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

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 focusmore » on investigating the role of both blowflies and climate on fledging success. Climate patterns may negatively impact host fitness through altered parasite pressure.« less

Authors:

Musgrave, Karen  ^[1];

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• Search DOE PAGES for ORCID "0000-0002-1022-1769"
• Search orcid.org for ORCID "0000-0002-1022-1769"

Bartlow, Andrew W.  ^[2];

• Search DOE PAGES for author "Bartlow, Andrew W."
• Search DOE PAGES for ORCID "0000-0002-1254-4481"
• Search orcid.org for ORCID "0000-0002-1254-4481"

Fair, Jeanne M.  ^[2]

• Search DOE PAGES for author "Fair, Jeanne M."
• Search DOE PAGES for ORCID "0000-0002-3377-6134"
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+ Show Author Affiliations

1. Environmental Stewardship Los Alamos National Laboratory Los Alamos New Mexico
2. Biosecurity and Public Health Los Alamos National Laboratory Los Alamos New Mexico

Publication Date:

2019-06-20

Research Org.:

Los Alamos National Lab. (LANL), Los Alamos, NM (United States)

Sponsoring Org.:

USDOE

OSTI Identifier:

1560201

Alternate Identifier(s):

OSTI ID: 1544688; OSTI ID: 1560202

Report Number(s):

LA-UR-18-31593
Journal ID: ISSN 2045-7758

Grant/Contract Number:  

89233218CNA000001; AC52-06NA25396

Resource Type:

Published Article

Journal Name:

Ecology and Evolution

Additional Journal Information:

Journal Name: Ecology and Evolution Journal Volume: 9 Journal Issue: 13; Journal ID: ISSN 2045-7758

Publisher:

Wiley Blackwell (John Wiley & Sons)

Country of Publication:

United Kingdom

Language:

English

Subject:

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