Animal Migration and Infectious Disease Risk

Altizer, Sonia; Bartel, Rebecca A.; Han, Barbara A.

doi:10.1126/science.1194694

Cited by 753 publications

(869 citation statements)

References 59 publications

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“…Just how representative A. gamma is of other migrant insects is a matter for future study, but given the similarities in the migration strategies of A. gamma to those of other insects in Europe (24,34), Asia (21), North America (3,5,19,20), and Australia (8,35), it is very likely that the results of the present study will be applicable to a wide range of migrants. We conjecture, therefore, that during a time when most sedentary Lepidoptera (36,37) and many migrant birds (38,39) have experienced dramatic declines, the shared traits of high fecundity (40), polyphagy (26), year-round breeding (26), reduced disease and parasite loads (41,42), and efficient strategies for the use of windborne transport (43) to exploit widely dispersed seasonal resources are the principal factors that have enabled the recent temperature-related range expansions and population increases observed in many species of migrant Lepidoptera (44). Considering the pest status of A. gamma (and many other species of migrant moths), which is facilitated by their polyphagy, it is certainly germane to increase our understanding of the migration systems of such species.…”

Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Seasonal migration to high latitudes results in major reproductive benefits in an insect

Chapman

Bell

Burgin

et al. 2012

Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. U.S.A.

134

137

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Little is known of the population dynamics of long-range insect migrants, and it has been suggested that the annual journeys of billions of nonhardy insects to exploit temperate zones during summer represent a sink from which future generations seldom return (the "Pied Piper" effect). We combine data from entomological radars and ground-based light traps to show that annual migrations are highly adaptive in the noctuid moth Autographa gamma (silver Y), a major agricultural pest. We estimate that 10-240 million immigrants reach the United Kingdom each spring, but that summer breeding results in a fourfold increase in the abundance of the subsequent generation of adults, all of which emigrate southward in the fall. Trajectory simulations show that 80% of emigrants will reach regions suitable for winter breeding in the Mediterranean Basin, for which our population dynamics model predicts a winter carrying capacity only 20% of that of northern Europe during the summer. We conclude not only that poleward insect migrations in spring result in major population increases, but also that the persistence of such species is dependent on summer breeding in high-latitude regions, which requires a fundamental change in our understanding of insect migration.windborne migration | source-sink dynamics

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Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Seasonal migration to high latitudes results in major reproductive benefits in an insect

Chapman

Bell

Burgin

et al. 2012

Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. U.S.A.

134

137

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

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“…Moreover, emerging infectious diseases in the human population have increased significantly over the past century, with many of these diseases originating from wildlife [30]. As a result, there is increased interest in how anthropogenic degradation of the environment may not only make migrants more vulnerable to disease but also increase the spread of pathogens with immediate relevance to man [10].…”

Section: Reductions In Habitat Quality (A) Diseasementioning

confidence: 99%

“…These impacts on migrants may also have ecological ramifications at community and ecosystem scales, because migratory birds provide many ecosystem functions and services, such as pest control, assistance in dispersal of other organisms, pollination and nutrient cycling [7][8][9]. There is also increasing interest in how migratory birds may affect the abundance and distribution of diseases that threaten humans, such as highly pathogenic avian influenza virus H5N1 originating in Southeast Asia, and West Nile virus in the Americas [10]. Consequently, studies addressing the potential for migratory birds to assist in the spread of these pathogens, and how global change processes will affect this, are gaining urgency.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Ecophysiology of avian migration in the face of current global hazards

Klaassen

Hoye

Nolet

et al. 2012

Phil. Trans. R. Soc. B

114

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Long-distance migratory birds are often considered extreme athletes, possessing a range of traits that approach the physiological limits of vertebrate design. In addition, their movements must be carefully timed to ensure that they obtain resources of sufficient quantity and quality to satisfy their high-energy needs. Migratory birds may therefore be particularly vulnerable to global change processes that are projected to alter the quality and quantity of resource availability. Because long-distance flight requires high and sustained aerobic capacity, even minor decreases in vitality can have large negative consequences for migrants. In the light of this, we assess how current global change processes may affect the ability of birds to meet the physiological demands of migration, and suggest areas where avian physiologists may help to identify potential hazards. Predicting the consequences of global change scenarios on migrant species requires (i) reconciliation of empirical and theoretical studies of avian flight physiology; (ii) an understanding of the effects of food quality, toxicants and disease on migrant performance; and (iii) mechanistic models that integrate abiotic and biotic factors to predict migratory behaviour. Critically, a multi-dimensional concept of vitality would greatly facilitate evaluation of the impact of various global change processes on the population dynamics of migratory birds.

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“…However, highly mobile hosts can transfer pathogens quickly across space (2). An example is how the migratory behaviors of waterfowl in the order Anseriformes, a major reservoir host for influenza A virus (AIV) diversity, can spread these viruses across broad geographic distances (3)(4)(5).…”

mentioning

confidence: 99%

Spread and Persistence of Influenza A Viruses in Waterfowl Hosts in the North American Mississippi Migratory Flyway

Fries

Nolting

Bowman

et al. 2015

J Virol

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While geographic distance often restricts the spread of pathogens via hosts, this barrier may be compromised when host species are mobile. Migratory waterfowl in the order Anseriformes are important reservoir hosts for diverse populations of avian-origin influenza A viruses (AIVs) and are assumed to spread AIVs during their annual continental-scale migrations. However, support for this hypothesis is limited, and it is rarely tested using data from comprehensive surveillance efforts incorporating both the temporal and spatial aspects of host migratory patterns. We conducted intensive AIV surveillance of waterfowl using the North American Mississippi Migratory Flyway (MMF) over three autumn migratory seasons. Viral isolates (n ‫؍‬ 297) from multiple host species were sequenced and analyzed for patterns of gene dispersal between northern staging and southern wintering locations. Using a phylogenetic and nucleotide identity framework, we observed a larger amount of gene dispersal within this flyway rather than between the other three longitudinally identified North American flyways. Across seasons, we observed patterns of regional persistence of diversity for each genomic segment, along with limited survival of dispersed AIV gene lineages. Reassortment increased with both time and distance, resulting in transient AIV constellations. This study shows that within the MMF, AIV gene flow favors spread along the migratory corridor within a season, and also that intensive surveillance during bird migration is important for identifying virus dispersal on time scales relevant to pandemic responsiveness. In addition, this study indicates that comprehensive monitoring programs to capture AIV diversity are critical for providing insight into AIV evolution and ecology in a major natural reservoir. IMPORTANCEMigratory birds are a reservoir for antigenic and genetic diversity of influenza A viruses (AIVs) and are implicated in the spread of virus diversity that has contributed to previous pandemic events. Evidence for dispersal of avian-origin AIVs by migratory birds is rarely examined on temporal scales relevant to pandemic or panzootic threats. Therefore, characterizing AIV movement by hosts within a migratory season is important for implementing effective surveillance strategies. We conducted surveillance following birds along a major North American migratory route and observed that within a migratory season, AIVs rapidly reassorted and gene lineages were dispersed primarily within the migratory corridor. Patterns of regional persistence were observed across seasons for each gene segment. We show that dispersal of AIV gene lineages by migratory birds occurs quickly along migratory routes and that surveillance for AIVs threatening human and animal health should focus attention on these routes.

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Animal Migration and Infectious Disease Risk

Cited by 753 publications

References 59 publications

Seasonal migration to high latitudes results in major reproductive benefits in an insect

Seasonal migration to high latitudes results in major reproductive benefits in an insect

Ecophysiology of avian migration in the face of current global hazards

Spread and Persistence of Influenza A Viruses in Waterfowl Hosts in the North American Mississippi Migratory Flyway

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