scholarly journals Repeatable differences in exploratory behaviour predict tick infestation probability in wild great tits

2021 ◽  
Vol 75 (3) ◽  
Author(s):  
Robert E. Rollins ◽  
Alexia Mouchet ◽  
Gabriele Margos ◽  
Lidia Chitimia-Dobler ◽  
Volker Fingerle ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Body Condition ◽  
Human Disturbance ◽  
Tick Infestation ◽  
Ecological Factors ◽  
Animal Behaviour ◽  
Exploratory Behaviour ◽  
Phenotypic Traits ◽  
Nest Box ◽  
Parasite Infestation ◽  
Tick Burden

Abstract Ecological factors and individual-specific traits affect parasite infestation in wild animals. Ixodid ticks are important ectoparasites of various vertebrate hosts, which include passerine bird species such as the great tit (Parus major). We studied various key ecological variables (breeding density, human disturbance) and phenotypic traits (exploratory behaviour, body condition) proposed to predict tick infestation probability and burden in great tits. Our study spanned 3 years and 12 nest box plots located in southern Germany. Breeding, adult great tits were assessed for exploration behaviour, body condition, and tick burden. Plots were open to human recreation; human disturbance was quantified in each plot as a recreation pressure index from biweekly nest box inspections. Infested individuals were repeatable in tick burden across years. These repeatable among-individual differences in tick burden were not attributable to exploration behaviour. However, faster explorers did have a higher infestation probability. Furthermore, body condition was negatively correlated to tick burden. Recreation pressure was correlated to increased infestation probability, although this relationship was just above the threshold of statistical significance. Our study implies that avian infestation probability and tick burden are each determined by distinct phenotypic traits and ecological factors. Our findings highlight the importance of animal behaviour and human disturbance in understanding variation in tick burden among avian hosts. Significance statement Various abiotic and biotic factors, including personality type, influence tick parasitism in birds, but exactly how all these factors interplay remains unclear. We studied a wild population of great tits over a 3-year period and assessed birds for their exploration behaviour and tick infestation. We found that more explorative great tits were more likely to be infested with ticks. By contrast, faster explorers did not have higher tick burdens. Tick burden was nevertheless moderately repeatable among individuals. Our results imply that animal personality influences the probability of parasite infestation, and that infestation likelihood versus intensity are determined by distinct mechanisms. Our work highlights the importance of animal behaviour to understand parasite infestation in wild populations.

scholarly journals Tick infestation probability increases with human recreational pressure and exploratory behaviour in wild great tits (Parus major)

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Robert E. Rollins ◽  
Alexia Mouchet ◽  
Gabriele Margos ◽  
Volker Fingerle ◽  
Noémie S. Becker ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Body Condition ◽  
Human Disturbance ◽  
Parus Major ◽  
Exploratory Behaviour ◽  
Phenotypic Traits ◽  
Tick Population ◽  
Nest Boxes ◽  
Recreational Pressure ◽  
Positive Effect ◽  
Tick Burden

AbstractTicks are parasites that feed on the blood of various vertebrate hosts, including many species of bird. Birds can disperse ticks over short and long distances, therefore impacting tick population dynamics. The likelihood that birds attract ticks should depend on their behaviour and the environment. We studied various key ecological variables (breeding density, human disturbance) and phenotypic traits (exploratory behaviour; body condition) proposed to predict tick burden in great tits (Parus major). Our study spanned over three years and 12 human-recreated plots, equipped with nest-boxes in southern Germany. Adult breeders were assessed for exploratory behaviour, tick burden, and body condition. For each plot, human disturbance was quantified as a human recreational pressure index during biweekly nest box inspections by scoring the number of recreants using the plots. Infestation probability but not tick burden increased with exploratory behaviour. We also found moderate support for a positive effect of recreational pressure on infestation probability. Further, body condition negatively predicted tick burden. Individuals were repeatable in tick burden across years. Our study implies that infestation probability and tick burden are governed by distinct ecological and phenotypic drivers. Our findings also highlight the importance of incorporating ecological and individual variation in host phenotypes to predict spatiotemporal distributions of ticks in nature.

scholarly journals Borrelia burgdorferi Sensu Lato Spirochetes in Wild Birds in Northwestern California: Associations with Ecological Factors, Bird Behavior and Tick Infestation

PLoS ONE ◽  
2015 ◽  
Vol 10 (2) ◽  
pp. e0118146 ◽  
Author(s):  
Erica A. Newman ◽  
Lars Eisen ◽  
Rebecca J. Eisen ◽  
Natalia Fedorova ◽  
Jeomhee M. Hasty ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Borrelia Burgdorferi ◽  
Tick Infestation ◽  
Ecological Factors ◽  
Wild Birds ◽  
Borrelia Burgdorferi Sensu Lato ◽  
Bird Behavior

scholarly journals 200 Comparison of daily rotation and slow rotational grazing on ewe performance, parasite infestation, and soil

2019 ◽  
Vol 97 (Supplement_1) ◽  
pp. 75-75
Author(s):  
Kailey Bradley ◽  
Brooke Boyd ◽  
Lindsay Garrison ◽  
Morgan Higgins ◽  
Robert Newton ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Organic Matter ◽  
Soil Organic Matter ◽  
Body Condition ◽  
Repeated Measures ◽  
Body Condition Score ◽  
Slow Rotation ◽  
Fecal Egg Count ◽  
Electric Fence ◽  
Condition Score ◽  
Parasite Infestation

Abstract Impact of grazing method on ewe performance, parasite infestation, and soil was examined using mature, non-lactating ewes divided into slow rotation (SR; n = 20) or daily rotation (DR; n = 20) groups. Pastures previously grazed by sheep were divided and soil sampled. Temporary electric fence provided daily pasture allocation for DR. Ewes had been adapted to temporary electric fence for two weeks. Both DR and SR were moved to new pasture at the same time. Ewes were weighed and fecal egg counts were conducted biweekly. On alternate weeks, ewes were body condition scored (BCS), FAMACHA scored, and dewormed if FAMACHA score was 4 or greater. After 10 weeks of grazing (June 1-August 10, 2018), final ewe weights and soil samples were collected. Body condition score, FAMACHA, fecal egg count, body weight, and soil test results were tested for effect of grazing group, date, and group by date interaction using procedures for repeated measures with JMP software (version 10, SAS Inst. Inc., Cary, NC). The FAMACHA scores were greatest on July 6 (P < 0.0001). BCS were greater on June 8 and 22 than July 6 and August 3 (P < 0.0001). Ewes were heaviest on June 1 and 15, lightest on July 27 and August 10 (P < 0.0001), and DR ewes were lighter than SR ewes on July 27 and August 10 (P < 0.0001). No effect of treatment, date, or treatment by date interaction on fecal egg count (P > 0.23) was detected. Soil organic matter decreased over the study (P = 0.0024), but organic matter change was less in DR than SR (P = 0.0092). DR did not influence parasitism, but may enhance soil organic matter.

Winter corticosterone and body condition predict breeding investment in a nonmigratory bird

2019 ◽  
Vol 30 (6) ◽  
pp. 1642-1652 ◽  
Author(s):  
Chloé Montreuil-Spencer ◽  
Kelsey Schoenemann ◽  
Ádám Z Lendvai ◽  
Frances Bonier
Keyword(s):  
Life History ◽  
Breeding Season ◽  
Body Condition ◽  
Reproductive Investment ◽  
Phenotypic Traits ◽  
Residual Body ◽  
Life History Stage ◽  
Nonbreeding Season ◽  
Fat Reserves ◽  
Fat Score

Abstract Reproduction is an energetically demanding life history stage that requires costly physiological and behavioral changes, yet some individuals will invest more into reproduction and breed more successfully than others. To understand variation in reproductive investment, previous studies have evaluated factors during breeding, but conditions outside of this life history stage may also play a role. Using a free-ranging population of black-capped chickadees (Poecile atricapillus), we assessed the repeatability of plastic traits relating to energetic condition (circulating initial corticosterone concentrations and body condition) during the nonbreeding season and evaluated whether these traits predicted reproductive investment in the subsequent breeding season. We found that initial corticosterone concentrations and an index of body condition, but not fat score, were moderately repeatable over a 1-week period in winter. This trait repeatability supports the interpretation that among-individual variation in these phenotypic traits could reflect an intrinsic strategy to cope with challenging conditions across life history stages. We found that females with larger fat reserves during winter laid eggs sooner and tended to spend more time incubating their eggs and feeding their offspring. In contrast, we found that females with higher residual body mass delayed breeding, after controlling for the relationship between fat score and timing of breeding. Additionally, females with higher initial corticosterone in winter laid lighter eggs. Our findings suggest that conditions experienced outside of the breeding season may be important factors explaining variation in reproductive investment.

Risk factors associated prevalence of hard tick in large ruminants of coastal areas of South Gujarat, India

2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Dharmesh C. Patel ◽  
Jayesh B. Solanki ◽  
Niranjan Kumar
Keyword(s):  
Risk Factors ◽  
Body Condition ◽  
Prevalence Rate ◽  
Tick Infestation ◽  
Boophilus Microplus ◽  
Hard Tick ◽  
Indigenous Cattle ◽  
Factors Associated ◽  
Group Feeding ◽  
Large Animals

A total of 2617 large animals (1682 cattle and 935 buffaloes) of coastal districts (Bharuch, Surat, Navsari and Valsad) of South Gujarat were screened for tick infestation. The tick’s prevalence rate was (p less than 0.05) significantly higher in cross-breed (44.81%) as compared to indigenous cattle (22.93%)/ buffaloes (32.26%). Prevalence of Rhipicephalus (Boophilus) microplus, Hyalomma spp., Haemaphysalis spp. and mixed tick infestation was 57.80, 13.05, 20.32 and 8.83%, respectively. Infestation rate in large animals of less than 3 years had increased up to the level of 78.28%. Animals with poor body condition/ anaemia, kept in loose house (80.53%) and allowed group feeding (70.56%) had noted higher (p less than 0.05) prevalence rate of tick. Prevalence was highest in summer (41.84%) followed by rainy (40.65%) and winter (17.50%) season. It is quite demanding to know the area-wise prevalence of the hard ticks infecting animals.

Temporal dynamics of emergence and dispersal of garter snakes from a communal den in Manitoba

2006 ◽  
Vol 33 (2) ◽  
pp. 103 ◽  
Author(s):  
R. Shine ◽  
T. Langkilde ◽  
M. Wall ◽  
R. T. Mason
Keyword(s):  
Body Condition ◽  
Temporal Dynamics ◽  
Weather Conditions ◽  
Phenotypic Traits ◽  
Behavioural Ecology ◽  
Adult Males ◽  
Garter Snakes ◽  
Temporal And Spatial Variation ◽  
Canadian Prairies ◽  
Temporal And Spatial

Although garter snakes at communal overwintering dens on the Canadian prairies have attracted considerable behavioural ecology research, previous studies have relied upon sampling of active animals to describe broad patterns of distribution and abundance of snakes within the den population. We conducted a mark–recapture study to directly quantify temporal and spatial variation in the phenotypic traits (sex, size, body condition) of snakes at the den itself, and those dispersing through woodland 50 m away. Captures of 909 snakes on the days they emerged, and 6653 snakes as they dispersed, revealed massive spatiotemporal heterogeneity in phenotypic traits among samples. Day-to-day variation in weather conditions affected numbers and sex ratios of emerging and dispersing snakes; for example, small females dispersed in greater numbers after unusually cold nights, when harassment by courting males was reduced. Most snakes stayed at the den only briefly (<5 days) prior to dispersal, so that sampling at the den itself (the only evidence available from most previous studies) underestimates the number of animals in the population, as well as the proportions of females, of small adult males and of juvenile animals. Overall, the heterogeneous and temporally dynamic distributions of phenotypic traits (such as sex and size) among our samples are predictable on the basis of the central roles of male–male competition and sexual conflict in the mating system of these snakes. Surprisingly, however, many of the snakes that overwinter at this den play no part in den-based breeding aggregations

scholarly journals An Association Between Serum Amylase Phenotype and Tick Infestation in Cattle

1968 ◽  
Vol 21 (2) ◽  
pp. 303 ◽  
Author(s):  
GC Ashton ◽  
GW Seifert ◽  
J Francis
Keyword(s):  
Tick Infestation ◽  
Serum Amylase ◽  
Boophilus Microplus ◽  
Blood Sampling ◽  
Tick Burden

Twenty-five popUlations of cattle totalling 741 animals were analysed for serum amylase type. The number of ticks (Boophilus microplus) carried by these animals had been determined on various occasions prior to blood sampling. Tick burden was regressed on phenotype within populations and it was found that animals with the Am G phenotype carried significantly more ticks than other phenotypes.

scholarly journals Genome assembly of the tayra (Eira barbara, Mustelidae) and comparative genomic analysis reveal adaptive genetic variation in the subfamily Guloninae

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Lorena Derežanin ◽  
Asta Blažytė ◽  
Pavel Dobrynin ◽  
David A. Duchêne ◽  
José H. Grau ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Body Condition ◽  
De Novo ◽  
Species Traits ◽  
Ecological Niches ◽  
Comparative Genomic ◽  
Phenotypic Traits ◽  
Adaptive Genetic Variation ◽  
Eira Barbara ◽  
Species Specific ◽  
Candidate Loci

Species of the mustelid subfamily Guloninae inhabit diverse habitats on multiple continents, and occupy a variety of ecological niches. They differ in feeding ecologies, reproductive strategies and morphological adaptations. To identify candidate loci associated with adaptations to their respective environments, we generated a de novo assembly of the tayra (Eira barbara), the earliest diverging species in the subfamily, and compared this with the genomes available for the wolverine (Gulo gulo) and the sable (Martes zibellina). Our comparative genomic analyses included searching for signs of positive selection, examining changes in gene family sizes, as well as searching for species-specific structural variants (SVs). Among candidate loci that appear to be associated with phenotypic traits, we observed many genes related to diet, body condition and reproduction. For the tayra, which has an atypical gulonine reproductive strategy of aseasonal breeding, we observe species-specific changes in many pregnancy-related genes. For the wolverine, a circumpolar hypercarnivore that must cope with seasonal food scarcity, we observed many specific changes in genes associated with diet and body condition. Despite restricting some of our analyses to single-copy orthologs present in all three study species, we observed many candidate loci that may be linked to species traits related to environment-specific challenges in their respective habitats.

scholarly journals Phylogenomic and ecological analyses reveal the spatiotemporal evolution of global pines

2021 ◽  
Vol 118 (20) ◽  
pp. e2022302118
Author(s):  
Wei-Tao Jin ◽  
David S. Gernandt ◽  
Christian Wehenkel ◽  
Xiao-Mei Xia ◽  
Xiao-Xin Wei ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Northern Hemisphere ◽  
Ecological Factors ◽  
Aridity Index ◽  
Global Scale ◽  
Diversification Rate ◽  
Coniferous Forests ◽  
Phenotypic Traits ◽  
Primary Role ◽  
Spatiotemporal Evolution ◽  
Middle Latitudes

How coniferous forests evolved in the Northern Hemisphere remains largely unknown. Unlike most groups of organisms that generally follow a latitudinal diversity gradient, most conifer species in the Northern Hemisphere are distributed in mountainous areas at middle latitudes. It is of great interest to know whether the midlatitude region has been an evolutionary cradle or museum for conifers and how evolutionary and ecological factors have driven their spatiotemporal evolution. Here, we investigated the macroevolution of Pinus, the largest conifer genus and characteristic of northern temperate coniferous forests, based on nearly complete species sampling. Using 1,662 genes from transcriptome sequences, we reconstructed a robust species phylogeny and reestimated divergence times of global pines. We found that ∼90% of extant pine species originated in the Miocene in sharp contrast to the ancient origin of Pinus, indicating a Neogene rediversification. Surprisingly, species at middle latitudes are much older than those at other latitudes. This finding, coupled with net diversification rate analysis, indicates that the midlatitude region has provided an evolutionary museum for global pines. Analyses of 31 environmental variables, together with a comparison of evolutionary rates of niche and phenotypic traits with a net diversification rate, found that topography played a primary role in pine diversification, and the aridity index was decisive for the niche rate shift. Moreover, fire has forced diversification and adaptive evolution of Pinus. Our study highlights the importance of integrating phylogenomic and ecological approaches to address evolution of biological groups at the global scale.

Influence of the number of calves and lactating adult females in a herd on the adrenocortical activity of free-ranging Asian elephants

2019 ◽  
Vol 46 (8) ◽  
pp. 679 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sanjeeta Sharma Pokharel ◽  
Polani B. Seshagiri ◽  
Raman Sukumar
Keyword(s):  
National Parks ◽  
Body Condition ◽  
Adult Female ◽  
Ecological Factors ◽  
Herd Size ◽  
Asian Elephants ◽  
Adrenocortical Activity ◽  
Adult Females ◽  
Stress Levels ◽  
Free Ranging

Abstract ContextPhysiological stress has the potential to influence animal population persistence. The endangered Asian elephant (Elephas maximus) is involved in intense conflict with humans in many parts of its range, which likely leads to stress for individuals and groups, with consequences for population survival. Thus, it is important to understand how the elephants’ stress levels are influenced by socio-ecological factors when not directly exposed to human-induced threats, and to use this understanding to improve conservation and management strategies. AimsThe present study was designed to provide baseline information on the link between socio-ecological factors and stress levels of undisturbed populations of elephants. The main aim was to determine the influence of a number of factors – herd size, season, number of calves and adult females present in a herd and their lactational status and body condition – on the adrenocortical activity of free-ranging adult female Asian elephants living in protected forests (without any direct exposure to human-induced threats), by measuring their faecal glucocorticoid metabolite (fGCM) levels. MethodsA total of 145 fresh faecal samples were collected from 123 identified adult female elephants inhabiting Bandipur and Nagarahole National Parks of southern India, between the years 2013 and 2015. fGCM levels were measured by employing a group-specific standardised 11-oxoetiocholanolone enzyme immunoassay (EIA). A generalised linear mixed-effects model (GLMM) was used to assess the influence of socio-ecological factors on fGCM levels of adult female elephants. Key resultsWhen fGCM levels were analysed with a GLMM, the following patterns were observed: fGCM levels were negatively correlated with the number of adult females (herd size) and positively correlated with the number of calves in a herd and active lactational status of an adult female. fGCM levels of adult female elephants were higher during the dry season (February to May) than wet season (August to December) and negatively correlated with body condition scores. ConclusionsAdrenocortical activity of female elephants is significantly influenced by the number of calves and adult females present in the herd, seasonality and lactational status. ImplicationsIt is important to consider the influence of multiple ecological and social correlates when assessing and interpreting the adrenocortical activity of Asian elephants. Our findings highlight the importance of maintaining the social structure of elephants in the wild to avoid detrimental effects on their physiological health. Insights from such assessments could be used to evaluate the stress in elephants that are involved in direct conflicts with humans to take appropriate management decisions for mitigating conflicts.

Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document