Where are we in the host-parasite relationships of native land vertebrates in Macaronesia?

Abstract

Illera, J.C., Perera, A. 2020. Where are we in the host-parasite relationships of native land vertebrates in Macaronesia? Ecosistemas 29(2):1971. https://doi.org/10.7818/ECOS.1971

Over the last two decades, Macaronesia has proved to be an ideal system for biologists who seek to unravel patterns and processes of colonisation, diversification, and extinction of different taxa. Much of this research has been performed with plants and animals but few studies have analysed this topic using parasite assemblages. Here we review the influence of Macaronesian vertebrate parasites on our understanding of host-parasite relationships. Studies focused on native terrestrial birds and reptiles have provided information on presence, prevalence and genetic characterization of haematozoan and gastrointestinal parasites. In general, results support recognised concepts within the theory of island biogeography where parasite diversity (and prevalence) is positively associated with island area, but negatively associated with island isolation, at least in parasites with two-host life cycle. In addition, anthropogenic factors emerge as important factors governing the distribution and prevalence of avian parasites, while for reptiles such information is absent. We show that parasites are not uniformly distributed in reptiles, but lizards host the majority number of species and the highest prevalence levels. Such a result could be explained due to their earlier age of colonisation and specific life history traits. Despite these promising advances, we are at a very early stage in our understanding of the role of intermediate hosts in different aspects: incompatibility or specificity between parasites and their hosts; specificity between intermediate and definitive hosts; or how variations in host abundance affects parasite dynamics. Finally, we will introduce future avenues of research that will be needed to carry out, in order to understand the ultimate mechanisms shaping parasite communities in Macaronesia.