Establishment of exotic parasites: the origins and characteristics of an avian malaria community in an isolated island avifauna
Ewen, John G.; Bensch, Staffan; Blackburn, Tim M.; Bonneaud, Camille, et al. (2012). Establishment of exotic parasites: the origins and characteristics of an avian malaria community in an isolated island avifauna. Ecology Letters, 15, (10), 1112 - 1119
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Published
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English
Authors:
Ewen, John G.
;
Bensch, Staffan
;
Blackburn, Tim M.
;
Bonneaud, Camille
, et al.
Department:
MEMEG
Molecular Ecology and Evolution Lab
BECC: Biodiversity and Ecosystem services in a Changing Climate
Project:
Malaria in birds
Research Group:
Molecular Ecology and Evolution Lab
Abstract:
Knowledge of the processes favouring the establishment of exotic parasites is poor. Herein, we test the characteristics of successful exotic parasites that have co-established in the remote island archipelago of New Zealand, due to the introduction of numerous avian host species. Our results show that avian malaria parasites (AM; parasites of the genus Plasmodium) that successfully invaded are more globally generalist (both geographically widespread and with a broad taxonomic range of hosts) than AM parasites not co-introduced to New Zealand. Furthermore, the successful AM parasites are presently more prevalent in their native range than AM parasites found in the same native range but not co-introduced to New Zealand. This has resulted in an increased number and greater taxonomic diversity of AM parasites now in New Zealand.
Keywords:
Avian malaria ;
introduced birds ;
introduction success ;
invasive ;
parasites ;
New Zealand
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