Health monitoring in birds using bio-loggers and whole blood transcriptomics

Jax, Elinor; Müller, Inge; Börno, Stefan T.; Borlinghaus, Hanna; Eriksson, Gustaw; Fricke, Evi; Timmermann, Bernd; Pendl, Helene; Fiedler, Wolfgang; Klein, Karsten; Schreiber, Falk; Wikelski, Martin; Magor, Katharine E.; Kraus, Robert H. S.

doi:10.1038/s41598-021-90212-8

Cited by 12 publications

(8 citation statements)

References 76 publications

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“…Mx codes for IFN-induced GTPase proteins that interfere with viral replication ( Haller et al 2007 ). Mx is upregulated in ducks and geese during viral infection ( Chen et al 2017 ; Helin et al 2018 ; Jax et al 2021 ). Like TLR15 , Mx was one of three genes under adaptive evolution in wild mallards according to the MK test ( supplementary tables S18 and S19, Supplementary Material online).…”

Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Comparative Genomics of the Waterfowl Innate Immune System

Jax

Franchini

Sekar

et al. 2022

Molecular Biology and Evolution

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Animal species differ considerably in their ability to fight off infections. Finding the genetic basis of these differences is not easy, as the immune response is comprised of a complex network of proteins that interact with one another to defend the body against infection. Here, we used population- and comparative genomics to study the evolutionary forces acting on the innate immune system in natural hosts of avian influenza virus (AIV). For this purpose, we used a combination of hybrid capture, next generation sequencing and published genomes to examine genetic diversity, divergence and signatures of selection in 127 innate immune genes at a micro- and macroevolutionary time scale in 26 species of waterfowl. We show across multiple immune pathways (AIV-, toll-like-, and RIG-I like receptors signalling pathways) that genes involved in pathogen detection (i.e. toll-like receptors) and direct pathogen inhibition (i.e. antimicrobial peptides and interferon-stimulated genes), as well as host proteins targeted by viral antagonist proteins (i.e. MAVS) are more likely to be polymorphic, genetically divergent and under positive selection than other innate immune genes. Our results demonstrate that selective forces vary across innate immune signalling pathways in waterfowl, and we present candidate genes that may contribute to differences in susceptibility and resistance to infectious diseases in wild birds, and that may be manipulated by viruses. Our findings improve our understanding of the interplay between host genetics and pathogens, and offer the opportunity for new insights into pathogenesis and potential drug targets.

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Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Comparative Genomics of the Waterfowl Innate Immune System

Jax

Franchini

Sekar

et al. 2022

Molecular Biology and Evolution

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“…abortions in elk, Cervus elaphus canadensis, correlated with Brucella abortus; Cross et al, 2015). Recently, Jax et al (2021) used biologgers measuring 3D acceleration, heart rate and body temperature to detect the magnitude and timing of changes in these parameters in mallard ducks while mounting an acute-phase immune response. These tools could be used to explore migratory relapse (Table 2).…”

Section: Overcoming Challenges To Guide Empirical Studies (1) Compara...mentioning

confidence: 99%

How to study parasites and host migration: a roadmap for empiricists

et al. 2022

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Animal migration (round‐trip, predictable movements) takes individuals across space and time, bringing them into contact with new communities of organisms. In particular, migratory movements shape (and are shaped by) the costs and risk of parasite transmission. Unfortunately, our understanding of how migration and parasite infection interact has not proceeded evenly. Although numerous conceptual frameworks (e.g. mathematical models) have been developed, most empirical evidence of migration–parasite interactions are drawn from pre‐existing empirical studies that were conducted using other conceptual frameworks, which limits our understanding. Here, we synthesise and analyse existing work, and then provide a roadmap for future (especially empirical) studies. First, we synthesise the conceptual frameworks that have been developed to understand interactions between migration and parasites (e.g. migratory exposure, escape, allopatry, recovery, culling, separation, stalling and relapse). Second, we highlight current challenges to studying migration and parasites empirically, and to integrating empirical and theoretical perspectives, particularly emphasizing the challenge of feedback loops. Finally, we provide a guide to overcoming these challenges in empirical studies, using comparative, observational and experimental approaches. Beyond guiding future empirical work, this review aims to inspire stronger collaboration between empiricists and theorists studying the intersection of migration and parasite infection. Such collaboration will help overcome current limits to our understanding of how migration and parasites interact, and allow us to predict how these critical ecological processes will change in the future.

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“…In this regard, bio-loggers, which are already being extensively used in the field of ecophysiology in free ranging animals, may provide an interesting and practical method for studying individual health in ecological settings (Jax et al, 2021). Bio-loggers are monitoring devices that allow acquiring fine-resolution data ranging from activity (movement, energy expenditures, acceleration), to foraging, temperature, or sleep, on periods ranging from days to months.…”

Section: Where Next?mentioning

confidence: 99%

“…via heart rate and ECG, and accelerometry; Green et al, 2009), immunity (e.g. via body temperature; Jax et al, 2021), rhythmicity (e.g. via accelerometry and activity patterns); and brain activity (via EEG; Vyssotski et al, 2006), with regards to varying social interactions, social contexts, and hierarchies.…”

Section: Where Next?mentioning

confidence: 99%