Bird parasitology and diseases

A phylogenomic framework for avian feather lice (Phthiraptera: Ischnocera)

This study constructs a comprehensive phylogenomic tree of avian feather lice using 260 samples and 2,395 genes, resolving higher-level relationships and providing a framework for future comparative studies.

The Monophyly of Nycteria and Polychromophilus Parasites A Missing Piece in the Evolution of Malaria and Other Haemosporida

This study resolves the evolutionary relationships of bat-restricted haemosporidian parasites Nycteria and Polychromophilus using near-complete mitochondrial genomes, showing they form a monophyletic clade not supported by smaller datasets.

Single cell transcriptomics and development of gametocyte-specific molecular markers for avian malaria parasites

The paper develops molecular markers to distinguish male and female gametocytes in Plasmodium relictum using single-cell RNA sequencing, outperforming microscopy in sensitivity and detection.

Infected host competence overshadows heterogeneity in susceptibility in shaping experimental epizootics

The paper shows that host competence, not susceptibility heterogeneity, drives epidemic outcomes in experimental bird flocks.

Parallel elevational replacement of hosts and parasites in a highly susceptible songbird genus

The paper examines elevational replacement patterns of haemosporidian parasites in three vireo species, finding concordant elevational zonation between hosts and parasites.

Parasitism by, species composition, morphometry, and parasitoidism of Protocalliphora bird blowflies (Diptera: Calliphoridae) in Quebec s farmlands: a 16-year dataset

The paper presents a 16-year study of Protocalliphora blowfly infestations and parasitoid interactions in Quebec farmlands, revealing spatial and temporal patterns and species composition shifts.

An evolutionarily conserved laterally acquired toolkit enables microbiota targeting by Trichomonas

This study identifies a conserved molecular toolkit in Trichomonas species acquired through lateral gene transfer, enabling interaction with microbiota and potentially influencing host inflammation.

Prior infection induces long-lasting partial immunity to reduce transmission within flocks in an avian host-pathogen system.

The study shows that prior infection with Mycoplasma gallisepticum in birds leads to partial immunity lasting three years, reducing transmission within flocks.

Climate-driven increase in transmission of wildlife malaria parasite over the last quarter century

The study shows climate warming has increased malaria parasite prevalence and transmission in blue tits over 26 years, with specific temperature windows driving the trend.

Disease and ectoparasite management improve nestling golden eagle health and survival: An effective mitigation strategy

The paper shows that treating trichomonosis and reducing poultry bugs in golden eagle nests improves nestling survival and population growth.

Generalist malaria parasites and host imprinting: Unveiling transcriptional memory

This study investigates how the avian malaria parasite P. homocircumflexum adjusts its gene expression across different bird hosts, finding evidence for epigenetic inheritance and transcriptional plasticity.

The nutritional content of anthropogenic resources affects wildlife disease dynamics

The paper investigates how the nutritional quality of anthropogenic food affects disease transmission in wildlife, finding that lower quality food leads to larger epidemics and population declines.

Diet driven differences in host tolerance are linked to shifts in global gene expression in a common avian host-pathogen system

The paper examines how diet affects host tolerance to a bacterial pathogen in birds, finding that protein-fed birds show greater transcriptional priming and tolerance during recovery.

Prevalence and Diversity of Haemosporidian-Associated Matryoshka RNA Viruses in a Natural Population of Wild Birds

The paper identifies two novel Matryoshka RNA viruses in wild birds, showing their association with haemosporidian parasites and prevalence in infected birds.

Pathogen priming alters host transmission potential and predictors of transmissibility in a wild songbird species

This study shows that prior pathogen exposure in house finches reduces transmission likelihood but does not eliminate it, especially with more transmissible strains.

Impact of vertebrate host parasitaemia on Plasmodium development within mosquitoes

This study shows that higher parasite burden in vertebrate hosts leads to shorter extrinsic incubation periods in mosquitoes, but not increased transmissible stages.

Delayed post-juvenile moult in malaria-infected European blackcaps

This study finds that malaria-like infections in juvenile birds delay their post-juvenile moult, potentially reducing their fitness by prolonging the period of incomplete plumage.

Two avian Plasmodium species trigger different transcriptional responses on their vector Culex pipiens

The paper examines how two avian Plasmodium species induce distinct transcriptional responses in their mosquito vector Culex pipiens at different stages of infection.

Transcriptomic responses of Galapagos finches to avian pox virus infection

This study compares the transcriptomic responses of two Galapagos finch species to avian pox virus infection, finding differences in immune response and viral manipulation of host cells.

Genomic sequence capture of haemosporidian parasites: Methods and prospects for enhanced study of host-parasite evolution

The paper develops a sequence capture method to obtain nuclear loci from haemosporidian parasites in wild birds, improving phylogenetic resolution over mitochondrial DNA barcoding.

Complete avian malaria parasite genomes reveal features associated with lineage specific evolution in birds and mammals

The paper reports the genome sequencing of two avian malaria parasites and identifies lineage-specific features associated with their evolution in birds and mammals.