Date of Award

Spring 5-1-2008

Document Type

Thesis

Degree Name

Master of Science (MS)

Department

Life Sciences

First Advisor

Elaina Tuttle

Second Advisor

Rusty A. Gonser

Third Advisor

Ryan R. Jensen

Abstract

The study of parasite-mediated selection, as originally postulated by Hamilton and Zuk ( 1982) in birds is an area of intense study as it allows us to test the significance of the relationship between host and parasite. Recent developments of resistance to treatments in humans for parasite induced disease, creates a place for this important research and emphasizes the need to find the connections and interactions in this relationship between ecology and infectious disease. The development of new molecular techniques has made the study of parasitism in birds and mammals easier and provides an efficient sensitive . methodology to detect presence and potentially parasite load. Understanding how parasites influence fitness will help with understanding the selection pressures influencing species and thereby increasing our understanding of malarial species that parasitize humans. Through investigating parasitic infection of Haemoproteusl Plasmodium spp. in the polymorphic white-throated sparrow I show how infection influences host fitness within this species. I combine multiple disciplines by integrating intensive field data with molecular techniques and Geographic Information System analysis to provide an analysis of the relationship between the host, disease and the environment. My results show that white-throated sparrows are negatively affected by parasitic infection and that there is a basis for parasite-mediated selection. This polymorphic species presents evidence for pathogenicity of avian malarial parasites and further research into this relationship will elucidate the influence of parasitism on evolutionary proccesses.

Download

Share

COinS