Geographic variation in baseline innate immune function does not follow variation in aridity along a tropical environmental gradient.

ABSTRACT: Geographic variation in aridity determines environmental productivity patterns, including large-scale variability in pathogens, vectors and associated diseases. If disease risk decreases with increasing aridity and is matched by immune defense, we predict a decrease in innate immune function along a gradient of increasing aridity from the cool-wet forest to the hot-dry Sahel, from south to north in Nigeria. We sampled blood and measured five innate immune indices from 286 Common Bulbuls Pycnonotus barbatus between 6 and 13°N. We sampled in the dry season; we resampled the first location (Jos) also as the last sample location to test temporal change in immune function. Immune indices did not decrease with aridity. One immune index, nitric oxide concentration showed a weak quadratic pattern.

SUBMITTER: Nwaogu CJ 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC7125124 | biostudies-literature | 2020 Apr

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature