Trait profiles and taxonomy predict zoonotic microparasite occurrences on potential hosts and geographic distribution
Year: 2025
Type: article
Abstract: • Host traits provide opportunities for parasite occurrence. • Mammal trait profiles affect the distribution of zoonotic microparasites. • Body mass is a key trait influencing zoonotic microparasite richness. • Zoonotic microparasite richness is highest in primates, marsupials, and bats. • Predictive models inform One Health initiatives and wildlife health surveillance. Host trait profiles are good predictors of parasite occurrence probabilities, especially amid shifts in species distribution due to land use and climate change. We investigated the relationship between microparasite richness ( i.e ., bacteria, protozoa, and viruses) and traits of wild mammal hosts ( i.e. , body mass, litter size, dietary guild, activity period, and foraging stratum). We also assessed correlations between host traits, transmission mode, and parasite taxonomy using a hierarchical joint species distribution model. Our analysis indicates host body mass as the most influential trait affecting the richness of zoonotic microparasites, which are shared between vertebrate animals and humans. Geographic variations in host diversity also significantly influenced microparasite distribution. Additionally, transmission modes correlated with host traits such as body mass, litter size, and activity period. The model also suggests that closely related bacteria exhibit an evolutionary signal related to host trait covariates. Finally, we identified potential distributions of zoonotic microparasites among wild mammals, particularly in primates, marsupials, and bats. Distribution patterns were evident in regions heavily influenced by land-use conversion. Our findings hold promise for informing stakeholders involved in One Health initiatives, particularly for wildlife health surveillance.
Language: English
Field: Medicine
Domain: Health Sciences
Open Access status: diamond
OpenAlex ID: W4415220001