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Kailing MJ, Hoyt JR, White JP, Kaarakka HM, Redell JA, Leon AE, Rocke TE, DePue JE, Scullon WH, Parise KL, Foster JT, Kilpatrick AM, Langwig KE. Sex-biased infections scale to population impacts for an emerging wildlife disease. Proc Biol Sci 2023; 290:20230040. [PMID: 36946110 PMCID: PMC10031401 DOI: 10.1098/rspb.2023.0040] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 03/23/2023] Open
Abstract
Demographic factors are fundamental in shaping infectious disease dynamics. Aspects of populations that create structure, like age and sex, can affect patterns of transmission, infection intensity and population outcomes. However, studies rarely link these processes from individual to population-scale effects. Moreover, the mechanisms underlying demographic differences in disease are frequently unclear. Here, we explore sex-biased infections for a multi-host fungal disease of bats, white-nose syndrome, and link disease-associated mortality between sexes, the distortion of sex ratios and the potential mechanisms underlying sex differences in infection. We collected data on host traits, infection intensity and survival of five bat species at 42 sites across seven years. We found females were more infected than males for all five species. Females also had lower apparent survival over winter and accounted for a smaller proportion of populations over time. Notably, female-biased infections were evident by early hibernation and likely driven by sex-based differences in autumn mating behaviour. Male bats were more active during autumn which likely reduced replication of the cool-growing fungus. Higher disease impacts in female bats may have cascading effects on bat populations beyond the hibernation season by limiting recruitment and increasing the risk of Allee effects.
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Affiliation(s)
- Macy J Kailing
- Department of Biological Sciences, Virginia Polytechnic Institute, Blacksburg, VA 24061, USA
| | - Joseph R Hoyt
- Department of Biological Sciences, Virginia Polytechnic Institute, Blacksburg, VA 24061, USA
| | - J Paul White
- Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources, Madison, WI 53707, USA
| | | | | | - Ariel E Leon
- US Geological Survey, National Wildlife Health Center, Madison, WI 53711, USA
| | - Tonie E Rocke
- US Geological Survey, National Wildlife Health Center, Madison, WI 53711, USA
| | - John E DePue
- Michigan Department of Natural Resources, Baraga, MI 49908, USA
| | | | - Katy L Parise
- Pathogen and Microbiome Institute, Northern Arizona University, Flagstaff, AZ 86011, USA
| | - Jeffrey T Foster
- Pathogen and Microbiome Institute, Northern Arizona University, Flagstaff, AZ 86011, USA
| | - A Marm Kilpatrick
- Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, University of California, Santa Cruz, CA 95060, USA
| | - Kate E Langwig
- Department of Biological Sciences, Virginia Polytechnic Institute, Blacksburg, VA 24061, USA
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2
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Rosa GM, Perez R, Richards LA, Richards‐Zawacki CL, Smilanich AM, Reinert LK, Rollins‐Smith LA, Wetzel DP, Voyles J. Seasonality of host immunity in a tropical disease system. Ecosphere 2022. [DOI: 10.1002/ecs2.4158] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Gonçalo M. Rosa
- Department of Biology University of Nevada, Reno Reno Nevada USA
- Institute of Zoology Zoological Society of London London UK
- Centre for Ecology, Evolution and Environmental Changes Faculdade de Ciências da Universidade de Lisboa Lisbon Portugal
| | - Rachel Perez
- Department of Biology New Mexico Institute of Mining and Technology Socorro New Mexico USA
| | - Lora A. Richards
- Department of Biology University of Nevada, Reno Reno Nevada USA
| | | | | | - Laura K. Reinert
- Department of Pathology Microbiology and Immunology, Vanderbilt University School of Medicine Nashville Tennessee USA
| | - Louise A. Rollins‐Smith
- Department of Pathology Microbiology and Immunology, Vanderbilt University School of Medicine Nashville Tennessee USA
| | - Daniel P. Wetzel
- Department of Biological Sciences University of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Pennsylvania USA
| | - Jamie Voyles
- Department of Biology University of Nevada, Reno Reno Nevada USA
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3
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Pabijan M, Palomar G, Antunes B, Antoł W, Zieliński P, Babik W. Evolutionary principles guiding amphibian conservation. Evol Appl 2020; 13:857-878. [PMID: 32431739 PMCID: PMC7232768 DOI: 10.1111/eva.12940] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/30/2019] [Revised: 02/05/2020] [Accepted: 02/18/2020] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
The Anthropocene has witnessed catastrophic amphibian declines across the globe. A multitude of new, primarily human-induced drivers of decline may lead to extinction, but can also push species onto novel evolutionary trajectories. If these are recognized by amphibian biologists, they can be engaged in conservation actions. Here, we summarize how principles stemming from evolutionary concepts have been applied for conservation purposes, and address emerging ideas at the vanguard of amphibian conservation science. In particular, we examine the consequences of increased drift and inbreeding in small populations and their implications for practical conservation. We then review studies of connectivity between populations at the landscape level, which have emphasized the limiting influence of anthropogenic structures and degraded habitat on genetic cohesion. The rapid pace of environmental changes leads to the central question of whether amphibian populations can cope either by adapting to new conditions or by shifting their ranges. We gloomily conclude that extinction seems far more likely than adaptation or range shifts for most species. That said, conservation strategies employing evolutionary principles, such as selective breeding, introduction of adaptive variants through translocations, ecosystem interventions aimed at decreasing phenotype-environment mismatch, or genetic engineering, may effectively counter amphibian decline in some areas or for some species. The spread of invasive species and infectious diseases has often had disastrous consequences, but has also provided some premier examples of rapid evolution with conservation implications. Much can be done in terms of setting aside valuable amphibian habitat that should encompass both natural and agricultural areas, as well as designing protected areas to maximize the phylogenetic and functional diversity of the amphibian community. We conclude that an explicit consideration and application of evolutionary principles, although certainly not a silver bullet, should increase effectiveness of amphibian conservation in both the short and long term.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maciej Pabijan
- Institute of Zoology and Biomedical ResearchFaculty of BiologyJagiellonian UniversityKrakówPoland
| | - Gemma Palomar
- Institute of Environmental SciencesFaculty of BiologyJagiellonian UniversityKrakówPoland
| | - Bernardo Antunes
- Institute of Environmental SciencesFaculty of BiologyJagiellonian UniversityKrakówPoland
| | - Weronika Antoł
- Institute of Environmental SciencesFaculty of BiologyJagiellonian UniversityKrakówPoland
| | - Piotr Zieliński
- Institute of Environmental SciencesFaculty of BiologyJagiellonian UniversityKrakówPoland
| | - Wiesław Babik
- Institute of Environmental SciencesFaculty of BiologyJagiellonian UniversityKrakówPoland
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