Do Invasive Mosquito and Bird Species Alter Avian Malaria Parasite Transmission?

Abstract

Alien mosquito and vertebrate host species may create novel epidemiological scenarios for the transmission of pathogens naturally circulating in the invaded area. The exotic Monk parakeet (Myiopsitta monachus) has established populations in Europe and is currently considered an invasive pest. Due to their high abundance in urban areas, Monk parakeets could be involved in the transmission of pathogens, potentially affecting wildlife and livestock. To test this hypothesis, we determined the prevalence and diversity of three vector-borne parasites, namely Plasmodium, Haemoproteus and Leucocytozoon, in Monk parakeets from Barcelona. Many areas of southern Europe shelter high densities of the invasive Asian tiger mosquito Aedes albopictus, which in addition to native mosquito species could affect the transmission of mosquito-borne parasites, such as avian Plasmodium. Thus, we also sampled mosquitoes in the area to trace their blood-feeding hosts and determine the presence of Plasmodium parasites. Monk parakeets were neither infected by Plasmodium nor by Haemoproteus parasites, and only five individuals (3.13%; n = 160) were infected by Leucocytozoon. Monk parakeets were bitten by Culiseta longiareolata and represented 9.5% of Culex pipiens blood meals. The invasive Ae. albopictus showed a clear anthropophilic feeding pattern, with humans dominating its diet. Three Plasmodium lineages were detected in pools of Cx pipiens. These results suggest that Plasmodium circulating in the area cannot develop in the invasive Monk parakeet, in spite of the relatively high fraction of native mosquito vectors feeding on this species in its invaded distribution range.

Mosquitoes in an Urban Zoo: Identification of Blood Meals, Flight Distances of Engorged Females, and Avian Malaria Infections

“…These results provide valuable information regarding the blood-feeding sources of these species, which is especially relevant in the case of Ae. albopictus as this subject has only to date been investigated at a handful of studies in Europe ( 6 , 25 , 28 , 33 ). Identification of the blood-meal sources of mosquitoes in zoos allows researchers to investigate additional aspects of vector ecology such as the flight distances of engorged females.…”

“…Our results suggest that encounters between infected birds and competent mosquito vectors frequently occur in the area, which probably facilitates the transmission of avian Plasmodium within this zoo ( 12 , 15 , 23 , 24 ). Previous studies in the Iberian Peninsula have identified avian Plasmodium in mosquitoes of the genera Culex and Aedes ( 25 , 32 , 35 , 36 ), and of them, Cx. pipiens probably plays a key role in the transmission of avian Plasmodium due to its wide distribution ( 1 ), competence for the transmission of different avian Plasmodium lineages/species ( 16 , 37 ), and its ornithophilic behavior ( 6 , 32 ).…”

“…pipiens s.l. pools ( 25 ). Nevertheless, the molecular identification of parasite DNA in mosquitoes does not necessarily imply vector competence ( 38 ) and so we were not able to assess the competence of these mosquitoes for avian malaria transmission.…”

“…Here, we sampled mosquitoes in Barcelona Zoo, a site with a great diversity of mosquito and bird species, many of which are infected by avian malaria parasites ( 25 ). We employed a comprehensive approach based on the analysis of mosquito blood-feeding patterns, xenomonitoring (defined as the identification of pathogens in mosquito vectors), and flight distances of engorged females.…”

Experimental study of newly described avian malaria parasite Plasmodium (Novyella) collidatum n. sp., genetic lineage pFANTAIL01 obtained from South Asian migrant bird

“…For instance, according to Medlock et al and Martínez-de la Puente et al [24,25], invasive mosquito species Asian tiger mosquito (Aedes albopictus), originated from SE Asia is spreading in some parts of Europe already. The presence of Plasmodium vaughani (genetic lineage pSYAT05) DNA was recorded in these mosquitoes collected in Italy [25] and according to Martínez-de la Puente et al [26], this mosquito could also be a potential vector for other avian malaria parasites, especially those originated from SE Asia.…”