Data from: Host stress hormones alter vector feeding preferences, success and productivity

Stress hormones might represent a key link between individual level-infection outcome, population-level parasite transmission and zoonotic disease risk. Whereas the effects of stress on immunity are well known, stress hormones could also affect host-vector interactions via modification of host behaviors and/or vector feeding patterns and subsequent reproductive success. Here, we experimentally manipulated songbird stress hormones and examined subsequent feeding preferences, feeding success and productivity of mosquito vectors in addition to defensive behaviors of hosts. Despite being more defensive, birds with high stress hormone concentrations were approximately twice as likely to be fed on by mosquitoes. Moreover, stress hormones altered the relationship between the timing of laying and clutch size in blood-fed mosquitoes. Our results suggest that host stress could affect the transmission dynamics of vector-borne parasites via multiple pathways.

应激激素（Stress hormones）或许是联结个体感染结局、种群水平寄生虫传播与人畜共患病风险的关键纽带。尽管应激对免疫系统的影响已被广泛认知，但应激激素还可通过改变宿主行为、媒介取食模式以及后续繁殖成功率，影响宿主与媒介之间的互作关系。本研究通过实验调控鸣禽的应激激素水平，不仅观测了宿主的防御行为，还分析了蚊媒后续的取食偏好、取食成功率与繁殖能力。尽管应激激素浓度较高的鸣禽防御行为更强，但被蚊子叮咬的概率仍约为对照组的两倍。此外，应激激素还改变了吸血蚊的产卵时间与产卵量之间的关联。本研究结果表明，宿主应激可通过多条途径影响媒介传播性寄生虫的传播动态。