Is it best on the nest? Effects of avian life-history on haemosporidian parasitism.

ABSTRACT: Infectious diseases vary in prevalence and pathology among host species. Species may differ in prevalence of infection due to varying exposure and susceptibility to disease agents throughout their lifetime, which may be attributable to underlying differences in their phenology, physiology and behavior. A recently growing body of literature has focused on the utility of host life-history traits to provide mechanistic explanations for interspecific variation in host-parasite associations. In this study, we utilized diverse avian and haemosporidian assemblages in an African savanna to evaluate the link between haemosporidia prevalence (Plasmodium, Haemoproteus, Leucocytozoon) and avian life-history traits such as body size, mating system, nest care and nest structure. We

SUBMITTER: Ganser C 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC7452475 | biostudies-literature | 2020 Dec

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature