Avian haemosporidians of breeding birds in the Davis Mountains sky-islands of west Texas, USA.

ABSTRACT: Avian haemosporidians are protozoan parasites transmitted by insect vectors that infect birds worldwide, negatively impacting avian fitness and survival. However, the majority of haemosporidian diversity remains undescribed. Quantifying this diversity is critical to determining parasite–host relationships and host-switching potentials of parasite lineages as climate change induces both host and vector range shifts. In this study, we conducted a community survey of avian haemosporidians found in breeding birds on the Davis Mountains sky islands in west Texas, USA. We determined parasite abundance and host associations and compared our results to data from nearby regions. A total of 265 birds were screened and infections were detected in 108 birds (40.8%). Most positive infections were ident

SUBMITTER: Martinez V 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC10941211 | biostudies-literature | 2023 Dec

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature