| Abstract: | The past quarter century has seen an unprecedented increase in the number of new and emerging infectious diseases throughout the world, with serious implications for human and wildlife populations. We examined host persistence in the face of introduced vector-borne diseases in Hawaii, where introduced avian malaria and introduced vectors have had a negative impact on most populations of Hawaiian forest birds for nearly a century. We studied birds, parasites, and vectors in nine study areas from 0 to 1,800 m on Mauna Loa Volcano, Hawaii from January to October, 2002. Contrary to predictions of prior work, we found that Hawaii amakihi (Hemignathus virens), a native species susceptible to malaria, comprised from 24.5% to 51.9% of the avian community at three low-elevation forests (55-270 m). Amakihi were more abundant at low elevations than at disease-free high elevations, and were resident and breeding there. Infection rates were 24-40% by microscopy and 55-83% by serology, with most infected individuals experiencing low-intensity, chronic infections. Mosquito trapping and diagnostics provided strong evidence for year-round local transmission. Moreover, we present evidence that Hawaii amakihi have increased in low elevation habitats on south-eastern Hawaii Island over the past decade. The recent emergent phenomenon of recovering amakihi populations at low elevations, despite extremely high prevalence of avian malaria, suggests that ecological or evolutionary processes acting on hosts or parasites have allowed this species to recolonize low-elevation habitats. A better understanding of the mechanisms allowing coexistence of hosts and parasites may ultimately lead to tools for mitigating disease impacts on wildlife and human populations. |
| Genre: | Article |
| ProdID: | 70029136 |
| Citation Author: | Woodworth, B. L.; Atkinson, C. T.; LaPointe, D. A.; Hart, P. J.; Spiegel, C. S.; Tweed, E. J.; Henneman, C.; LeBrun, J.; Denette, T.; DeMots, R.; Kozar, K. L.; Triglia, D.; Lease, D.; Gregor, A.; Smith, T.; Duffy, D. |
| Citation Contributing Office: | |
| Citation Datum: | |
| Citation Day: | |
| Citation Edition: | |
| Citation Editor: | |
| Citation End Page: | 1536 |
| Citation Issue: | 5 |
| Citation Keywords: | |
| Citation Language: | English |
| Citation Larger Work Title: | Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America |
| Citation LatN: | |
| Citation LatS: | |
| Citation LonE: | |
| Citation LonW: | |
| Citation Month: | |
| Citation No Pagination: | |
| Citation Number Of Pages: | 6 |
| Citation Online Only Flag: | |
| Citation Phsyical Description: | |
| Citation Projection: | |
| Citation Public Comments: | |
| Citation Publisher: | |
| Citation Series: | |
| Citation Series Code: | |
| Citation Series Number: | |
| Citation Search Results Text: | Host population persistence in the face of introduced vector-borne diseases: Hawaii amakihi and avian malaria; 2005; Article; Journal; Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America; Woodworth, B. L.; Atkinson, C. T.; LaPointe, D. A.; Hart, P. J.; Spiegel, C. S.; Tweed, E. J.; Henneman, C.; LeBrun, J.; Denette, T.; DeMots, R.; Kozar, K. L.; Triglia, D.; Lease, D.; Gregor, A.; Smith, T.; Duffy, D. |
| Citation Start Page: | 1531 |
| Citation Volume: | 102 |
| Citation Year: | 2005 |
| Type: | citation/reference |
| Text: | Host population persistence in the face of introduced vector-borne diseases: Hawaii amakihi and avian malaria; 2005; Article; Journal; Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America; Woodworth, B. L.; Atkinson, C. T.; LaPointe, D. A.; Hart, P. J.; Spiegel, C. S.; Tweed, E. J.; Henneman, C.; LeBrun, J.; Denette, T.; DeMots, R.; Kozar, K. L.; Triglia, D.; Lease, D.; Gregor, A.; Smith, T.; Duffy, D. |
| URL (THUMBNAIL): | http://pubs.er.usgs.gov/thumbnails/outside_thumb.jpg |
| URL (DIGITAL OBJECT IDENTIFIER): | http://dx.doi.org/10.1073/pnas.0409454102 |
| Date Other: | Sat, 1 Jan 2005 00:00 -0600 |
| Publisher: | |
