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12 October 2020 Are Malaria-Infected Birds More Attractive to Mosquito Vectors?
Josué Martínez-de la Puente, Alazne Díez-Fernández, Ramón C. Soriguer, Luisa Rambozzi, Andrea Peano, Pier Giuseppe Meneguz, Jordi Figuerola
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Abstract

According to the host manipulation hypothesis, parasites modify the hosts' phenotype to maximise their transmission success. Avian malaria parasites and related haemosporidians are vector-borne parasites infecting birds worldwide. Recent studies have reported a greater attraction of mosquitoes to infected birds, supporting the host manipulation hypothesis. Changes in the composition of the uropygial gland secretion of birds associated with infections have been proposed as the potential mechanisms explaining this pattern. Here we critically review the published information on the host manipulation hypothesis in the context of avian malaria infections. We focus this article on the suggested role of the secretions of the uropygial gland and bird odours as mosquito attractants. The role of uropygial gland secretions as attractants of mosquitoes was poorly supported by available literature. In contrast, changes in the odour profile of infected birds or a reduction in the anti-mosquito behaviour of infected individuals may explain the parasite-mediated effects on mosquito attraction and biting rates. Finally, we propose future research approaches to identify the role of parasite infections on the interaction between birds and insect vectors.—Martínez-de la Puente, J., Díez-Fernández, A., Soriguer, R.C., Rambozzi, L., Peano, A., Meneguz, P.G. & Figuerola, J. (2021). Are malaria-infected birds more attractive to mosquito vectors? Ardeola, 68: 251-264.

© Juan Varela
Josué Martínez-de la Puente, Alazne Díez-Fernández, Ramón C. Soriguer, Luisa Rambozzi, Andrea Peano, Pier Giuseppe Meneguz, and Jordi Figuerola "Are Malaria-Infected Birds More Attractive to Mosquito Vectors?," Ardeola 68(1), 205-218, (12 October 2020). https://doi.org/10.13157/arla.68.1.2021.fo1
Received: 17 April 2020; Accepted: 17 June 2020; Published: 12 October 2020
KEYWORDS
Culicoides
Haemoproteus
Leucocytozoon
mosquitoes
parasites
Plasmodium
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