Is there local transmission of avian malaria parasites in Alaska?

Avian malaria, caused by members of the genus Plasmodium and with strong resemblance to human malaria, has been implicated in the decline of avian populations. This is of special concern when considering the effects of global climate change and the impact it may have on the geographic distribution of malaria parasites and their vectors. In the Arctic, due to rising temperatures it is anticipated that avian malaria parasites will experience increased developmental and transmission rates. Here we examine the prevalence and diversity of avian malaria parasites in mosquito populations and in resident and non-resident avian populations at four sites across a latitudinal gradient in Alaska. Blood collections from avian populations in 2010 and 2011 suggested that avian malaria parasites may be locally transmitted, i.e. the black-capped chickadee, a resident songbird, harbored a described Plasmodium sp. Here we present the results from our 2011 and 2012 mosquito collections.