RT Journal Article
T1 Variation in immune parameters and disease prevalence among Lesser Black-Backed Gulls (Larus fuscus sp.) with different migratory strategies
A1 Arriero Higueras, Elena
A1 Müller, Inge
A1 Juvaste, Risto
A1 Martínez, Francisco Javier
A1 Bertolero, Albert
AB The ability to control infections is a key trait for migrants that must be balanced against other costly features of the migratory life. In this study we explored the links between migration and disease ecology by examining natural variation in parasite exposure and immunity in several populations of Lesser Black-backed Gulls (Larus fuscus) with different migratory strategies. We found higher activity of natural antibodies in long distance migrants from the nominate subspecies L.f.fuscus. Circulating levels of IgY showed large variation at the population level, while immune parameters associated with antimicrobial activity showed extensive variation at the individual level irrespective of population or migratory strategy. Pathogen prevalence showed large geographical variation. However, the seroprevalence of one of the gull-specific subtypes of avian influenza (H16) was associated to the migratory strategy, with lower prevalence among the long-distance migrants, suggesting that migration may play a role in disease dynamics of certain pathogens at the population level.
PB Public Library of Sciences (PLOS)
SN 1932-6203
YR 2015
FD 2015
LK https://hdl.handle.net/20.500.14352/23232
UL https://hdl.handle.net/20.500.14352/23232
LA eng
NO European Commission
NO Ministerio de Economía y Competitividad (España)
NO Max Planck Institute for Ornithology 
NO Wissenschaftskolleg (Deutschland)
DS Docta Complutense
RD 28 sept 2025