An experimental study on the effects of an introduced parasite in Darwin’s finches

Feßl, Birgit; Kleindorfer, Sonia; Tebbich, Sabine

doi:10.1016/j.biocon.2005.07.013

Cited by 104 publications

(123 citation statements)

References 39 publications

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“…Parasites such as fleas, flies, true bugs, and some mites spend portions of their life cycle in the nest material and make brief forays onto nestlings and parents to feed [5]. It is not uncommon for such parasites to kill nestlings or fledglings [45,209]. Birds have several kinds of nest maintenance behavior that may deter ectoparasites.…”

Section: Nest Maintenance Behaviormentioning

confidence: 99%

How Birds Combat Ectoparasites

Clayton¹,

Koop²,

Harbison³

et al. 2010

TOOENIJ

216

211

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Birds are plagued by an impressive diversity of ectoparasites, ranging from feather-feeding lice, to featherdegrading 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 significance 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 improve our understanding of this poorly known aspect of avian biology.

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Section: Nest Maintenance Behaviormentioning

confidence: 99%

How Birds Combat Ectoparasites

Clayton¹,

Koop²,

Harbison³

et al. 2010

TOOENIJ

216

211

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show abstract

“…Since the identification of the parasitic fly, Philornis downsi, in nests of Darwin's finches (Fessl et al 2001), the majority of studies have documented the impacts of parasitism among hosts and ecological variation associated with nestling parasitism (Fessl and Tebbich 2002;Fessl et al 2006a, b;Dudaniec et al 2007;Wiedenfeld et al 2007). This research has shown severe fitness costs of P. downsi parasitism in Darwin's finches, such as reduced haemoglobin concentration, decreased nestling growth rate, and reduced fledging success Fessl et al 2006a, b).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…This research has shown severe fitness costs of P. downsi parasitism in Darwin's finches, such as reduced haemoglobin concentration, decreased nestling growth rate, and reduced fledging success Fessl et al 2006a, b). These impacts are suspected precursors to the extinction of vulnerable finch species (e.g.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Offspring genetic structure reveals mating and nest infestation behaviour of an invasive parasitic fly (Philornis downsi) of Galápagos birds

2009

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The natural reproductive behaviour of invasive insects is pivotal knowledge for managing species of ecological or economic concern. We use microsatellites to examine female multiple mating and multiple nest infestations in the introduced parasitic fly, Philornis downsi, which causes high mortality in endemic birds on the Galápagos Islands. We analyse larvae and pupae within 57 nests from Santa Cruz and Floreana Islands in both the highland and lowland habitats. Sib-ship reconstructions of offspring revealed that up to five females may infest a single nest, while multiple mating in females was frequent (65% of reconstructed maternal genotypes), with an average of 1.91 (±0.06 SE) males per female. Genetic relatedness (R) of offspring within nests was generally low, though lowland nests on Floreana had higher R than highland nests. Knowledge of the reproductive behaviour of P. downsi is necessary for modelling appropriate management strategies, in particular, the sterile insect technique, for which success is greatly influenced by female multiple mating.

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“…As one would expect, susceptibility to parasites in island populations extends beyond microorganisms, as in the case of nestlings of Darwin's finches (Geospiza) on the Galápagos Islands, which are heavily infested by blood-sucking larvae of the introduced fly Philornis spp. (Fessl et al 2006).…”

Section: (D) Distribution Anomaliesmentioning

confidence: 99%

Host–pathogen coevolution, secondary sympatry and species diversification

Ricklefs

2010

Phil. Trans. R. Soc. B

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The build-up of species locally within a region by allopatric speciation depends on geographically separated (allopatric) sister populations becoming reproductively incompatible followed by secondary sympatry. Among birds, this has happened frequently in remote archipelagos, spectacular cases including the Darwin's finches (Geospizinae) and Hawaiian honeycreepers (Drepanidinae), but similar examples are lacking in archipelagos nearer to continental landmasses. Of the required steps in the speciation cycle, achievement of secondary sympatry appears to be limiting in near archipelagos and, by extension, in continental regions. Here, I suggest that secondary sympatry might be prevented by apparent competition mediated through pathogens that are locally coevolved with one population of host and are pathogenic in sister populations. The absence of numerous pathogens in remote archipelagos might, therefore, allow sister populations to achieve secondary sympatry more readily and thereby accelerate diversification. By similar reasoning, species should accumulate relatively slowly within continental regions. In this essay, I explore the assumptions and some implications of this model for species diversification.

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An experimental study on the effects of an introduced parasite in Darwin’s finches

Cited by 104 publications

References 39 publications

How Birds Combat Ectoparasites

How Birds Combat Ectoparasites

Offspring genetic structure reveals mating and nest infestation behaviour of an invasive parasitic fly (Philornis downsi) of Galápagos birds

Host–pathogen coevolution, secondary sympatry and species diversification

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