Pub Date : 2010-08-09DOI: 10.2174/1874453201003010112
S. Riffell, Daniel G. Scognamillo, L. Burger, S. Bucholtz
The Conservation Reserve Program (CRP) is a voluntary cropland set-aside program where environmentally- sensitive cropland is retired to a conservation practice. Grassland birds should benefit because most CRP is grass habitat and because amount of land in CRP is highest in agriculture-dominated areas of the United States where grassland habitat has been most impacted. We used the Breeding Bird Survey and Common Land Unit (CLU) data (spatially-explicit data of farm field boundaries and land cover) to identify relations between types and configurations of CRP and grassland bird abundance in 3 Midwestern states. All 13 species we studied were related to at least one aspect of CRP habitat - specific conservation practices (e.g., native vs. exotic grass), CRP habitat configuration, or habitat age. Treating all types of CRP as a single habitat type would have obscured bird-CRP relations. Based on our results, creating a mosaic of large and small set-aside patches could benefit both area-sensitive and edge-associated grassland birds. Additionally, northern bobwhite and other birds that use early successional grasslands would benefit from periodic disturbances. CRP, agri- environment schemes, and other government-sponsored set-aside programs may be most successful when administered as part of a targeted, regional conservation plan.
{"title":"Broad-Scale Relations between Conservation Reserve Program and Grassland Birds: Do Cover Type, Configuration and Contract Age Matter?","authors":"S. Riffell, Daniel G. Scognamillo, L. Burger, S. Bucholtz","doi":"10.2174/1874453201003010112","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.2174/1874453201003010112","url":null,"abstract":"The Conservation Reserve Program (CRP) is a voluntary cropland set-aside program where environmentally- sensitive cropland is retired to a conservation practice. Grassland birds should benefit because most CRP is grass habitat and because amount of land in CRP is highest in agriculture-dominated areas of the United States where grassland habitat has been most impacted. We used the Breeding Bird Survey and Common Land Unit (CLU) data (spatially-explicit data of farm field boundaries and land cover) to identify relations between types and configurations of CRP and grassland bird abundance in 3 Midwestern states. All 13 species we studied were related to at least one aspect of CRP habitat - specific conservation practices (e.g., native vs. exotic grass), CRP habitat configuration, or habitat age. Treating all types of CRP as a single habitat type would have obscured bird-CRP relations. Based on our results, creating a mosaic of large and small set-aside patches could benefit both area-sensitive and edge-associated grassland birds. Additionally, northern bobwhite and other birds that use early successional grasslands would benefit from periodic disturbances. CRP, agri- environment schemes, and other government-sponsored set-aside programs may be most successful when administered as part of a targeted, regional conservation plan.","PeriodicalId":39058,"journal":{"name":"Open Ornithology Journal","volume":"3 1","pages":"112-123"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2010-08-09","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"68077213","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2010-07-20DOI: 10.2174/1874453201003010105
E. Mäntylä, P. Sirkiä, T. Klemola, T. Laaksonen
Passerine birds use a variety of indirect cues to make territory location decisions. These birds can also distinguish herbivore-damaged plants from undamaged ones during foraging, even when they cannot see the herbivorous larvae or damaged leaves. To test the possibility that also the territory choice of passerines is affected by herbivore- induced plant cues, we established territories with and without indirect cues of herbivore presence for migratory pied flycatchers (Ficedula hypoleuca) at the time of their arrival. Half of the territories had folivorous moth larvae hidden inside mesh bags to defoliate small trees (Betula spp.) and half had only empty mesh bags on trees. Hidden herbivory on the trees did not affect the mean date of territory choice by either male or female birds. Nonetheless, there was a trend that females, but not males, chose the territories in the same order in two consecutive years. Thus, it seems that pied flycatchers do not use indirect cues of larval presence as a basis for their choice of territory, but possibly some more general environmental cues.
{"title":"Territory Choice of Pied Flycatchers is Not Based on Induced Cues of Herbivore Damaged Trees","authors":"E. Mäntylä, P. Sirkiä, T. Klemola, T. Laaksonen","doi":"10.2174/1874453201003010105","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.2174/1874453201003010105","url":null,"abstract":"Passerine birds use a variety of indirect cues to make territory location decisions. These birds can also distinguish herbivore-damaged plants from undamaged ones during foraging, even when they cannot see the herbivorous larvae or damaged leaves. To test the possibility that also the territory choice of passerines is affected by herbivore- induced plant cues, we established territories with and without indirect cues of herbivore presence for migratory pied flycatchers (Ficedula hypoleuca) at the time of their arrival. Half of the territories had folivorous moth larvae hidden inside mesh bags to defoliate small trees (Betula spp.) and half had only empty mesh bags on trees. Hidden herbivory on the trees did not affect the mean date of territory choice by either male or female birds. Nonetheless, there was a trend that females, but not males, chose the territories in the same order in two consecutive years. Thus, it seems that pied flycatchers do not use indirect cues of larval presence as a basis for their choice of territory, but possibly some more general environmental cues.","PeriodicalId":39058,"journal":{"name":"Open Ornithology Journal","volume":"3 1","pages":"105-111"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2010-07-20","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"68077199","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2010-05-21DOI: 10.2174/1874453201003010101
Stefanie Grabrucker, A. Grabrucker
During the twentieth century, the Great-tailed Grackle (Quiscalus mexicanus) underwent a rapid and large- scale range expansion, extending its northern limits from Texas in 1900 to 21 states in the US and 3 Canadian provinces by the end of the century. This explosive growth correlated with human-induced habitat changes. To investigate adaptations that might explain their expansion into even extreme habitats, a small number of Great-tailed Grackles were observed in Death Valley, CA. We noticed that these birds displayed a rare feeding behavior, i.e. picking dead insects from the license plates of parked vehicles. All birds used the same technique in obtaining the food and the behavior was displayed by both males and females. It was estimated that this food resource has a major contribution to the daily food intake. No other bird species sharing the same habitat showed this behavior although American crows (Corvus brachyrhynchos) had the possibility to watch the Great-tailed Grackles behavior.
{"title":"Rare Feeding Behavior of Great-Tailed Grackles (Quiscalus mexicanus) in the Extreme Habitat of Death Valley~!2010-01-08~!2010-03-08~!2010-05-21~!","authors":"Stefanie Grabrucker, A. Grabrucker","doi":"10.2174/1874453201003010101","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.2174/1874453201003010101","url":null,"abstract":"During the twentieth century, the Great-tailed Grackle (Quiscalus mexicanus) underwent a rapid and large- scale range expansion, extending its northern limits from Texas in 1900 to 21 states in the US and 3 Canadian provinces by the end of the century. This explosive growth correlated with human-induced habitat changes. To investigate adaptations that might explain their expansion into even extreme habitats, a small number of Great-tailed Grackles were observed in Death Valley, CA. We noticed that these birds displayed a rare feeding behavior, i.e. picking dead insects from the license plates of parked vehicles. All birds used the same technique in obtaining the food and the behavior was displayed by both males and females. It was estimated that this food resource has a major contribution to the daily food intake. No other bird species sharing the same habitat showed this behavior although American crows (Corvus brachyrhynchos) had the possibility to watch the Great-tailed Grackles behavior.","PeriodicalId":39058,"journal":{"name":"Open Ornithology Journal","volume":"3 1","pages":"101-104"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2010-05-21","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"68077158","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2010-05-17DOI: 10.2174/1874453201306010009
Michael P. Braun, M. Wink
Chick development of a population of non-native Ring-necked Parakeets (Psittacula krameri) (RNP) has been investigated between 2006 and 2008 in Heidelberg, Germany. In parrots hatching asynchrony is common. RNP chicks are under natural selection to fledge synchronously with their siblings, as parents return less often to the nest after the first chick has fledged and remaining chicks may starve. Female nestlings apparently outperform the males by about one d in body mass gain, but also had higher measurements in tarsus, wing and tail growth. This was unexpected as adult males are generally larger than females. First-hatched chicks showed lowest biometrical values as compared to their younger sib- lings in several characters like body mass gain, bill, wing, and tail length. This feature may contribute to a synchronization of fledging in an otherwise asynchronous brood.
{"title":"Nestling Development of Ring-necked Parakeets (Psittacula krameri) in a Nest Box Population","authors":"Michael P. Braun, M. Wink","doi":"10.2174/1874453201306010009","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.2174/1874453201306010009","url":null,"abstract":"Chick development of a population of non-native Ring-necked Parakeets (Psittacula krameri) (RNP) has been investigated between 2006 and 2008 in Heidelberg, Germany. In parrots hatching asynchrony is common. RNP chicks are under natural selection to fledge synchronously with their siblings, as parents return less often to the nest after the first chick has fledged and remaining chicks may starve. Female nestlings apparently outperform the males by about one d in body mass gain, but also had higher measurements in tarsus, wing and tail growth. This was unexpected as adult males are generally larger than females. First-hatched chicks showed lowest biometrical values as compared to their younger sib- lings in several characters like body mass gain, bill, wing, and tail length. This feature may contribute to a synchronization of fledging in an otherwise asynchronous brood.","PeriodicalId":39058,"journal":{"name":"Open Ornithology Journal","volume":"6 1","pages":"9-24"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2010-05-17","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"68078708","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2010-05-17DOI: 10.2174/1874453201306010025
C. Powell, A. Lill, Christopher P. Johnstone
Cities are potentially stressful environments for birds for numerous reasons, including their high volumes of pedestrian and vehicular traffic. Native birds inhabiting cities tolerate such human disturbance, but may still potentially incur some cost that is reflected in body condition and the level of chronic stress experienced, unless they are inherently relatively insensitive to urban stressors. We compared body mass and condition, three erythrocyte variables and hetero- phil: lymphocyte ratios (HL) of adult Noisy miners (Manorina melanocephala) in urban Melbourne, Australia and its ru- ral hinterland. Urban individuals had a significantly higher HL (mean 0.995) than rural con-specifics (0.719), suggesting that they may have been experiencing higher chronic stress levels. Body condition (mass-size residuals) and haematocrit were similar in urban and rural individuals, but urban individuals were a little heavier (~ 1%) and rural individuals had a 0.6 g dl -1 higher whole blood haemoglobin concentration. There were no significant relationships between body condition indices and blood variables of the kind demonstrated in some bird species; their absence in Noisy miners may either re- flect a lack of winter fattening or confirm that the occurrence of these relationships is species-specific.
城市对鸟类来说是一个潜在的压力环境，原因有很多，包括大量的行人和车辆交通。居住在城市的本地鸟类可以忍受这种人类干扰，但可能仍然会产生一些潜在的代价，这些代价反映在身体状况和所经历的慢性压力水平上，除非它们天生对城市压力相对不敏感。我们比较了澳大利亚墨尔本市区及其农村腹地成年黑头马奴(Manorina melanocephala)的体重和状况、三个红细胞变量和异淋巴细胞比率(HL)。城市个体的HL(平均0.995)显著高于农村个体(0.719)，表明他们可能经历了更高的慢性压力水平。城市和农村个体的身体状况(质量-尺寸残差)和红细胞压积相似，但城市个体略重(约1%)，农村个体全血血红蛋白浓度高0.6 g dl -1。在某些鸟类中，身体状况指标与血液变量之间的关系不显著;它们在吵闹的矿工身上的缺失可能反映了缺乏冬季增肥，或者证实了这些关系的发生是物种特有的。
{"title":"Body Condition and Chronic stress in Urban and Rural Noisy Miners","authors":"C. Powell, A. Lill, Christopher P. Johnstone","doi":"10.2174/1874453201306010025","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.2174/1874453201306010025","url":null,"abstract":"Cities are potentially stressful environments for birds for numerous reasons, including their high volumes of pedestrian and vehicular traffic. Native birds inhabiting cities tolerate such human disturbance, but may still potentially incur some cost that is reflected in body condition and the level of chronic stress experienced, unless they are inherently relatively insensitive to urban stressors. We compared body mass and condition, three erythrocyte variables and hetero- phil: lymphocyte ratios (HL) of adult Noisy miners (Manorina melanocephala) in urban Melbourne, Australia and its ru- ral hinterland. Urban individuals had a significantly higher HL (mean 0.995) than rural con-specifics (0.719), suggesting that they may have been experiencing higher chronic stress levels. Body condition (mass-size residuals) and haematocrit were similar in urban and rural individuals, but urban individuals were a little heavier (~ 1%) and rural individuals had a 0.6 g dl -1 higher whole blood haemoglobin concentration. There were no significant relationships between body condition indices and blood variables of the kind demonstrated in some bird species; their absence in Noisy miners may either re- flect a lack of winter fattening or confirm that the occurrence of these relationships is species-specific.","PeriodicalId":39058,"journal":{"name":"Open Ornithology Journal","volume":"22 1","pages":"25-31"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2010-05-17","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"68078721","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2010-04-22DOI: 10.2174/1874453201003010093
J. Soler, M. Martín-Vivaldi, J. Peralta‐Sánchez, M. Ruiz‐Rodríguez
Theory strongly suggests that beneficial symbiotic bacteria could be common within birds. Our argument is based on the existence of within-host competition for resources between bacteria (i.e. bacterial interference), and on the differential effect that host fitness (i.e., reproductive success and probability of survival) has on fitness of different bacte- ria. If reproductive success of hosts is positively related to that of a first bacterium, and negatively related to that of a sec- ond bacterium, it would be of selective advantage for the former to develop chemicals that prevent host infection by the later pathogenic bacterium. Furthermore, we exemplify the possibility that hosts use antibiotic producing bacteria to pre- vent infections in different body parts (i.e., replacement therapy) or environment (i.e. nest sanitation). We review the up to now few available results suggesting associations of birds with antibiotic producing bacteria that result in fitness advan- tages to hosts. Evidence for such beneficial associations, however, has been very scarce so far, and an important research effort testing predictions of that relationship in different contexts is needed for a generalization of the hypothesis.
{"title":"Antibiotic-Producing Bacteria as a Possible Defence of Birds against Pathogenic Microorganisms","authors":"J. Soler, M. Martín-Vivaldi, J. Peralta‐Sánchez, M. Ruiz‐Rodríguez","doi":"10.2174/1874453201003010093","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.2174/1874453201003010093","url":null,"abstract":"Theory strongly suggests that beneficial symbiotic bacteria could be common within birds. Our argument is based on the existence of within-host competition for resources between bacteria (i.e. bacterial interference), and on the differential effect that host fitness (i.e., reproductive success and probability of survival) has on fitness of different bacte- ria. If reproductive success of hosts is positively related to that of a first bacterium, and negatively related to that of a sec- ond bacterium, it would be of selective advantage for the former to develop chemicals that prevent host infection by the later pathogenic bacterium. Furthermore, we exemplify the possibility that hosts use antibiotic producing bacteria to pre- vent infections in different body parts (i.e., replacement therapy) or environment (i.e. nest sanitation). We review the up to now few available results suggesting associations of birds with antibiotic producing bacteria that result in fitness advan- tages to hosts. Evidence for such beneficial associations, however, has been very scarce so far, and an important research effort testing predictions of that relationship in different contexts is needed for a generalization of the hypothesis.","PeriodicalId":39058,"journal":{"name":"Open Ornithology Journal","volume":"3 1","pages":"93-100"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2010-04-22","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"68077146","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2010-04-22DOI: 10.2174/1874453201003010033
G. Sorci, Stéphane Cornet
The interaction between hosts and parasites is characterized by the evolution of reciproca adaptations aiming at reducing the cost of infection (from the host point of view) and to optimize host exploitation (from the parasite point of view). Within this co-evolutionary scenario, the immune system takes a central role. The immune system has evolved to fight off parasitic attacks. However, immune defences cannot be deployed without costs which set a limit to the protective effect of immunity. Moreover, immune defences impose strong selection pressures on the parasite and can favour the evo- lution of more virulent pathogen strains. In this article, we will discuss these different issues focusing on host-pathogen interactions involving birds and their parasites.
{"title":"Immunity and Virulence in Bird-Parasite Interactions","authors":"G. Sorci, Stéphane Cornet","doi":"10.2174/1874453201003010033","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.2174/1874453201003010033","url":null,"abstract":"The interaction between hosts and parasites is characterized by the evolution of reciproca adaptations aiming at reducing the cost of infection (from the host point of view) and to optimize host exploitation (from the parasite point of view). Within this co-evolutionary scenario, the immune system takes a central role. The immune system has evolved to fight off parasitic attacks. However, immune defences cannot be deployed without costs which set a limit to the protective effect of immunity. Moreover, immune defences impose strong selection pressures on the parasite and can favour the evo- lution of more virulent pathogen strains. In this article, we will discuss these different issues focusing on host-pathogen interactions involving birds and their parasites.","PeriodicalId":39058,"journal":{"name":"Open Ornithology Journal","volume":"3 1","pages":"33-40"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2010-04-22","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"68077571","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2010-04-22DOI: 10.2174/1874453201003010027
S. Merino
Summary: Nestling is a defenceless stage in the life of birds in several ways. For instance, the possibilities to escape infection and infestation by several parasitic diseases are greatly reduced in nestlings. This fact implies that a number of strategies and counter strategies could evolve in hosts to avoid parasites and in parasites to locate and exploit young hosts. An increasing number of nestlings in a nest may support more parasites and thus increase competition between siblings to avoid parasitism. In addition, parental effort may vary in the presence of parasites resulting in different effects of parasitism on nestlings. Moreover, nestling investment in immunity may increase in the presence of parasites at least up to a limit marked by the ability of parents to get resources for their nestlings. In this respect, the transfer of immunoglobulins and other resources from the female parent to eggs may be of considerable importance during the first days of nestlings´ life. However, increased parental activity may also attract more parasites to the nest. A recent work using a metaanalytical approach suggests that parasite-induced nestling mortality in birds is mainly determined by geographical location and to a smaller extent nest site and parasite prevalence. The naive immune system of nestlings and the difficulties to avoid infection once the nest has been located, imply a high potential impact of parasites on nestlings. Thus parasites could cause an important reduction of host population productivity through their effects on nestlings.
{"title":"Immunocompetence and Parasitism in Nestlings from Wild Populations","authors":"S. Merino","doi":"10.2174/1874453201003010027","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.2174/1874453201003010027","url":null,"abstract":"Summary: Nestling is a defenceless stage in the life of birds in several ways. For instance, the possibilities to escape infection and infestation by several parasitic diseases are greatly reduced in nestlings. This fact implies that a number of strategies and counter strategies could evolve in hosts to avoid parasites and in parasites to locate and exploit young hosts. An increasing number of nestlings in a nest may support more parasites and thus increase competition between siblings to avoid parasitism. In addition, parental effort may vary in the presence of parasites resulting in different effects of parasitism on nestlings. Moreover, nestling investment in immunity may increase in the presence of parasites at least up to a limit marked by the ability of parents to get resources for their nestlings. In this respect, the transfer of immunoglobulins and other resources from the female parent to eggs may be of considerable importance during the first days of nestlings´ life. However, increased parental activity may also attract more parasites to the nest. A recent work using a metaanalytical approach suggests that parasite-induced nestling mortality in birds is mainly determined by geographical location and to a smaller extent nest site and parasite prevalence. The naive immune system of nestlings and the difficulties to avoid infection once the nest has been located, imply a high potential impact of parasites on nestlings. Thus parasites could cause an important reduction of host population productivity through their effects on nestlings.","PeriodicalId":39058,"journal":{"name":"Open Ornithology Journal","volume":"3 1","pages":"27-32"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2010-04-22","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"68077543","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2010-04-22DOI: 10.2174/1874453201003010041
D. Clayton, J. A. Koop, Christopher W. Harbison, Brett R. Moyer, Sarah E. Bush
Birds are plagued by an impressive diversity of ectoparasites, ranging from feather-feeding lice, to feather- degrading bacteria. Many of these ectoparasites have severe negative effects on host fitness. It is therefore not surprising that selection on birds has favored a variety of possible adaptations for dealing with ectoparasites. The functional signifi- cance of some of these defenses has been well documented. Others have barely been studied, much less tested rigorously. In this article we review the evidence - or lack thereof - for many of the purported mechanisms birds have for dealing with ectoparasites. We concentrate on features of the plumage and its components, as well as anti-parasite behaviors. In some cases, we present original data from our own recent work. We make recommendations for future studies that could im- prove our understanding of this poorly known aspect of avian biology.
{"title":"How Birds Combat Ectoparasites","authors":"D. Clayton, J. A. Koop, Christopher W. Harbison, Brett R. Moyer, Sarah E. Bush","doi":"10.2174/1874453201003010041","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.2174/1874453201003010041","url":null,"abstract":"Birds are plagued by an impressive diversity of ectoparasites, ranging from feather-feeding lice, to feather- degrading bacteria. Many of these ectoparasites have severe negative effects on host fitness. It is therefore not surprising that selection on birds has favored a variety of possible adaptations for dealing with ectoparasites. The functional signifi- cance of some of these defenses has been well documented. Others have barely been studied, much less tested rigorously. In this article we review the evidence - or lack thereof - for many of the purported mechanisms birds have for dealing with ectoparasites. We concentrate on features of the plumage and its components, as well as anti-parasite behaviors. In some cases, we present original data from our own recent work. We make recommendations for future studies that could im- prove our understanding of this poorly known aspect of avian biology.","PeriodicalId":39058,"journal":{"name":"Open Ornithology Journal","volume":"3 1","pages":"41-71"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2010-04-22","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"68077585","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2010-04-22DOI: 10.2174/1874453201003010086
Anders Pape O-Moller
Many parasites apparently change the behavior of their hosts in a way that seemingly increase the probability of successful reproduction and transmission, suggesting that parasites somehow are able to manipulate the behavior of hosts to their own advantage. Such adaptive manipulation implies that (1) different roles are played by manipulated and manipulator individuals; (2) manipulation reduces the fitness of the manipulated individual; (3) the manipulator gains a fitness advantage; and (4) this order of events should hold up when analyzed in a phylogenetic context. While some ex- amples of parasite-host interactions are consistent with some of these criteria, there is little strict evidence consistent with all four criteria. Parasite manipulation of vertebrate hosts may differ from that of invertebrates because of differences in cognitive ability, and complexity of the parasite community. Literature on avian brood parasites and their hosts suggests that hosts may be fully aware of their parasitism status. Using studies of the great spotted cuckoo and its magpie host I ar- gue that parasitized hosts probably are doing the best they can, given their status, and that their fitness pay-offs would be even worse if they produced higher levels of resistance. Next, I argue that hosts in general may be aware of their infection status, and that each host individual interacts with so many different parasites, each with their 'own' evolutionary inter- ests, that hosts are unlikely to behave only in response to any single parasite. Rather, host behavior could be considered to reflect a compromise between the evolutionary interests of all the inhabitants of a given host individual. Therefore, it might be difficult to argue that hosts are manipulated by parasites, and I suggest that we may learn more about parasite- host interactions by quantifying the evolutionary interests of hosts and their multitude of parasites, amensals and commen- sals, and that host behavior may more readily be understood from the point of view of the participants involved in these different interspecific interactions.
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