Talk at ATREE on 25 August 2014 at 3 pm titled "Ecology and Evolution of avian malaria parasites: a model for host-parasite interactions" by Farah Ishtiaq from CES, IISc, Bangalore
Avian malaria (Plasmodium) and related haemosporidians (Haemoproteus and Leucocytozoon) show the highest species diversity across avian hosts. Recent advances in molecular techniques using cytochrome b gene of malaria parasites have revealed an astonishing diversity much higher than previously estimated from morphological methods. Vector-mediated parasites in the genera Plasmodium and Haemoproteus, represent a complex, spatially heterogeneous host-parasite system having ecological and evolutionary impacts on host populations. At one extreme, malaria parasites have been implicated in the extinction or decline of several species of birds in Hawaii. Additional studies of the interactions between blood parasites, mate choice, reproductive success, and immune response indicate that malaria may be a significant selective factor in bird populations. Since parasite abundance depends on both the presence of an appropriate host and as well as a competent vector, this
multi-tiered system provides an interesting parasite model for examining 'species' diversity and distribution, temporal and spatial variations, species turnover reflecting on host populations and evolutionary dynamics of host-parasite interactions. In this talk I will provide an in depth overview on studies using avian malaria parasites and their use as an excellent model system to investigate host-parasite associations,
geographic patterns and climate change.