Researcher ORCID Identifier

0009-0007-1889-3096

Graduation Year

2024

Document Type

Open Access Senior Thesis

Degree Name

Bachelor of Arts

Department

Environmental Analysis

Reader 1

Dr. Sarah Budischak

Reader 2

Dr. Elise Ferree

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Terms of Use for work posted in Scholarship@Claremont.

Rights Information

© 2024 Julianna N Deibel

Abstract

Migration is a widespread behavior in animals which both causes and is motivated by fluctuations in nutrient availability. Migration is ecologically important, as it connects areas of differing primary productivities and carries pathogens over distance. The relationship between migration and disease is complex, sensitive to anthropogenic disturbance, and influenced by ecological cycles as well as host, vector and parasite life cycles. Four central migration-infection mechanisms have been proposed: migratory susceptibility, migratory exposure, migratory escape, and migratory culling. These mechanisms may yield increased or decreased infection post-migration, based on migration’s physiological tax and the concentration of pathogens along migratory pathways.

To further understand migration’s role in blood parasitism, and the relationship between infection, chronic stress and body condition, we measured Leucocytozoon, Haemoproteus and Plasmodium infection, heterophil-to-lymphocyte ratios, and body condition in migratory Gambel’s White-Crowned Sparrows (GWCS). Data was collected in Claremont, CA for two weeks in the fall and spring. We found significant variation in infection across seasons, age groups, and body conditions. We also found significant seasonal variation in stress and condition. Our results may be partially explained by migratory exposure and culling, as well as by tolerance to infection and stress, and mobilization of energy reserves for migration. Our results suggest that GWCS may be good candidates for carrying pathogens over long distances. Future studies should track individuals across years to accurately gauge exact migration timing and infection fluctuation, sample during the breeding season, and comparatively study a sedentary bird species to further understand the migration-infection-stress-condition relationship in GWCS.

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