Artificial light at night amplifies seasonal relapse of haemosporidian parasites in a widespread songbird.

ABSTRACT: Urban habitats can shape interactions between hosts and parasites by altering not only exposure rates but also within-host processes. Artificial light at night (ALAN) is common in urban environments, and chronic exposure can impair host immunity in ways that may increase infection. However, studies of causal links between this stressor, immunity, and infection dynamics are rare, particularly in migratory animals. Here, we experimentally tested how ALAN affects cellular immunity and haemosporidian parasite intensity across the annual cycle of migrant and resident subspecies of the dark-eyed junco (Junco hyemalis). We monitored an experimental group exposed to light at night and a control group under natural light/dark cycles as they passed through short days simulating early spring t

SUBMITTER: Becker DJ 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC7542808 | biostudies-literature | 2020 Sep

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature