Parasites can manipulate their hosts to increase their transmission success. Avian malaria parasites (Plasmodium) are thought to alter the cues such as host odour, used by host-seeking mosquitoes. Bird odour is affected by secretions from the uropygial gland and may play a role in modulating vector-host interactions. The hypothesis tested was that mosquitoes are more attracted to the uropygial secretions and/or whole-body odour (headspace) of Plasmodium-infected house sparrows (Passer...

Recent studies suggest that direct mortality and physiological effects caused by pollutants are major contributing factors to global amphibian decline. This study shows how sublethal concentrations of pollutants can disrupt the ability of amphibian larvae to recognize their natural predators, hence increasing the risk of predation in the populations.