scholarly journals Egg Rejection in Marsh Warblers (Acrocephalus Palustris) Heavily Parasitized by Common Cuckoos (Cuculus Canorus)

The Auk ◽  
2006 ◽  
Vol 123 (2) ◽  
pp. 419-430 ◽  
Author(s):  
Anton Antonov ◽  
Bård G. Stokke ◽  
Arne Moksnes ◽  
Eivin Røskaft
Keyword(s):  
Rejection Rate ◽  
Host Population ◽  
Arms Race ◽  
Egg Rejection ◽  
Cuculus Canorus ◽  
Common Cuckoo ◽  
Recognition Ability ◽  
Acrocephalus Palustris ◽  
High Rejection Rate ◽  
Host Parasite

Abstract In the coevolutionary “arms race” between Common Cuckoos (Cuculus canorus) and their hosts, several adaptations and counter-adaptations have evolved. Here, we investigated natural parasitism and host sensitivity to egg rejection in Marsh Warblers (Acrocephalus palustris) in Bulgaria. The level of Common Cuckoo parasitism was high (28%), and average mimicry of Common Cuckoo eggs was good. Experimental parasitism with four egg-types that showed various degrees of mimicry of the host eggs revealed a generally high rejection rate of foreign eggs (37.5–100%). In addition, naturally laid Common Cuckoo eggs were rejected at a moderate rate (50%). The Marsh Warbler's ability to reject foreign eggs was strongly dependent on the degree of mimicry of the parasite egg but apparently not on differences in size between host and foreign eggs. Furthermore, intraclutch variation in host egg appearance was not related to the probability of egg rejection. The Marsh Warbler's highly developed egg-recognition ability and the good mimicry of Common Cuckoo eggs suggests that this poorly known host-parasite arms race has reached an advanced stage. The present study provides new insight into variables that are important for egg rejection in a heavily parasitized host population. Rechazo de Huevos en Nidos de Acrocephalus palustris Fuertemente Parasitados por Cuculus canorus

scholarly journals Testing the Interspecific Function of Female Common Cuckoo “Bubbling” Call

2021 ◽  
Vol 9 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yanyi Wang ◽  
Miao Tian ◽  
Jingpeng Liu ◽  
Xingyu Lu ◽  
Anders Pape Møller ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Count Data ◽  
Host Species ◽  
Field Data ◽  
Rejection Rate ◽  
Egg Rejection ◽  
Sufficient Time ◽  
Common Cuckoo ◽  
Field Recordings ◽  
The Cost

Female common cuckoo (Cuculus canorous) predator-like “bubbling” calls distract host parental attention and reduce the egg rejection rate. Such “bubbling” calls are also frequently used to attract males and deter territorial rivals in intraspecies contact, and these calls are an ancestral character in many cuckoo species. Although hosts have had sufficient time to become familiar with this call and evolve anti-parasitic strategies, why are the hosts fooled by this “bubbling” call? We propose two hypotheses. The first hypothesis proposes that call variation reduces the opportunity for host species to correctly assess cuckoo tricks. In contrast, the second hypothesis proposes that the cost of behavior may prevent the antiparasitic strategy from evolving. In the study, we tested the prerequisites of these hypotheses, by investigating whether cuckoo calls vary during the day and testing whether the predator-like calls suppress bird activities. Based on field recordings from three different areas, we found high overlap in the calls generated during different periods. Oriental great reed warblers (Acrocephalus orientalis), a host species, did not show different responses toward the playback of female common cuckoo calls generated before noon or afternoon. Based on bird count data, we found that predator-like call playback is insufficient for suppressing bird activities. Therefore, none of the prerequisites were supported by our field data. We discuss the potential reasons for our findings and hope to inspire more research examining female cuckoo vocalizations.

Aggression to dummy cuckoos by potential European cuckoo hosts

Behaviour ◽  
2002 ◽  
Vol 139 (5) ◽  
pp. 613-628 ◽  
Author(s):  
Bård Stokke ◽  
Csaba Moskát ◽  
Arne Moksnes ◽  
Vítezslav Bicík ◽  
Eivin Røskaft
Keyword(s):  
Habitat Structure ◽  
Strong Support ◽  
Host Population ◽  
Breeding Habitat ◽  
Adaptive Behaviour ◽  
Cuculus Canorus ◽  
Common Cuckoo ◽  
Allopatric Populations ◽  
Vantage Points ◽  
Spatial Habitat

AbstractAggression directed by 53 potential host species towards a dummy of the parasitic common cuckoo, Cuculus canorus, was tested in relation to their breeding habitat, their suitability as a host and whether they were breeding in sympatry or not with the cuckoo. Host habitats were divided into three categories: (1) always breeding near trees, (2) some populations breeding near trees, others in open areas, and (3) always breeding in open areas. Each species was also placed in one of five categories according to their suitability as a cuckoo host. Strong support was found for predictions derived from the 'spatial habitat structure hypothesis', which argues that common cuckoos only breed in areas where they have access to vantage points in trees. Thus, species which have some populations breeding near trees and others breeding further from trees have a different cuckoo-host population dynamics than species that always breed near trees, or always breed in open areas. Aggression levels were highest among species regarded as being always suitable as hosts, and species which always breed near trees. However, populations breeding in sympatry with the cuckoo were more aggressive than allopatric populations, indicating the plasticity of aggressive behaviour. Adaptive behaviour in cuckoo hosts can be predicted from the 'spatial habitat structure hypothesis'.

scholarly journals Evidence for egg discrimination preceding failed rejection attempts in a small cuckoo host

2008 ◽  
Vol 5 (2) ◽  
pp. 169-171 ◽  
Author(s):  
Anton Antonov ◽  
Bård G Stokke ◽  
Arne Moksnes ◽  
Eivin Røskaft
Keyword(s):  
Structural Strength ◽  
Egg Rejection ◽  
Cuculus Canorus ◽  
Common Cuckoo ◽  
Egg Discrimination ◽  
Video Recordings ◽  
The Common ◽  
Hippolais Pallida ◽  
Host Behaviour ◽  
Eastern Olivaceous Warbler

Given the high costs of avian obligate brood parasitism, host individuals are selected to reject parasitic eggs they recognize as foreign. We show that rejection may not necessarily follow egg discrimination when selective removal of the parasitic egg is difficult. We studied egg rejection behaviour in a small host of the common cuckoo Cuculus canorus , the eastern olivaceous warbler Hippolais pallida , by experimental parasitism with model and real non-mimetic cuckoo eggs and video recordings of host behaviour. Hosts pecked 87 per cent (20 out of 23) of the model eggs but eventually accepted 43.5 per cent (10 out of 23) of them. A similar pattern was found for real cuckoo eggs, which were all pecked, but as many as 47 per cent (7 out of 15) of them were accepted. To our knowledge, this is the first demonstration of a cuckoo host discriminating against real parasitic eggs but often accepting them. Our results also show that in host species experiencing difficulties in performing puncture ejection, non-mimetic cuckoo eggs may avoid rejection by means of their unusually high structural strength.

ADAPTATIONS BY GREAT REED WARBLERS TO BROOD PARASITISM: A COMPARISON OF POPULATIONS IN SYMPATRY AND ALLOPATRY WITH THE COMMON CUCKOO

Behaviour ◽  
2002 ◽  
Vol 139 (10) ◽  
pp. 1313-1329 ◽  
Author(s):  
◽  
◽  
Keyword(s):  
Brood Parasitism ◽  
Rejection Rate ◽  
Host Population ◽  
Greek Population ◽  
Great Reed Warbler ◽  
Reed Warbler ◽  
Common Cuckoo ◽  
Egg Colour ◽  
Computer Based ◽  
The Common

AbstractEgg rejection behaviour, as an antiparasite defence against brood parasitism was compared in two great reed warbler Acrocephalus arundinaceus populations. In central Hungary the host population lives in sympatry with the common cuckoo Cuculus canorus, and it is heavily parasitised (ca 66%). In central Greece the great reed warbler occurs in allopatry with the cuckoo, so it is not parasitised at all. Experimental parasitism with poorly mimetic (often called 'non-mimetic') artificial cuckoo eggs revealed a 100% rejection rate towards the foreign eggs in the Greek population, but the Hungarian hosts accepted 29.4% and rejected 70.6% of the model cuckoo eggs. No other rejection type than ejection was observed. The significantly higher level of rejection in Greece than in Hungary suggests that the Greek great reed warbler population is an abandoned host population of the cuckoo, which kept its egg recognition ability. A computer-based image analysis of host's clutches revealed that interclutch variation in egg colour was greater than intraclutch variation in the Hungarian population, but not in the Greek population. Spottedness of eggs were similar in both populations. Generally, a tendency for a higher interclutch variation was found in Hungary. Intraclutch variation was more similar in the two populations, but for the colour variables it showed a lower value in Hungary than in Greece. The heavy cuckoo parasitism in Hungary is suggested to be the main cause for the increased interclutch variation in relation to intraclutch variation in egg appearance among great reed warbler clutches. The high interclutch variation reduces the chance that the parasite egg's appearance matches that of the hosts', which facilitates hosts' egg discrimination.

EGG REJECTION IN MARSH WARBLERS (ACROCEPHALUS PALUSTRIS) HEAVILY PARASITIZED BY COMMON CUCKOOS (CUCULUS CANORUS)

The Auk ◽  
2006 ◽  
Vol 123 (2) ◽  
pp. 419 ◽  
Author(s):  
Anton Antonov ◽  
Bård G. Stokke ◽  
Arne Moksnes ◽  
Eivin Røskaft
Keyword(s):  
Egg Rejection ◽  
Cuculus Canorus ◽  
Acrocephalus Palustris

scholarly journals Egg recognition in Cinereous Tits (Parus cinereus): eggshell spots matter

2019 ◽  
Vol 10 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Jianping Liu ◽  
Canchao Yang ◽  
Jiangping Yu ◽  
Haitao Wang ◽  
Wei Liang
Keyword(s):  
Selection Pressure ◽  
Rejection Rate ◽  
Egg Rejection ◽  
Egg Recognition ◽  
Good Ability ◽  
Signaling Function ◽  
Significant Difference ◽  
Recognition Ability ◽  
Pure White

Abstract Background Brood parasitic birds such as cuckoos (Cuculus spp.) can reduce their host’s reproductive success. Such selection pressure on the hosts has driven the evolution of defense behaviors such as egg rejection against cuckoo parasitism. Studies have shown that Cinereous Tits (Parus cinereus) in China have a good ability for recognizing foreign eggs. However, it is unclear whether egg spots play a role in egg recognition. The aims of our study were to investigate the egg recognition ability of two Cinereous Tit populations in China and to explore the role of spots in egg recognition. Methods To test the effect of eggshell spots on egg recognition, pure white eggs of the White-rumped Munia (Lonchura striata) and eggs of White-rumped Munia painted with red brown spots were used to simulate experimental parasitism. Results Egg experiments showed that Cinereous Tits rejected 51.5% of pure white eggs of the White-rumped Munia, but only 14.3% of spotted eggs of the White-rumped Munia. There was a significant difference in egg recognition and rejection rate between the two egg types. Conclusions We conclude that eggshell spots on Cinereous Tit eggs had a signaling function and may be essential to tits for recognizing and rejecting parasitic eggs.

scholarly journals Experimental evidence for chick discrimination without recognition in a brood parasite host

2006 ◽  
Vol 274 (1608) ◽  
pp. 373-381 ◽  
Author(s):  
Tomáš Grim
Keyword(s):  
Host Response ◽  
Brood Parasite ◽  
Cuculus Canorus ◽  
Common Cuckoo ◽  
Arms Races ◽  
Acrocephalus Scirpaceus ◽  
Cuckoo Chick ◽  
The Common ◽  
Recognition Errors ◽  
Host Parasite

Recognition is considered a critical basis for discriminatory behaviours in animals. Theoretically, recognition and discrimination of parasitic chicks are not predicted to evolve in hosts of brood parasitic birds that evict nest-mates. Yet, an earlier study showed that host reed warblers ( Acrocephalus scirpaceus ) of an evicting parasite, the common cuckoo ( Cuculus canorus ), can avoid the costs of prolonged care for unrelated young by deserting the cuckoo chick before it fledges. Desertion was not based on specific recognition of the parasite because hosts accept any chick cross-fostered into their nests. Thus, the mechanism of this adaptive host response remains enigmatic. Here, I show experimentally that the cue triggering this ‘discrimination without recognition’ behaviour is the duration of parental care. Neither the intensity of brood care nor the presence of a single-chick in the nest could explain desertions. Hosts responded similarly to foreign chicks, whether heterospecific or experimental conspecifics. The proposed mechanism of discrimination strikingly differs from those found in other parasite–host systems because hosts do not need an internal recognition template of the parasite's appearance to effectively discriminate. Thus, host defences against parasitic chicks may be based upon mechanisms qualitatively different from those operating against parasitic eggs. I also demonstrate that this discriminatory mechanism is non-costly in terms of recognition errors. Comparative data strongly suggest that parasites cannot counter-evolve any adaptation to mitigate effects of this host defence. These findings have crucial implications for the process and end-result of host–parasite arms races and our understanding of the cognitive basis of discriminatory mechanisms in general.

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