The haematozoan parasites of Common Blackbirds Turdus merula: associations with host condition

Hatchwell, Ben J, Wood, Matthew J ORCID: 0000-0003-0920-8396, Anwar, M A, Chamberlain, Dan E and Perrins, Christopher M (2001) The haematozoan parasites of Common Blackbirds Turdus merula: associations with host condition. Ibis: International Journal of Avian Science, 143 (3). pp. 420-426.

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Abstract

A population of European Blackbirds Turdus merula was studied to investigate the relationships between blood parasitism and host morphometrics, a putative sexually-selected trait, and reproductive parameters. The prevalence of haematozoa was extremely high and infection was negatively associated with adult morphometrics: adults infected with Leucocytozoon were in relatively poor body condition and had shorter wings than uninfected birds. There was also a negative relationship between blood parasite infection and traits associated with reproduction. The bill colour of males (a putative sexually-selected trait) infected with Plasmodium was duller than that of uninfected males, and in females Haemoproteus infection was significantly positively associated with bill colouration. Haematozoan infection was unrelated to reproductive parameters, and there was no relationship between blood parasite infection and the provision of parental care.

Item Type:	Article
Article Type:	Article
Subjects:	Q Science > QH Natural history > QH301 Biology Q Science > QL Zoology
Divisions:	Schools and Research Institutes > School of Education and Science
Research Priority Areas:	Place, Environment and Community
Depositing User:	Matt Wood
Date Deposited:	28 Jul 2014 14:49
Last Modified:	01 Sep 2023 15:46
URI:	https://eprints.glos.ac.uk/id/eprint/567

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