The macroecology and evolution of avian competence for Borrelia burgdorferi
Abstract
Prediction of novel reservoirs of zoonotic pathogens would be improved by the identification of interspecific drivers of host competence (i.e., the ability to transmit pathogens to new hosts or vectors). Tick‐borne pathogens can provide a useful model system, because larvae become infected only when feeding on a competent host during their first blood meal. For tick‐borne diseases, competence has been studied best for Borrelia burgdorferi sensu lato (Bbsl), which causes Lyme borreliosis. Major reservoirs include several small mammal species, but birds might play an under‐recognized role in human risk given their ability to disperse infected ticks across large spatial scales. Here, we provide a global synthesis of the ecological and evolutionary factors that determine the ability of bird species to infect larval ticks with Bbsl.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Pub Defense Publication
- Publication Date
- Jan 21, 2021
- Source ID
- 10.1111/geb.13256
Entities
People
- Barbara A. Han
- Daniel J. Becker
Organizations
- Indiana University
- Institute of Ecosystem Studies
- Intelligence Community Postdoctoral Research Fellowship Program
- National Science Foundation