Department of Biological Sciences, Auburn University, Auburn, Alabama 36849, USA.
Vector Borne Zoonotic Dis. 2010 Mar;10(2):159-63. doi: 10.1089/vbz.2008.0211.
We tested for negative effects of West Nile virus (WNV) on a breeding population of eastern bluebirds in Alabama by comparing fecundity and reproductive success in years before and after the arrival of WNV and by comparing fecundity, reproductive success, and overwinter survival of seropositive and seronegative individuals within the same population in the same years. We found that female bluebirds were more likely to be seropositive than male bluebirds. Age and individual condition did not affect likelihood of being seropositive. Being seropositive for WNV was not associated with any negative effects on reproduction or survival. However, female fecundity was higher in years after WNV compared to years before the arrival of WNV. The reproductive success of males who tested positive for WNV exposure was higher than that of males that were seronegative. Overall, we found no negative effects on reproduction or survival after exposure to WNV.
我们通过比较在西尼罗河病毒（WNV）到达前后的繁殖季节的繁殖力和繁殖成功率，以及在同一时期同一地点比较血清阳性和血清阴性个体的繁殖力、繁殖成功率和越冬存活率，来测试 WNV 对阿拉巴马州东部蓝鸟繁殖种群的负面影响。我们发现，雌性蓝鸟比雄性蓝鸟更有可能呈血清阳性。年龄和个体状况并不影响血清阳性的可能性。WNV 血清阳性与繁殖或生存的任何负面影响无关。然而，与 WNV 到达之前的年份相比，WNV 后雌性的繁殖力更高。WNV 暴露呈血清阳性的雄性的繁殖成功率高于血清阴性的雄性。总的来说，我们发现 WNV 暴露后繁殖或生存没有负面影响。
