A highly invasive malaria parasite has expanded its range to non-migratory birds in North America.

ABSTRACT: Parasite range expansions are a direct consequence of globalization and are an increasing threat to biodiversity. Here, we report a recent range expansion of the SGS1 strain of a highly invasive parasite, Plasmodium relictum, to two non-migratory passerines in North America. Plasmodium relictum is considered one of the world's most invasive parasites and causes the disease avian malaria: this is the first reported case of SGS1 in wild non-migratory birds on the continent. Using a long-term database where researchers report avian malaria parasite infections, we summarized our current understanding of the geographical range of SGS1 and its known hosts. We also identified the most likely geographical region of this introduction event using the MSP1 allele. We hypothesize that th

SUBMITTER: Theodosopoulos AN 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC8424330 | biostudies-literature | 2021 Sep

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature