Table 1 Predicted associations, and explanations, of each predictor variable with haemosporidian parasite prevalence and detection probability
From: Sex and nest type influence avian blood parasite prevalence in a high-elevation bird community
| Parameter(s) | Predictor variable |
Predicted direction | Explanation |
|---|---|---|---|
| Occupancy probability (ψ) | Age | Q | For adult birds, prevalence of blood parasites decreases with age due to increased immunocompetence, until old age, in which immunosenescence occurs and is linked to a higher probability of infection [85] |
| Sex (female) | + | The cost of reproduction is higher in females, decreasing immunocompetence and making females more susceptible to haemosporidian infection [86]. | |
| BCI [mass (g): tarsus length (mm)] | − | Individuals in good condition have stronger immunocompetence and are better able to fight infections [89, 88] | |
| Migration status | + | The energetic cost of migration increases with distance, and likely affects immunocompetence [90]. | |
| Nest type (open nest) | + | Open nests are more exposed to mosquito vectors compared to closed nests [91] | |
| Detection probability (p) | PCR run | + | Differences in results of PCR runs may occur due to variation in parasitemia between samples, with higher parasitemia associated with higher probability of detection [92] |