Sex and Nest Type Influence Avian Blood Parasite Prevalence in a High Elevation Bird Community

Abstract Background The prevalence of avian haemosporidian parasites and the factors influencing infection in the Colorado Rocky Mountains are largely unknown. With climate change expected to promote the expansion of vector and avian blood parasite distributions, baseline knowledge and continued monitoring of the prevalence and diversity of these parasites is needed. Methods Using an occupancy modeling framework, we conducted a survey of haemosporidian parasite species infecting an avian community in the Colorado Rocky Mountains in order to estimate the prevalence and diversity of blood parasites and to investigate species-level and individual-level characteristics that may influence infection. Results We estimated the prevalence and diversity of avian Haemosporidia across 24 bird species, detecting 39 parasite haplotypes. We found that open-cup nesters have higher Haemoproteus prevalence than cavity or ground nesters. Additionally, we found that male Ruby-crowned Kinglets, White-crowned Sparrows, and Wilson’s Warblers have higher Haemoproteus prevalence compared to other host species. Plasmodium prevalence was relatively low (5%), consistent with the idea that competent vectors may be rare at high altitudes. Conclusions Our study presents baseline knowledge of haemosporidian parasite presence, prevalence, and diversity among avian species in the Colorado Rocky Mountains and adds to our knowledge of host–parasite relationships of blood parasites and their avian hosts.

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Sex and nest type influence avian blood parasite prevalence in a high elevation bird community

10.21203/rs.3.rs-67068/v3 ◽

2021 ◽

Author(s):

Marina D. Rodriguez ◽

Paul F. Doherty ◽

Antoinette J. Piaggio ◽

Kathryn P. Huyvaert

Keyword(s):

Rocky Mountains ◽

Bird Species ◽

High Elevation ◽

Blood Parasite ◽

Blood Parasites ◽

Modeling Framework ◽

Haemosporidian Parasite ◽

Avian Blood ◽

Baseline Knowledge ◽

Colorado Rocky Mountains

Abstract Background - Prevalence of avian haemosporidian parasites and the factors influencing infection in the Colorado Rocky Mountains are largely unknown. With climate change expected to promote the expansion of vector and avian blood parasite distributions, baseline knowledge and continued monitoring of the prevalence and diversity of these parasites is needed. Methods - Using an occupancy modeling framework, we conducted a survey of haemosporidian parasite species infecting an avian community in the Colorado Rocky Mountains in order to estimate prevalence and diversity of blood parasites and to investigate species-level and individual-level characteristics that may influence infection. Results - We estimated prevalence and diversity of avian haemosporidia across 24 bird species, detecting 39 parasite haplotypes. We found that open cup nesters have higher Haemoproteus prevalence than cavity or ground nesters. Additionally, we found that male Ruby-crowned Kinglets, White-crowned Sparrows, and Wilson’s Warblers have higher Haemoproteus prevalence compared to other host species. Conclusions - Our study presents baseline knowledge of haemosporidian parasite presence, prevalence, and diversity among avian species in the Colorado Rocky Mountains and adds to our knowledge of host-parasite relationships of blood parasites and their avian hosts.

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Sex and nest type influence avian blood parasite prevalence in a high elevation bird community

10.21203/rs.3.rs-67068/v2 ◽

2020 ◽

Author(s):

Marina D. Rodriguez ◽

Paul F. Doherty ◽

Antoinette J. Piaggio ◽

Kathryn P. Huyvaert

Keyword(s):

Rocky Mountains ◽

Bird Species ◽

High Elevation ◽

Blood Parasite ◽

Blood Parasites ◽

Modeling Framework ◽

Haemosporidian Parasite ◽

Avian Blood ◽

Baseline Knowledge ◽

Colorado Rocky Mountains

Abstract Background - Prevalence of avian haemosporidian parasites and the factors influencing infection in the Colorado Rocky Mountains are largely unknown. With climate change expected to promote the expansion of vector and avian blood parasite distributions, baseline knowledge and continued monitoring of the prevalence and diversity of these parasites is needed. Methods - Using an occupancy modeling framework, we conducted a survey of haemosporidian parasite species infecting an avian community in the Colorado Rocky Mountains in order to estimate prevalence and diversity of blood parasites and to investigate species-level and individual-level characteristics that may influence infection. Results - We estimated prevalence and diversity of avian haemosporidia across 24 bird species, detecting 39 parasite haplotypes. We found that open cup nesters have higher Haemoproteus prevalence than cavity or ground nesters. Additionally, we found that male Ruby-crowned Kinglets, White-crowned Sparrows, and Wilson’s Warblers have higher Haemoproteus prevalence compared to other host species. Plasmodium prevalence was relatively low (5%), consistent with the idea that competent vectors may be rare at high altitudes. Conclusions - Our study presents baseline knowledge of haemosporidian parasite presence, prevalence, and diversity among avian species in the Colorado Rocky Mountains and adds to our knowledge of host-parasite relationships of blood parasites and their avian hosts.

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Blood parasites in passerine birds from the Brazilian Atlantic Forest

Revista Brasileira de Parasitologia Veterinária ◽

10.1590/s1984-29612012000100003 ◽

2012 ◽

Vol 21 (1) ◽

pp. 7-15 ◽

Cited By ~ 15

Author(s):

Fabiane Sebaio ◽

Érika Martins Braga ◽

Felipe Branquinho ◽

Alan Fecchio ◽

Miguel Ângelo Marini

Keyword(s):

Atlantic Forest ◽

Bird Species ◽

Parasite Prevalence ◽

Neotropical Region ◽

Blood Parasite ◽

Blood Parasites ◽

Passerine Birds ◽

Blood Smears ◽

Temporal And Spatial ◽

Low Prevalence

Parasites may lead bird species to extinction, affect host temporal and spatial population dynamics, alter community structure and alter individuals’ social status. We evaluated blood parasite prevalence and intensity according to bird families and species, among 925 birds that were caught in 2000 and 2001, in the Atlantic Forest in the State of Minas Gerais, Brazil. We applied Giemsa staining to thin blood smears, to detect blood parasites. The birds (n = 15.8%) in 11 families, were infected by at least one parasite genus, especially Muscicapidae (28.3%) and Conopophagidae (25%). Among the 146 infected birds, Plasmodium was detected in all bird families and had the highest prevalence (54.8%). Trypanosoma, Haemoproteus and microfilaria had lower prevalence rates (23.3, 23.3 and 2.1%, respectively). Birds caught during the rainy season were more infected than birds caught during the dry season. The overall low prevalence of blood parasites in birds is similar to the patterns found elsewhere in the Neotropical region.

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Seasonal Patterns of Dry Deposition at a High-Elevation Site in the Colorado Rocky Mountains

Journal of Geophysical Research Atmospheres ◽

10.1002/2016jd026416 ◽

2017 ◽

Vol 122 (20) ◽

pp. 11,183-11,200 ◽

Cited By ~ 4

Author(s):

Kaley M. Oldani ◽

Natalie Mladenov ◽

Mark W. Williams ◽

Cari M. Campbell ◽

David A. Lipson

Keyword(s):

Rocky Mountains ◽

Dry Deposition ◽

High Elevation ◽

Seasonal Patterns ◽

High Elevation Site ◽

Colorado Rocky Mountains

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Age, but not sex and seasonality, influence Haemosporida prevalence in White-banded Tanagers (Neothraupis fasciata) from central Brazil

Canadian Journal of Zoology ◽

10.1139/cjz-2014-0119 ◽

2015 ◽

Vol 93 (1) ◽

pp. 71-77 ◽

Cited By ~ 5

Author(s):

A. Fecchio ◽

M.R. Lima ◽

P. Silveira ◽

A.C.A. Ribas ◽

R. Caparroz ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Blood Parasite ◽

Blood Parasites ◽

Chronic Infections ◽

Central Brazil ◽

Genus Plasmodium ◽

Avian Blood ◽

Mitochondrial Cytochrome B ◽

Avian Blood Parasites ◽

Parasite Detection ◽

High Parasite

Despite many studies on avian blood parasites, we still have a limited understanding of the mechanisms that drive patterns of haemosporidian infection among tropical birds, including effects associated with sex, age, and seasonality. Using molecular and morphological methods for blood-parasite detection, we found that juvenile White-banded Tanagers (Neothraupis fasciata (Lichtenstein, 1823)) had lower haemosporidian prevalence than adults in a population within central Brazil. However, no sex or seasonal differences were detected. Of the 92 White-banded Tanagers analyzed, 67 individuals (72.8% prevalence) were infected with either Haemoproteus or Plasmodium (phylum Sporozoa, class Coccidea, order Haemosporida). Sequencing of a portion of the mitochondrial cytochrome b gene revealed six haemosporidian lineages: two lineages within the genus Haemoproteus and four within the genus Plasmodium. The prevalences of Plasmodium and Haemoproteus parasites were 43.5% and 17.4%, respectively. Our results suggest that this species maintains chronic infections all year round and individuals are able to sustain high parasite pressure.

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Dust deposition drives microbial metabolism in a remote, high-elevation catchment

The Holocene ◽

10.1177/0959683619875191 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 30 (4) ◽

pp. 589-596 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Amy Bigelow ◽

Natalie Mladenov ◽

David Lipson ◽

Mark Williams

Keyword(s):

Organic Matter ◽

Atmospheric Deposition ◽

Rate Constants ◽

Rocky Mountains ◽

Microbial Metabolism ◽

High Elevation ◽

Dust Deposition ◽

Fluorescence Excitation ◽

Colorado Rocky Mountains ◽

Over Time

In barren alpine catchments of the Colorado Rocky Mountains, microorganisms are typically carbon (C)-limited, and C-limitation can influence critical heterotrophic processes, such as denitrification. In these remote locations, organic matter deposited during dust intrusion events and other forms of aerosol deposition may be an important C source for heterotrophs; however, little is known regarding the biodegradability of atmospherically deposited organic matter. This study evaluated the extent to which organic matter in Holocene dust and other types of atmospheric deposition in the Colorado Rocky Mountains could support metabolic activity and be biodegraded by alpine bacteria. Microplate bioassays revealed that all atmospheric deposition samples were able to activate microbial metabolism. Decreases in dissolved organic carbon (DOC) concentrations over time in biodegradability incubations reflect the presence of two pools of dissolved organic matter (DOM), a rapidly decaying pool with rate constants in the range of 0.0130–0.039 d–1 and a slowly decaying pool with rate constants in the range of 0.0008–0.009 d–1. Changes in the fluorescence excitation-emission matrix of solutions evaluated over time indicated a transformation of organic matter by bacteria resulting in a more humic-like fluorescence signature. Fluorescence spectroscopic analyses, therefore, suggest that the degradation of non-fluorescent DOM in glutamate and dust-derived C sources by bacteria results in the production of fluorescent DOM.

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