Trans-oceanic host dispersal explains high seabird tick diversity on Cape Verde islands
Parasites represent ideal models for unravelling biogeographic patterns and mechanisms of diversification on islands. Both host-mediated dispersal and within-island adaptation can shape parasite island assemblages. In this study, we examined patterns of genetic diversity and structure of Ornithodoros seabird ticks within the Cape Verde Archipelago in relation to their global phylogeography. Contrary to expectations, ticks from multiple, geographically distant clades mixed within the archipelago. Trans-oceanic colonization via host movements probably explains high local tick diversity, contrasting with previous research that suggests little large-scale dispersal in these birds. Although host specificity was not obvious at a global scale, host-associated genetic structure was found within Cape Verde colonies, indicating that post-colonization adaptation to specific hosts probably occurs. These results highlight the role of host metapopulation dynamics in the evolutionary ecology and epidemiology of avian parasites and pathogens. This journal is © 2012 The Royal Society.
| Main Authors: | , , , |
|---|---|
| Other Authors: | |
| Format: | artículo biblioteca |
| Language: | English |
| Published: |
Royal Society (Great Britain)
2012-08-23
|
| Online Access: | http://hdl.handle.net/10261/79881 http://dx.doi.org/10.13039/501100001665 http://dx.doi.org/10.13039/501100004794 http://dx.doi.org/10.13039/501100004837 http://dx.doi.org/10.13039/501100000780 http://dx.doi.org/10.13039/501100000038 |
| Tags: |
Add Tag
No Tags, Be the first to tag this record!
|