Avian malaria in Hawaiian forest birds: infection and population impacts across species and elevations

Author:: Samuel, Michael D., Woodworth, Bethaney L., Atkinson, Carter T., Hart, Patrick J., LaPointe, Dennis
Title:: Avian malaria in Hawaiian forest birds: infection and population impacts across species and elevations
Periodical:: Ecosphere
Year:: 2015
Volume:: 6
Pages:: 21
Subject:: Avian malaria Hawaii Amakihi Apanane Iiwi Kilauea Volcano Mauna Loa
Summary:: The authors conducted four longitudinal studies of 3-7 years in length on the Hawaii Island on avian malaria and its impact on populations of Apapany, Hawaii Amakihi, and Iiwi in 3 different elevations. Species-specific patterns of malaria prevalence, transmission, and mortality rates varied among elevations, possibly due to ecological factors that drive mosquito abundance. Malaria infection rates are in reverse correlation with elevation. Adult malaria fatality rates were highest for Iiwi, intermediate for Amakihi and lower for Apapane. Mosquitoes prefer feeding on Amakihi rather than Apapane, but Apapane are likely a more important reservoir for malaria transmission to mosquitoes.
Label:: Birds - General
URL:: https://esajournals.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full/10.1890/ES14-00393.1
Date:: June 2015
Collection:: Periodicals