Yan, JiayueGangoso De La Colina, Laura EstherMartínez-de la Puente, JosuéSoriguer, RamónFiguerola, Jordi2024-11-182024-11-182017Yan, J., Gangoso, L., Martínez-de la Puente, J. et al. Avian phenotypic traits related to feeding preferences in two Culex mosquitoes. Sci Nat 104, 76 (2017). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00114-017-1497-x0028-104210.1007/s00114-017-1497-xhttps://hdl.handle.net/20.500.14352/110726This study was funded by the projects CGL2012-30759 and CGL2015-65055-P from the Spanish Ministry of Economy and Competitiveness and the European Regional Development Fund (FEDER). JY was supported by the State Scholarship Fund from the China Scholarship Council, LG by a contract from the Excellence Projects of the Junta de Andalucía (RNM-7800), and JMP by the Juan de la Cierva program.Host choice by mosquitoes affects the transmission dynamics of vector-borne infectious diseases. Although asymmetries in mosquito attraction to vertebrate species have been reported, the relative importance of host characteristics in mosquito blood-feeding behavior is still poorly studied. Here, we investigate the relationship between avian phenotypic traits—in particular, morphometry, plumage coloration, and nesting and roosting behavior—and the blood-feeding patterns in two common Culex mosquito species on a North American avian community. Forage ratios of the mosquito species were unrelated to the phylogenetic relationships among bird species. Culex pipiens fed preferably on birds with lighter-colored plumage and longer tarsi; furthermore, solitary roosting avian species were both bitten by Cx. pipiens and Cx. restuans more often than expected. These associations may be explained by greater mosquito attraction towards larger birds with a greater color contrast against the background. Although communally roosting birds may release more cues and attract more mosquitoes, individuals may in fact receive fewer bites due to the encounter-dilution effect. Mosquito feeding behavior is a highly complex phenomenon, and our results may improve understanding of the non-random interaction between birds and mosquitoes in natural communities.engjournal article1432-1904https://doi.org/10.1007/s00114-017-1497-xhttps://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s00114-017-1497-x#article-inforestricted access616.9595.771591.5Culex mosquitoesForage ratioHost-seeking behaviorInsect vectorsPhylogenetic generalized least squares (PGLS) modelsTrait-based approachParasitología (Medicina)Ecología (Biología)Comportamiento animalEnfermedades infecciosas3202 Epidemiología2408 Etología2401.06 Ecología Animal