Fine‐scale spatial patterns of wildlife disease are common and understudied

Functional Ecology, Journal Year: 2021, Volume and Issue: 36(1), P. 214 - 225

Published: Oct. 15, 2021

Abstract All parasites are heterogeneous in space, yet little is known about the prevalence and scale of this spatial variation, particularly wild animal systems. To address question, we sought to identify examine dependence wildlife disease across a wide range Conducting broad literature search, collated 31 datasets featuring 89 replicates 71 unique host–parasite combinations, only 51% which had previously been used test hypotheses. We analysed these for within standardised modelling framework using Bayesian linear models, then meta‐analysed results generalised determinants magnitude autocorrelation. detected autocorrelation 48/89 model (54%) 21/31 (68%), spread all groups. Even some very small study areas (under 0.01 km 2 ) exhibited substantial variation. Despite common manifestation our meta‐analysis was unable host‐, parasite‐, or sampling‐level heterogeneity Parasites transmission modes easily detectable patterns, implying that structured contact networks susceptibility effects potentially as important spatially structuring environmental drivers efficiency. Our findings demonstrate fine‐scale patterns infection manifest frequently systems, many studies able investigate them—whether not original aim varying processes. Given widespread nature findings, should more record analyse data, facilitating development testing hypotheses ecology. Ultimately, may pave way an priori predictive variation novel A free Plain Language Summary can be found Supporting Information article.

Language: Английский

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From flames to inflammation: how wildfires affect patterns of wildlife disease

Fire Ecology, Journal Year: 2021, Volume and Issue: 17(1)

Published: Sept. 23, 2021

Abstract Background Fire strongly affects animals’ behavior, population dynamics, and environmental surroundings, which in turn are likely to affect their immune systems exposure pathogens. However, little work has yet been conducted on the effects of wildfires wildlife disease. This research gap is rapidly growing importance because becoming globally more common severe, with unknown impacts disease unclear implications for livestock human health future. Results Here, we discussed how could influence susceptibility infection wild animals, potential consequences ecology public health. In our framework, outlined habitat loss degradation caused by fire defenses, behavioral demographic responses pathogen exposure, spread, maintenance. We identified relative unknowns that might dynamics unpredictable ways (e.g., through altered community composition free-living parasites). Finally, avenues future investigations fire-disease links. Conclusions hope this review will stimulate much-needed role wildfire influencing disease, providing an important source information wake other natural disasters, encouraging further integration fields ecology.

Language: Английский

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Exposure and susceptibility: The Twin Pillars of infection

Functional Ecology, Journal Year: 2022, Volume and Issue: 36(7), P. 1713 - 1726

Published: May 3, 2022

Abstract Exposure and susceptibility underlie every organism's infection status, an untold diversity of factors can drive variation in both. Often, both exposure change response to a given factor, they interact, such that their relative contributions observed disease dynamics are obscured. These independent interlinked changes often complicate empirical inference ecology ecoimmunology. Although many studies address this problem, it is implicit rather than explicit requires specific set tools tackle. Moreover, as yet, there no established conceptual framework for disentangling processes. Here, we consolidate previous theory understanding regarding the entwined effects exposure, which refer ‘the Twin Pillar Problem’. We provide conceptualising exposure–susceptibility interactions, where obscure, confound, induce or counteract one another, providing some well‐known examples each complicating mechanism. synthesise guidelines anticipating controlling covariance between susceptibility, detail statistical operational methodology researchers have employed deal with them. Finally, discuss novel emerging frontiers study ecology, potential further integration fields wildlife human health. Read free Plain Language Summary article on Journal blog.

Language: Английский

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Habitat split as a driver of disease in amphibians

Biological reviews/Biological reviews of the Cambridge Philosophical Society, Journal Year: 2023, Volume and Issue: 98(3), P. 727 - 746

Published: Jan. 4, 2023

Anthropogenic habitat disturbance is fundamentally altering patterns of disease transmission and immunity across the vertebrate tree life. Most studies linking anthropogenic change focus on loss fragmentation, but these processes often lead to a third process that equally important: split. Defined as spatial separation between multiple classes natural many species require complete their life cycles, split has been linked population declines in vertebrates, e.g. amphibians breeding lowland aquatic habitats overwintering fragments upland terrestrial vegetation. Here, we link enhanced risk (i) by reviewing biotic abiotic forces shaping elements (ii) through spatially oriented field study focused tropical frogs. We propose framework investigate mechanisms which influences amphibians, focusing three broad host factors immunity: composition symbiotic microbial communities, immunogenetic variation, (iii) stress hormone levels. Our review highlights potential for contribute host-associated microbiome dysbiosis, reductions repertoire, chronic stress, facilitate pathogenic infections other vertebrates. highlight targeted habitat-restoration strategies aiming connect (e.g. terrestrial-freshwater, terrestrial-marine, marine-freshwater) could enhance priming immune system repeated low-load exposure enzootic pathogens reduced stress-induced immunosuppression.

Language: Английский

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The macroecology and evolution of avian competence forBorrelia burgdorferi

Global Ecology and Biogeography, Journal Year: 2021, Volume and Issue: 30(3), P. 710 - 724

Published: Jan. 21, 2021

Abstract Aim Prediction of novel reservoirs zoonotic pathogens would be improved by the identification interspecific drivers host competence (i.e., ability to transmit new hosts or vectors). Tick‐borne can provide a useful model system, because larvae become infected only when feeding on competent during their first blood meal. For tick‐borne diseases, has been studied best for Borrelia burgdorferi sensu lato ( Bb sl), which causes Lyme borreliosis. Major include several small mammal species, but birds might play an under‐recognized role in human risk given disperse ticks across large spatial scales. Here, we global synthesis ecological and evolutionary factors that determine bird species infect larval with sl. Location Global. Time period 1983–2019. taxa Birds. Methods We compiled dataset sl 183 applied meta‐analysis, phylogenetic factorization boosted regression trees describe temporal patterns competence, characterize its distribution birds, reconstruct evolution evaluate trait profiles associated avian species. Results Half sampled show evidence Competence displays moderate signal, evolved multiple times is pronounced genus Turdus . Trait‐based analyses distinguished 80% accuracy showed such have low baseline corticosterone, exist both ends pace‐of‐life continuum, breed winter at high latitudes broad migratory movements into breeding range. used these predict various likely unsampled including concentrations within Neotropics. Main conclusion Our results generate hypotheses how contribute dynamics help prioritize surveillance birds. findings also emphasize display variation contributions enzootic cycles broader need consider predictive studies multi‐host pathogens.

Language: Английский

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