A5082482859- Bird parasitology and diseases
- Avian ecology and behavior
- Viral Infections and Vectors
- Mosquito-borne diseases and control
- Animal Behavior and Reproduction
- Vector-borne infectious diseases
- Wildlife Ecology and Conservation
- Malaria Research and Control
- Parasite Biology and Host Interactions
- Wildlife Conservation and Criminology Analyses
- Telomeres, Telomerase, and Senescence
- Insect symbiosis and bacterial influences
- melanin and skin pigmentation
- Dengue and Mosquito Control Research
- Animal Ecology and Behavior Studies
- Evolution and Paleontology Studies
- Genetics, Aging, and Longevity in Model Organisms
- Species Distribution and Climate Change
- Turtle Biology and Conservation
- Study of Mite Species
- Bat Biology and Ecology Studies
- Zoonotic diseases and public health
Estación Biológica de Doñana
2018-2024
Universidad de Extremadura
2023-2024
Museo Nacional de Ciencias Naturales
2016
Urbanization, one of the most extreme human-induced environmental changes, represents a major challenge for many organisms. Anthropogenic habitats can have opposing effects on different fitness components, example, by decreasing starvation risk but also health status. Assessment net effect anthropogenic is therefore difficult. Telomere length associated with phenotypic quality and mortality rate in species, telomere shortening considered an integrative measure ‘life stress’ experienced...
Urbanization is increasing worldwide, producing severe environmental impacts. Biodiversity affected by the expansion of cities, with many species being unable to cope different human-induced stressors present in these landscapes. However, this knowledge mainly based on research from taxa such as plants or vertebrates, while other organisms like protozoa have been less studied context. The impact urbanization transmission vector-borne pathogens wildlife still unclear despite its relevance for...
Leucism is the total or partial lack of melanins in skin and associate structures (i.e. hair feathers). Little known about factors influencing this chromatic aberration although some local studies suggest that there an effect habitat, age sex. To test these hypotheses expand our knowledge on leucism, we carried out a large‐scale study using common blackbirds Turdus merula as model species. Given poor information available topic variability methodological approaches, used three different...
Alien mosquito and vertebrate host species may create novel epidemiological scenarios for the transmission of pathogens naturally circulating in invaded area. The exotic Monk parakeet (Myiopsitta monachus) has established populations Europe is currently considered an invasive pest. Due to their high abundance urban areas, parakeets could be involved pathogens, potentially affecting wildlife livestock. To test this hypothesis, we determined prevalence diversity three vector-borne parasites,...
Mosquito feeding preferences determine host-vector contact rates and represent a key factor in the transmission of vector-borne pathogens. The semiochemical compounds which vertebrate odours are composed probably play role mosquito host choice. Birds spread secretions from uropygial gland over their feathers to protect plumage, comprising behaviour that may turn affect odour profiles. Although expected modify attractiveness birds mosquitoes, contradictory findings have been reported. species...
Blood parasites exert significant selective pressure, which can alter population dynamics, and the introduction of new parasite lineages in a region could lead to extinction endemic avian species that have not coevolved with them. The avifauna Pampa del Tamarugal desert Atacama, Chile, is highly depauperate, two accounting for greatest numbers: widespread Rufous-collared Sparrow (Zonotrichia capensis) Tamarugo Conebill (Conirostrum tamarugense). We used molecular microscopic methods estimate...
Both intrinsic and extrinsic factors affect the capacity of mosquitoes for transmission vector-borne pathogens. Among them, mosquito microbiota may play a key role determining development pathogens in cost infections. Here, we used wild avian malaria-mosquito assemblage model to experimentally test vector on infection their consequences parasite development. To do so, cohort Culex pipiens were treated with antibiotics, including gentamicin sulfate penicillin-streptomycin, alter microbiota,...
Aedes vittatus is currently found in Africa, Asia and Europe, where it acts as a vector of pathogens causing animal human diseases (e.g. chikungunya, Zika dengue). Like other species, Ae. able to breed artificial containers. The ECDC has recently highlighted the need for molecular tools (i.e. barcoding characterization) that enable species be identified entomological surveys.
The uropygial gland of birds produces an oily secretion with different functions, mainly related to plumage protection. In addition, the volatile compounds this may act as chemical signals that provide information conspecifics, but it is also possible those further attract hematophagous insect vectors such responsible for avian malaria transmission. Individual characteristics sex and age are usually associated variation in composition secretion. Different studies have shown mosquitoes more...
Abstract Illegal or poorly regulated wildlife trade may enhance parasite spread worldwide, leading to pathogen outbreaks and the emergence of diseases affecting native wildlife, domestic animals humans. The order Psittaciformes has largest proportion endangered species among all birds worldwide is one most trafficked taxa in pet trade. However, despite large number parrot commercialized influence illegally traded wild on introduction exotic pathogens still investigated. Here we molecularly...
According to the host manipulation hypothesis, parasites modify hosts' phenotype maximise their transmission success. Avian malaria and related haemosporidians are vector-borne infecting birds worldwide. Recent studies have reported a greater attraction of mosquitoes infected birds, supporting hypothesis. Changes in composition uropygial gland secretion associated with infections been proposed as potential mechanisms explaining this pattern. Here we critically review published information on...
Many populations of species belonging to the order Crocodilia are threatened due illegal trafficking, indiscriminate hunting, and habitat loss degradation affecting crocodilian health parasitic load. Although several studies have revealed that crocodiles, caimans, alligators frequently infected by Hepatozoon spp., results from exploring costs these apicomplexan parasites on their reptilian hosts still scarce with inconclusive results. Here, we molecularly assessed prevalence genetic...
Dichlorodiphenyltrichloroethane (DDT) is a pesticide that was commonly used for decades worldwide. The use of DDT banned in the 1970s and 1980s Europe because its high toxicity persistence environment, bioaccumulation living organisms biomagnification through food webs. However, monitoring using both invasive non‐invasive methods has routinely reported occurrence metabolites such as dichlorodiphenyldichloroethylene (DDE) wild birds, providing valuable information about exposure to pesticides...