title: Variation in immune parameters and disease prevalence among Lesser Black-backed Gulls (Larus fuscus sp.) with different migratory strategies.
abstract: The ability to control infections is a key trait for migrants that must be balanced against other costly features of the migratory life. In this study we explored the links between migration and disease ecology by examining natural variation in parasite exposure and immunity in several populations of Lesser Black-backed Gulls (Larus fuscus) with different migratory strategies. We found higher activity of natural antibodies in long distance migrants from the nominate subspecies L.f.fuscus. Circulating levels of IgY showed large variation at the population level, while immune parameters associated with antimicrobial activity showed extensive variation at the individual level irrespective of population or migratory strategy. Pathogen prevalence showed large geographical variation. However, the seroprevalence of one of the gull-specific subtypes of avian influenza (H16) was associated to the migratory strategy, with lower prevalence among the long-distance migrants, suggesting that migration may play a role in disease dynamics of certain pathogens at the population level.
authors: Department of Migration and Immunoecology, Max Planck Institute for Ornithology, Radolfzell,Germany; Department of Zoology and Anthropology, University Complutense of Madrid, Madrid, Spain.
authors: Elena
authors: E
authors: Arriero
authors: Department of Migration and Immunoecology, Max Planck Institute for Ornithology, Radolfzell,Germany; Department of Biology, University of Konstanz, Konstanz, Germany.
authors: Inge
authors: I
authors: Müller
authors: Department of Biology, University of Turku, Turun yliopisto, Finland.
authors: Risto
authors: R
authors: Juvaste
authors: Department of Microbiology and Parasitology, University of Alcala, Alcalá de Henares, Spain.
authors: Francisco Javier
authors: FJ
authors: Martínez
authors: Institute of Aquatic Ecosystems (IRTA), Sant Carles de la Ràpita, Spain.
authors: Albert
authors: A
authors: Bertolero
mesh_terms: D025041:Animal Migration; D000818:Animals; D000906:Antibodies / Q000276:immunology; D001715:Bird Diseases / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000209:etiology / Q000276:immunology*; D046091:Charadriiformes / Q000276:immunology*; D005060:Europe / Q000453:epidemiology; D054884:Host-Pathogen Interactions; D015995:Prevalence; D016036:Seroepidemiologic Studies
chemical_list: D000906:Antibodies