Journal article
An inverse latitudinal gradient in infection probability and phylogenetic diversity for Leucocytozoon blood parasites in New World birds
The Journal of animal ecology, v 89(2), pp 423-435
01 Feb 2020
PMID: 31571223
Featured in Collection : UN Sustainable Development Goals @ Drexel
Abstract
Geographic variation in environmental conditions as well as host traits that promote parasite transmission may impact infection rates and community assembly of vector-transmitted parasites. Identifying the ecological, environmental and historical determinants of parasite distributions and diversity is therefore necessary to understand disease outbreaks under changing environments. Here, we identified the predictors and contributions of infection probability and phylogenetic diversity of Leucocytozoon (an avian blood parasite) at site and species levels across the New World. To explore spatial patterns in infection probability and lineage diversity for Leucocytozoon parasites, we surveyed 69 bird communities from Alaska to Patagonia. Using phylogenetic Bayesian hierarchical models and high-resolution satellite remote-sensing data, we determined the relative influence of climate, landscape, geography and host phylogeny on regional parasite community assembly. Infection rates and parasite diversity exhibited considerable variation across regions in the Americas. In opposition to the latitudinal gradient hypothesis, both the diversity and prevalence of Leucocytozoon parasites decreased towards the equator. Host relatedness and traits known to promote vector exposure neither predicted infection probability nor parasite diversity. Instead, the probability of a bird being infected with Leucocytozoon increased with increasing vegetation cover (NDVI) and moisture levels (NDWI), whereas the diversity of parasite lineages decreased with increasing NDVI. Infection rates and parasite diversity also tended to be higher in cooler regions and higher latitudes. Whereas temperature partially constrains Leucocytozoon diversity and infection rates, landscape features, such as vegetation cover and water body availability, play a significant role in modulating the probability of a bird being infected. This suggests that, for Leucocytozoon, the barriers to host shifting and parasite host range expansion are jointly determined by environmental filtering and landscape, but not by host phylogeny. Our results show that integrating host traits, host ancestry, bioclimatic data and microhabitat characteristics that are important for vector reproduction are imperative to understand and predict infection prevalence and diversity of vector-transmitted parasites. Unlike other vector-transmitted diseases, our results show that Leucocytozoon diversity and prevalence will likely decrease with warming temperatures.
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Details
- Title
- An inverse latitudinal gradient in infection probability and phylogenetic diversity for Leucocytozoon blood parasites in New World birds
- Creators
- Alan Fecchio - Universidade Federal de Mato GrossoJeffrey A. Bell - University of North DakotaMariane Bosholn - National Institute of Amazonian ResearchJefferson A. Vaughan - University of North DakotaVasyl V. Tkach - University of North DakotaHolly L. Lutz - University of ChicagoVictor R. Cueto - National University of Patagonia San Juan BoscoCristian A. Gorosito - National University of Patagonia San Juan BoscoDaniel Gonzalez-Acuna - University of ConcepciónChad Stromlund - University of North DakotaDanielle Kvasager - University of North DakotaKiba J. M. Comiche - Nucleo de Estudos em Malária, Superintendência de Controle de Endemias, Instituto de Medicina Tropical de São Paulo, Universidade de São Paulo, São Paulo, BrazilKarin Kirchgatter - Nucleo de Estudos em Malária, Superintendência de Controle de Endemias, Instituto de Medicina Tropical de São Paulo, Universidade de São Paulo, São Paulo, BrazilJoao B. Pinho - Univ Fed Mato Grosso, Lab Ecol Aves, Cuiaba, BrazilJacob Berv - Cornell UniversityMarina Anciaes - National Institute of Amazonian ResearchCarla S. Fontana - Pontifical Catholic University of Rio Grande do SulKristof Zyskowski - American Museum of Natural HistorySidnei Sampaio - Federal University of BahiaJanice H. Dispoto - Academy of Natural Sciences of Drexel UniversitySpencer C. Galen - Academy of Natural Sciences of Drexel UniversityJason D. Weckstein - Drexel UniversityNicholas J. Clark - University of Queensland
- Publication Details
- The Journal of animal ecology, v 89(2), pp 423-435
- Publisher
- Wiley
- Number of pages
- 13
- Grant note
- Instituto Nacional de Ciencias e Tecnologia em Areas Umidas (INAU) Coordenacao de Aperfeicoamento de Pessoal de Nivel Superior; Coordenacao de Aperfeicoamento de Pessoal de Nivel Superior (CAPES) Ministerio de Ciencias e Tecnologia Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Cientifico e Tecnologico; Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Cientifico e Tecnologico (CNPQ) DEB-1503804; DEB-1120734 / National Science Foundation; National Science Foundation (NSF)
- Resource Type
- Journal article
- Language
- English
- Academic Unit
- Biodiversity, Earth, and Environmental Science (BEES); Ornithology; Academy of Natural Sciences of Drexel University
- Web of Science ID
- WOS:000493350700001
- Scopus ID
- 2-s2.0-85074944323
- Other Identifier
- 991019167916404721
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- Collaboration types
- Domestic collaboration
- International collaboration
- Web of Science research areas
- Ecology
- Zoology