the same samples. Remarkably, the lineages obtained by cloning the mtDNA genomes were not captured by the classic nested PCR, which amplifies a short fragment of cytochrome b gene. Phylogenetic analyses revealed that the lineages obtained by the classic nested PCR clustered with parasites possessing gametocytes in roundish host cells, while the lineages obtained by the mtDNA genome PCR protocol were closely related to Leucocytozoon parasites possessing gametocytes in fusiform host cells. These findings suggest problems with the sensitivity of the molecular protocols commonly used to detect Leucocytozoon species. A detailed analysis of the primers used in the classic nested PCR revealed a match with DNA sequences from those parasites that possess gametocytes in roundish host cells (i.e., Leucocytozoon fringillinarum), while they differ with the orthologous regions in the mtDNA genomes isolated from the samples containing the two new species. Since these are mixed infections, none of the lineages detected in this study can be assigned accurately to the new Leucocytozoon morphospecies that develops in fusiform host cells. However, phylogenetic analyses allowed us to hypothesize their most probable associations. This study highlights the need for developing detection methods to assess the diversity of Leucocytozoon parasites accurately.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Ingrid A. Lotta
- Universidad Nacional de Colombia - Sede Bogotá- Facultad de Ciencias - Departamento de Biología - Grupo de Investigación Caracterización Genética e Inmunología, Carrera 30 No. 45-03, Bogotá, 111321, Colombia
| | - Gediminas Valkiūnas
- Institute of Ecology, Nature Research Centre, Akademijos 2, Vilnius-21, LT, 08412, Lithuania
| | - M. Andreína Pacheco
- Institute for Genomics and Evolutionary Medicine (iGEM), Temple University, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Ananías A. Escalante
- Institute for Genomics and Evolutionary Medicine (iGEM), Temple University, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Sandra Rocío Hernández
- Universidad Nacional de Colombia - Sede Bogotá- Facultad de Ciencias - Departamento de Biología - Grupo de Investigación Caracterización Genética e Inmunología, Carrera 30 No. 45-03, Bogotá, 111321, Colombia
- Red de Biología y Conservación de Vertebrados, Instituto de Ecología A.C., Xalapa, Veracruz, Mexico
| | - Nubia E. Matta
- Universidad Nacional de Colombia - Sede Bogotá- Facultad de Ciencias - Departamento de Biología - Grupo de Investigación Caracterización Genética e Inmunología, Carrera 30 No. 45-03, Bogotá, 111321, Colombia
| |
Collapse
|
19
|
Fernández-Correa I, Truchado DA, Gomez-Lucia E, Doménech A, Pérez-Tris J, Schmidt-Chanasit J, Cadar D, Benítez L. A novel group of avian astroviruses from Neotropical passerine birds broaden the diversity and host range of Astroviridae. Sci Rep 2019; 9:9513. [PMID: 31266971 PMCID: PMC6606752 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-019-45889-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/28/2019] [Accepted: 06/10/2019] [Indexed: 01/04/2023] Open
Abstract
Metagenomics is helping to expand the known diversity of viruses, especially of those with poorly studied hosts in remote areas. The Neotropical region harbors a considerable diversity of avian species that may play a role as both host and short-distance vectors of unknown viruses. Viral metagenomics of cloacal swabs from 50 Neotropical birds collected in French Guiana revealed the presence of four complete astrovirus genomes. They constitute an early diverging novel monophyletic clade within the Avastrovirus phylogeny, representing a putative new astrovirus species (provisionally designated as Avastrovirus 5) according to the International Committee on Taxonomy of Viruses (ICTV) classification criteria. Their genomic organization shares some characteristics with Avastrovirus but also with Mamastrovirus. The pan-astrovirus RT-PCR analysis of the cloacal samples of 406 wild Neotropical birds showed a community-level prevalence of 4.9% (5.1% in passerines, the highest described so far in this order of birds). By screening birds of a remote region, we expanded the known host range of astroviruses to the avian families Cardinalidae, Conopophagidae, Furnariidae, Thamnophilidae, Turdidae and Tyrannidae. Our results provide important first insights into the unexplored viral communities, the ecology, epidemiology and features of host-pathogen interactions that shape the evolution of avastroviruses in a remote Neotropical rainforest.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Izaskun Fernández-Correa
- Department of Genetics, Physiology and Microbiology, Faculty of Biology, Complutense University of Madrid, José Antonio Novais, 12, 28040, Madrid, Spain
| | - Daniel A Truchado
- Department of Genetics, Physiology and Microbiology, Faculty of Biology, Complutense University of Madrid, José Antonio Novais, 12, 28040, Madrid, Spain.,Department of Biodiversity, Ecology and Evolution, Faculty of Biology, Complutense University of Madrid, José Antonio Novais, 12, 28040, Madrid, Spain
| | - Esperanza Gomez-Lucia
- Department of Animal Health, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Complutense University of Madrid, Avda. Puerta de Hierro s/n, 28040, Madrid, Spain
| | - Ana Doménech
- Department of Animal Health, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Complutense University of Madrid, Avda. Puerta de Hierro s/n, 28040, Madrid, Spain
| | - Javier Pérez-Tris
- Department of Biodiversity, Ecology and Evolution, Faculty of Biology, Complutense University of Madrid, José Antonio Novais, 12, 28040, Madrid, Spain
| | - Jonas Schmidt-Chanasit
- Bernhard-Nocht-Institut fur Tropenmedizin, WHO Collaborating Centre for Arbovirus and Haemorrhagic Fever Reference and Research, National Reference Centre for Tropical Infectious Diseases, Bernhard-Nocht-Strasse 74, 20359, Hamburg, Germany.,University of Hamburg, Faculty of Mathematics, Informatics and Natural Sciences, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Daniel Cadar
- Bernhard-Nocht-Institut fur Tropenmedizin, WHO Collaborating Centre for Arbovirus and Haemorrhagic Fever Reference and Research, National Reference Centre for Tropical Infectious Diseases, Bernhard-Nocht-Strasse 74, 20359, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Laura Benítez
- Department of Genetics, Physiology and Microbiology, Faculty of Biology, Complutense University of Madrid, José Antonio Novais, 12, 28040, Madrid, Spain.
| |
Collapse
|
20
|
Gupta P, Vishnudas CK, Ramakrishnan U, Robin VV, Dharmarajan G. Geographical and host species barriers differentially affect generalist and specialist parasite community structure in a tropical sky-island archipelago. Proc Biol Sci 2019; 286:20190439. [PMID: 31161909 DOI: 10.1098/rspb.2019.0439] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Understanding why some parasites emerge in novel host communities while others do not has broad implications for human and wildlife health. In the case of haemosporidian blood parasites, epidemic wild bird mortalities on oceanic islands have been linked to Plasmodium spp., but not genera like Haemoproteus. Indeed, Haemoproteus is absent from many oceanic islands. By contrast, birds on continental islands share long coevolutionary histories with both Plasmodium and Haemoproteus, and are thus ideal model systems to elucidate eco-evolutionary endpoints associated with these parasites in oceanic islands. Here, we examine eco-evolutionary dynamics of avian haemosporidian in the Shola sky-island archipelago of the Western Ghats, India. Our analyses reveal that compared to Plasmodium, Haemoproteus lineages were highly host-specific and diversified via co-speciation with their hosts. We show that community structure of host-generalist Plasmodium was primarily driven by geographical factors (e.g. biogeographic barriers), while that of host-specialist Haemoproteus was driven by host species barriers (e.g. phylogenetic distance). Consequently, a few host species can harbour a high diversity of Plasmodium lineages which, in turn, are capable of infecting multiple host species. These two mechanisms can act in concert to increase the risk of introduction, establishment, and emergence of novel Plasmodium lineages in island systems.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Pooja Gupta
- 1 Savannah River Ecology Laboratory, University of Georgia , Aiken, SC , USA.,2 Warnell School of Forestry and Natural Resources, University of Georgia , Athens, GA 30602 , USA
| | - C K Vishnudas
- 3 Indian Institute of Science Education and Research Tirupati , Mangalam, Tirupati 517507 , India
| | - Uma Ramakrishnan
- 4 National Centre for Biological Sciences, TIFR , Bangalore 560065 , India
| | - V V Robin
- 3 Indian Institute of Science Education and Research Tirupati , Mangalam, Tirupati 517507 , India
| | - Guha Dharmarajan
- 1 Savannah River Ecology Laboratory, University of Georgia , Aiken, SC , USA
| |
Collapse
|
21
|
Ecology, not distance, explains community composition in parasites of sky-island Audubon’s Warblers. Int J Parasitol 2019; 49:437-448. [DOI: 10.1016/j.ijpara.2018.11.012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/06/2018] [Revised: 11/13/2018] [Accepted: 11/19/2018] [Indexed: 12/31/2022]
|
22
|
Garcia-Longoria L, Marzal A, de Lope F, Garamszegi L. Host-parasite interaction explains variation in the prevalence of avian haemosporidians at the community level. PLoS One 2019; 14:e0205624. [PMID: 30840636 PMCID: PMC6402683 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0205624] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/26/2018] [Accepted: 02/15/2019] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Parasites are a selective force that shape host community structure and dynamics, but host communities can also influence parasitism. Understanding the dual nature from host-parasite interactions can be facilitated by quantifying the variation in parasite prevalence among host species and then comparing that variation to other ecological factors that are known to also shape host communities. Avian haemosporidian parasites (e.g. Plasmodium and Haemoproteus) are abundant and widespread representing an excellent model for the study of host-parasite interactions. Several geographic and environmental factors have been suggested to determine prevalence of avian haemosporidians in bird communities. However, it remains unknown whether host and parasite traits, represented by phylogenetic distances among species and degree of specialization in host-parasite relationships, can influence infection status. The aims of this study were to analyze factors affecting infection status in a bird community and to test whether the degree of parasite specialization on their hosts is determined by host traits. Our statistical analyses suggest that infection status is mainly determined by the interaction between host species and parasite lineages where tolerance and/or susceptibility to parasites plays an essential role. Additionally, we found that although some of the parasite lineages infected a low number of bird individuals, the species they infected were distantly related and therefore the parasites themselves should not be considered typical host specialists. Infection status was higher for generalist than for specialist parasites in some, but not all, host species. These results suggest that detected prevalence in a species mainly results from the interaction between host immune defences and parasite exploitation strategies wherein the result of an association between particular parasite lineages and particular host species is idiosyncratic.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Luz Garcia-Longoria
- Departamento de Anatomía, Biología Celular y Zoología, Universidad de Extremadura, Badajoz (Spain)
- Molecular Ecology and Evolution Lab, Department of Biology, Lund University, Sölvegatan 37, Lund, Sweden
- * E-mail:
| | - Alfonso Marzal
- Departamento de Anatomía, Biología Celular y Zoología, Universidad de Extremadura, Badajoz (Spain)
| | - Florentino de Lope
- Departamento de Anatomía, Biología Celular y Zoología, Universidad de Extremadura, Badajoz (Spain)
| | - Laszlo Garamszegi
- Department of Evolutionary Ecology, Estación Biológica de Doñana-CSIC, Seville, Spain
- MTA-ELTE, Theoretical Biology and Evolutionary Ecology Research Group, Department of Plant Systematics, Ecology and Theoretical Biology, Eötvös Loránd University, Budapest, Hungary
- Behavioural Ecology Group, Department of Systematic Zoology and Ecology, Eötvös Loránd University, Budapest, Hungary
| |
Collapse
|
23
|
Villar Couto CM, Cumming GS, Lacorte GA, Congrains C, Izbicki R, Braga EM, Rocha CD, Moralez-Silva E, Henry DAW, Manu SA, Abalaka J, Regalla A, da Silva AS, Diop MS, Del Lama SN. Avian haemosporidians in the cattle egret (Bubulcus ibis) from central-western and southern Africa: High diversity and prevalence. PLoS One 2019; 14:e0212425. [PMID: 30794584 PMCID: PMC6386389 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0212425] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/21/2018] [Accepted: 02/02/2019] [Indexed: 01/16/2023] Open
Abstract
We described the geographic distribution of 82 haemosporidian lineages (Plasmodium, Haemoproteus, and Leucocytozoon) in the cattle egret sampled in five countries in central-western and southern Africa. Seventy-three lineages have not previously been reported. We determined the prevalence of three haemosporidians in the samples. We investigated the influence of the internal environment of the host and environmental variables on the Plasmodium diversity and whether environmental variables may explain spatial variations in the prevalence of Plasmodium. We screened DNA from 509 blood samples from nestlings in 15 African colonies for infection by sequencing the cytochrome b gene of parasites. The molecular phylogenetic analysis was performed using Bayesian methods and including sequences from the MalAvi and GeneBank databases. We found 62 new Plasmodium lineages in a clade with MYCAME02, which is a lineage described in waterbirds and recently identified in birds of prey as Plasmodium paranucleophilum. Two Haemoproteus lineages identified in cattle egret formed a distinct group with Haemoproteus catharti and MYCAMH1 (Haemoproteus spp.). Seven Leucocytozoon lineages found in the cattle egret clustered with Leucocytozoon californicus. We found different Plasmodium diversities among the colonies sampled, demonstrating that the internal environment of the host is not the primary determinant of diversity. A linear mixed-effects multivariate model showed that precipitation was positively associated with Plasmodium diversity when controlling for the effects of temperature, colony composition (mixed and non-mixed species) and country. Moreover, a generalized mixed model showed that temperature was positively associated with the prevalence of Plasmodium when controlling for precipitation, elevation and country. We conclude that the cattle egret is a good model for future haemosporidian studies, as we found a significant number of new lineages in this host, which occupies regions with different climate characteristics where environmental variables exert an influence on the diversity and prevalence of Plasmodium.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Cynthia M. Villar Couto
- Departamento de Genética e Evolução, Centro de Ciências Biológicas e da Saúde,Universidade Federal de São Carlos, São Carlos, SP, Brazil
| | - Graeme S. Cumming
- Percy FitzPatrick Institute, DST/NRF Centre of Excellence, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa
| | - Gustavo A. Lacorte
- Departamento de Ciências e Linguagens, Instituto Federal de Minas Gerais, Bambuí, MG, Brazil
| | - Carlos Congrains
- Departamento de Genética e Evolução, Centro de Ciências Biológicas e da Saúde,Universidade Federal de São Carlos, São Carlos, SP, Brazil
| | - Rafael Izbicki
- Departamento de Estatística, Centro de Ciências Exatas e Tecnológicas,Universidade Federal de São Carlos, Sao Carlos, SP, Brazil
| | - Erika Martins Braga
- Departamento de Parasitologia, Instituto de Ciências Biológicas, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, MG, Brazil
| | - Cristiano D. Rocha
- Departamento de Genética e Evolução, Centro de Ciências Biológicas e da Saúde,Universidade Federal de São Carlos, São Carlos, SP, Brazil
| | - Emmanuel Moralez-Silva
- Departamento de Genética e Evolução, Centro de Ciências Biológicas e da Saúde,Universidade Federal de São Carlos, São Carlos, SP, Brazil
| | - Dominic A. W. Henry
- Percy FitzPatrick Institute, DST/NRF Centre of Excellence, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa
| | - Shiiwua A. Manu
- A.P Leventis Ornithological Research Institute, Laminga, Jos, Nigeria
| | - Jacinta Abalaka
- A.P Leventis Ornithological Research Institute, Laminga, Jos, Nigeria
| | - Aissa Regalla
- Instituto da Biodiversidade e das Áreas Protegidas (IBAP), Bissau, Rep. da Guiné-Bissau
| | | | | | - Silvia N. Del Lama
- Departamento de Genética e Evolução, Centro de Ciências Biológicas e da Saúde,Universidade Federal de São Carlos, São Carlos, SP, Brazil
- * E-mail:
| |
Collapse
|
24
|
Ortiz-Catedral L, Brunton D, Stidworthy MF, Elsheikha HM, Pennycott T, Schulze C, Braun M, Wink M, Gerlach H, Pendl H, Gruber AD, Ewen J, Pérez-Tris J, Valkiūnas G, Olias P. Haemoproteus minutus is highly virulent for Australasian and South American parrots. Parasit Vectors 2019; 12:40. [PMID: 30654841 PMCID: PMC6337802 DOI: 10.1186/s13071-018-3255-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 54] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/07/2018] [Accepted: 12/04/2018] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Haemoproteus and Plasmodium species are widespread avian blood parasites. Several Plasmodium species are known for their high virulence and have caused significant declines in naïve bird populations. The impact of closely related Haemoproteus parasites is largely unknown. Recently we reported a lethal disease in two parrot aviaries caused by Haemoproteus parasites. Results Here we show that the causative pathogen Haemoproteus minutus is responsible for further 17 lethal outbreaks in parrot aviaries in Denmark, Germany and Great Britain. All affected parrots are endemic to Australasia and South America. We sequenced the cytochrome b gene from megalomeront-infected muscle tissue of 21 parrots and identified the two lineages TUPHI01 and TURDUS2 as causative agents, commonly naturally infecting the common blackbird (Turdus merula) and the song thrush (Turdus philomelos), respectively, in the Palaearctic. No intraerythrocytic parasite stages were found in any of the parrots. We failed to detect H. minutus in invasive Indian ring-necked parakeets (Psittacula krameri) in Germany. Together this suggests that abortive infections with two virulent lineages of H. minutus are lethal for naïve parrot species from Australasia and South America. We asked whether we could detect H. minutus in New Zealand, where its Turdus hosts were introduced in the 1800s. We therefore tested invasive blackbirds and song thrushes, and the co-existing endemic red-fronted parakeet (Cyanoramphus novaezelandiae) population on three New Zealand islands. No Haemoproteus spp. DNA was detected in all blood samples, indicating absence of transmission. Conclusions The results of this study show that captive parrots in Europe are threatened by two lineages of an otherwise benign parasite of Turdus spp. Aviary collections of parrots should be protected from Culicoides spp. vectors in Europe. Animal trade and climate changes extending the current vector and parasite distribution have to be considered as potential risk factors for the introduction of the disease in naïve parrot populations.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Luis Ortiz-Catedral
- Massey University, Institute of Natural and Mathematical Sciences, Massey University, Private Bag 102904, North Shore Mail Centre, Auckland, 0745, New Zealand
| | - Dianne Brunton
- Massey University, Institute of Natural and Mathematical Sciences, Massey University, Private Bag 102904, North Shore Mail Centre, Auckland, 0745, New Zealand
| | - Mark F Stidworthy
- International Zoo Veterinary Group, Station House, Parkwood Street, Keighley, BD21 4NQ, UK
| | - Hany M Elsheikha
- University of Nottingham, School of Veterinary Medicine and Science, Sutton Bonington Campus, Sutton Bonington, Leicestershire, LE12 5RD, UK
| | - Tom Pennycott
- Ayr Disease Surveillance Centre, Auchincruive, Ayr, KA6 5AE, UK
| | - Christoph Schulze
- Berlin-Brandenburg State Laboratory, Gerhard-Neumann-Str. 2, 15236, Frankfurt (Oder), Germany
| | - Michael Braun
- Heidelberg University, Institute of Pharmacy and Molecular Biotechnology, Im Neuenheimer Feld 364, 69120, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Michael Wink
- Heidelberg University, Institute of Pharmacy and Molecular Biotechnology, Im Neuenheimer Feld 364, 69120, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Helga Gerlach
- Gerlach Laboratory, Grosshessloher Strasse 23, 81479, Munich, Germany
| | - Helene Pendl
- Pendl Laboratory, Untere Roostmatt 7, 6300, Zug, Switzerland
| | - Achim D Gruber
- Freie Universität Berlin, Institute of Veterinary Pathology, Robert-von-Ostertag-Str. 15, 14163, Berlin, Germany
| | - John Ewen
- Zoological Society of London, Institute of Zoology, Regent's Park, London, NW1 4RY, UK
| | - Javier Pérez-Tris
- Departamento de Biodiversidad, Ecología y Evolución, Facultad de Biología (Planta 9), Complutense University of Madrid, C/ José Antonio Novais, 2. Ciudad Universitaria, 28040, Madrid, Spain
| | - Gediminas Valkiūnas
- Institute of Ecology, Nature Research Centre, Akademijos str. 2, 08412, Vilnius, Lithuania
| | - Philipp Olias
- University of Bern, Institute of Animal Pathology, Länggassstrasse 122, 3063, Bern, Switzerland.
| |
Collapse
|
25
|
Fecchio A, Wells K, Bell JA, Tkach VV, Lutz HL, Weckstein JD, Clegg SM, Clark NJ. Climate variation influences host specificity in avian malaria parasites. Ecol Lett 2019; 22:547-557. [PMID: 30637890 DOI: 10.1111/ele.13215] [Citation(s) in RCA: 66] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/16/2018] [Revised: 11/13/2018] [Accepted: 11/28/2018] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
Parasites with low host specificity (e.g. infecting a large diversity of host species) are of special interest in disease ecology, as they are likely more capable of circumventing ecological or evolutionary barriers to infect new hosts than are specialist parasites. Yet for many parasites, host specificity is not fixed and can vary in response to environmental conditions. Using data on host associations for avian malaria parasites (Apicomplexa: Haemosporida), we develop a hierarchical model that quantifies this environmental dependency by partitioning host specificity variation into region- and parasite-level effects. Parasites were generally phylogenetic host specialists, infecting phylogenetically clustered subsets of available avian hosts. However, the magnitude of this specialisation varied biogeographically, with parasites exhibiting higher host specificity in regions with more pronounced rainfall seasonality and wetter dry seasons. Recognising the environmental dependency of parasite specialisation can provide useful leverage for improving predictions of infection risk in response to global climate change.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Alan Fecchio
- Laboratório de Evolução e Biogeografia, Universidade Federal da Bahia, Rua Barão de Jeremoabo 147, Salvador, BA, 40170115, Brazil
| | - Konstans Wells
- Department of Biosciences, Swansea University, Swansea, SA2 8PP, UK
| | - Jeffrey A Bell
- Department of Biology, University of North Dakota, 1 Campus Drive and Cornell Street, Grand Forks, ND, 58202, USA
| | - Vasyl V Tkach
- Department of Biology, University of North Dakota, 10 Cornell Street, Grand Forks, ND, 58202, USA
| | - Holly L Lutz
- Department of Surgery, University of Chicago, 5812 S. Ellis Ave., Chicago, IL, 606372, USA.,Integrative Research Center, Field Museum of Natural History, 1400 S. Lake Shore Drive, Chicago, IL, 60605, USA
| | - Jason D Weckstein
- Department of Ornithology, Academy of Natural Sciences and Department of Biodiversity, Earth, and Environmental Sciences, Drexel University, 1900 Benjamin Franklin Parkway, Philadelphia, PA, 19103, USA
| | - Sonya M Clegg
- Edward Grey Institute of Field Ornithology, Department of Zoology, University of Oxford, Oxford, OX1 3PS, UK
| | - Nicholas J Clark
- School of Veterinary Science, University of Queensland, Gatton, Qld, Australia
| |
Collapse
|
26
|
Doussang D, González-Acuña D, Torres-Fuentes LG, Lougheed SC, Clemente-Carvalho RB, Greene KC, Vianna JA. Spatial distribution, prevalence and diversity of haemosporidians in the rufous-collared sparrow, Zonotrichia capensis. Parasit Vectors 2019; 12:2. [PMID: 30606248 PMCID: PMC6318949 DOI: 10.1186/s13071-018-3243-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/28/2018] [Accepted: 11/29/2018] [Indexed: 12/30/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Parasite prevalence and diversity are determined by the distribution of hosts and vectors and by the interplay among a suite of environmental factors. Distributions of parasite lineages vary based on host susceptibility and geographical barriers. Hemoparasites of the genera Haemoproteus and Plasmodium have wide distributions, and high prevalence and genetic diversity within perching birds (Order Passeriformes). The rufous-collared sparrow (Zonotrichia capensis) is widely distributed in Central and South America across an immense diversity of environments from sea level to more than 4000 meters above sea level. It therefore provides an excellent model to investigate whether altitudinal and latitudinal gradients influence the distribution, prevalence and diversity of haemosporidian parasites, their population structure and the biogeographical boundaries of distinct parasite lineages. RESULTS We assembled samples from 1317 rufous-collared sparrows spanning 75 locales from across Central and South America (between 9.5°N and 54°S; 10-4655 meters above sea level). We used DNA sequence data from a fragment of the mitochondrial cytochrome b gene (cytb) of Haemoproteus and Plasmodium from 325 positive samples and found prevalences of 22 and 3%, respectively. Haemoproteus exhibited a higher prevalence than Plasmodium but with comparatively lower genetic diversity. We detected a relationship of Plasmodium and Haemoproteus prevalence with altitude and latitude; however, altitude and latitude did not influence parasite diversity. CONCLUSIONS Parasite lineages showed a phylogeographical boundary coincident with the Andes Mountains, although we also observed a north-south disjunction in Peru for Haemoproteus. Haemosporidian distribution was not homogeneous but differed based on latitude and altitude. This is most probably due to environmental factors that have influenced both vector distribution and abundance, as well as parasite development. Our study provides key insights on the distribution of haemoparasite lineages and parasite dynamics within hosts.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Daniela Doussang
- Facultad de Ciencias Veterinarias, Universidad de Concepción, Casilla, 537 Chillán, Chile
- Departamento de Ecosistemas y Medio Ambiente, Facultad de Agronomía e Ingeniería Forestal, Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile, Código Postal: 6904411, Casilla 306, Correo, 22 Santiago, Chile
| | - Daniel González-Acuña
- Facultad de Ciencias Veterinarias, Universidad de Concepción, Casilla, 537 Chillán, Chile
| | | | | | | | - Kian Connelly Greene
- Departamento de Ecosistemas y Medio Ambiente, Facultad de Agronomía e Ingeniería Forestal, Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile, Código Postal: 6904411, Casilla 306, Correo, 22 Santiago, Chile
| | - Juliana A. Vianna
- Departamento de Ecosistemas y Medio Ambiente, Facultad de Agronomía e Ingeniería Forestal, Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile, Código Postal: 6904411, Casilla 306, Correo, 22 Santiago, Chile
| |
Collapse
|
27
|
Rivero de Aguilar J, Castillo F, Moreno A, Peñafiel N, Browne L, Walter ST, Karubian J, Bonaccorso E. Patterns of avian haemosporidian infections vary with time, but not habitat, in a fragmented Neotropical landscape. PLoS One 2018; 13:e0206493. [PMID: 30379912 PMCID: PMC6209335 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0206493] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/15/2018] [Accepted: 10/15/2018] [Indexed: 12/26/2022] Open
Abstract
Habitat loss has the potential to alter vertebrate host populations and their interactions with parasites. Theory predicts a decrease in parasite diversity due to the loss of hosts in such contexts. However, habitat loss could also increase parasite infections as a result of the arrival of new parasites or by decreasing host immune defenses. We investigated the effect of habitat loss and other habitat characteristics on avian haemosporidian infections in a community of birds within a fragmented landscape in northwest Ecuador. We estimated Plasmodium and Haemoproteus parasite infections in 504 individual birds belonging to 8 families and 18 species. We found differences in infection status among bird species, but no relationship between forest fragment characteristics and infection status was observed. We also found a temporal effect, with birds at the end of the five-month study (which ran from the end of the rainy season thru the dry season), being less infected by Plasmodium parasites than individuals sampled at the beginning. Moreover, we found a positive relationship between forest area and Culicoides abundance. Taken as a whole, these findings indicate little effect of fragment characteristics per se on infection, although additional sampling or higher infection rates would have offered more power to detect potential relationships.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Juan Rivero de Aguilar
- Centro de Investigación en Biodiversidad y Cambio Climático, Universidad Tecnológica Indoamérica, Quito, Pichincha, Ecuador
- * E-mail:
| | - Fernando Castillo
- Fundación para la Conservación de los Andes Tropicales, Quito, Pichincha, Ecuador
| | - Andrea Moreno
- Fundación para la Conservación de los Andes Tropicales, Quito, Pichincha, Ecuador
| | - Nicolás Peñafiel
- Centro de Investigación en Biodiversidad y Cambio Climático, Universidad Tecnológica Indoamérica, Quito, Pichincha, Ecuador
| | - Luke Browne
- Fundación para la Conservación de los Andes Tropicales, Quito, Pichincha, Ecuador
- Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, Tulane University, New Orleans, Louisiana, United States of America
| | - Scott T. Walter
- Department of Biology, Texas State University, San Marcos, Texas, United States of America
| | - Jordan Karubian
- Fundación para la Conservación de los Andes Tropicales, Quito, Pichincha, Ecuador
- Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, Tulane University, New Orleans, Louisiana, United States of America
| | - Elisa Bonaccorso
- Centro de Investigación en Biodiversidad y Cambio Climático, Universidad Tecnológica Indoamérica, Quito, Pichincha, Ecuador
- Instituto BIOSFERA y Colegio de Ciencias Biológicas y Ambientales, Universidad San Francisco de Quito, Quito, Pichincha, Ecuador
| |
Collapse
|
28
|
Ellis VA, Bensch S. Host specificity of avian haemosporidian parasites is unrelated among sister lineages but shows phylogenetic signal across larger clades. Int J Parasitol 2018; 48:897-902. [PMID: 30076910 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijpara.2018.05.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/30/2018] [Revised: 04/16/2018] [Accepted: 05/08/2018] [Indexed: 12/23/2022]
Abstract
Parasites can vary in the number of host species they infect, a trait known as "host specificity". Here we quantify phylogenetic signal-the tendency for closely related species to resemble each other more than distantly related species-in host specificity of avian haemosporidian parasites (genera Plasmodium, Haemoproteus and Leucocytozoon) using data from MalAvi, the global avian haemosporidian database. We used the genetic data (479 base pairs of cytochrome b) that define parasite lineages to produce genus level phylogenies. Combining host specificity data with those phylogenies revealed significant levels of phylogenetic signal while controlling for sampling effects; phylogenetic signal was higher when the phylogenetic diversity of hosts was taken into account. We then tested for correlations in the host specificity of pairs of sister lineages. Correlations were generally close to zero for all three parasite genera. These results suggest that while the host specificity of parasite sister lineages differ, larger clades may be relatively specialised or generalised.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Vincenzo A Ellis
- Molecular Ecology and Evolution Lab, Department of Biology, Lund University, Lund, Sweden.
| | - Staffan Bensch
- Molecular Ecology and Evolution Lab, Department of Biology, Lund University, Lund, Sweden
| |
Collapse
|
29
|
Masello JF, Martínez J, Calderón L, Wink M, Quillfeldt P, Sanz V, Theuerkauf J, Ortiz-Catedral L, Berkunsky I, Brunton D, Díaz-Luque JA, Hauber ME, Ojeda V, Barnaud A, Casalins L, Jackson B, Mijares A, Rosales R, Seixas G, Serafini P, Silva-Iturriza A, Sipinski E, Vásquez RA, Widmann P, Widmann I, Merino S. Can the intake of antiparasitic secondary metabolites explain the low prevalence of hemoparasites among wild Psittaciformes? Parasit Vectors 2018; 11:357. [PMID: 29921331 PMCID: PMC6008929 DOI: 10.1186/s13071-018-2940-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/21/2018] [Accepted: 06/06/2018] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Parasites can exert selection pressure on their hosts through effects on survival, on reproductive success, on sexually selected ornament, with important ecological and evolutionary consequences, such as changes in population viability. Consequently, hemoparasites have become the focus of recent avian studies. Infection varies significantly among taxa. Various factors might explain the differences in infection among taxa, including habitat, climate, host density, the presence of vectors, life history and immune defence. Feeding behaviour can also be relevant both through increased exposure to vectors and consumption of secondary metabolites with preventative or therapeutic effects that can reduce parasite load. However, the latter has been little investigated. Psittaciformes (parrots and cockatoos) are a good model to investigate these topics, as they are known to use biological control against ectoparasites and to feed on toxic food. We investigated the presence of avian malaria parasites (Plasmodium), intracellular haemosporidians (Haemoproteus, Leucocytozoon), unicellular flagellate protozoans (Trypanosoma) and microfilariae in 19 Psittaciformes species from a range of habitats in the Indo-Malayan, Australasian and Neotropical regions. We gathered additional data on hemoparasites in wild Psittaciformes from the literature. We considered factors that may control the presence of hemoparasites in the Psittaciformes, compiling information on diet, habitat, and climate. Furthermore, we investigated the role of diet in providing antiparasitic secondary metabolites that could be used as self-medication to reduce parasite load. Results We found hemoparasites in only two of 19 species sampled. Among them, all species that consume at least one food item known for its secondary metabolites with antimalarial, trypanocidal or general antiparasitic properties, were free from hemoparasites. In contrast, the infected parrots do not consume food items with antimalarial or even general antiparasitic properties. We found that the two infected species in this study consumed omnivorous diets. When we combined our data with data from studies previously investigating blood parasites in wild parrots, the positive relationship between omnivorous diets and hemoparasite infestation was confirmed. Individuals from open habitats were less infected than those from forests. Conclusions The consumption of food items known for their secondary metabolites with antimalarial, trypanocidal or general antiparasitic properties, as well as the higher proportion of infected species among omnivorous parrots, could explain the low prevalence of hemoparasites reported in many vertebrates. Electronic supplementary material The online version of this article (10.1186/s13071-018-2940-3) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Juan F Masello
- Department of Animal Ecology and Systematics, Justus-Liebig Universität Gießen, Heinrich-Buff-Ring 26, D-35392, Gießen, Germany.
| | - Javier Martínez
- Departamento de Biomedicina y Biotecnologıía, Area Parasitologıía, Facultad de Farmacia, Universidad de Alcalá (UAH), NII Km 33.600, 28805 Alcalá de Henares, Madrid, Spain
| | - Luciano Calderón
- Department of Animal Ecology and Systematics, Justus-Liebig Universität Gießen, Heinrich-Buff-Ring 26, D-35392, Gießen, Germany
| | - Michael Wink
- Institute of Pharmacy and Molecular Biotechnology, Heidelberg University, INF 364, 69120, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Petra Quillfeldt
- Department of Animal Ecology and Systematics, Justus-Liebig Universität Gießen, Heinrich-Buff-Ring 26, D-35392, Gießen, Germany
| | - Virginia Sanz
- Centro de Ecología, Instituto Venezolano de Investigaciones Científicas, Altos de Pipe, Venezuela
| | - Jörn Theuerkauf
- Museum and Institute of Zoology, Polish Academy of Sciences, Wilcza 64, 00-679, Warsaw, Poland
| | - Luis Ortiz-Catedral
- Institute of Natural and Mathematical Sciences, Massey University, Auckland, New Zealand
| | - Igor Berkunsky
- Instituto Multidisciplinario sobre Ecosistemas y Desarrollo Sustentable, Universidad Nacional del Centro de la Provincia de Buenos Aires, Tandil, Argentina
| | - Dianne Brunton
- Institute of Natural and Mathematical Sciences, Massey University, Auckland, New Zealand
| | - José A Díaz-Luque
- Fundación para la Investigación y la Conservación de los Loros en Bolivia (CLB), Avenida Francisco Mora, Santa Cruz de la Sierra, Bolivia.,Centro de Conservación de Loros Silvestres (CREA), Santa Cruz de la Sierra, Bolivia
| | - Mark E Hauber
- Department of Animal Biology, School of Integrative Biology, University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign, IL, 61801, USA
| | - Valeria Ojeda
- ZoologyDepartment (CRUB-UNCo), INIBIOMA (Universidad Nacional del Comahue-CONICET), 8400, Bariloche, Argentina
| | - Antoine Barnaud
- Province des Iles Loyauté, Direction du Développement Economique, BP 50 98820, Wé, Lifou, New Caledonia
| | - Laura Casalins
- ZoologyDepartment (CRUB-UNCo), INIBIOMA (Universidad Nacional del Comahue-CONICET), 8400, Bariloche, Argentina
| | - Bethany Jackson
- Auckland Zoological Park, Motions Road, Western Springs, Auckland, 1022, New Zealand.,School of Veterinary and Life Sciences, Murdoch University, Perth, WA, Australia
| | - Alfredo Mijares
- Centro de Bioquímica y Biofísica, Instituto Venezolano de Investigaciones Científicas, Altos de Pipe, Venezuela
| | - Romel Rosales
- Centro de Bioquímica y Biofísica, Instituto Venezolano de Investigaciones Científicas, Altos de Pipe, Venezuela
| | - Gláucia Seixas
- Projeto Papagaio-verdadeiro, Fundação Neotropica do Brasil, Campo Grande, Brazil
| | - Patricia Serafini
- Base Multifuncional do CEMAVE em Florianópolis/SC, Estação Ecológica Carijós - ICMBio, Florianópolis, Brazil
| | - Adriana Silva-Iturriza
- Centro de Bioquímica y Biofísica, Instituto Venezolano de Investigaciones Científicas, Altos de Pipe, Venezuela
| | - Elenise Sipinski
- Projeto de Conservação do papagaio-de-cara-roxa, SPVS - Sociedade de Pesquisa em Vida Selvagem e Educação Ambiental, Curitiba, Brazil
| | - Rodrigo A Vásquez
- Institute of Ecology and Biodiversity, Departamento de Ciencias Ecológicas, Facultad de Ciencias Universidad de Chile, Santiago, Chile
| | - Peter Widmann
- Katala Foundation, Inc., Puerto Princesa City, Palawan, Philippines
| | - Indira Widmann
- Katala Foundation, Inc., Puerto Princesa City, Palawan, Philippines
| | - Santiago Merino
- Departamento de Ecología Evolutiva, Museo Nacional de Ciencias Naturales, Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas, 28006, Madrid, Spain
| |
Collapse
|
30
|
Megía-Palma R, Martínez J, Cuervo JJ, Belliure J, Jiménez-Robles O, Gomes V, Cabido C, Pausas JG, Fitze PS, Martín J, Merino S. Molecular evidence for host-parasite co-speciation between lizards and Schellackia parasites. Int J Parasitol 2018; 48:709-718. [PMID: 29738739 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijpara.2018.03.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/23/2017] [Revised: 02/25/2018] [Accepted: 03/05/2018] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
Current and past parasite transmission may depend on the overlap of host distributions, potentially affecting parasite specificity and co-evolutionary processes. Nonetheless, parasite diversification may take place in sympatry when parasites are transmitted by vectors with low mobility. Here, we test the co-speciation hypothesis between lizard final hosts of the Family Lacertidae, and blood parasites of the genus Schellackia, which are potentially transmitted by haematophagous mites. The effects of current distributional overlap of host species on parasite specificity are also investigated. We sampled 27 localities on the Iberian Peninsula and three in northern Africa, and collected blood samples from 981 individual lizards of seven genera and 18 species. The overall prevalence of infection by parasites of the genus Schellackia was ∼35%. We detected 16 Schellackia haplotypes of the 18S rRNA gene, revealing that the genus Schellackia is more diverse than previously thought. Phylogenetic analyses showed that Schellackia haplotypes grouped into two main monophyletic clades, the first including those detected in host species endemic to the Mediterranean region and the second those detected in host genera Acanthodactylus, Zootoca and Takydromus. All but one of the Schellackia haplotypes exhibited a high degree of host specificity at the generic level and 78.5% of them exclusively infected single host species. Some host species within the genera Podarcis (six species) and Iberolacerta (two species) were infected by three non-specific haplotypes of Schellackia, suggesting that host switching might have positively influenced past diversification of the genus. However, the results supported the idea that current host switching is rare because there existed a significant positive correlation between the number of exclusive parasite haplotypes and the number of host species with current sympatric distribution. This result, together with significant support for host-parasite molecular co-speciation, suggests that parasites of the genus Schellackia co-evolved with their lizard hosts.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Rodrigo Megía-Palma
- Departamento de Ecología Evolutiva, Museo Nacional de Ciencias Naturales (MNCN-CSIC), José Gutiérrez Abascal 2, E-28006 Madrid, Spain.
| | - Javier Martínez
- Departamento de Biomedicina y Biotecnología, Área de Parasitología, Facultad de Farmacia, Universidad de Alcalá de Henares, E-28805 Alcalá de Henares, Madrid, Spain
| | - José J Cuervo
- Departamento de Ecología Evolutiva, Museo Nacional de Ciencias Naturales (MNCN-CSIC), José Gutiérrez Abascal 2, E-28006 Madrid, Spain
| | - Josabel Belliure
- Departamento de Ciencias de la Vida, Sección de Ecología, Universidad de Alcalá, E-28805 Alcalá de Henares, Madrid, Spain
| | - Octavio Jiménez-Robles
- Departamento de Biodiversidad y Biología Evolutiva, Museo Nacional de Ciencias Naturales (MNCN-CSIC), José Gutiérrez Abascal 2, E-28006 Madrid, Spain
| | - Verónica Gomes
- CIBIO/InBIO, Centro de Investigação em Biodiversidade e Recursos Genéticos - Universidade de Évora, 7004-516 Évora, Portugal
| | - Carlos Cabido
- Departamento de Herpetología, Sociedad de Ciencias Aranzadi, Alto de Zorroaga 11, E-20014 San Sebastián, Spain
| | - Juli G Pausas
- Centro de Investigaciones sobre Desertificación (CIDE-CSIC), Ctra. CV-315, Km 10.7 (IVIA), E-46113 Moncada, Valencia, Spain
| | - Patrick S Fitze
- Departamento de Biodiversidad y Biología Evolutiva, Museo Nacional de Ciencias Naturales (MNCN-CSIC), José Gutiérrez Abascal 2, E-28006 Madrid, Spain; Instituto Pirenaico de Ecología (IPE-CSIC), Av. Nuestra Señora de la Victoria 16, E-22700 Jaca, Spain
| | - José Martín
- Departamento de Ecología Evolutiva, Museo Nacional de Ciencias Naturales (MNCN-CSIC), José Gutiérrez Abascal 2, E-28006 Madrid, Spain
| | - Santiago Merino
- Departamento de Ecología Evolutiva, Museo Nacional de Ciencias Naturales (MNCN-CSIC), José Gutiérrez Abascal 2, E-28006 Madrid, Spain
| |
Collapse
|
31
|
Chahad-Ehlers S, Fushita AT, Lacorte GA, Assis PCPD, Del Lama SN. Effects of habitat suitability for vectors, environmental factors and host characteristics on the spatial distribution of the diversity and prevalence of haemosporidians in waterbirds from three Brazilian wetlands. Parasit Vectors 2018; 11:276. [PMID: 29716645 PMCID: PMC5930942 DOI: 10.1186/s13071-018-2847-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/10/2018] [Accepted: 04/13/2018] [Indexed: 02/03/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Wetlands are ecosystems in which vectors of avian haemosporidians live and reproduce and where waterbirds join to breed in colonies. Brazil has wetlands at different latitudes, which enables testing the influence of the ecological factors on the prevalence and diversity of haemosporidians. We identified avian haemosporidians in waterbird species in three wetlands and investigated the effects of vector habitat suitability, landscape and host characteristics on the diversity and prevalence of these parasites. Methods We created a map with the probability of occurrence of avian haemosporidian vectors using maximum-entropy modelling based on references addressing species known to be vectors of haemosporidians in birds in Brazil. We determined the prevalence and diversity index of haemosporidians in the great egret (Ardea alba) (n = 129) and roseate spoonbill (Platalea ajaja) (n = 180) and compared the findings to data for the wood stork (Mycteria americana) (n = 199). Results We report the first record of Plasmodium in the family Threskiornithidae: four lineages in the roseate spoonbill, which also presented one lineage of Haemoproteus. In the family Ardeidae, we found three Plasmodium lineages in the great egret. The similar habitat suitability for vectors found in three wetlands explains the pattern of haemosporidian diversity determined for great egret and wood stork populations. Comparisons of haemosporidian diversity within each waterbird species and between regions showed a higher level in the central-western roseate spoonbill population than in the northern population (P = 0.021). Removing the host effect, we discussed the results obtained in terms of characteristics of the Pantanal region. Comparisons of Plasmodium spp. prevalence among waterbird species within the same wetland showed higher level in roseate spoonbill (74%) than those found in the great egret (21%) and wood stork (11%). Excluding the environmental effect, we interpreted result focusing host characteristics that favour infection: time required for nestlings to be covered by feathers and migratory behaviour. Conclusions The map of habitat suitability showed that wetlands located in a 30° latitudinal range offer similar conditions for avian vectors species and diversity of haemosporidians. The lineages described in waterbirds were previously identified in birds of prey as Plasmodium paranucleophilum. Electronic supplementary material The online version of this article (10.1186/s13071-018-2847-z) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Samira Chahad-Ehlers
- Departamento de Genética e Evolução, Universidade Federal de São Carlos, Rodovia Washington Luís, km 235 SP-310, São Carlos, SP, 13565-905, Brazil
| | - Angela Terumi Fushita
- Centro de Engenharia, Modelagem e Ciências Aplicadas Universidade Federal do ABC, Avenida dos Estados 5001, Santo André, São Paulo, 09210-580, Brazil
| | - Gustavo Augusto Lacorte
- Laboratório Biologia Molecular, Instituto Federal de Minas Gerais, Bambuí, Fazenda Varginha, Rodovia Bambuí - Medeiros, km 5, Bambuí, Minas Gerais, 38900-000, Brazil
| | - Pamela Carla Pereira de Assis
- Departamento de Genética e Evolução, Universidade Federal de São Carlos, Rodovia Washington Luís, km 235 SP-310, São Carlos, SP, 13565-905, Brazil
| | - Silvia Nassif Del Lama
- Departamento de Genética e Evolução, Universidade Federal de São Carlos, Rodovia Washington Luís, km 235 SP-310, São Carlos, SP, 13565-905, Brazil.
| |
Collapse
|
32
|
Fecchio A, Bell JA, Collins MD, Farias IP, Trisos CH, Tobias JA, Tkach VV, Weckstein JD, Ricklefs RE, Batalha-Filho H. Diversification by host switching and dispersal shaped the diversity and distribution of avian malaria parasites in Amazonia. OIKOS 2018. [DOI: 10.1111/oik.05115] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/20/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Alan Fecchio
- Laboratório de Evolução e Biogeografia, Univ. Federal da Bahia; Rua Barão de Jeremoabo 147 Salvador BA 40170115 Brazil
- Dept of Ornithology; Academy of Natural Sciences of Drexel University; Philadelhpia PA USA
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | - Jason David Weckstein
- Dept of Ornithology; Academy of Natural Sciences of Drexel University
- Dept of Biodiversity, Earth, and Environmental Sciences; Drexel Univ.; Philadelphia PA USA
| | | | - Henrique Batalha-Filho
- Natl Inst. of Science and Technology in Interdisciplinary and Transdisciplinary Studies in Ecology and Evolution (INCT IN-TREE)
- Laboratório de Evolução e Biogeografia, Inst. de Biologia; Univ. Federal da Bahia; Salvador BA Brazil
| |
Collapse
|
33
|
Pulgarín-R PC, Gómez JP, Robinson S, Ricklefs RE, Cadena CD. Host species, and not environment, predicts variation in blood parasite prevalence, distribution, and diversity along a humidity gradient in northern South America. Ecol Evol 2018; 8:3800-3814. [PMID: 29721258 PMCID: PMC5916302 DOI: 10.1002/ece3.3785] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/11/2017] [Revised: 11/29/2017] [Accepted: 12/06/2017] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Environmental factors strongly influence the ecology and evolution of vector‐borne infectious diseases. However, our understanding of the influence of climatic variation on host–parasite interactions in tropical systems is rudimentary. We studied five species of birds and their haemosporidian parasites (Plasmodium and Haemoproteus) at 16 sampling sites to understand how environmental heterogeneity influences patterns of parasite prevalence, distribution, and diversity across a marked gradient in water availability in northern South America. We used molecular methods to screen for parasite infections and to identify parasite lineages. To characterize spatial heterogeneity in water availability, we used weather‐station and remotely sensed climate data. We estimated parasite prevalence while accounting for spatial autocorrelation, and used a model selection approach to determine the effect of variables related to water availability and host species on prevalence. The prevalence, distribution, and lineage diversity of haemosporidian parasites varied among localities and host species, but we found no support for the hypothesis that the prevalence and diversity of parasites increase with increasing water availability. Host species and host × climate interactions had stronger effects on infection prevalence, and parasite lineages were strongly associated with particular host species. Because climatic variables had little effect on the overall prevalence and lineage diversity of haemosporidian parasites across study sites, our results suggest that independent host–parasite dynamics may influence patterns in parasitism in environmentally heterogeneous landscapes.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Paulo C Pulgarín-R
- Laboratorio de Biología Evolutiva de Vertebrados Departamento de Ciencias Biológicas Universidad de Los Andes Bogotá Colombia
| | - Juan P Gómez
- Florida Museum of Natural History University of Florida Gainesville FL USA.,Department of Biology University of Florida Gainesville FL USA.,Spatial Epidemiology and Ecology Research Laboratory Department of Geography Emerging Pathogens Institute University of Florida Gainesville FL USA
| | - Scott Robinson
- Florida Museum of Natural History University of Florida Gainesville FL USA.,Department of Biology University of Florida Gainesville FL USA
| | - Robert E Ricklefs
- Department of Biology University of Missouri-St. Louis St. Louis MO USA
| | - Carlos Daniel Cadena
- Laboratorio de Biología Evolutiva de Vertebrados Departamento de Ciencias Biológicas Universidad de Los Andes Bogotá Colombia
| |
Collapse
|
34
|
Ferraguti M, Martínez-de la Puente J, Bensch S, Roiz D, Ruiz S, Viana DS, Soriguer RC, Figuerola J. Ecological determinants of avian malaria infections: An integrative analysis at landscape, mosquito and vertebrate community levels. J Anim Ecol 2018; 87:727-740. [PMID: 29495129 DOI: 10.1111/1365-2656.12805] [Citation(s) in RCA: 59] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/21/2017] [Accepted: 12/21/2017] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
Vector and host communities, as well as habitat characteristics, may have important but different impacts on the prevalence, richness and evenness of vector-borne parasites. We investigated the relative importance of (1) the mosquito community composition, (2) the vertebrate community composition and (3) landscape characteristics on the prevalence, richness and evenness of avian Plasmodium. We hypothesized that parasite prevalence will be more affected by vector-related parameters, while host parameters should be also important to explain Plasmodium richness and evenness. We sampled 2,588 wild house sparrows (Passer domesticus) and 340,829 mosquitoes, and we performed vertebrate censuses at 45 localities in the Southwest of Spain. These localities included urban, rural and natural landscapes that were characterized by several habitat variables. Twelve Plasmodium lineages were identified in house sparrows corresponding to three major clades. Variation partitioning showed that landscape characteristics explained the highest fraction of variation in all response variables (21.0%-44.8%). Plasmodium prevalence was in addition explained by vector-related variables (5.4%) and its interaction with landscape (10.2%). Parasite richness and evenness were mostly explained by vertebrate community-related variables. The structuring role of landscape characteristics in vector and host communities was a key factor in determining parasite prevalence, richness and evenness, although the role of each factor differed according to the parasite parameters studied. These results show that the biotic and abiotic contexts are important to explain the transmission dynamics of mosquito-borne pathogens in the wild.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Martina Ferraguti
- Departamento de Ecología de Humedales, Estación Biológica de Doñana (EBD-CSIC), Seville, Spain
| | - Josué Martínez-de la Puente
- Departamento de Ecología de Humedales, Estación Biológica de Doñana (EBD-CSIC), Seville, Spain.,Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Epidemiología y Salud Pública (CIBERESP), Madrid, Spain
| | | | - David Roiz
- Departamento de Ecología de Humedales, Estación Biológica de Doñana (EBD-CSIC), Seville, Spain
| | - Santigo Ruiz
- Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Epidemiología y Salud Pública (CIBERESP), Madrid, Spain.,Diputación de Huelva, Área de Medio Ambiente, Servicio de Control de Mosquitos, Huelva, Spain
| | - Duarte S Viana
- Departamento de Ecología de Humedales, Estación Biológica de Doñana (EBD-CSIC), Seville, Spain
| | - Ramón C Soriguer
- Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Epidemiología y Salud Pública (CIBERESP), Madrid, Spain.,Departamento de Etología y Conservación de la Biodiversidad, Estación Biológica de Doñana (EBD-CSIC), Seville, Spain
| | - Jordi Figuerola
- Departamento de Ecología de Humedales, Estación Biológica de Doñana (EBD-CSIC), Seville, Spain.,Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Epidemiología y Salud Pública (CIBERESP), Madrid, Spain
| |
Collapse
|
35
|
Nylin S, Agosta S, Bensch S, Boeger WA, Braga MP, Brooks DR, Forister ML, Hambäck PA, Hoberg EP, Nyman T, Schäpers A, Stigall AL, Wheat CW, Österling M, Janz N. Embracing Colonizations: A New Paradigm for Species Association Dynamics. Trends Ecol Evol 2018; 33:4-14. [DOI: 10.1016/j.tree.2017.10.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 61] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/04/2017] [Revised: 10/06/2017] [Accepted: 10/09/2017] [Indexed: 01/30/2023]
|
36
|
Haemosporidian prevalence and parasitaemia in the Black-throated sparrow (Amphispiza bilineata) in central-Mexican dryland habitats. Parasitol Res 2017; 116:2527-2537. [PMID: 28766152 DOI: 10.1007/s00436-017-5562-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/12/2017] [Accepted: 07/19/2017] [Indexed: 10/19/2022]
Abstract
To date it is not well-understood how seasonality and human-induced habitat change may affect haemosporidian prevalence and parasitaemia in bird hosts in dryland habitats. We compared haemosporidian prevalence and parasitaemia between habitat types, including Yucca-dominated scrublands (closed habitat) and creosotebush scrublands (open habitat), and between seasons, including non-breeding (dry) and breeding (wet) in the Black-throated sparrow (Amphispiza bilineata) at semi-arid scrublands of Central Mexico. This bird species has different habitat preferences in comparison to other, previously studied species in the region; it shows higher abundances in open than in closed habitats and avoids urban areas. Overall haemosporidian prevalence was 22.1%. Prevalence and parasitaemia were higher for Haemoproteus sp. (Parahaemoproteus sp.) than Plasmodium. Variation in haemoparasitism was not associated with habitat type. This response differs from the previously recorded response in other bird species in the region for which haemoparasitism increases with increasing habitat degradation. Seasonality seems to be the most important driver of parasite infection for this sparrow as prevalence and parasitaemia were higher during the breeding than the non-breeding season. Two new lineages of Haemoproteus sp. that had not been reported before in any avian species were found through molecular diagnosis. A high diversity of haemosporidian lineages is shared among sites. More study is needed to understand the mechanisms that associate parasitaemia, prevalence, and specific environmental factors.
Collapse
|
37
|
Ferreira Junior FC, Rodrigues RA, Ellis VA, Leite LO, Borges MAZ, Braga ÉM. Habitat modification and seasonality influence avian haemosporidian parasite distributions in southeastern Brazil. PLoS One 2017; 12:e0178791. [PMID: 28575046 PMCID: PMC5456369 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0178791] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/26/2016] [Accepted: 05/18/2017] [Indexed: 02/03/2023] Open
Abstract
Habitat modification may change vertebrate and vector-borne disease distributions. However, natural forest regeneration through secondary succession may mitigate these effects. Here we tested the hypothesis that secondary succession influences the distribution of birds and their haemosporidian parasites (genera Plasmodium and Haemoproteus) in a seasonally dry tropical forest, a globally threatened ecosystem, in Brazil. Moreover, we assessed seasonal fluctuations in parasite prevalence and distribution. We sampled birds in four different successional stages at the peak and end of the rainy season, as well as in the middle and at the end of the dry season. A non-metric multidimensional scaling analysis revealed that bird communities in the pasture (i.e., highly modified) areas were different from those in the early, intermediate, and late successional areas (secondary forests). Among 461 individual birds, haemosporidian prevalence was higher in pasture areas than in the more advanced successional stages, but parasite communities were homogeneous across these areas. Parasite prevalence was higher in pasture-specialists birds (resilient species) than in forest-specialists species, suggesting that pasture-specialists may increase infection risk for co-occurring hosts. We found an increase in prevalence between the middle and end of the dry season, a period associated with the beginning of the breeding season (early spring) in southeastern Brazil. We also found effects of seasonality in the relative prevalence of specific parasite lineages. Our results show that natural forest recovery through secondary succession in SDTFs is associated with compositional differences in avian communities, and that advanced successional stages are associated with lower prevalence of avian haemosporidian parasites.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Francisco C. Ferreira Junior
- Departamento de Parasitologia, Instituto de Ciências Biológicas, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, MG, Brazil
- * E-mail: (FCFJ); (EMB)
| | - Raquel A. Rodrigues
- Departamento de Parasitologia, Instituto de Ciências Biológicas, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, MG, Brazil
| | - Vincenzo A. Ellis
- Departamento de Biologia Geral, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, MG, Brazil
| | - Lemuel O. Leite
- Centro de Ciências Biológicas e da Saúde, Universidade Estadual de Montes Claros, Campus Universitário Professor Darcy Ribeiro, Montes Claros, MG, Brazil
| | - Magno A. Z. Borges
- Centro de Ciências Biológicas e da Saúde, Universidade Estadual de Montes Claros, Campus Universitário Professor Darcy Ribeiro, Montes Claros, MG, Brazil
| | - Érika M. Braga
- Departamento de Parasitologia, Instituto de Ciências Biológicas, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, MG, Brazil
- * E-mail: (FCFJ); (EMB)
| |
Collapse
|
38
|
Clark NJ, Clegg SM. Integrating phylogenetic and ecological distances reveals new insights into parasite host specificity. Mol Ecol 2017; 26:3074-3086. [PMID: 28295937 DOI: 10.1111/mec.14101] [Citation(s) in RCA: 56] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/03/2017] [Revised: 02/28/2017] [Accepted: 03/07/2017] [Indexed: 01/01/2023]
Abstract
The range of hosts a pathogen infects (host specificity) is a key element of disease risk that may be influenced by both shared phylogenetic history and shared ecological attributes of prospective hosts. Phylospecificity indices quantify host specificity in terms of host relatedness, but can fail to capture ecological attributes that increase susceptibility. For instance, similarity in habitat niche may expose phylogenetically unrelated host species to similar pathogen assemblages. Using a recently proposed method that integrates multiple distances, we assess the relative contributions of host phylogenetic and functional distances to pathogen host specificity (functional-phylogenetic host specificity). We apply this index to a data set of avian malaria parasite (Plasmodium and Haemoproteus spp.) infections from Melanesian birds to show that multihost parasites generally use hosts that are closely related, not hosts with similar habitat niches. We also show that host community phylogenetic ß-diversity (Pßd) predicts parasite Pßd and that individual host species carry phylogenetically clustered Haemoproteus parasite assemblages. Our findings were robust to phylogenetic uncertainty, and suggest that phylogenetic ancestry of both hosts and parasites plays important roles in driving avian malaria host specificity and community assembly. However, restricting host specificity analyses to either recent or historical timescales identified notable exceptions, including a 'habitat specialist' parasite that infects a diversity of unrelated host species with similar habitat niches. This work highlights that integrating ecological and phylogenetic distances provides a powerful approach to better understand drivers of pathogen host specificity and community assembly.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Nicholas J Clark
- School of Veterinary Science, The University of Queensland, Gatton, Qld, 4343, Australia.,Environmental Futures Research Institute, Griffith University, Gold Coast, Qld, 4111, Australia
| | - Sonya M Clegg
- Department of Zoology, Edward Grey Institute of Field Ornithology, University of Oxford, Oxford, OX1 3PS, UK
| |
Collapse
|
39
|
Chagas CRF, Valkiūnas G, de Oliveira Guimarães L, Monteiro EF, Guida FJV, Simões RF, Rodrigues PT, de Albuquerque Luna EJ, Kirchgatter K. Diversity and distribution of avian malaria and related haemosporidian parasites in captive birds from a Brazilian megalopolis. Malar J 2017; 16:83. [PMID: 28212654 PMCID: PMC5316177 DOI: 10.1186/s12936-017-1729-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 55] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/24/2016] [Accepted: 02/08/2017] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The role of zoos in conservation programmes has increased significantly in last decades, and the health of captive animals is essential to guarantee success of such programmes. However, zoo birds suffer from parasitic infections, which often are caused by malaria parasites and related haemosporidians. Studies determining the occurrence and diversity of these parasites, aiming better understanding infection influence on fitness of captive birds, are limited. METHODS In 2011-2015, the prevalence and diversity of Plasmodium spp. and Haemoproteus spp. was examined in blood samples of 677 captive birds from the São Paulo Zoo, the largest zoo in Latin America. Molecular and microscopic diagnostic methods were used in parallel to detect and identify these infections. RESULTS The overall prevalence of haemosporidians was 12.6%. Parasites were mostly detected by the molecular diagnosis, indicating that many birds harbour subclinical or abortive infections. In this project, birds of 17 orders (almost half of all the orders currently accepted in taxonomy of birds), 29 families, and 122 species, were tested, detecting positive individuals in 27% of bird species. Birds from the Anatidae were the most prevalently infected (64.7% of all infected animals). In all, infections with parasites of the genus Plasmodium (overall prevalence 97.6%) predominated when compared to those of the genus Haemoproteus (2.4%). In total, 14 cytochrome b (cytb) lineages of Plasmodium spp. and 2 cytb lineages of Haemoproteus spp. were recorded. Eight lineages were new. One of the reported lineages was broad generalist while others were reported in single or a few species of birds. Molecular characterization of Haemoproteus ortalidum was developed. CONCLUSION This study shows that many species of birds are at risk in captivity. It is difficult to stop haemosporidian parasite transmission in zoos, but is possible to reduce the infection rate by treating the infected animals or/and while keeping them in facilities free from mosquitoes. Protocols of quarantine should be implemented whenever an animal is transferred between bird maintaining institutions. This is the first survey of haemosporidians in captive birds from different orders maintained in zoos. It is worth emphasizing the necessity of applying practices to control these parasites in management and husbandry of animals in captivity.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Lilian de Oliveira Guimarães
- Malaria Research Center, Superintendence for Endemic Disease Control, São Paulo, Institute of Tropical Medicine, University of São Paulo, Av. Dr. Enéas de Carvalho, Aguiar 470, São Paulo, SP, 05403-000, Brazil
| | - Eliana Ferreira Monteiro
- Malaria Research Center, Superintendence for Endemic Disease Control, São Paulo, Institute of Tropical Medicine, University of São Paulo, Av. Dr. Enéas de Carvalho, Aguiar 470, São Paulo, SP, 05403-000, Brazil
| | | | - Roseli França Simões
- Malaria Research Center, Superintendence for Endemic Disease Control, São Paulo, Institute of Tropical Medicine, University of São Paulo, Av. Dr. Enéas de Carvalho, Aguiar 470, São Paulo, SP, 05403-000, Brazil
| | - Priscila Thihara Rodrigues
- Department of Parasitology, Institute of Biomedical Sciences, University of São Paulo, Av. Prof. Lineu Prestes 1374, São Paulo, SP, 05508-900, Brazil
| | - Expedito José de Albuquerque Luna
- Virology Laboratory, Institute of Tropical Medicine, University of São Paulo, Av. Dr. Enéas de Carvalho Aguiar 470, São Paulo, SP, 05403-000, Brazil
| | - Karin Kirchgatter
- Malaria Research Center, Superintendence for Endemic Disease Control, São Paulo, Institute of Tropical Medicine, University of São Paulo, Av. Dr. Enéas de Carvalho, Aguiar 470, São Paulo, SP, 05403-000, Brazil.
| |
Collapse
|
40
|
Moens MAJ, Valkiūnas G, Paca A, Bonaccorso E, Aguirre N, Pérez-Tris J. Parasite specialization in a unique habitat: hummingbirds as reservoirs of generalist blood parasites of Andean birds. J Anim Ecol 2016; 85:1234-45. [PMID: 27177277 DOI: 10.1111/1365-2656.12550] [Citation(s) in RCA: 49] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/17/2015] [Accepted: 05/11/2016] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
Understanding how parasites fill their ecological niches requires information on the processes involved in the colonization and exploitation of unique host species. Switching to hosts with atypical attributes may favour generalists broadening their niches or may promote specialization and parasite diversification as the consequence. We analysed which blood parasites have successfully colonized hummingbirds, and how they have evolved to exploit such a unique habitat. We specifically asked (i) whether the assemblage of Haemoproteus parasites of hummingbirds is the result of single or multiple colonization events, (ii) to what extent these parasites are specialized in hummingbirds or shared with other birds and (iii) how hummingbirds contribute to sustain the populations of these parasites, in terms of both prevalence and infection intensity. We sampled 169 hummingbirds of 19 species along an elevation gradient in Southern Ecuador to analyse the host specificity, diversity and infection intensity of Haemoproteus by molecular and microscopy techniques. In addition, 736 birds of 112 species were analysed to explore whether hummingbird parasites are shared with other birds. Hummingbirds hosted a phylogenetically diverse assemblage of generalist Haemoproteus lineages shared with other host orders. Among these parasites, Haemoproteus witti stood out as the most generalized. Interestingly, we found that infection intensities of this parasite were extremely low in passerines (with no detectable gametocytes), but very high in hummingbirds, with many gametocytes seen. Moreover, infection intensities of H. witti were positively correlated with the prevalence across host species. Our results show that hummingbirds have been colonized by generalist Haemoproteus lineages on multiple occasions. However, one of these generalist parasites (H. witti) seems to be highly dependent on hummingbirds, which arise as the most relevant reservoirs in terms of both prevalence and gametocytaemia. From this perspective, this generalist parasite may be viewed as a hummingbird specialist. This challenges the current paradigm of how to measure host specialization in these parasites, which has important implications to understand disease ecology.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Michaël A J Moens
- Departamento de Zoología y Antropología Física, Universidad Complutense de Madrid, Calle José Antonio Novais 12, 28040, Madrid, Spain
| | | | - Anahi Paca
- Centro de Investigación de la Biodiversidad y Cambio Climático (BioCamb), Universidad Tecnológica Indoamérica, Machala y Sabanilla, Cotocollao, Quito, Ecuador
| | - Elisa Bonaccorso
- Centro de Investigación de la Biodiversidad y Cambio Climático (BioCamb), Universidad Tecnológica Indoamérica, Machala y Sabanilla, Cotocollao, Quito, Ecuador
| | - Nikolay Aguirre
- Biodiversity, Forests and Ecosystem Services Research Program, Universidad Nacional de Loja, Ciudadela Guillermo Falconi Espinoza, Casilla 11-01-24, Loja, Ecuador
| | - Javier Pérez-Tris
- Departamento de Zoología y Antropología Física, Universidad Complutense de Madrid, Calle José Antonio Novais 12, 28040, Madrid, Spain
| |
Collapse
|
41
|
Wilkinson LC, Handel CM, Van Hemert C, Loiseau C, Sehgal RN. Avian malaria in a boreal resident species: long-term temporal variability, and increased prevalence in birds with avian keratin disorder. Int J Parasitol 2016; 46:281-90. [DOI: 10.1016/j.ijpara.2015.12.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/22/2015] [Revised: 12/16/2015] [Accepted: 12/17/2015] [Indexed: 01/16/2023]
|