No relationship between individual genetic diversity and prevalence of avian malaria in a migratory kestrel

摘要: Insight into the genetic basis of malaria resistance is crucial for understanding consequences this parasite group on animal populations. Here, we analyse relationship between genotypic variation at 11 highly variable microsatellite loci and prevalence three different lineages avian malaria, two Plasmodium (RTSR1, LK6) one Haemoproteus (LK2), in a wild population endangered lesser kestrel (Falco naumanni). Although used large sample size (584 typed individuals), did not find any significant association studied individual diversity. our data set large, neutral markers may have had low power to detect such association, part because observed (less than 5% infected birds). However, fact that detected previous correlations diversity other traits (ectoparasitism risk, fecundity) study using same panel lower sizes suggests factors could underlie absence similar correlation with malaria. Differences genetics their particular inbreeding depression (dominance vs. overdominance) led prevalence, but traits, being uncoupled Also, cannot discard possibility was consequence pathogenic effect these population, thus should expect evolution against parasites.