title: Genetic colour polymorphism is associated with avian malarial infections.
abstract: Individual genetic diversity is predicted to influence host-parasite interactions. Together with the genes directly associated with immune responses, variation in genes regulating vertebrate melanin-based pigmentation may play an important role in these interactions, mainly through the pleiotropic effects that affect colour-specific physiology, behaviour and immunity. Here, we test the hypothesis that the prevalence of avian malarial parasites differs between phenotypes in a raptor species in which the genetic basis of colour polymorphism and its pleiotropic effects over immune functions are known. We found that dark morphs had a higher prevalence of Plasmodium parasites than pale ones but detected no such association for Haemoproteus This pattern may be associated with unequal exposure to vectors or, as suggested by our circumstantial evidence, to a differential ability to mount an immune response against blood parasites.
authors.affiliation: Department of Wetland Ecology, Estación Biológica de Doñana, CSIC, C/Américo Vespucio, s/n, 41092 Seville, Spain laurag@ebd.csic.es.
authors.forename: Laura
authors.identifier: 0000-0002-6205-6769
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Gangoso
authors.affiliation: Department of Wetland Ecology, Estación Biológica de Doñana, CSIC, C/Américo Vespucio, s/n, 41092 Seville, Spain.
authors.forename: Rafael
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Gutiérrez-López
authors.affiliation: Department of Wetland Ecology, Estación Biológica de Doñana, CSIC, C/Américo Vespucio, s/n, 41092 Seville, Spain.
authors.forename: Josué
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Martínez-de la Puente
authors.affiliation: Department of Wetland Ecology, Estación Biológica de Doñana, CSIC, C/Américo Vespucio, s/n, 41092 Seville, Spain.
authors.forename: Jordi
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Figuerola
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D046093:Falconiformes / Q000235:genetics* / Q000276:immunology / Q000469:parasitology*; D005260:Female; D018503:Genome, Protozoan; D016787:Haemosporida / Q000235:genetics; D008289:Malaria, Avian / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000235:genetics / Q000469:parasitology*; D008297:Male; D010858:Pigmentation / Q000235:genetics; D010961:Plasmodium / Q000235:genetics*; D011110:Polymorphism, Genetic; D015995:Prevalence; D013030:Spain
keywords: Plasmodium; colour polymorphism; haematozoa; host–parasite interactions