Macroparasites of introduced parakeets in Italy: a possible role for parasite-mediated competition

Abstract

Alien species are considered a cause of biodiversity loss throughout the world. An important but often overlooked form of competition with native species is the parasite-mediated one. Introduced species may bring their own parasites from their native ranges (spillover) or get native parasites from native species, thus increasing the parasites' spread and transmission risk (spillback). Thus, a complete knowledge of parasites hosted by introduced species is important to assess and to possibly prevent impacts. Ring-necked and monk parakeets have been introduced in many European countries, where they established a number of alien reproductive populations. We sampled 21 ring-necked parakeets and 7 monk parakeets from Italy and identified 35 arthropod ectoparasites belonging to five species. Amongst those, one species was native to India (Neopsittaconirmus lybartota), where alien populations of ring-necked parakeet may have been originated, and one species from South America (Paragoniocotes fulvofasciatus), which is typically found of the monk parakeet in its native range. The other three species of arthropod parasites were native to Italy and commonly found on native species, suggesting the possibility of spillback processes.

The invasive Chinese pond mussel Sinanodonta woodiana (Lea, 1834) as a host for native symbionts in European waters

“…The direct effect, which is usually caused by competition between exotic and native species for the same resources, is well documented (Huxel, 1999;Byers, 2000). The indirect impact is, in turn, linked to modification of complex interactions between exotic and native organisms and their environment, as exotic species may bring their own symbionts from their native range of distribution and/or may acquire native symbionts in new ranges (Conn et al, 1996;Kelly et al, 2009;Hatcher and Dunn, 2011;Paterson et al, 2012;Pulkkinen et al, 2013;Glodosky and Sandland, 2014;Mori et al, 2015). An alien species in new habitats does not usually have natural enemies and thus the lack of top-down control of their populations is an important factor facilitating their rapid spread and the increase in their local abundance (Torchin et al, 2001;Torchin et al, 2003;Blossey, 2011).…”

‘The early bird catches the nest’: possible competition between scops owls and ring‐necked parakeets

“…the nuthatch Sitta europaea : Strubbe, Matthysen & Graham, ; the starling Sturnus vulgaris : Braun, Czajka & Wink, ; Dodaro & Battisti, ; noctule bats Nyctalus spp. : Hernandez‐Brito et al ., ; Menchetti, Scalera & Mori, ; the hoopoe: Yosef, Zduniak & Zmihorski, ), to agricultural damage (Menchetti & Mori, ) and the transmission of parasites and diseases (Sa et al ., ; Mori et al ., ). For reproduction, the RNP largely depends on tree cavities (Khan, Beg & Khan, ; Menchetti et al ., ), which may represent a limiting resource (Cornelius et al ., ).…”

Mediterranean versus Atlantic monk parakeets Myiopsitta monachus: towards differentiated management at the European scale

“…Potential competition mediated by parasites of introduced monk parakeets with native species sharing the same feeding and breeding sites (i.e. house sparrows Passer domesticus Linnaeus and rock pigeons Columba livia Gmelin) has been suggested for Italian populations (with monk parakeets infested by alien lice and mites, as well as by native European lice and flat‐flies) . Monk parakeets may also act as a reservoir of the nodule‐shaped bill lesion, which may affect native bird species and poultry…”

“…house sparrows Passer domesticus Linnaeus and rock pigeons Columba livia Gmelin) has been suggested for Italian populations (with monk parakeets infested by alien lice and mites, as well as by native European lice and flat-flies). 38,39 Monk parakeets may also act as a reservoir of the nodule-shaped bill lesion, which may affect native bird species and poultry. 40 Given the widespread introduction of this parakeet into Europe and the fact that it causes damage to both native biodiversity and agriculture, a better understanding of its current pan-European distribution, as well as demographic and dispersal parameters is crucial to allow conservation managers to set up tailored plans aimed at reducing monk parakeet impacts.…”