Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Juliana Tamayo-Quintero, Josue Martinez-de la Puente, Miriam San-Jose, Catalina Gonzalez-Quevedo, Hector F. Rivera-Gutierrez
Summary: The study evaluates the effects of bird community on avian haemosporidians infections in a Neotropical region. The findings show that bird community dominance and richness do not significantly affect the prevalence and number of avian parasite infections, but they are related to the total number and expected richness of parasite lineages. This study contributes significantly to our understanding of blood parasite diversity in tropical birds within a relatively understudied region of South America.
SCIENTIFIC REPORTS
(2023)
Article
Biodiversity Conservation
S. Thobeka Gumede, David A. Ehlers Smith, Samukelisiwe P. Ngcobo, Mbalenhle Sosibo, Yvette C. Ehlers Smith, Colleen T. Downs
Summary: Changes to natural environments resulting from human population growth pose a major threat to biodiversity. This study found that vegetation structure, patch size, and isolation distance significantly influenced avian communities, with reductions in forest patch size and complexity leading to decreased avian species richness and functional diversity. Additionally, increasing isolation distance had a negative impact on avian diversity.
GLOBAL ECOLOGY AND CONSERVATION
(2022)
Article
Ecology
Thomas J. Matthews, Joseph P. Wayman, Robert J. Whittaker, Pedro Cardoso, Julian P. Hume, Ferran Sayol, Konstantinos Proios, Thomas E. Martin, Benjamin Baiser, Paulo A. V. Borges, Yasuhiro Kubota, Luiz dos Anjos, Joseph A. Tobias, Filipa C. Soares, Xingfeng Si, Ping Ding, Chase D. Mendenhall, Yong Chee Keita Sin, Frank E. Rheindt, Kostas A. Triantis, Francois Guilhaumon, David M. Watson, Lluis Brotons, Corrado Battisti, Osanna Chu, Francois Rigal
Summary: Research on island species-area relationships (ISAR) has expanded to incorporate functional (IFDAR) and phylogenetic (IPDAR) diversity. However, we lack comprehensive global analyses of how these categories of island diversity-area relationship (IDAR) vary. In this study, we provide the first comparative evaluation of IDARs at the global scale using avian data sets from 51 archipelagos. Our results show that increasing richness with area drives the non-richness corrected IPDAR and IFDAR. We also find that archipelagos with steeper ISARs have larger differences in slope between IDARs, indicating increased redundancy on larger islands in these archipelagos.
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Federico Roldan-Zurabian, Maria Jose Ruiz-Lopez, Josue Martinez de la Puente, Jordi Figuerola, Hugh Drummond, Sergio Ancona
Summary: Haemosporidian parasites are rarely reported in seabirds, but this study found that a colony of blue-footed boobies in the Tropical North Pacific is likely free of these blood parasites. This may be due to unsuitable conditions for insect vectors in the breeding sites of the boobies.
SCIENTIFIC REPORTS
(2022)
Article
Ecology
Ling-Ying Shuai, Shu-Ping Xiao, Yan-Ping Xie, Xing-Min Chen, Xiang-Rong Song, Tian-Qiao Fan, Yun-Hua Xie, Wei Liu
Summary: Understanding the effects of ecological drivers on avian diversity in a subtropical landscape in southeastern China, this study found that increasing habitat diversity, human population density and primary productivity can promote local avian diversity. Additionally, phylogenetic and functional clustering were detected in the avian communities, indicating that environmental filtering plays a major role in structuring the assemblages.
ECOLOGY AND EVOLUTION
(2022)
Article
Microbiology
Vajiheh Ghaemitalab, Omid Mirshamsi, Gediminas Valkiunas, Mansour Aliabadian
Summary: This study in South and Southeast Iran during the bird breeding seasons of 2017 and 2018 found that avian haemosporidians, including Haemoproteus, Plasmodium, and Leucocytozoon, were prevalent with Haemoproteus lineages being the most common. The study also identified 19 new host records and 13 co-infections of Haemoproteus and Leucocytozoon parasites, indicating active local transmission in resident bird species.
Article
Entomology
Xiaoxiao Chen, Jia Jiang, Ni Zhang, Xiao Yang, Yongkuan Chi, Yuehua Song
Summary: Based on satellite imagery, field survey collection, and molecular sequencing data, this article explores the habitat fragmentation, species diversity, and genetic diversity of Erythroneurine leafhoppers in three typical karst areas in southwest China. The results show a positive correlation between the fragmentation degree of Erythroneurine leafhopper habitat and the degree of rocky desertification in the area. The study also reveals that habitat fragmentation affects the species diversity and genetic diversity of the leafhoppers, with higher diversity in regions with weaker fragmentation.
Article
Environmental Sciences
Federico Morelli, Yanina Benedetti, Juan Diego Ibanez-Alamo, Piotr Tryjanowski, Jukka Jokimaki, Marja-Liisa Kaisanlahti-Jokimaki, Jukka Suhonen, Mario Diaz, Anders Pape Moller, David Moravec, Jiri Prosek, Raphael Bussiere, Marko Magi, Theodoros Kominos, Antonia Galanaki, Nikos Bukas, Gabor Marko, Fabio Pruscini, Mattia Tonelli, Leszek Jerzak, Olaf Ciebiera, Jiri Reif
Summary: The study found that urban greenery and building cover have significant effects on urban avian diversity, with contrasting results in different diversity components analyzed.
SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT
(2021)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Tinotendashe Pori, Mduduzi Ndlovu, Miles B. Markus
Summary: This study investigated the epidemiological characteristics of Trypanosoma spp. and filarial nematodes in the bloodstream of birds in and around the Kruger National Park, South Africa. It was found that ground-foraging and solitary birds had the highest parasite prevalences compared to other birds. These findings provide new knowledge about avian haemoparasite prevalence in an Afrotropical setting and are important for understanding the impact of emerging infectious diseases on human and animal health.
SOUTH AFRICAN JOURNAL OF SCIENCE
(2023)
Article
Ecology
Jessica Cote, Nicolas Poulet, Laurence Blanc, Gael Grenouillet
Summary: Evaluating the effects of anthropogenic pressures on biodiversity metrics can inform biodiversity loss management and monitoring. Different types of disturbances lead to different responses in different metrics. This study aimed to understand the effects of different anthropogenic disturbances on freshwater fish communities. The results showed significant responses of all diversity indices to both climatic conditions and anthropogenic disturbances, highlighting the importance of disentangling various types of disturbances when assessing human-induced ecological impacts.
ECOLOGICAL APPLICATIONS
(2023)
Article
Biodiversity Conservation
Jaime Muriel, Alfonso Marzal, Sergio Magallanes, Luz Garcia-Longoria, Marcela Suarez-Rubio, Paul J. J. Bates, Htet Htet Lin, Aye Nyein Soe, Khin Swe Oo, Aung Aung Aye, Naw Dolly Wilbur, Ni Ni Win, Yupa Tin Soe, Khaing Khin Linn, Swen C. Renner
Summary: Avian malaria and related haemosporidians infect most bird clades worldwide, but have been irregularly studied across different regions. A study in Myanmar revealed a high diversity of bird haemosporidians in areas with anthropogenic disturbance, with 27% being newly-discovered lineages and 64% new host-parasite records. The slightly higher prevalence and diversity of haemosporidians in birds from paddy fields compared to urban areas and hills suggests that human alteration of natural environments may impact vector-borne disease dynamics.
Article
Agriculture, Dairy & Animal Science
Peilin Huang, Dulai Zheng, Yijing Yan, Weizhen Xu, Yujie Zhao, Ziluo Huang, Yinghong Ding, Yuxin Lin, Zhipeng Zhu, Ziru Chen, Weicong Fu
Summary: This study analyzes the response of bird communities in urban parks in Fuzhou, China, to landscape features during winter. The results indicate that the park's area, irregularity of shape, woodland proportion, and waterbody shape have a positive effect on bird diversity.
Article
Ecology
Phakhawat Thaweepworadej, Karl L. Evans
Summary: This study investigates the impact of urbanization on avian species richness in tropical regions and provides conservation recommendations for urban biodiversity. The findings suggest that the relationship between bird diversity and urbanization in tropical regions is linear, in contrast to the unimodal patterns observed in temperate regions. The study also highlights the importance of retaining woodland patches in urban areas to mitigate the negative effects of urbanization on bird species richness.
ECOLOGICAL APPLICATIONS
(2022)
Article
Ecology
Janaina Agra, Tatiana Cornelissen, Arleu Barbosa Viana-Junior, Marcos Callisto
Summary: This study synthesized global knowledge about the relationship between spatial environmental heterogeneity (EH) and freshwater biodiversity through a systematic review and meta-analysis. The results showed a positive effect of spatial EH on taxonomic and functional alpha diversity. However, the overall effect on beta diversity remains uncertain. The study also discussed the mechanisms explaining this relationship and its implications for freshwater ecosystem management.
Article
Ecology
James Richardson, Alexander C. Lees, Eliot T. Miller, Stuart J. Marsden
Summary: Understanding the composition of urban wildlife communities is crucial for promoting biodiversity and ecosystem function. This study used crowdsourced data to examine the influence of urban characteristics on avian richness and function in global cities. The results show that habitat availability and phylogenetic diversity play important roles in shaping urban avian communities.
Article
Infectious Diseases
Elvin J. Lauron, Han Xian Aw Yeang, Samantha M. Taffner, Ravinder N. M. Sehgal
Article
Parasitology
Jenny S. Carlson, Erika Walther, Rebecca TroutFryxell, Sarah Staley, Lisa A. Tell, Ravinder N. M. Sehgal, Christopher M. Barker, Anthony J. Cornel
PARASITES & VECTORS
(2015)
Article
Biodiversity Conservation
Alfonso Marzal, Luz Garcia-Longoria, Jorge M. Cardenas Callirgos, Ravinder N. M. Sehgal
BIOLOGICAL INVASIONS
(2015)
Article
Parasitology
Khouanchy S. Oakgrove, Ryan J. Harrigan, Claire Loiseau, Sue Guers, Bruce Seppi, Ravinder N. M. Sehgal
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL FOR PARASITOLOGY
(2014)
Article
Infectious Diseases
Elvin J. Lauron, Khouanchy S. Oakgrove, Lisa A. Tell, Kevin Biskar, Scott W. Roy, Ravinder N. M. Sehgal
Article
Parasitology
Elvin J. Lauron, Claire Loiseau, Rauri C. K. Bowie, Greg S. Spicer, Thomas B. Smith, Martim Melo, Ravinder N. M. Sehgal
Article
Parasitology
Erika L. Walther, Gediminas Valkiunas, Angie D. Gonzalez, Nubia E. Matta, Robert E. Ricklefs, Anthony Cornel, Ravinder N. M. Sehgal
PARASITOLOGY RESEARCH
(2014)
Article
Ecology
Ravinder N. M. Sehgal
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL FOR PARASITOLOGY-PARASITES AND WILDLIFE
(2019)
Article
Parasitology
Adrienne M. Mackenzie, Megan Dudenhoeffer, Berit Bangoura, Ravinder N. M. Sehgal, Lisa A. Tell, Braden L. Godwin, Holly B. Ernest
Summary: This study investigated the prevalence and diversity of haemosporidians in Broad-tailed Hummingbirds. The results showed that different types of haemosporidians were detected in the blood samples of Broad-tailed Hummingbirds, providing important information for understanding haemosporidian infections in hummingbirds in North America.
PARASITOLOGY RESEARCH
(2022)
Article
Parasitology
Tierra C. Groff, Teresa J. Lorenz, Tatjana A. Iezhova, Gediminas Valkiunas, Ravinder N. M. Sehgal
Summary: We described a new Leucocytozoon species, Leucocytozoon polynuclearisn. sp., found in two North American woodpeckers. This study analyzed the morphology of the parasite in its blood stages and a portion of its mitochondrial cytochrome b gene. The distinctive features of L. polynuclearisn. sp. include triangular-shaped host cell nuclei and the position of host cell nuclei above the gametocytes. Phylogenetic analysis showed that L. polynuclearisn. sp. is more closely related to other North American Leucocytozoon species than to the only other Leucocytozoon species found in Picidae birds, Leucocytozoon squamatus Nandi, 1986. The distribution data suggests that L. polynuclearisn. sp. infects woodpeckers throughout North America, while L. squamatus is restricted to Old World Piciformes birds.
SYSTEMATIC PARASITOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Entomology
Foncha David Forfuet, Marie Paul Audrey Mayi, Jerome Fru-Cho, Cyril Kowo, Damian Nota Anong, Andongma Esack Fonda, Charlene Djomo, Timoleon Tchuinkam, Katherine K. Brisco, Ravinder Sehgal, Anthony John Cornel
Summary: This study investigated the biology of an afrotropical rainforest mosquito Eretmapodites and evaluated different trapping methods. The results showed that net traps, bamboo pots, and sweep nets are efficient in collecting high abundance of forest mosquitoes.
JOURNAL OF MEDICAL ENTOMOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Parasitology
Wilmer Amaya-Mejia, Molly Dodge, Brett Morris, John P. Dumbacher, Ravinder N. M. Sehgal
Summary: The island archipelagos of Papua New Guinea provide a unique ecological framework for studying haemosporidian parasite differentiation and geographic structure. The diverse avifauna of these islands have been found to harbor a wide range of avian blood parasites. This study identified 40 new lineages of haemosporidians, including a previously undescribed genus in the region, and revealed heterogeneous patterns of parasite diversity and host specificity across different islands.
PARASITOLOGY RESEARCH
(2022)
Article
Ecology
Faith De Amaral, Robert E. Wilson, Sarah A. Sonsthagen, Ravinder Sehgal
Summary: This study provides the first comparative assessment of avian haemosporidia distribution of Arctic Alaska with subarctic host populations for four species of grouse and three species of ptarmigan. Results showed a high overall prevalence of at least one haemospordian genus, with spruce grouse showing the highest prevalence. Different parasite lineages were found in different bird species and different tissues, highlighting the importance of considering methodological factors in parasite diversity assessments.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL FOR PARASITOLOGY-PARASITES AND WILDLIFE
(2023)
Article
Ornithology
M. A. Jasper, J. M. Hull, A. C. Hull, R. N. M. Sehgal
JOURNAL OF ORNITHOLOGY
(2014)