Effects of immune status on stopover departure decisions are subordinate to those of condition, cloud cover and tailwind in autumn‐migrating common blackbirds Turdus merula DOI Creative Commons
Tjomme van Mastrigt, Kevin D. Matson, Sander Lagerveld

et al.

Journal of Avian Biology, Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: unknown

Published: Dec. 12, 2024

Migratory birds encounter a large variety of parasites and pathogens en route invest in immune defences to limit the risk fitness costs infection. Since both migration carry costs, individuals on tight budgets may face trade‐offs between migratory progress status. Many species alternate legs strenuous flight with stopovers during which refuel, rest, recover physiologically. Despite this, most time energy consumed are actually spent stopovers. As result, identifying what determines stopover duration is key understanding how balance investments migration. Yet, it unknown under conditions an individual's status affect through We explored whether at arrival affects by radio‐tagging blood‐sampling common blackbirds Turdus merula autumn Dutch island Vlieland. To measure status, we quantified levels bacterial killing ability, natural antibodies, complement, haptoglobin, as well heterophil–lymphocyte ratios. show that departures peaked periods low cloud cover strong tailwinds. While lean prolonged stopovers, only found weak tendency prolongation elevated haptoglobin levels. conclude effects minimum durations subordinate those condition, cover, tailwinds autumn‐migrating blackbirds. Hence, future studies link should take weather into account.

Language: Английский

Exposure of Eurasian blackbird (Turdus merula) to Toxoplasma gondii in an urban area in Thuringia, Germany DOI Creative Commons
Mike Heddergott,

Rainer Hunold,

Natalia Osten‐Sacken

et al.

International Journal for Parasitology Parasites and Wildlife, Journal Year: 2025, Volume and Issue: unknown, P. 101060 - 101060

Published: March 1, 2025

Toxoplasma gondii is a zoonotic, globally distributed, obligate intracellular protozoan. Within the context of 'One Health' approach, studies on toxoplasmosis are essential as it affects humans well domestic and wild animals, including birds. The Eurasian blackbird (Turdus merula) one most common songbird species in Germany previous have shown that they can be infected with T. gondii. aim present study was to analyze exposure an urban population Germany. Between 2018 2022, we collected fresh carcasses from Heilbad Heiligenstadt, small town German state Thuringia. Altogether 112 blackbirds were analyzed for presence antibodies using commercial indirect modified agglutination test (MAT) parasite DNA (qPCR; brain heart). reports high seroprevalence detected 50.9 % (57/112; 95 CI: 41.6-60.2 %) blackbirds. However, not any samples analyzed. Body weight identified risk factor, heavier birds, both juveniles adults, being more likely positive. Additionally, there significant interaction between body sex. Our results suggest infection widespread population, indicating circulation environment.

Language: Английский

Citations

0
The future abundance of key bird species for pathogen transmission in the Netherlands DOI Creative Commons
Martha Dellar, H. Sierdsema, Peter M. van Bodegom

et al.

bioRxiv (Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory), Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: unknown

Published: Oct. 16, 2024

Abstract Wild birds serve as reservoirs and vectors for many different pathogens changes in their distribution abundance due to environmental change will influence disease risk. We study three species which are highly abundant north-western Europe can transmit a wide range of diseases including avian influenza West Nile virus: blackbirds, mallards house sparrows. Using the Netherlands case study, we created random forest models predicting these species, both now future. Climate, land use vegetative cover were all important predictors bird abundance. The had spatial distributions, largely related preferred habitat food availability. In future, mallard sparrow populations predicted increase, while there was little blackbirds. Quantifying consequences is complicated factors consider, however increased pathogen likely increase risk may affect local outbreak future maps this methods used create them, be useful tools modellers policymakers estimate plan accordingly.

Language: Английский

Citations

2
Impacts of urbanization on the health of American Robins (Turdus migratorus) in Chicagoland DOI Creative Commons

Anna Riccardi,

Kim R Douglass,

Vera Soloview Jackson

et al.

bioRxiv (Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory), Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: unknown

Published: Nov. 25, 2024

Wild animals in urbanized environments face several unique challenges, including increased anthropogenic stressors, decreased natural food availability and quality, pollutant exposure. While some work has shown that individual urbanization stressors can have negative impacts on aspects of wild bird physiology, other studies demonstrated ambiguous or sometimes positive interactions. As such, the impact multiple, coincident urban avian health still needs to be fully understood. Here, we addressed this knowledge gap by holistically measuring multiple physiological markers American robin (Turdus migratorius) across a gradient throughout Chicagoland. We predicted birds using highly habitats would experience higher heavy metal contamination, oxidative stress, lower body condition, malaria burden, measures immune response compared exurban Chicagoland area. Multiple linear models revealed robins more areas exhibited levels contamination slightly elevated associated impairments their counterparts sites. Additionally, noise light pollution were significantly with stress infection status, respectively, albeit different directions. Overall, our findings underscore how complex environmental changes accompany populations.

Language: Английский

Citations

0
Effects of immune status on stopover departure decisions are subordinate to those of condition, cloud cover and tailwind in autumn‐migrating common blackbirds Turdus merula DOI Creative Commons
Tjomme van Mastrigt, Kevin D. Matson, Sander Lagerveld

et al.

Journal of Avian Biology, Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: unknown

Published: Dec. 12, 2024

Migratory birds encounter a large variety of parasites and pathogens en route invest in immune defences to limit the risk fitness costs infection. Since both migration carry costs, individuals on tight budgets may face trade‐offs between migratory progress status. Many species alternate legs strenuous flight with stopovers during which refuel, rest, recover physiologically. Despite this, most time energy consumed are actually spent stopovers. As result, identifying what determines stopover duration is key understanding how balance investments migration. Yet, it unknown under conditions an individual's status affect through We explored whether at arrival affects by radio‐tagging blood‐sampling common blackbirds Turdus merula autumn Dutch island Vlieland. To measure status, we quantified levels bacterial killing ability, natural antibodies, complement, haptoglobin, as well heterophil–lymphocyte ratios. show that departures peaked periods low cloud cover strong tailwinds. While lean prolonged stopovers, only found weak tendency prolongation elevated haptoglobin levels. conclude effects minimum durations subordinate those condition, cover, tailwinds autumn‐migrating blackbirds. Hence, future studies link should take weather into account.

Language: Английский

Citations

0