scholarly journals Seasonal Dynamics and Diversity of Haemosporidians in a Natural Woodland Bird Community in Slovakia

Diversity ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (9) ◽  
pp. 439
Author(s):  
Alžbeta Šujanová ◽  
Eva Špitalská ◽  
Radovan Václav
Keyword(s):  
Infection Intensity ◽  
Bird Community ◽  
Avian Species ◽  
Infection Prevalence ◽  
Avian Community ◽  
Local Diversity ◽  
Parasite Richness ◽  
Haemosporidian Parasites ◽  
Community Infection

Despite the ubiquity of disease seasonality, mechanisms behind the fluctuations in seasonal diseases are still poorly understood. Avian hemosporidiosis is increasingly used as a model for ecological and evolutionary studies on disease dynamics, but the results are complex, depending on the focus (hosts, parasites, vectors) and scale (individuals, community, populations) of the study. Here, we examine the local diversity of haemosporidian parasites and the seasonal patterns of infections, parasite richness, and diversity in a natural woodland bird community in Slovakia. In 35 avian species, we detected 111, including 19 novel, haemosporidian cytochrome b lineages. The highest numbers of lineages were detected during spring and autumn, corresponding with higher avian species richness and infection prevalence in the avian community during these periods of time. Nevertheless, the haemosporidian community in the local breeders in summer was relatively stable, Haemoproteus lineages dominated in the local avian haemosporidian community, and only few parasite lineages were abundant within each genus. While prevailing Leucocytozoon infections in spring suggest that the majority of sampled birds wintered in the Mediterranean region, Plasmodium infections in spring can be due to relapses in reproductively active short-distance migrants. Multiple haemosporidian infections, both intra- and inter-generic ones, were common in the local avian community. Infection intensity peaked during summer and tended to be higher in older birds, pointing to the role of supressed immunity in reproductively active birds.

scholarly journals Diversity and host assemblage of avian haemosporidians in different terrestrial ecoregions of Peru

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Luz Garcia-Longoria ◽  
Jaime Muriel ◽  
Sergio Magallanes ◽  
Zaira Hellen Villa-Galarce ◽  
Leonila Ricopa ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Amazon Basin ◽  
Evolutionary Dynamics ◽  
Bird Species ◽  
Host Community ◽  
Bird Diversity ◽  
New Host ◽  
Parasite Richness ◽  
Haemosporidian Parasites ◽  
Avian Haemosporidians ◽  
Host Parasite

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 analyse 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 five 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 analysing 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.

scholarly journals Prevalence and genetic diversity of avian haemosporidian parasites in wild bird species of the order Columbiformes

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yvonne R. Schumm ◽  
Dimitris Bakaloudis ◽  
Christos Barboutis ◽  
Jacopo G. Cecere ◽  
Cyril Eraud ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Host Species ◽  
Large Scale ◽  
Phylogenetic Reconstruction ◽  
Bird Species ◽  
Avian Species ◽  
Blood Parasites ◽  
Migration Strategy ◽  
Haemosporidian Parasites ◽  
Multiplex Pcr Assay ◽  
And Migration

AbstractDiseases can play a role in species decline. Among them, haemosporidian parasites, vector-transmitted protozoan parasites, are known to constitute a risk for different avian species. However, the magnitude of haemosporidian infection in wild columbiform birds, including strongly decreasing European turtle doves, is largely unknown. We examined the prevalence and diversity of haemosporidian parasites Plasmodium, Leucocytozoon and subgenera Haemoproteus and Parahaemoproteus in six species of the order Columbiformes during breeding season and migration by applying nested PCR, one-step multiplex PCR assay and microscopy. We detected infections in 109 of the 259 screened individuals (42%), including 15 distinct haemosporidian mitochondrial cytochrome b lineages, representing five H. (Haemoproteus), two H. (Parahaemoproteus), five Leucocytozoon and three Plasmodium lineages. Five of these lineages have never been described before. We discriminated between single and mixed infections and determined host species-specific prevalence for each parasite genus. Observed differences among sampled host species are discussed with reference to behavioural characteristics, including nesting and migration strategy. Our results support previous suggestions that migratory birds have a higher prevalence and diversity of blood parasites than resident or short-distance migratory species. A phylogenetic reconstruction provided evidence for H. (Haemoproteus) as well as H. (Parahaemoproteus) infections in columbiform birds. Based on microscopic examination, we quantified parasitemia, indicating the probability of negative effects on the host. This study provides a large-scale baseline description of haemosporidian infections of wild birds belonging to the order Columbiformes sampled in the northern hemisphere. The results enable the monitoring of future changes in parasite transmission areas, distribution and diversity associated with global change, posing a potential risk for declining avian species as the European turtle dove.

scholarly journals Richness, composition and trophic groups of an avian community in the Pernambuco Endemism Centre, Alagoas, Brazil

2014 ◽  
Vol 86 (3) ◽  
pp. 1207-1220 ◽  
Author(s):  
GUILHERME S. TOLEDO-LIMA ◽  
PHOEVE MACARIO ◽  
RACHEL M. DE LYRA-NEVES ◽  
BRUNO P. TEIXEIRA ◽  
LUIZ A.F. DE LIMA ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Forest Cover ◽  
Bird Community ◽  
Northeastern Brazil ◽  
Forest Fragments ◽  
Trophic Groups ◽  
Negative Consequences ◽  
Sensitive Species ◽  
Avian Community ◽  
Breeding Sites ◽  
Surrounding Matrix

In northeastern Brazil, the reduction of the natural forest cover to a series of small, isolated fragments has had negative consequences for the local avian fauna, in particular, a loss of the more specialized species, while the populations of some generalists have tended to increase. The present study focuses on the composition and trophic groups of a bird community on a farm in the northeastern Brazilian state of Alagoas. Monthly surveys were conducted between November 2008 and October 2009, based on mist-netting and systematic observations. Overall, 112 species were recorded, of which 76 were associated with the two forest fragments surveyed, while all the others were observed exclusively in the surrounding matrix of pasture and orchards. The bird community presented a predominance of insectivorous species, followed by omnivores. However, specialized trunk-creeping and understory insectivores accounted for only around 15% of the species in this feeding category. The reduced diversity of other guilds and species with more specialized diets, and the complete absence of sensitive species such as large parrots and raptors, reflects the severe fragmentation and degradation of the local forests, which has greatly reduced the availability of dietary resources and breeding sites.

scholarly journals Adaptation of Newcastle Disease Virus (NDV) in Feral Birds and their Potential Role in Interspecies Transmission

2018 ◽  
Vol 12 (1) ◽  
pp. 52-68 ◽  
Author(s):  
Aziz-ul- Rahman ◽  
Momena Habib ◽  
Muhammad Zubair Shabbir
Keyword(s):  
Newcastle Disease ◽  
Potential Role ◽  
Vital Role ◽  
Wild Birds ◽  
Avian Species ◽  
Phylogenomic Analysis ◽  
Susceptible Host ◽  
Domestic Poultry ◽  
Wide Range

Introduction:Newcastle Disease (ND), caused by Avian avulavirus 1 (AAvV 1, avulaviruses), is a notifiable disease throughout the world due to the economic impact on trading restrictions and its embargoes placed in endemic regions. The feral birds including aquatic/migratory birds and other wild birds may act as natural reservoir hosts of ND Viruses (NDVs) and may play a remarkable role in the spread of the virus in environment. In addition, other 19 avulaviruses namely: AAvV 2 to 20, have been potentially recognized from feral avian species.Expalantion:Many previous studies have investigated the field prevailing NDVs to adapt a wide range of susceptible host. Still the available data is not enough to declare the potential role of feral birds in transmission of the virus to poultry and/or other avian birds. In view of the latest evidence related to incidences of AAvVs in susceptible avian species, it is increasingly important to understand the potential of viruses to transmit within the domestic poultry and other avian hosts. Genomic and phylogenomic analysis of several investigations has shown the same (RK/RQRR↓F) motif cleavage site among NDV isolates with same genotypes from domestic poultry and other wild hosts. So, the insight of this, various semi-captive/free-ranging wild avian species could play a vital role in the dissemination of the virus, which is an important consideration to control the disease outbreaks. Insufficient data on AAvV 1 transmission from wild birds to poultry and vice versa is the main constraint to understand about its molecular biology and genomic potential to cause infection in all susceptible hosts.Conclusion:The current review details the pertinent features of several historical and contemporary aspects of NDVs and the vital role of feral birds in its molecular epidemiology and ecology.

Rhetorical Federalism: The Role of State Resistance in Health Care Decision-Making

2011 ◽  
Vol 39 (S1) ◽  
pp. 73-76
Author(s):  
Elizabeth Weeks Leonard
Keyword(s):  
Health Care ◽  
Health Insurance ◽  
The United States ◽  
Administrative Capacity ◽  
Limited Government ◽  
Local Diversity ◽  
Patient Protection ◽  
Health Care Regulation ◽  
State Resistance

The Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (ACA) represents the most significant reform of the United States health care system in decades. ACA also substantially amplifies the federal role in health care regulation. Among other provisions, ACA expands government health care programs, imposes detailed federal standards for commercial health insurance policies, creates national requirements on employers and individuals, and enlists state administrative capacity to implement various federal reforms. In response, a persistent voice in the protracted, contentious debate surrounding ACA was, and continues to be, resistance from states. The rhetoric of federalism — states’ rights, reserved powers, state sovereignty, limited government, and local diversity — resonates deeply even around provisions of ACA that do not specifically implicate state interests. For example, the loudest and most persistent state objections target the new mandate that individuals maintain health insurance, a requirement imposed by ACA and enforced through federal tax penalties.

scholarly journals Causation without correlation: parasite-mediated frequency-dependent selection and infection prevalence

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Curtis M Lively ◽  
Julie Xu ◽  
Frida Ben-Ami
Keyword(s):  
Genetic Diversity ◽  
Natural Populations ◽  
Infection Prevalence ◽  
Strong Positive Correlation ◽  
Frequency Dependent ◽  
Frequency Dependent Selection ◽  
Host Diversity ◽  
Host Genetic ◽  
Host Parasite

Parasite-mediated selection is thought to maintain host genetic diversity for resistance. We might thus expect to find a strong positive correlation between host genetic diversity and infection prevalence across natural populations. Here we used computer simulations to examine host-parasite coevolution in 20 simi-isolated clonal populations across a broad range of values for both parasite virulence and parasite fecundity. We found that the correlation between host genetic diversity and infection prevalence can be significantly positive for intermediate values of parasite virulence and fecundity. But the correlation can also be weak and statistically non-significant, even when parasite-mediated frequency-dependent selection is the sole force maintaining host diversity. Hence correlational analyses of field populations, while useful, might underestimate the role of parasites in maintaining host diversity.

scholarly journals An essential role of virus-infected B cells in the marmoset experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis model

2017 ◽  
Vol 3 (1) ◽  
pp. 205521731769018 ◽  
Author(s):  
Bert A ’t Hart ◽  
Yolanda S Kap
Keyword(s):  
B Cells ◽  
Experimental Autoimmune Encephalomyelitis ◽  
Epstein Barr Virus ◽  
Infection Prevalence ◽  
Autoimmune Encephalomyelitis ◽  
Barr Virus ◽  
Experimental Autoimmune Encephalomyelitis Model ◽  
Epstein Barr ◽  
Experimental Autoimmune

Infection with Epstein–Barr virus (EBV) has been associated with an enhanced risk of genetically susceptible individuals to develop multiple sclerosis (MS). However, an explanation for the contrast between the high EBV infection prevalence (60–90%) and the low MS prevalence (0.1%) eludes us. Here we propose a new concept for the EBV–MS association developed in the experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis model in marmoset monkeys, which are naturally infected with the EBV-related γ1-herpesvirus CalHV3. The data indicate that the infection of B cells with a γ1-herpesvirus endows them with the capacity to activate auto-aggressive CD8+ T cells specific for myelin oligodendrocyte glycoprotein.

scholarly journals Deep and wide valleys drive nested phylogeographic patterns across a montane bird community

2015 ◽  
Vol 282 (1810) ◽  
pp. 20150861 ◽  
Author(s):  
V. V. Robin ◽  
C. K. Vishnudas ◽  
Pooja Gupta ◽  
Uma Ramakrishnan
Keyword(s):  
Bird Community ◽  
Mountain Range ◽  
Climatic Fluctuations ◽  
Tropical Mountain ◽  
Palghat Gap ◽  
Spatial Concordance ◽  
Species Evolution ◽  
The Western Ghats ◽  
Range Fragmentation

Montane species distributions interrupted by valleys can lead to range fragmentation, differentiation and ultimately speciation. Paleoclimatic fluctuations may accentuate or reduce such diversification by temporally altering the extent of montane habitat and may affect species differentially. We examined how an entire montane bird community of the Western Ghats—a linear, coastal tropical mountain range—responds to topographic valleys that host different habitats. Using genetic data from 23 species (356 individuals) collected across nine locations, we examined if different species in the community reveal spatial concordance in population differentiation, and whether the timing of these divergences correlate with climatic events. Our results reveal a nested effect of valleys, with several species (10 of 23) demonstrating the oldest divergences associated with the widest and deepest valley in the mountain range, the Palghat Gap. Further, a subset of these 10 species revealed younger divergences across shallower, narrower valleys. We recovered discordant divergence times for all valley-affected montane birds, mostly in the Pleistocene, supporting the Pliestocene-pump hypotheses and highlighting the role of climatic fluctuations during this period in driving species evolution. A majority of species remain unaffected by valleys, perhaps owing to geneflow or extinction–recolonization dynamics. Studying almost the entire community allowed us to uncover a range of species’ responses, including some generalizable and other unpredicted patterns.

Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document