Relevant factors in the transmission dynamics of avian malaria: Mosquito feeding patterns and Plasmodium spp. development capacity

Abstract

The transmission dynamics of malaria parasites depends on the parasites and vectors interactions, which are influenced by the environmental conditions where are developed. Therefore, in order to understand the ecology and evolution of the transmission of these diseases, it is essential to study the factors that determine the interactions between mosquitoes, birds and parasites that infect them in natural ecosystems. There are two processes determining parasite transmission success, i) the contact rates between mosquitoes and infected or susceptible birds, and ii) the capacity of development of the parasite inside the mosquito (vector competence). Different studies have evidenced the role of the mosquitoes feeding behaviour on the transmission dynamics of avian Plasmodium. Likewise, the development capabilities of avian Plasmodium parasites within species of mosquitoes have been studied. However, both processes together in natural conditions have been scarcely studied. Here, it is exposed how differences in feeding rates of mosquitoes and in the development capacity of avian Plasmodium determine the transmission dynamics of avian malaria in natural ecosystems. In addition, future research lines are also exposed, in order to improve the knowledge on the transmission dynamics of avian Plasmodium. The consideration of vectors in the studies on the ecology of parasitism will allow a better understanding of the complex interactions between vertebrate host, mosquito and parasite in natural conditions.