The maternal effects of haemosporidian infection in red-winged blackbirds
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Authors
Olson, Sarena
Date
Type
thesis
Language
eng
Keyword
Haemosporidia , Red-winged blackbird , maternal effects
Alternative Title
Abstract
Vector borne diseases present a substantial selective pressure to many animals, as they can impose direct fitness costs and intensify trade-offs between immune function and other life history traits, like reproduction. Haemosporidian parasites, a family of blood-borne parasites that include the causative agent of malaria (Plasmodium spp), are spread by insect vectors. In populations with endemic malaria, chronic infection can have a significant impact on individuals through changes to physiological condition, reproductive success, and survival. In addition to the individual effects on host physiology and success, there can also be associated impacts on the offspring of the host, where maternal infection can affect offspring in both negative and adaptive ways. The maternal effects of malaria on wild populations have not been studied extensively through experimental means, though they could play an important role in offspring success and phenotypic expression in future generations. We estimated the maternal effects of chronic haemosporidian infection in free-ranging red-winged blackbirds by medicating females with antimalarial medication or a control solution before reproduction. We measured egg mass, hatching success, and fledging success for each female, and a suite of measures to determine nestling condition. We found that females who received antimalarial medication laid heavier eggs, and fledged more young per nest, but we did not detect differences in hatching success between groups. We also found that nestlings from medicated mothers were heavier, and had higher haematocrit and lower plasma glucose when females were in good condition before treatment. This is one of the first studies to experimentally quantify the maternal effects of chronic malaria infection on offspring condition in birds, and one of few studies to describe fitness effects of chronic maternal infection in a population with endemic haemosporidian infection. This study demonstrates that the maternal effects of infection have the potential to shift individual and population phenotypes through changes to offspring size and physiological condition as a result of chronic maternal infection. Understanding the effects of maternal infection on offspring condition and fitness furthers our knowledge of the maternal effects of disease, which will continue to be important as pathogens colonize new areas and naïve hosts.
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ProQuest PhD and Master's Theses International Dissemination Agreement
Intellectual Property Guidelines at Queen's University
Copying and Preserving Your Thesis
This publication is made available by the authority of the copyright owner solely for the purpose of private study and research and may not be copied or reproduced except as permitted by the copyright laws without written authority from the copyright owner.