Research interests
I am interested in understanding how ecological dynamics shape host-parasite interactions. During my undergraduate and master’s studies, I investigated how bird migration influences haemosporidian infection risk at both the host community and population levels.
Annotation of the dissertation
The dissertation aims to examine the spatial and temporal variation of Leucocytozoon infections in European bird species using both molecular and morphological techniques.
The project will result in:
– Compiling existing morphological and molecular data on Leucocytozoon parasites.
– Conducting morphological analyses on infections identified molecularly but not yet characterized morphologically, to expand knowledge of these molecular lineages.
– Collaborating with WIMANET (Wildlife Malaria Network) research groups studying bird species which harbour diverse Leucocytozoon lineages and are widely sampled across Europe, enabling a comprehensive analysis of the spatial and temporal variation of Leucocytozoon infections across these species in multiple locations.
– Providing insights into potential drivers of host-switching across spatial and temporal scales, a critical factor in the emergence of infectious diseases in novel host species.
Basso, E., Navarrete, C., Riquelme-Ortiz, A., Suárez, C., Barber, T. R., Bildstein, K. L., Graña Grilli, M., Lambertucci, S. A. (2024) Central Chile provides a previously unknown nonbreeding area for the migratory population of Turkey Vulture (Cathartes aura ruficollis) breeding in the northwestern Argentine Patagonia. Emu-Austral Ornithology, 124: 206-210. https://doi.org/10.1080/01584197.2024.2323923
Lobos-Ovalle, D., Navarrete, C., Navedo, J. G., Peña-Espinoza, M., Verdugo, C. (2021) Improving the sensitivity of gastrointestinal helminths detection using the Mini-FLOTAC technique in wild birds. Parasitology Research 120: 3319-3324. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00436-021-07267-9
Rodrigues, P., Navarrete, C., Campos, E., Verdugo, C. (2019) Low occurrence of haemosporidian parasites in the Neotropic Cormorant (Phalacrocorax brasilianus) in Chile. Parasitology Research 118, 325-333. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00436-018-6146-6
2019 – Predator-prey interactions: updates in coastal wetlands with global applications. Universidad Austral de Chile
2017 – Global flyway ecology. Universidad Austral de Chile
2017 – International workshop: updates in ecology, physiology, genomics, and evolution of birds. Universidad Austral de Chile
2015 – International workshop: research techniques in bird ecology. Universidad Austral de Chile
Navarrete, C., Ruiz, J., Navedo, J. G., Verdugo, C. (2019) Temporal dynamics of infection in the White-crested Elaenia (Elaenia albiceps): using migration as an escape. XI Neotropical Ornithological Congress, San José, Costa Rica. Oral presentation.
Navarrete, C., Ruiz, J., Hernández, C., Navedo, J. G., Verdugo, C. (2018) Does the migration of White-crested Elaenia (Elaenia albiceps) reduce the Haemoproteus infection risk? XX Chilean Veterinary Medicine Congress, Chillán, Chile. Oral presentation.
Álvarez, P., González-Acuña, D., Navarrete, C., Moreno, L., Verdugo, C. (2018) Diversity and infection patterns of haemosporidian parasites in reptiles, Chile. XX Chilean Veterinary Medicine Congress, Chillán, Chile. Poster presentation.
Navarrete, C., Rodrigues, P., Ruiz, J., Navedo, J. G., Verdugo, C. (2017) Blood parasites infecting birds in high-latitude assemblages. XII Chilean Ornithology Congress, Santa Cruz, Chile. Oral presentation.
Navarrete, C., Ruiz, J., Navedo, J. G., Verdugo, C. (2016) Diversity of haemosporidian parasites in passerine birds of southern Chile. XIX Chilean Veterinary Medicine Congress, Pucón, Chile. Poster presentation.