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Evidence for the exchange of blood parasites between North America and the Neotropics in blue-winged teal (Anas discors)

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Abstract

Blue-winged teal (Anas discors) are abundant, small-bodied dabbling ducks that breed throughout the prairies of the northcentral USA and central Canada and that winter in the southern USA and northern Neotropics. Given the migratory tendencies of this species, it is plausible that blue-winged teal may disperse avian pathogens, such as parasites causing avian malaria, between spatially distant areas. To test the hypothesis that blue-winged teal play a role in the exchange of blood parasites between North America and areas further south, we collected information on migratory tendencies of this species and sampled birds at spatially distant areas during breeding and non-breeding periods to diagnose and genetically characterize parasitic infections. Using a combination of band recovery data, satellite telemetry, molecular diagnostics, and genetic analyses, we found evidence for (1) migratory connectivity of blue-winged teal between our sampling locations in the Canadian prairies and along the US Gulf Coast with areas throughout the northern Neotropics, (2) parasite acquisition at both breeding and non-breeding areas, (3) infection of blue-winged teal sampled in Canada and the USA with Plasmodium parasite lineages associated with the Neotropics, and (4) infection of blue-winged teal with parasites that were genetically related to those previously reported in waterfowl in both North America and South America. Collectively, our results suggest that blue-winged teal likely play a role in the dispersal of blood parasites between the Neotropics and North America, and therefore, the targeting of this species in surveillance programs for the early detection of Neotropical-origin avian pathogens in the USA may be informative.

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Acknowledgments

This work was funded by the US Geological Survey through the Wildlife Program of the Ecosystem Mission Area and the Contaminants Biology Program of the Environmental Health Mission Area. Canadian field work was funded by Environment Canada, Alberta Conservation Association, Institute for Wetland and Waterfowl Research–Ducks Unlimited Canada, and the University of Saskatchewan. Waterfowl captures in Canada were conducted in collaboration with the US Fish and Wildlife Service and Canadian Wildlife Service personnel. Sample collection and/or deployment of PTTs were conducted with the help of Amy Wilson, Sofia Mlala, Gillian Treen, Jamille McLeod, Kailee Price, Emilie Bouchard, Karen Gesy, Ben Wilcox, George Newsome, Phillip Pauling, Paul Oesterle, Wade Broussard, Alinde Fojtik, Deborah Carter, Jeremiah Slagter, Nick Davis-Fields, Jim LaCour, Jacob Gray, and Kristen DeMarco. We thank Craig Ely for providing advice regarding obtaining and analyzing band recovery data. We appreciate critical reviews provided by John Pearce, Brandt Meixell, Michael Yabsley, and an anonymous reviewer. None of the authors have any financial interests or conflict of interest with this article. Any use of trade names is for descriptive purposes only and does not imply endorsement by the US Government.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. US Geological Survey, Alaska Science Center, 4210 University Drive, Anchorage, AK, 99508, USA

    Andrew M. Ramey, John A. Reed & Joel A. Schmutz

  2. Southeastern Cooperative Wildlife Disease Study, College of Veterinary Medicine, Department of Population Health, The University of Georgia, 589 D. W. Brooks Drive, Athens, GA, 30602, USA

    Andrew M. Ramey & David E. Stallknecht

  3. US Fish and Wildlife Service, Texas Chenier Plain Refuge Complex, 4017 FM 563, P.O. Box 278, Anahuac, TX, 77514, USA

    Patrick Walther

  4. Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries, 2000 Quail Drive, Room 436, Baton Rouge, LA, 70808, USA

    Paul Link

  5. US Geological Survey, Alaska Science Center, 250 Egan Drive, Juneau, AK, 99801, USA

    David C. Douglas

  6. Environment Canada, Prairie and Northern Wildlife Research Centre, 115 Perimeter Road, Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, S7N 0X4, Canada

    Catherine Soos

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  1. Andrew M. Ramey
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Correspondence to Andrew M. Ramey.

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Ramey, A.M., Reed, J.A., Walther, P. et al. Evidence for the exchange of blood parasites between North America and the Neotropics in blue-winged teal (Anas discors). Parasitol Res 115, 3923–3939 (2016). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00436-016-5159-2

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