Lack of specialist nidicoles as a characteristic of mite assemblages inhabiting nests of the ground-nesting wood warbler, Phylloscopus sibilatrix (Aves: Passeriformes)

Abstract

Bird and mammal nests provide microhabitats that support a range of other species, including invertebrates. However, the variation between communities of nest-dwelling invertebrates in different nests is poorly understood. The major aim of this study was to analyze the assemblage structure of mites from the suborder Uropodina (Acari: Mesostigmata) and from superfamily Crotonioidea (Acari: Oribatida) inhabiting nests of the wood warbler, Phylloscopus sibilatrix (Aves: Passeriformes), located on a forest floor in Białowieża Forest, in eastern Poland. We also assessed the correlation between the nest material used by the birds with the assemblage structure of Uropodina mites, and compared the results with published studies of the nests of other birds and a mammal (common mole, Talpa europaea), and also with communities of mites inhabiting the soil. The field research was conducted in the strict nature reserve of the Białowieża National Park, a near-primeval European temperate forest. In 2019, immediately after the breeding period, 69 wood warbler nests and 439 soil samples were collected. Analyses revealed assemblages of Uropodina mites inhabiting the nests that consisted of 14 species, mostly common soil species. Only five species of oribatid mites from superfamily Crotonioidea were present in the nest material. Analyzed nests had a high percentage of tree leaves and grass blades, whereas moss was the least frequent component of the nest material. The Uropodina mites were more abundant in the nests that had greater amounts of grass blades, but similar relationships were insignificant for the nests with varying amounts of tree leaves or moss. The assemblages of Uropodina mites inhabiting wood warbler nests were very similar to those found in soil and nests of the common mole, but they lacked typical nest-dwelling species of Uropodina (i.e., specialized nidicoles).

Mites inhabiting nests of wood warbler, Phylloscopus sibilatrix (Aves: Passeriformes), in the Wielkopolska National Park in western Poland

“…However, none of these species was a typical nidicole; instead, all were representatives of soil fauna. A similar outcome has been reported by Napierała et al ( 2021 ), who studied wood warbler nests in Białowieża Forest. Akin to Napierała et al ( 2021 ), in our study Oodinychus ovalis (CL Koch) achieved the highest parameters of infestation, compared to other species found in wood warbler nests.…”

“…A similar outcome has been reported by Napierała et al ( 2021 ), who studied wood warbler nests in Białowieża Forest. Akin to Napierała et al ( 2021 ), in our study Oodinychus ovalis (CL Koch) achieved the highest parameters of infestation, compared to other species found in wood warbler nests. This is probably due to the fact that it is a highly genetically polymorphic species and the most numerous representative of the Uropodina in Poland.…”

“…Some studies show that ants are frequently present in wood warbler nests (Maziarz et al 2018 ), which can be associated with the thermal activity of the birds warming their nests (Maziarz et al 2020 , 2021 ). Among mites, only the Uropodina and Crotonioidea inhabiting wood warbler nests have been investigated so far (Napierała et al 2021 ).…”

Weather impacts on interactions between nesting birds, nest-dwelling ectoparasites and ants

“…However, a small number of observations from adjacent managed deciduous forest stands were also included. For details of the study area see 71 – 73 .…”

“…10 g) insectivorous songbird that winters in equatorial Africa and breeds in temperate European forests, typically rearing one or two broods each year 74 . Wood Warblers build dome-shaped nests for each breeding attempt, composed of woven grass, leaves and moss, and lined with animal hair 73 . The nests are situated on the ground among moderately sparse vegetation, often under a tussock of vegetation or near a fallen tree-branch or log (see examples in Supplementary Fig.…”