Haemosporidian parasite infections of Malagasy Philepittidae and Nectariniidae are driven by phylogeny rather than ecology

• DOI: 10.1017/s0031182023001075
• Publication Date: 2023-11-10T07:28:20Z
• Authors: Hannah Barbon; Jean-Louis Berthoud; Friederike Woog; Sandrine Musa
• Keywords: Haemoproteus; Leucocytozoon

Abstract The nectarivorous common sunbird asity ( Neodrepanis coruscans ) is phylogenetically closely related to the frugivorous velvet Philepitta castanea ), yet it shares similar habitat and foraging behaviour as Malagasy sunbirds Cinnyris spp.). As ecological factors have been shown influence blood parasite prevalence, should be tested whether abundance, prevalence diversity of N. are more than its relative. Therefore, samples n = 156) smears 60) were for different parasites (Haemosporida, trypanosomes, filarioid nematodes) using molecular microscopic methods. High haemosporidian was observed in all bird taxa, with rates ranging from 23% 84.6% C. notatus . spp. exhibited a high occurrence mixed infections (>76%) various specialized lineages. Within Philepittidae family, no Haemoproteus infection detected just few cases infections. Nectariniidae species predominantly had lineages, while mainly caused by generalist These findings emphasize diverse range Nectariniidae, additionally highlighting trypanosomes nematodes Philepittidae. Additionally, several newly discovered Trypanosoma isolates nematode identified. Notably, lower avian compared possibly due potential resistance mechanisms. Despite sharing behavioural ecology both spp., resembles relative, P. , aspects parasitism.