Comparative analysis reveals a possible immunity-related absence of blood parasites in Common Gulls (Larus canus) and Black-headed Gulls (Chroicocephalus ridibundus)

High prevalence of Leucocytozoon parasites in fresh water breeding gulls

“…This is also consistent with a biogeographical perspective as the Leucocytozoon vectors, Simuliidae, are more abundant and diverse at higher latitudes (Valkiūnas 2005;Atkinson et al 2008). We can expect that birds which inhabit more parasite-friendly environments, such as inland waterbodies, are more exposed to vectors and therefore to a Individuals infected with both CIAE02 and LARCAC02 lineages infections (but see Krams et al 2012). At our inland colony in the Vistula River valley, we observed massive outbreaks of black flies during the study years, which is typical for this region (Bukaciński and Bukacińska 2000).…”

“…An important factor that may influence parasite prevalence in seabirds is also the immunological capabilities of the host Krams et al 2012). Krams et al (2012) detected low prevalence of blood parasites in the Black-headed Gull (Chroicocephalus ridibundus) and absence of blood parasites in the Common Gull (Larus canus), both in inland and coastal colonies, despite the presence of appropriate vector environments. The lack or low prevalence of haemosporidians was suggested to be due to enhanced immunity in the examined gull species.…”

“…Seabirds represent a diverse group; there are many species with an apparent absence or scarcity of these parasites (Piersma 1997;Figuerola 1999;Jovani et al 2001;Quillfeldt et al 2010Quillfeldt et al , 2011Krams et al 2012), but also some species with relatively high blood parasite prevalence (Ruiz et al 1995;Quillfeldt et al 2010). Several hypotheses have been proposed to explain why blood parasites are rare in some birds species.…”

Acute infection of avian malaria impairs concentration of haemoglobin and survival in juvenile altricial birds

“…Although the avian humoral immune system is thought to require at least 4–6 weeks to begin production of adequate numbers of peripheral B‐cell lineages that express functionally different immunoglobulin specificities (Klasing & Leshchinsky, ; Ratcliffe, ), a recent finding shows that adaptive immune system may mature much earlier in altricial birds (Killpack & Karasov, ). However, age‐related change in antibody response and its possible dependence on parasite loads still need to be confirmed in vaccination experiments (Krams et al ., ,b, ).…”

“…Avian malaria is caused by parasites of the genera Leucocytozoon , Plasmodium and Haemoproteus (Valkiūnas, ; Outlaw & Ricklefs, ). These parasites are commonly detected in a variety of reptiles, birds and mammals being transmitted via bloodsucking insects (Atkinson et al ., ; Pérez‐Tris & Bensch, ; Hutchings, 2009; Krams et al ., , ,b). In birds, malaria has been shown to have direct pathogenic effects on the host, and these effects in turn result in reductions in parental care (Merino et al ., ) and reduction of fledgling success (Merino et al ., ; Yorinks & Atkinson, ; Garvin, Homer & Greiner, ; Sol, Jovani & Torres, ; but see Szöllősi et al ., ; Knutie, Waite & Clayton, ).…”