Brood Parasitism Research Papers - Academia.edu (original) (raw)

On 25 April 2021, the author documented two Hooded Merganser ducklings (Lophodytes cucullatus) at Lenn Park associating with a family of Wood Ducks (Aix sponsa). No adult Hooded Mergansers were observed. The author monitored the pond... more

On 25 April 2021, the author documented two Hooded Merganser ducklings (Lophodytes cucullatus) at Lenn Park associating with a family of Wood Ducks (Aix sponsa). No adult Hooded Mergansers were observed. The author monitored the pond through May. The two Hooded Merganser young were with the Wood Ducks from April 25 into early May. The last observation was of only one Hooded Merganser with the Wood Ducks on 10 May 2021. To the author's knowledge, this is the first breeding record for Hooded Mergansers in Culpeper County and a probable case of brood parasitism.

Brood parasitism and predation are two factors that limit seasonal fecundity in grassland songbirds. We removed Brown-headed Cowbirds (Molothrus ater) in a switchback experiment to examine the effects of brood parasitism and nest... more

Brood parasitism and predation are two factors that limit seasonal fecundity in grassland songbirds. We removed Brown-headed Cowbirds (Molothrus ater) in a switchback experiment to examine the effects of brood parasitism and nest predation on the productivity of Dickcissels (Spiza americana). Nesting Dickcissels were monitored at four study plots in northeast Kansas in a two-year study. Brown-headed Cowbirds were captured with drop-in traps at two removal plots, two unmanipulated plots were reference plots, and treatments were reversed between years. To evaluate the effect of Brown-headed Cowbird removals, we compared the percentage of nests parasitized, rates of multiple parasitism, clutch size, daily nest survival rates, and overall productivity per nest between removal and reference plots. Removals of Brown-headed Cowbirds successfully reduced the probability of parasitism and rates of multiple parasitism, but only in one of two years. Brown-headed Cowbirds did not appear to contribute to nest losses, given that few nests were abandoned because of cowbird activity and that the probabilities of nest parasitism and nest survival declined simultaneously over the breeding season. Overall, nest productivity showed no difference between treatments in either year, despite reduced rates of parasitism at removal plots in 2004. High rates of nest predation minimized the potential benefits of Brown-headed Cowbird removals for increasing productivity of Dickcissels. Our results demonstrate that removals can reduce parasitism levels but that the success of removal programs may vary annually, particularly in regions where Brown-headed Cowbirds and nest predators are abundant. Management actions that minimize parasitism and predation by modifying habitat structure may provide better alternatives to programs based on removals.

Canvasback ducks (Aythya vaUimrria) suffer both intra- and interspecific brood parasitism. During 3 years in Manitoba, 80% of canvasback nests (n «= 179 nests with completed dutches) were parasitized by redheads (A. amtricana), other... more

Canvasback ducks (Aythya vaUimrria) suffer both intra- and interspecific brood parasitism. During 3 years in Manitoba, 80% of canvasback nests (n «= 179 nests with completed dutches) were parasitized by redheads (A. amtricana), other canvasbacks, or both, with an average of 4.7 parasitic eggs per parasitized nest Parasitism had significant negative effects on the reproductive success of nesting canvasbacks, although the proximate mechanisms involved differed from those operating in altricial species. Accidental displacement of eggs when parasitic females forced their way onto host nests was the principal negative effect of parasitism, reducing the number of host eggs that were incubated and ultimately hatched. Parasitism by redheads was relatively more costly to canvasbacks than was intraspetific parasitism, with approximately 0.31 and 0.17 host eggs displaced per parasitic redhead and canvasback egg laid, respectively. No additional negative effects of parasitism on the hatchabilit...

Exploitation of host mechanism for parental care by avian brood parasites.­ Parasitic birds and their hosts engage in a coevolutionary arms race in which hosts have evolved fine egg discrimination that has in turn selected for... more

Exploitation of host mechanism for parental care by avian brood parasites.­ Parasitic birds and their hosts engage in a coevolutionary arms race in which hosts have evolved fine egg discrimination that has in turn selected for sophisticated egg mimicry in many parasites. Paradoxically, however, very few have evolved chick mimicry. This has been traditionally interpreted as evidence that hosts fail to discriminate between chicks because of the existence of an evolutionary lag or equilibrium (costs) in the host-parasite arms race. Here, I show that none of these hypotheses can satisfactorily explain the nearly total lack of chick mimicry. Alternatively, parasitic chicks may be highly constrained to evolve mimicry of host young when both belong to phylogenetically-distant taxa with very different developmental pathways. Data on genomic divergence from DNA hybridization studies support this possibility. I suggest that nonmimetic parasites prevent rejection by exploiting a set of "imperfect" behavioural mechanisms in hosts. First, perceptual and developmental constraints, among other factors, limit the efficiency of chick-recognition mechanisms, particularly prior to fledging. The scarce evidence available on chick discrimination across different bird groups is consistent with this assumption. Second, nonmimetic parasites might evolve manipulative signals that elicit preferential care by hosts to compensate for their odd appearance, in order to decouple the recognition and rejection mechanisms. Some experimental and observational data suggest that hosts may favour parasitic chicks over conspecific young of similar characteristics. Thus, unless we take into consideration the proximate mechanisms involved, it will not be possible to obtain a comprehensive view of this problem from an evolutionary perspective.

The interactions between avian interspecific brood parasites and their hosts provide tractable and informative systems for investigating coevolution. Generally, these investigations have emphasized the egg and chick stages of the... more

The interactions between avian interspecific brood parasites and their hosts provide tractable and informative systems for investigating coevolution. Generally, these investigations have emphasized the egg and chick stages of the coevolutionary arms race; however, recent studies demonstrate that coevolution operates at all stages of the host nesting cycle and emphasize the importance of reciprocal adaptations prior to deposition of the parasite egg in the host nest: the ‘frontline’ of the arms race. Here we review the diversity of adaptations at the frontline and its implications for our understanding of brood parasite–host relationships. Coevolution at the frontline can fundamentally shape the life histories, morphologies, physiologies and behaviours of both brood parasites and their hosts, and influences the trajectories and outcomes of their subsequent coevolutionary interactions. We advocate the incorporation of frontline interactions in empirical and theoretical investigations of brood parasite–host arms races to provide a more holistic understanding of the coevolutionary processes in these systems.

The interactions between avian obligate interspecific brood parasites and their hosts provide tractable systems for studying coevolutionary processes in nature. This review highlights recent advances in understanding coevo-lution in these... more

The interactions between avian obligate interspecific brood parasites and their hosts provide tractable systems for studying coevolutionary processes in nature. This review highlights recent advances in understanding coevo-lution in these systems. First, we discuss the evolution and phylogenetic history of avian brood parasitism. Next, we examine coevolved adaptations and counteradaptations in brood parasites and hosts at all stages of the host nesting cycle: those that precede laying of the parasitic egg and those at the egg, chick, and fledgling stages. We then consider the factors that affect the evolution of offense and defense portfolios (the suites of adaptations and counteradaptations across the nesting cycle), and the outcomes of coevolutionary interactions between brood parasites and hosts. Ongoing efforts to document the diversity of host defenses and parasite offenses will facilitate understanding of coevolutionary processes and the ecological and evolutionary consequences of species interactions in the natural world.

Young brood parasites that tolerate the company of host offspring challenge the existing evolutionary view of family life. In theory, all parasitic nestlings should be ruthlessly self-interested and should kill host offspring soon after... more

Young brood parasites that tolerate the company of host offspring challenge the existing evolutionary view of family life. In theory, all parasitic nestlings should be ruthlessly self-interested and should kill host offspring soon after hatching. Yet many species allow host young to live, even though they are rivals for host resources. Here we show that the tolerance of host nestlings by the parasitic brown-headed cowbird Molothrus ater is adaptive. Host young procure the cowbird a higher provisioning rate, so it grows more rapidly. The cowbird's unexpected altruism toward host offspring simply promotes its selfish interests in exploiting host parents.

Recognition of brood parasitic cuckoo nestlings poses a challenge to hosts because cues expressed by cuckoos and host young may be very similar. In theory, hosts should use flexible recognition rules that maximize the likelihood of... more

Recognition of brood parasitic cuckoo nestlings poses a challenge to hosts because cues expressed by cuckoos and host young may be very similar. In theory, hosts should use flexible recognition rules that maximize the likelihood of rejecting cuckoo nestlings while minimizing the risk of rejecting their own young. Our previous work revealed that female superb fairy-wrens Malurus cyaneus often abandoned nestling cuckoos and that the presence of a single chick in the nest was 1 trigger for abandonment because fairy-wrens also sometimes abandoned a single fairy-wren chick. Here we use a combination of 20 years of observational data, a cross-fostering experiment, and a brood size reduction experiment to determine the basis for individual variability in the chick-rejection rules of superb fairy-wrens in response to parasitism by Horsfield's bronze-cuckoos Chalcites basalis. We show that the decision to abandon a single chick is based on integration of learned recognition cues and exte...

We studied patterns of extra-pair maternity (EPM) in 245 nests (225 nests belonging to 120 females of known identity) of sexually promiscuous European barn swallows (Hirundo rustica rustica) over a 3-year period. At least one EPM nestling... more

We studied patterns of extra-pair maternity (EPM) in 245 nests (225 nests belonging to 120 females of known identity) of sexually promiscuous European barn swallows (Hirundo rustica rustica) over a 3-year period. At least one EPM nestling was identified in 54 nests (22.0 %), representing 5.7 % of a total of 1060 nestlings. Up to 28.3 % of all EPM nestlings resulted from quasi-parasitism (QP), whereby nest-attending males sired parasitic offspring. Nests of quasi-parasitic females were never in close proximity to the host nest. Our data thus indicate nonrandom QP patterns in our population suggesting that QP can be considered a third alternative reproductive strategy alongside extra-pair paternity (EPP) and intraspecific brood parasitism (IBP). Of several socioecological factors evaluated, only number of simultaneous egg-laying females in the population proved a good predictor for EPM occurrence. Whereas parasitic females produced more offspring per breeding attempt than was the population average, both QP and IBP affected host female reproductive output, being associated with a reduced number of her offspring produced from the nest. On the contrary, QP resulted in an increase in the number of offspring produced by nest-attending males, suggesting that males may benefit from cooperating with parasitic females at the expense of their social partners.

... Keywords Ecuador 4 Atlapetes pallidiceps 4 Critically endangered 4 Population status 4 Cowbird control ... In areas that could only be visited at times when general vocal activity was low ... S, Schaefer HM, Schmidt V (2003)... more

... Keywords Ecuador 4 Atlapetes pallidiceps 4 Critically endangered 4 Population status 4 Cowbird control ... In areas that could only be visited at times when general vocal activity was low ... S, Schaefer HM, Schmidt V (2003) Description of the nest, eggs, and breeding behavior of the ...

El tordo pico corto (Molothrus rufoaxillaris) es un parásito de cría especialista que tiene como principal hospedador al músico (Agelaioides badius). Los juveniles parásitos presentan una marcada similitud con el hospedador en sus... more

El tordo pico corto (Molothrus rufoaxillaris) es un parásito de cría especialista que tiene como principal hospedador al
músico (Agelaioides badius). Los juveniles parásitos presentan una marcada similitud con el hospedador en sus
vocalizaciones de pedido de alimento, que parece jugar un rol importante como señal de reconocimiento para el músico. El
objetivo de este trabajo fue estudiar si el desarrollo de la similitud vocal con el músico en el tordo pico corto depende de la experiencia social de los pichones parásitos con este hospedador. El estudio se realizó en la Reserva “El Destino”
(Magdalena, Buenos Aires) durante las temporadas reproductivas 2012-2013 y 2013-2014. Para evaluar esta hipótesis se analizó la similitud en la estructura vocal entre pichones de músico y de tordo pico corto criados en nidos de músico y de otra especie, la calandria grande (Mimus saturninus), a los 4 y 8 días de edad, y se realizó un experimento de playback para comparar la respuesta de los músicos adultos hacia vocalizaciones de pichones de 8 días de edad de tordo pico corto de nidos de músico y calandria y coespecíficos (control). El análisis estructural mostró diferencias en los llamados de los pichones de tordo pico corto entre hospedadores a los 8 días de edad, pero no se encontraron diferencias entre los pichones parásitos y los de músico, independientemente de la especie hospedadora y la edad. El análisis funcional mostró una respuesta similar de los adultos a los llamados de pichones coespecíficos y de ambos grupos de tordo pico corto, lo que indica que la función de los llamados como señal de reconocimiento para el músico no depende de la experiencia del tordo pico corto con el hospedador. En conjunto, los resultados sugieren que la similitud vocal con el músico se desarrolla de manera innata en los pichones de tordo pico corto.

Indigobirds (Vidua spp.) are host-specific brood parasites that have diversified in a recent radiation apparently driven by host colonization. Behavioral imprinting of both male and female indigobirds on host song is thought to promote... more

Indigobirds (Vidua spp.) are host-specific brood parasites that have diversified in a recent radiation apparently driven by host colonization. Behavioral imprinting of both male and female indigobirds on host song is thought to promote rapid speciation because it results in assortative mating between indigobirds associated with a particular host. We conducted a song playback experiment to test whether male indigobirds

Alchisme grossa is a treehopper species showing maternal care until at least the third nymphal instar. A secondary female treehopper has frequently been observed near a family (primary female guarding its egg clutch). Intraspecific brood... more

Alchisme grossa is a treehopper species showing maternal care until at least the third nymphal instar. A secondary female treehopper has frequently been observed near a family (primary female guarding its egg clutch). Intraspecific brood parasitism, communal breeding or alloparental care may be suggested as possible mechanisms to explain secondary female presence. To distinguish between these phenomena, we performed relatedness analyses of genetic samples of groups including one A. grossa primary female, a secondary female and the associated offspring using polymorphic microsatellites. Furthermore, we characterized the behavioral interaction between both females during maternal care and the reproductive strategy (monandry or polyandry) of A. grossa females by estimating the number of male parents. We observed the presence of secondary females in 35.9% of monitored families. The behaviors characterized suggest the occurrence of brood parasitism in the interaction between both females. Nevertheless, all offspring within a family were descendants only of the primary female and a single male, thus showing that A. grossa females are monandrous. The results, taken together with data on the reproductive biology reported for other treehoppers, are consistent with the occurrence of brood parasitism in A. grossa.

Several species around the world are expanding their distribution principally by anthropogenic disturbance. In Ecuador, the Shining Cowbird Molothrus bonariensis has been recorded more frequently outside its known range; therefore, we... more

Several species around the world are expanding their distribution principally by anthropogenic disturbance. In Ecuador, the Shining Cowbird Molothrus bonariensis has been recorded more frequently outside its known range; therefore, we analyzed its chronological records, finding evidence of an altitude expansion of 580 m in the last 44 years. Additionally, we performed maximum entropy models that showed that areas of habitat suitability for M. bonariensis would increase under conditions of climate change. Finally, as M. bonariensis is an obligate and generalist parasite of nests; we present unpublished information, which together with published data, constitute a total of 21 parasitized species in Ecuador. Due to the implications for the conservation of vulnerable species, it is important to continue documenting the extension of the range of M. bonariensis and its parasitized species.