Data from: Host genetic diversity and body condition influence parasite resistance and clearance in a wild marine mammal population
Data files
Sep 16, 2024 version files 20.53 KB
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DataR_all_dryad.csv
19.51 KB
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README.md
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Abstract
Host genetic variability can modulate infection resistance, although its role in infection clearance remains unclear. Hookworm disease (Uncinaria sp.) is the leading cause of pup mortality in several otariid species, although the parasite can be cleared through immune-mediated processes. We evaluated the association of host genetic diversity, body condition, and immune response with hookworm resistance and/or clearance in South American fur seal (Arctocephalus australis). Uninfected pups had higher heterozygosity than parasitized individuals, indicating a negative relationship between heterozygosity and the chances of infection. Likewise, pups that died of hookworm infection had lower heterozygosity than those that died of non-infectious causes. Interestingly, once infected, pups that survived hookworm infection had heterozygosities similar to pups that died of hookworm disease. However, pups that cleared the infection had a higher body mass and parasite-specific IgG levels than those that did not recover or died of hookworm disease. Thus, although heterozygosity predicted resistance to and mortality from hookworm infections, it did not affect parasite clearance, which was facilitated by better body conditions and adaptive immune responses. This demonstrates that host genetic variability and host-environment interactions influence disease dynamics, acting at different, well-defined stages of infection.
README: Host genetic diversity and body condition influence parasite resistance and clearance in a wild marine mammal population.
https://doi.org/10.5061/dryad.34tmpg4t2
Description of the data and file structure
The .csv file has the metadata and genetic data for this study.
Name is the ID of the pup, including number and season (i.e. 16-15 is pup 16 from season 2015). Year is the year of the season. Sex is the pup's sex. NE is number of hookworm eggs found at the infection peak. IgG is the arbitrary unit estimation of hookworm specific IgG. Hb is the value of hemoglobin (g/dL). Anemia is the classification of the individual according to Hb values. SMI is the scaled mass index. HL is the homozygosity by loci estimator. infection_group is the group according to parasite clearance within the season. NE_group is the group according to hookworm infection and mortality. Columns from Aa05-1 to Hg4.2-2 are the microsatellite allele results.
Missing data code: NA
Methods
The biological data was collected in the South American fur seal breeding colony of Guafo island. The genetic data was processed and analyzed in the "Evolution of Infectious diseases Lab" at Austral University of Chile.