Host stress hormones alter vector feeding preferences, success, and productivity.

ABSTRACT: Stress hormones might represent a key link between individual-level infection outcome, population-level parasite transmission, and zoonotic disease risk. Although the effects of stress on immunity are well known, stress hormones could also affect host-vector interactions via modification of host behaviours or vector-feeding patterns and subsequent reproductive success. Here, we experimentally manipulated songbird stress hormones and examined subsequent feeding preferences, feeding success, and productivity of mosquito vectors in addition to defensive behaviours of hosts. Despite being more defensive, birds with elevated stress hormone concentrations were approximately twice as likely to be fed on by mosquitoes compared to control birds. Moreover, stress hormones altered the relationship be

SUBMITTER: Gervasi SS 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC5013773 | biostudies-literature | 2016 Aug

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature