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.
Highlights
Migration has always attracted much attention as a fascinating life strategy involving displacements which can span several continents [1]
Total IgY levels showed significant variation among populations (19% of variance explained), but migratory strategy explained less than 1% of the variance (Table 1)
Subspecies and migratory strategy explained less than 1% of the variance in seroprevalence of avian paramyxoviruses (APMV)-6 and APMV-1, and were not retained in the final models
Summary
Migration has always attracted much attention as a fascinating life strategy involving displacements which can span several continents [1]. Migration still poses many questions regarding the considerable energetic demands and sophisticated physiological adaptations and mechanisms of navigation [1,2,3]. Migration has attracted attention as an important factor presumably involved in spreading zoonotic diseases [4]. Migrants are exposed to a wide variety of environments, including all their biotic and abiotic components. Pathogens are an important biotic component of the environment and represent one of the major challenges for migrants [5,6].
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