Original title: Community ecology and genetics of bird - parasite interactions
Authors: DAMNJANOVIC, Dragomir
Document type: Doctoral theses
Year: 2024
Language: eng
Abstract: This thesis investigates the interplay between genetic diversity, population structure, and haemosporidian parasite diversity in avian host-parasite systems, providing novel insights into ecological and evolutionary dynamics. Chapter I focuses on the genetic diversity and population structure of red- and white-spotted bluethroat subspecies, with a particular emphasis on the endangered, red-spotted population in the Krkonoše Mountains. Using genomic tools, this chapter highlights the genetic challenges faced by small, isolated populations and their implications for conservation. Chapter II employs next-generation sequencing to reveal a previously underexplored diversity of haemosporidian parasites in Eurasian bluethroat subspecies. It highlights geographic variation in parasite prevalence and identifies novel lineages, offering a deeper understanding of host-parasite co-evolution and its implications for subspecies differentiation. Chapter III expands the focus to Southeast Asia, characterizing haemosporidian diversity in three sympatric passerines: the Little Spiderhunter, White-rumped Shama, and Blue-winged Pitta. This chapter uncovers unique parasite-host associations in tropical ecosystems and contributes to understanding malaria's biogeographic patterns. Chapter IV investigates the diversity and selection pressures on key immune genes (TLR3, TLR4, and MHC class I exon 3) in avian hosts, elucidating their role in host-parasite co-evolution. By linking immunogenetic variation with parasite infection, it demonstrates how genetic diversity influences host survival and resilience. Finally, Chapter V synthesizes the findings, providing insights into the ecological, evolutionary, and conservation implications of host-parasite interactions.
Keywords: amplicon sequencing; Arachnothera longirostra; Copsychus malabaricus; ddRAD; Leucocytozoon; Luscinia svecica; malaria; Pitta moluccensis; Plasmodium
Citation: DAMNJANOVIC, Dragomir. Community ecology and genetics of bird - parasite interactions. České Budějovice, 2024. disertační práce (Ph.D.). JIHOČESKÁ UNIVERZITA V ČESKÝCH BUDĚJOVICÍCH. Přírodovědecká fakulta

Institution: University of South Bohemia in České Budějovice (web)
Document availability information: Fulltext is available in the Digital Repository of University of South Bohemia.
Original record: http://www.jcu.cz/vskp/77675

Permalink: http://www.nusl.cz/ntk/nusl-671022


The record appears in these collections:
Universities and colleges > Public universities > University of South Bohemia in České Budějovice
Academic theses (ETDs) > Doctoral theses