Prothonotary Warbler (Protonotaria citrea) Plumage as an Indicator for Infection: the Relationship between Haemosporidia Infection and Breast Feather Reflectance in a Neotropical Migrant Passerine

Yellow avian plumage is a direct result of carotenoid pigments obtained in a bird’s diet and may act as an indicator for individual health, parasite resistance, and status. This study describes breast feather reflectance of adult Prothonotary Warblers (Protonotaria citrea) (n=169), insectivorous Neotropical migrant passerines, throughout the Ultraviolet (UV) and human visible light spectra and examines the relationship between Haemosporidia (pathogen causing Avian Malaria) infection and feather reflectance (n=41). Reflectance was characterized using a Principle Component Analysis evaluating Intensity, Brightness, Hue, UV Intensity, UV Brightness, and UV Chroma. UV and visible light reflectance was higher in birds sampled earlier in the field season (early clutch) (p=0.0017 and p=0.0743 respectively). There was no relationship between infection and either visible light or hue. However, UV reflectance was lower in infected birds (p=0.0843). This study suggests that UV reflectance is an important indicator for the infection status of a Neotropical migrant passerine.

Name thesis:degree_name

Master of Science

Level thesis:degree_level

Thesis

Discipline thesis:degree_discipline

Biology

Year dc:date.available

2009

Author dc:creator

• Fithian, Robert

Contributors dc:contributor

• Ghislaine Mayer

• Haemosporidia infection
• plumage reflectance
• Biology
• Life Sciences

Statement dc:rights

• © The Author

Identifier

https://scholarscompass.vcu.edu/etd/28

OAI identifier oai:identifier

oai:scholarscompass.vcu.edu:etd-1027