Intra-individual changes in haemosporidian infections over the nesting period in great tit females

Abstract

Prevalence of haemosporidian parasites in bird populations varies temporally both between years and within a year. In contrast to variation at the population level, relatively little is known about variation in infection attributes at the individual level, especially in non-migratory species. We examined intra-individual changes in the presence and identity of haemosporidian parasites (genera Plasmodium and Haemoproteus) over the course of the nesting period in females of great tits (Parus major)—a species considered to be resident over much of its distribution range. Birds were sampled during two stages of the nesting period: nest building and nestling rearing. The mean time interval between sampling occasions was 43 days. Between the first and second samplings, 30.6% of females gained at least one parasite lineage and 18.5% lost the lineage. Haemoproteus gains were over three times more common than Plasmodium gains. The probability of the lineage gain decreased with the date of the first sampling, was higher in individuals in better body condition and differed between years, but was not associated with the host age. The probability of the lineage loss was not explained by any of the considered parameters except for year. These results indicate that in a large proportion of a population, infection attributes (presence/absence and/or parasite identity) may change over the nesting period and the occurrence of such changes may be associated with the individual quality. Consequently, this phenomenon should be taken into account to correctly interpret parasite-mediated effects.

Differential effects of environmental climatic variables on parasite abundances in blue tit nests during a decade

“…2016; Dubiec et al . 2017) and nestling infection could have not yet developed before fledging (Cosgrove et al . 2006).…”

Avian malaria parasite infections do not affect personality in the chestnut thrush (Turdus rubrocanus) on the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau

“…In tropical regions, avian malaria parasites can infect bird hosts throughout the year [ 31 ], whereas in temperate regions, the prevalence of avian blood parasites peaks during spring and autumn seasons [ 61 , 62 ]. During spring, most hosts are actively involved in breeding activities, and the high reproductive investment during this period can result in a reduction in their immune capacity, which contributes to the elevated prevalence of blood parasites [ 13 , 63 ]. This is why we specifically chose to examine the impact avian malaria on thrush breeding success during the spring season.…”

Haemoparasites of the pied flycatcher: inter-population variation in the prevalence and community composition

“…However, to be able to confidently make such a conclusion, more thorough study is needed, including of populations with balanced and synchronized sampling, conditions which were not met by the current study. The latter condition means that samples should be collected in the same years as well as at the same point in a breeding period, since both factors are known to be associated with changes in the prevalence and/or composition of the parasite community (annual variation: Bensch and Åkesson, 2003; Bensch et al 2007; Knowles et al 2011, but see Pagenkopp et al 2008; variation within a season: Szöllősi et al 2016, Dubiec et al 2017).…”