DISSERTATION RESEARCH: Seasonal and within Host Dynamics of a Multi-species Malarial Parasite Community in a Tropical Passerine, Turdus grayi.

Princeton University, Princeton NJ

Investigators

Abstract

This research investigates the community dynamics of malarial parasites in a tropical host bird species, the Clay-colored robin, Turdus grayi. Preliminary data show that multiple-species infections are common in tropical birds, that there is rapid turnover of species in the host blood stream, that parasites vary seasonally in prevalence, and that nearly all juvenile birds are infected. The proposed research on captive birds will describe, for the first time, the temporal dynamics of a community of naturally occurring blood parasites. These data will be used to describe how interactions among parasites result in observed variation in parasite life history traits and infection patterns. Broader impacts of this research include the application of new tools and the training of a Panamanian student in field and laboratory techniques. Results may advance our understanding of disease, and of malaria more specifically.