Mixed haemosporidian infections are associated with higher fearfulness in Yellow Wagtail (Motacilla flava)

• Published in: Canadian journal of zoology Vol. 95; no. 6; pp. 405 - 410
• Main Authors: Marinov, M.P, Marchetti, C, Dimitrov, D, Ilieva, M, Zehtindjiev, P
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Ottawa NRC Research Press 01.06.2017; Canadian Science Publishing NRC Research Press
• Subjects: Animal behavior; avian haemosporidians; bergeronnette printanière; Bird migration; Birds; co-infections; coinfections; Comorbidity; Complications and side effects; crainte; Fear; fearfulness; Haemoproteus; Health aspects; host–parasite interactions; Hypotheses; hémosporidies aviaires; Infections; interactions hôte–parasite; migration; Mixed infection; Motacilla flava; Parasites; Plasmodium; Psychological aspects; Sporozoa; Studies; Yellow Wagtail; Zoological research; Zoology; Canada
• ISSN: 0008-4301; 1480-3283; 1480-3283; 0008-4301
• DOI: 10.1139/cjz-2016-0121

Blood parasite infections have been shown to influence behavioural traits of their avian hosts, in particular activity level and boldness. Following the hypothesis that a mixed infection by different parasite species should have higher effects than single-species infections, we analysed activity and boldness in wild-caught Yellow Wagtails (Motacilla flava L., 1758), a trans-Saharan migrant, during the energetically demanding spring migration. Eighty-five percent of the birds were naturally infected with Haemoproteus Kruse, 1890 or Plasmodium Marchiafava and Celli, 1885 (Sporozoa, Haemosporida) and 27% of individuals had parasites from both genera. No differences in activity were found among uninfected, single infection, and mixed infection groups. Birds with infections from both genera appeared to be more fearful when first introduced to a cage. These birds also tended to be less likely to approach a novel object compared with uninfected birds and birds infected by a single genus only.