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Title: Long‐term variation in environmental conditions influences host–parasite fitness

Journal Article · · Ecology and Evolution
DOI:https://doi.org/10.1002/ece3.5321· OSTI ID:1560201
ORCiD logo [1]; ORCiD logo [2]; ORCiD logo [2]
  1. Environmental Stewardship Los Alamos National Laboratory Los Alamos New Mexico
  2. Biosecurity and Public Health Los Alamos National Laboratory Los Alamos New Mexico
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Abstract Long‐term data on host and parasite fitness are important for predicting how host–parasite interactions will be altered in an era of global change. Here, we use data collected from 1997 to 2013 to explore effects of changing environmental conditions on bird–blowfly interactions in northern New Mexico. The objectives of this study were to examine what climate variables influence blowfly prevalence and intensity and to determine whether blowflies and climate variables affect bird fledging success. We examined how temperature, precipitation, and drought affect two parasitic blowflies and their hosts, Western Bluebirds ( Sialia mexicana ) and Ash‐throated Flycatchers ( Myiarchus cinerascens ). We found that blowfly prevalence did not change over time. Blowfly intensity increased over time in bluebird nests, but not in flycatcher nests. More blowflies result in slightly higher fledging success in bluebirds, but not flycatchers. There was a significant interaction between blowflies and precipitation on bluebird fledging success. For flycatchers, there was a significant interaction between blowflies and temperature and between blowflies and drought severity on fledging success. Given that the southwest is projected to be hotter and have more frequent and prolonged droughts, we predict that flycatchers may be negatively impacted by blowflies if these trends continue. Future work should focus on investigating the role of both blowflies and climate on fledging success. Climate patterns may negatively impact host fitness through altered parasite pressure.

Research Organization:
Los Alamos National Laboratory (LANL), Los Alamos, NM (United States)
Sponsoring Organization:
USDOE
Grant/Contract Number:
89233218CNA000001; AC52-06NA25396
OSTI ID:
1560201
Alternate ID(s):
OSTI ID: 1544688; OSTI ID: 1560202
Report Number(s):
LA-UR-18-31593
Journal Information:
Ecology and Evolution, Journal Name: Ecology and Evolution Vol. 9 Journal Issue: 13; ISSN 2045-7758
Publisher:
Wiley Blackwell (John Wiley & Sons)Copyright Statement
Country of Publication:
United Kingdom
Language:
English
Citation Metrics:
Cited by: 12 works
Citation information provided by
Web of Science

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Related Subjects

54 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES
59 BASIC BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES
blowflies
climate
environmental change
host–parasite interactions
nestlings
parasites