Species diversity of butterflies in Changbai Mountain in China

Using a modified belt transect method, we investigated the butterfly communities in five different vertical vegetation belts of Changbai Mountain in China from 1992 to 2009; these belts were broadleaf deciduous forest, coniferous–deciduous mixed forest, coniferous forest, erman’s birch forest and alp tundra. We determined the number of species and abundance of butterflies in each belt and in the coniferous–deciduous mixed forest belt, we also compared these parameters among different months. Preston’s lognormal distribution was used to model the species abundance distributions and five indicators (Shannon–Wiener diversity index (H′), Pielou uniformity index (J), Simpson predominance centralization index (C), Margalef abundance index (E) and Jaccard similarity coefficients) were used to analyze the butterfly community diversity. We found four main results. (1) Across all five vertical vegetation belts, 9641 butterflies were collected, belonging to 7 families, 98 genera and 196 species. As altitude increased, the number of butterfly genera and species gradually reduced. There was a relationship between the distribution of dominant species and the total species between each belt and the distribution of vascular plants. (2) The species abundance distribution was successfully modeled as a Preston’s lognormal distribution; the best fit was obtained when α = 0.326, the determinant coefficient of the equation was 0.74798. The species abundance distribution indicates that Changbai Mountain provides a suitable environment for butterflies; there was high species richness and an even distribution of butterfly species. There were few very common and very rare species, with most species having an intermediate abundance. (3) As altitude increased, H′ and E gradually became smaller, while C showed the opposite pattern, and J did not significantly change. The similarity coefficients analysis demonstrated a clear difference among belts; the farther apart any two belts, the smaller the similarity coefficient, indicating less similarity in the butterfly communities. The similarity coefficient between the deciduous forest and the coniferous–deciduous mixed forest belt was the largest (0.651) while that between the deciduous forest and the alp tundra was the smallest (0.141). (4) Comparison of the butterfly species communities among different months in the coniferous–deciduous mixed forest found that H′ and E showed similar directional changes, while the opposite pattern was found with C; the changes in J did not necessarily reflect the actual change in diversity.     

Genetic diversity of Potamogeton pectinatus L. in relation to species diversity in a pair of lakes of contrasting trophic levels

Understanding the correlation between genetic diversity and species diversity in freshwater communities is important to elucidate the influences of local selective forces on the genetic diversity of local aquatic plant populations across different communities. This study employed amplified fragment length polymorphism (AFLP) to assess the genetic diversity of Potamogeton pectinatus L. populations between two sister-lakes with contrasting trophic levels, eutrophic and oligotrophic, in the Yunnan Plateau in southwest of China. The results showed high genetic differentiation between eutrophic lake and oligotrophic lake. The genetic distances between P. pectinatus populations were significantly correlated with the species evenness, but not with difference in species richness of aquatic plant communities. The results underpinned that genetic diversity at inter-population levels and local species diversity in plant communities are positively correlated. In addition, our results also suggested that habitat types might play an important role in the genetic diversity of the P. pectinatus populations between these two lakes.     

Middle gaspé limestones communities on the forillon Peninsula,Quebec, Canada (Siegenian,Lower Devonian)

Lower Devonian quiet-water marine benthic communities were examined to determine what parameters of community structure are maintained from locality to locality. The preserved elements of the communities are dominated by brachiopods. Each community has a characteristic taxonomic composition and diversity. From stratigraphically lowest to highest the communities include the newly proposed Dawsonelloides Community which has relatively low diversity, and is strongly dominated by a single species. The Beachia Community is less strongly dominated by a single species. The newly proposed Leptostrophia Community is very strongly dominated by a single species; less common species are rare or absent in the other communities. The Plicoplasia Community is slightly less diverse than the preceeding two communities, but unlike them has six species which dominate one or more collections and are commonly found in reduced abundance in the other collections. The gradual change in taxonomic composition and structure from one community to adjacent communities coupled with the similar structure of diversity and dominance within particular communities suggest that these characteristics are time-averaged and primary structural features of the communities.     

Influence of environemntal factors on phytoplankton photosynthetic activity in the Volga River reservoirs

The relation of the photosynthetic activity of phytoplankton biomass in the Volga River reservoirs to environmental factors has been analyzed. It is revealed that values of A/B and P/B coefficients depend to the largest extent on the content of total nitrogen, as well as on the temperature and illumination, the factors integrating the effect of geographical zonality. Among the proper phytoplankton parameters, its production capabilities are determined by the taxonomic composition, cenotic diversity and cell sizes, biomass, and physiological state of populations. Maximal values of A/B and P/B coefficients are characteristic of the algal communities with prevailing small-celled green, dinophytic, and cryptophytic algae.     

微山湖鸟类多样性特征及其影响因子

2010年10月至2011年9月期间,使用样线法对微山湖鸟类多样性进行研究.共发现鸟类132种,隶属13目39科,其中留鸟39种,夏候鸟33种,冬候鸟14种,旅鸟46种,分别占全部种类的29.6％、25.0％、10.6％和34.85％;国家二级保护鸟类有12种,省级重点保护鸟类16种,另外50种和16种鸟类分别列入中日、中澳候鸟保护协定.灰鹤、乌雕、沙鵖和白顶鵖4种鸟类在南四湖首次记录.根据微山湖的地理和植被状况,将研究区域划分为水域、次生林、农田和居民区4生境,不同生境中鸟类群落的Shannon-Wiener指数高低为沼泽水域＞次生林＞农田＞居民区,Pielou指数高低为沼泽水域＞农田＞次生林＞居民区.次生林和农田鸟类群落的相似性指数最高,沼泽水域与居民区的相似性最低.春季末期鸟类多样性指数和均匀性指数最高,秋季末期最低.冬季鸟类种类最多、密度最大,春初鸟类种类最少、密度最小.距居民区的距离、距公路的距离、植被盖度、人工池塘数目、水面积比例和深水面积比例等对鸟类多样性影响显著.     

庞泉沟国家自然保护区森林群落木本植物种间关系的分析

应用基于二元数据的χ²检验、方差比率法和基于数量数据的Pearson相关系数检验及Spearman秩相关系数检验等数量方法,研究了庞泉沟国家级自然保护区(东经111°22′～111°33′,北纬37°45′～37°55′）森林群落（海拔1 600～2 430 m）21个优势种的种间关系。结果表明：研究区域内森林群落优势种群的种间关系较为松散（χ²_0.95N＜W＜χ²_0.05N）,种的分布相对独立,森林群落总体处于稳定阶段;但局部地段优势种群间存在着一定程度的竞争。位于山体中下部的群丛组Ⅰ、群丛组Ⅱ的总体关联性存在一定程度的负关联,但未达到显著水平; 位于山体上部的群丛组Ⅲ的总体关联性为无关联,种间关系较为松散。随着海拔的升高,三个群丛组的联结指数(VR)呈上升趋势,χ²检验显著率和Spearman秩相关检验的正负关联比有所增加,负显著率都明显下降,正显著率有升高的趋势,说明随着海拔的升高,种间关系表现为无关联,森林群落也趋于稳定。应用方差比率法与χ2检验、Pearson相关系数检验和Spearman秩相关系数检验较为清晰地揭示了庞泉沟自然保护区森林群落的种间关系。这四种方法可以互相弥补彼此的不足,结合使用效果更好。本研究结果支持随着群落演替进程的发展,群落结构及其种类组成将逐渐趋于完善和稳定,群落种群总体种间关系也将向着无关联发展的观点。     

The seasonal distribution and community structure of the epiphytic algae on Thalassia hemprichii (Ehrenb.) Aschers. from Papua New Guinea

Algae growing as epiphytes on leaves of Thalassia hemprichii (Ehrenb.) Aschers. have been studied from November 1980 to December 1981, in the Port Moresby area, Papua New Guinea. The epiphytic communities of 3 different monospecific seagrass meadows are compared for species richness, abundance and temporal pattern. Seagrass shoots were studied separately, using the method of Braun—Blanquet, as adapted by Boudouresque. By differentiating between the leaves of one single shoot, the inner- and outer-face of each leaf and the upper- and lower-part of each leaf, the epiphytic community was studied from its initial colonization (Leaf 1) to the final “climax” situation (Leaf 4). The diversity and abundance were strongly related to the age of the seagrass leaves. The Rhodophyta were best represented, with the Cryptonemiales dominating the community quantitatively; the Ceramiales predominated qualitatively. The Phaeophyta were negligible in terms of abundance and diversity. Differences between the 3 study sites are presented.     

Colonization of Pneumatopteris afra (Christ) Holttum and its impact on some resident wetland communities in Nigeria

The widespread of invasive plants across the world has increased the risk of extinction of native plants. It is then necessary for understanding the ecological impacts of invasive plants on neighbouring plant communities where they are found. This study aimed to assess the impacts of the abundance of Pneumatopteris afra on plant diversity of some invaded wetlands in Lafia, Nigeria. Three wetlands with size 500 × 500 m² each were chosen. Forty 1.5 m × 1.5 m quadrats were laid at 10 m intervals across four 200 m transects at each wetland. The abundance of each plant species within the quadrats was counted and was used to estimate the diversity indices. The impact of the abundance of P. afra on the wetland communities was determined using Pearson correlation coefficients and linear regression models. A total of nine neighbouring plant species including P. afra were identified in all the sites. P. afra has the highest relative frequency and abundance in all the sites. Shannon and Simpson's diversity indices of all the sites are less than 2 showing that they are less diverse. The abundance of P. afra exhibited negative relationships with the diversity indices. Regression models also showed inverse relationships between P. afra and the diversity indices. The colonization of these wetlands by P. afra might be due to its ability to maximize disturbances and limit the growth and expansion of surrounding plants.     

Defining the twig fungal communities of Fraxinus species and Fraxinus excelsior genotypes with differences in susceptibility to ash dieback

Ash dieback disease (caused by Hymenoscyphus fraxineus) has affected European ash species (Fraxinus spp.) in recent decades. However, some Asian and American species of Fraxinus and certain genotypes of Fraxinus excelsior are less affected by the disease. We used ITS1-metabacoding to explore the drivers influencing diversity and composition of the twig fungal communities of Fraxinus species and F. excelsior genotypes. Our results revealed that fungi in the classes Eurotiomycetes and Dothideomycetes were among the most prevalent taxa in both Fraxinus species and F. excelsior genotypes. The diversity of the fungal communities differed significantly among Fraxinus species and could be explained by seed origin. Neither host genotype nor season had a significant effect on the community diversity of F. excelsior genotypes. On the other hand, the composition of twig fungal communities differed significantly among host species and among F. excelsior genotypes, and in F. excelsior there was also a significant effect of season on the composition of the fungal community. We did not find a clear effect of ash dieback susceptibility on either diversity or composition of fungal communities in twigs of Fraxinus species, although the effect was significant on the composition of fungal communities among F. excelsior genotypes. Our results demonstrated differences in fungal communities among species of Fraxinus and of F. excelsior genotypes, suggesting specific relationship between individual host genotypes and endophytic fungi.     

Coniogramme intermedia Hieron. (Hemionitidaceae Pichi Sermolli) in the northern Sikhote-Alin

The distributional pattern of Coniogramme intermedia within the Russian Far East has been characterized. The characteristics of location, species diversity and structure of plant groupings in the inhabited places are given. Some measures are proposed to preserve endangered communities of coniferous and broad-leaved forests with the participation of Coniogramme intermedia.     

加拿大一枝黄花入侵对土壤动物群落结构的影响

外来植物对入侵地土壤动物群落及理化性质影响的研究不仅有助于评估入侵植物对生态系统的影响,而且对探索外来植物入侵的土壤动物学响应机制尤为重要。为了了解加拿大一枝黄花对入侵地土壤动物的群落结构及理化性质的影响,本文分季节分层次对加拿大一枝黄花不同程度的入侵地进行取样,获得土壤动物9900个,隶属3门11纲14目,弹尾目和蜱螨类均为优势类群。入侵程度不同的样地中土壤动物个体数量和类群组成不同。土壤动物个体数量和类群数量表现为轻度入侵区＞中度入侵区＞重度入侵区;多样性指数和均匀性指数表现为轻度入侵区＜中度入侵区＜重度入侵区,优势度指数表现与前两指数相反。加拿大一枝黄花的入侵没有改变土壤动物表聚性特点。非度量多维标度排序分析表明,不同入侵程度下的土壤动物分为3类,即轻度入侵类、中度入侵类、重度入侵类。不同入侵区域土壤的pH、有机质含量、铵态氮、速效钾和速效磷差异显著(P＜0.05),土壤的含水量和温度差异不显著(P＞0.05)。灰色关联分析表明,入侵区域土壤铵态氮对土壤动物关联最大,有机质含量次之,再次是速效磷和pH,土壤含水量的影响最小。因而,加拿大一枝黄花的入侵,改变了入侵地土壤理化性质(尤其是对铵态氮的调控),进而改变了土壤动物的群落结构,创造了利于自身生长、竞争有利的土壤环境。     

不同水盐梯度下功能多样性和功能冗余对荒漠植物群落稳定性的影响

功能多样性和功能冗余是物种多样性的两个组成部分,也是影响群落稳定性的两个重要因素。基于不同水盐梯度下植物功能多样性、功能冗余、物种多样性和群落稳定性及其相关关系的计算结果,分析功能多样性和功能冗余对群落稳定性的影响,结果表明:(1)功能多样性、物种多样性和群落稳定性均表现为高水高盐和中水中盐群落显著高于低水低盐群落(P0.05);(2)高水高盐群落,功能多样性与物种多样性的相关系数小于功能冗余与物种多样性的相关系数,且功能多样性与稳定性的相关系数也小于功能冗余与稳定性的相关系数,而中水中盐和低水低盐群落的相关系数则呈现相反的规律;(3)中水中盐和低水低盐群落的功能多样性的标准化偏回归系数均大于功能冗余的标准化偏回归系数;(4)典范对应分析中,土壤含水量可以解释总特征根的22.7%,而土壤含盐量仅可以解释总特征根的1.3%;(5)高水高盐群落的稳定比最接近20/80,稳定性最高;低水低盐群落远离20/80,稳定性最低。改进后的Godron稳定性测定方法与物种种群密度变异系数方法得出的结果相同。综上可知,功能多样性和功能冗余两者中与物种多样性关系更为密切者对群落稳定性的影响也越大,且两者均可提高群落稳定性,也就证明冗余假说在温带干旱荒漠区域的隐域性植物群落中是成立的;群落稳定性、功能多样性、功能冗余及物种多样性主要是受土壤含水量的影响,土壤含盐量对其影响较小。     

Global phylogenetic structure of the hyperdiverse ant genus Pheidole reveals the repeated evolution of macroecological patterns

Adaptive radiations are of particular interest owing to what they reveal about the ecological and evolutionary regulation of biodiversity. This applies to localized island radiations such as Darwin''s finches, and also to rapid radiations occurring on a global scale. Here we analyse the macroevolution and macroecology of Pheidole, a famously hyperdiverse and ecologically dominant ant genus. We generate and analyse four novel datasets: (i) a robust global phylogeny including 285 Pheidole species, (ii) a global database on regional Pheidole richness in 365 political areas summarizing over 97 000 individual records from more than 6500 studies, (iii) a global database of Pheidole richness from 3796 local communities and (iv) a database of Pheidole body sizes across species. Analysis of the potential climate drivers of richness revealed that the patterns are statistically very similar across different biogeographic regions, with both regional and local richness associated with the same coefficients of temperature and precipitation. This similarity occurs even though phylogenetic analysis shows that Pheidole reached dominance in communities through serial localized radiations into different biomes within different continents and islands. Pheidole body size distributions have likewise converged across geographical regions. We propose these cases of convergence indicate that the global radiation of Pheidole is structured by deterministic factors regulating diversification and diversity.     

Changes in Bacterial Communities of the Marine Sponge Mycale laxissima on Transfer into Aquaculture

The changes in bacterial communities associated with the marine sponge Mycale laxissima on transfer to aquaculture were studied using culture-based and molecular techniques. M. laxissima was maintained alive in flowthrough and closed recirculating aquaculture systems for 2 years and 1 year, respectively. The bacterial communities associated with wild and aquacultured sponges, as well as the surrounding water, were assessed using 16S rRNA gene clone library analysis and denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis (DGGE). Bacterial richness and diversity were measured using DOTUR computer software, and clone libraries were compared using S-LIBSHUFF. DGGE analysis revealed that the diversity of the bacterial community of M. laxissima increased when sponges were maintained in aquaculture and that bacterial communities associated with wild and aquacultured M. laxissima were markedly different than those of the corresponding surrounding water. Clone libraries of bacterial 16S rRNA from sponges confirmed that the bacterial communities changed during aquaculture. These communities were significantly different than those of seawater and aquarium water. The diversity of bacterial communities associated with M. laxissima increased significantly in aquaculture. Our work shows that it is important to monitor changes in bacterial communities when examining the feasibility of growing sponges in aquaculture systems because these communities may change. This could have implications for the health of sponges or for the production of bioactive compounds by sponges in cases where these compounds are produced by symbiotic bacteria rather than by the sponges themselves.     

Transient Shifts in Bacterial Communities Associated with the Temperate Gorgonian Paramuricea clavata in the Northwestern Mediterranean Sea

Background

Bacterial communities that are associated with tropical reef-forming corals are being increasingly recognized for their role in host physiology and health. However, little is known about the microbial diversity of the communities associated with temperate gorgonian corals, even though these communities are key structural components of the ecosystem. In the Northwestern Mediterranean Sea, gorgonians undergo recurrent mass mortalities, but the potential relationship between these events and the structure of the associated bacterial communities remains unexplored. Because microbial assemblages may contribute to the overall health and disease resistance of their host, a detailed baseline of the associated bacterial diversity is required to better understand the functioning of the gorgonian holobiont.

Methodology/Principal Findings

The bacterial diversity associated with the gorgonian Paramuricea clavata was determined using denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis, terminal-restriction fragment length polymorphism and the construction of clone libraries of the bacterial 16S ribosomal DNA. Three study sites were monitored for 4 years to assess the variability of communities associated with healthy colonies. Bacterial assemblages were highly dominated by one Hahellaceae-related ribotype and exhibited low diversity. While this pattern was mostly conserved through space and time, in summer 2007, a deep shift in microbiota structure toward increased bacterial diversity and the transient disappearance of Hahellaceae was observed.

Conclusion/Significance

This is the first spatiotemporal study to investigate the bacterial diversity associated with a temperate shallow gorgonian. Our data revealed an established relationship between P. clavata and a specific bacterial group within the Oceanospirillales. These results suggest a potential symbiotic role of Hahellaceae in the host-microbe association, as recently suggested for tropical corals. However, a transient imbalance in bacterial associations can be tolerated by the holobiont without apparent symptoms of disease. The subsequent restoration of the Hahellaceae-dominated community is indicative of the specificity and resilience of the bacteria associated with the gorgonian host.     

三工河流域琵琶柴群落特征与土壤因子的相关分析

琵琶柴(Reaumuria soongorica)是我国荒漠地区分布最广的地带性植被类型之一,对维系荒漠地区生态系统的稳定性具有重要作用。以三工河流域两个琵琶柴群落为对象,在2010年主要生长季节(6—10月),通过群落和土壤调查,采用土钻法、土柱法、地上收割法对两个琵琶柴群落的土壤性质、生物多样性、细根生物量、地上生物量、生物多样性与土壤性质的关系进行研究,结果表明:两个琵琶柴群落在冠幅、盖度、多度和物种多样性等方面均存在显著差异。在0—100 cm土壤层内,两个群落土壤电导率、pH值、容重、含水量存在显著差异。除土壤容重外,群落2各个土壤因子的值均大于群落1,并随土壤深度的增加表现出类似的趋势。两个群落物种多样性指数、地上生物量、细根生物量存在显著差异,从6月到10月呈现先下降再上升的趋势。由于7、8月群落1有大量夏雨型短命植物和类短命草本植物的出现,Shannon-Wiener多样性指数、Pielou均匀度指数急剧降低,Simpson指数表现出相反的变化趋势。群落2土壤电导率和pH值较高,草本植物鲜有出现,多样性指数和均匀度指数变化均较为平缓。两个群落的Sorenson相似性系数较低,群落差异明显。相关和回归分析表明土壤环境因子是导致两个琵琶柴群落特征、生物多样性和生物量不同的主要因素。较高的土壤含水量可以增加琵琶群落的生物多样性,较高的土壤容重抑制琵琶柴群落细根的生长,轻度的干旱胁迫促进地上生物量的积累,一定浓度的土壤pH值和土壤盐分可以促进琵琶柴群落细根的生长。     

Identity Coefficients in Finite Populations. I. Evolution of Identity Coefficients in a Random Mating Diploid Dioecious Population

Properties of identity relation between genes are discussed, and a derivation of recurrent equations of identity coefficients in a random mating, diploid dioecious population is presented. Computations are run by repeated matrix multiplication. Results show that for effective population size (N_e) larger than 16 and no mutation, a given identity coefficient at any time t can be expressed approximately as a function of (1—f), (1—f)³ and (1— f)⁶, where f is the mean inbreeding coefficient at time t. Tables are presented, for small N_e values and extreme sex ratios, showing the pattern of change in the identity coefficients over time. The pattern of evolution of identity coefficients is also presented and discussed with respect to N _eu, where u is the mutation rate. Applications of these results to the evolution of genetic variability within and between inbred lines are discussed.     

长江三峡库区蝶类群落的等级多样性指数

在三峡库区蝶类物种多样性调查基础上,从等级多样性角度进行分析,结果表明,蝴蝶属级,科级和等级多样性指数在灌丛生境较高,森林、农田和草地生境多样性较低;非参数检验和方差分析结果表明4种生境在属级和等级多样性上差异显著,灌丛生境和其他生境差异显著。海拔500-1500m高度,蝴蝶的生物多样性相对较高,是库区蝴蝶最重要的生存地带。属级和科级多样性指数的变异系数在森林植被型样本间最大,前者有4个小生境在100％以上,后者有6个小生境超过100%;农田科的变异系数有1个小生境超过100%;草地的属和科变异系数均是1个小生境超过100%;灌丛则全部低于100%。这些数值,反映了三峡库区的形成对蝴蝶的生存及分布的产生了很大的影响,进一步证明库区蝶类生存环境的多样性和破碎化;其中,森林对蝴蝶生存的影响是最复杂的;通过蝴蝶做环境质量评估时,灌丛可作为首选考察对象。     

GeoChip-based analysis of the functional gene diversity and metabolic potential of soil microbial communities of mangroves

Mangroves are unique and highly productive ecosystems and harbor very special microbial communities. Although the phylogenetic diversity of sediment microbial communities of mangrove habitats has been examined extensively, little is known regarding their functional gene diversity and metabolic potential. In this study, a high-throughput functional gene array (GeoChip 4.0) was used to analyze the functional diversity, composition, structure, and metabolic potential of microbial communities in mangrove habitats from mangrove national nature reserves in China. GeoChip data indicated that these microbial communities were functionally diverse as measured by the number of genes detected, unique genes, and various diversity indices. Almost all key functional gene categories targeted by GeoChip 4.0 were detected in the mangrove microbial communities, including carbon (C) fixation, C degradation, methane generation, nitrogen (N) fixation, nitrification, denitrification, ammonification, N reduction, sulfur (S) metabolism, metal resistance, antibiotic resistance, and organic contaminant degradation. Detrended correspondence analysis (DCA) of all detected genes showed that Spartina alterniflora (HH), an invasive species, did not harbor significantly different microbial communities from Aegiceras corniculatum (THY), a native species, but did differ from other species, Kenaelia candel (QQ), Aricennia marina (BGR), and mangrove-free mud flat (GT). Canonical correspondence analysis (CCA) results indicated the microbial community structure was largely shaped by surrounding environmental variables, such as total nitrogen (TN), total carbon (TC), pH, C/N ratio, and especially salinity. This study presents a comprehensive survey of functional gene diversity of soil microbial communities from different mangrove habitats/species and provides new insights into our understanding of the functional potential of microbial communities in mangrove ecosystems.     

Loss of forest cover and host functional diversity increases prevalence of avian malaria parasites in the Atlantic Forest

Host phylogenetic relatedness and ecological similarity are thought to contribute to parasite community assembly and infection rates. However, recent landscape level anthropogenic changes may disrupt host-parasite systems by impacting functional and phylogenetic diversity of host communities. We examined whether changes in host functional and phylogenetic diversity, forest cover, and minimum temperature influence the prevalence, diversity, and distributions of avian haemosporidian parasites (genera Haemoproteus and Plasmodium) across 18 avian communities in the Atlantic Forest. To explore spatial patterns in avian haemosporidian prevalence and taxonomic and phylogenetic diversity, we surveyed 2241 individuals belonging to 233 avian species across a deforestation gradient. Mean prevalence and parasite diversity varied considerably across avian communities and parasites responded differently to host attributes and anthropogenic changes. Avian malaria prevalence (termed herein as an infection caused by Plasmodium parasites) was higher in deforested sites, and both Plasmodium prevalence and taxonomic diversity were negatively related to host functional diversity. Increased diversity of avian hosts increased local taxonomic diversity of Plasmodium lineages but decreased phylogenetic diversity of this parasite genus. Temperature and host phylogenetic diversity did not influence prevalence and diversity of haemosporidian parasites. Variation in the diversity of avian host traits that promote parasite encounter and vector exposure (host functional diversity) partially explained the variation in avian malaria prevalence and diversity. Recent anthropogenic landscape transformation (reduced proportion of native forest cover) had a major influence on avian malaria occurrence across the Atlantic Forest. This suggests that, for Plasmodium, host phylogenetic diversity was not a biotic filter to parasite transmission as prevalence was largely explained by host ecological attributes and recent anthropogenic factors. Our results demonstrate that, similar to human malaria and other vector-transmitted pathogens, prevalence of avian malaria parasites will likely increase with deforestation.