Migratory birds are exposed to a diverse pathogen fauna by virtue of their long-distance travels. Although the immune system is an organism's primary defense against pathogenic microorganisms, few studies have investigated avian function during migration, much less shown seasonal differences in function. We describe immunological condition three intercontinental migratory species, Swainson's Thrush (Catharus ustulatus), Veery (C. fuscescens), and Wood (Hylocichla mustelina) spring migration....

West Nile virus (WNV) infections in free-ranging birds were studied Slidell, St. Tammany Parish, Louisiana, after a human encephalitis outbreak peaked there July 2002. Seroprevalence resident, wild one suburban site was 25% and 24% August October, respectively, indicating that most transmission had ceased by early August. Mortality rates, seroprevalence host competence, crude population estimates used mathematical models to predict actual infection impacts, importance as amplifying hosts for...

Summary 1. Glucocorticoid hormones are an integral part of the vertebrate stress response, and theoretical models argue for a link between glucocorticoid levels individual fitness. The cort‐fitness hypothesis posits that elevated baseline glucocorticoids reflective in poor condition with reduced likelihood survival. Surprisingly, this remains virtually untested juvenile life‐history stage, period is often characterized by high mortality rates. 2. To address issue, we explored whether just...

Evidence suggests that the ability of an animal to maintain its immune system and (or) mount response depends on nutritional health energetic condition. Migration is a period within animal’s annual cycle when condition varies, especially after long, nonstop flight over large ecological barrier. Our objective was determine if measures function in migrating Wood Thrush ( Hylocichla mustelina (J.F. Gmelin, 1789)), Swainson’s Catharus ustulatus (Nuttall, 1840)), Gray-cheeked minimus (Lafresnaye,...

Migrating waterfowl are implicated in the global spread of influenza A viruses (IAVs), and mallards (Anas platyrhynchos) considered a particularly important IAV reservoir. Prevalence infection peaks during autumn pre-migration staging then declines as birds reach wintering areas. Migration is energetically costly often experience body condition that may suppress immune function. We assessed how affects susceptibility to infection, viral shedding antibody production wild-caught captive-bred...

The relationship between stress and disease is thought to be unambiguous: chronic induces immunosuppression, which likely increases the risk of infection. However, this link has not been firmly established in wild animals, particularly whether hormones affect host responses zoonotic pathogens, can transmitted domesticated animal, wildlife human populations. Due dynamic effects on immune functions, may make hosts better or poorer amplifying for a pathogen contingent context species evaluated....

Global migrations of diverse animal species often converge along the same routes, bringing together seasonal assemblages animals that may compete, prey on each other, and share information or pathogens. These interspecific interactions, when energetic demands are high time to complete journeys is short, influence survival, migratory success, stopover ecology, routes. Numerous accounts suggest co-migrations globally distributed in aerial, aquatic, terrestrial systems, although study migration...

The Southwestern Willow Flycatcher (Empidonax traillii extimus; here- after “flycatcher”) is a federally listed endangered species that breeds in densely vegetated riparian habitats dominated by native and exotic plants, including introduced monotypic saltcedar (Tamarix ramosissima). Some workers have theorized unsuitable habitat for the flycatcher, primarily because it generally supports smaller less diverse invertebrate community (the flycatcher's food base) than (e.g. Salix spp.)....

Abstract Migratory birds are exposed to a diverse pathogen fauna by virtue of their long-distance travels. Although the immune system is an organism's primary defense against pathogenic microorganisms, few studies have investigated avian function during migration, much less shown seasonal differences in function. We describe immunological condition three intercontinental migratory species, Swainson's Thrush (Catharus ustulatus), Veery (C. fuscescens), and Wood (Hylocichla mustelina) spring...

Abstract Zoonoses are a worldwide public health concern, accounting for approximately 75% of human infectious diseases. In addition, zoonoses adversely affect agricultural production and wildlife. We review some mathematical models developed the study viral in wildlife identify areas where further modeling efforts needed.

The effect of human disturbance on wildlife is increasing interest because the growing use wildlands by humans for recreation. Few studies have documented behavior and physiology simultaneously, with no existing any turtle species. Turtles are one most endangered taxonomic groups many conservation concern, including yellow-blotched sawback (Graptemys flavimaculata), a freshwater Pascagoula River system, Mississippi, USA. We studied G. flavimaculata individual- population-level basking...

Abstract Jordan is located on an important spot along the Mediterranean and Black Sea Flyway. Hundreds of migratory bird species have been identified stopping over in during spring autumn seasons. Compared to mammals economically birds, microbiomes wild are severely understudied. Gut microbial composition a valuable source information that reflects food preferences, foraging behavior, risk pathogen transmission humans other animals. In this study, we assessed microbiome three migrating...

Transcriptional responses of a soil-dwelling organism (the earthworm Lumbricus rubellus) to three chemicals, cadmium (Cd), fluoranthene (FA), and atrazine (AZ), were measured following chronic exposure, with the aim identifying nature any shared transcriptional response. Principal component analysis indicated full or partial separation control exposed samples for each compound but not composite set all samples. Partial least-squares discriminant allowed chemical also data set, suggesting...

A major challenge in disease ecology is to understand the role of individual variation infection load on transmission dynamics and how this influences evolution resistance or tolerance mechanisms. Such information will improve our capacity understand, predict, mitigate pathogen-associated all organisms. In many host-pathogen systems, particularly macroparasites sexually transmitted diseases, it has been found that approximately 20% population responsible for 80% events. Although host contact...

Immunological reagents for wild, non-model species are limited or often non-existent many species.In this study, we compare the reactivity of a new anti-passerine IgY secondary antibody with existing antibodies developed use birds. Samples from 41 following six avian orders were analysed: Anseriformes (1 family, 1 species), Columbiformes 2 Galliformes Passeriformes (16 families, 34 Piciformes species) and Suliformes species). Direct ELISAs performed to detect total using goat IgY,...

West Nile virus (WNV; Flavivirus, Flaviviridae) was introduced to New York State (NYS) in 1999 and rapidly expanded its range through the continental United States (US). Apart from displacement of introductory NY99 genotype with WN02 genotype, there has been little evidence adaptive evolution WNV US. NY10, characterized by shared amino acid substitutions R1331K I2513M, emerged 2010 coincident increased cases humans prevalence mosquitoes. Previous studies demonstrated an increase frequency...

Although it is well established that wild birds, such as cormorants, carry virulent avian paramyxovirus serotype 1 (APMV-1; causative agent of Newcastle disease) and influenza virus (AIV), the prevalence these viruses among Double-crested Cormorants (Phalacrocorax auritus) in Great Lakes region North America has not been rigorously studied. We determined prevalences APMV-1 AIV from interior population eastern America. From 2009 to 2011, oropharyngeal cloacal swabs serum samples were...