scholarly journals Impact of Brood Parasitism on Nest Survival Parameters and Seasonal Fecundity of Six Songbird Species in Southeastern Old-Field Habitat

The Condor ◽  
2000 ◽  
Vol 102 (4) ◽  
pp. 946-950 ◽  
Author(s):  
Maria A. Whitehead ◽  
Sara H. Schweitzer ◽  
William Post
Keyword(s):  
South Carolina ◽  
Clutch Size ◽  
Host Species ◽  
Brood Parasitism ◽  
Nest Survival ◽  
Brood Reduction ◽  
Hatching Rate ◽  
Old Field ◽  
Parasitism Rates ◽  
Seasonal Fecundity

Abstract We monitored 259 nests of six Brown-headed Cowbird (Molothrus ater) hosts within old-field habitat on James Island, South Carolina during the 1997 and 1998 breeding seasons to determine the effect of parasitism on three nest-survival parameters (clutch size, hatching rate, and number of fledglings). We determined daily predation and parasitism rates, and probability of nest abandonment after parasitism to derive an estimate of seasonal fecundity. Clutch size of parasitized nests was reduced in four host species. Brood parasitism did not affect hatching rate in any species, and reduced the number of fledglings from only Blue Grosbeak (Guiraca caerulea) nests. Despite brood reduction during the nesting cycle, cowbird parasitism had little impact on seasonal fecundity of these host species because of low parasitism intensity, double-brooding behavior, and hosts' ability to raise their own young with cowbird young.

scholarly journals Avian Nesting Success in Forested Landscapes: Influence of Landscape Composition, Stand and Nest-Patch Microhabitat, and Biotic Interactions

The Auk ◽  
2001 ◽  
Vol 118 (4) ◽  
pp. 1018-1028 ◽  
Author(s):  
Amanda D. Rodewald ◽  
Richard H. Yahner ◽  
J. Brawn
Keyword(s):  
Brood Parasitism ◽  
Nest Survival ◽  
Landscape Composition ◽  
Nesting Success ◽  
Habitat Characteristics ◽  
Parasitism Rates ◽  
Forested Landscapes ◽  
Daily Nest Survival ◽  
Landscape Types ◽  
Nest Predators

AbstractAlthough area and isolation effects on avian communities in highly fragmented landscapes are well known, importance of landscape composition in more forested landscapes remains poorly understood. We determined if the type (agriculture and silviculture) and extent (percentage within 1 km radius) of disturbance within forested landscapes influenced avian nesting success, and then examined if differences in stand-level habitat structure, nest-patch microhabitat, distance of nests to habitat edges, brood parasitism rates, and nest-predator abundance were potential underlying mechanisms of observed associations between landscape composition and nesting success. We monitored active songbird nests (n = 341), surveyed Brown-headed Cowbirds (Molothrus ater) and nest predators, and measured stand-level and nest-patch microhabitat from May–July 1998 and 1999. Each of 10 study sites was located within contiguous mature forest in central Pennsylvania and contained either agricultural or silvicultural disturbances (n = 5 each). Sites of the two landscape types had similar ranges of disturbance within 1 km (21–55% for agriculture, 18–51% for silviculture). Daily nest survival for all species combined (94.0 ± 0.55 in agriculture and 96.9 ± 0.87 in silviculture) and midstory-canopy nesters (93.8 ± 0.97 in agriculture and 97.4 ± 0.75 in silviculture) were greater within forested landscapes disturbed by silviculture than by agriculture, but rates did not significantly differ between landscapes for ground nesters (92.2 ± 1.32 in agriculture and 94.6 ± 1.63 in silviculture) or understory nesters (95.4 ± 1.60 in agriculture and 95.0 ± 1.47 in silviculture). Nest survival was not significantly associated with disturbance extent. Rates of brood parasitism were low, with only 11% of nests containing cowbird eggs or young. Neither nest fate nor differences in daily nest survival between the two landscape types were explained by variation in brood parasitism rates, stand-level or nest-patch habitat characteristics, or distance of nests to edges. Instead, the lower nest success within forested landscapes disturbed by agriculture was best explained by greater abundances of some avian and small mammalian predators (American Crow [Corvus brachyrhynchos] and squirrels) in those landscapes in one or both years. Results suggest that landscape composition within forested landscapes significantly influences avian nesting success by altering interactions between nest predators and nesting birds.

Explaining variation in brood parasitism rates between potential host species with similar habitat requirements

2016 ◽  
Vol 30 (5) ◽  
pp. 905-923 ◽  
Author(s):  
Donglai Li ◽  
Zhengwang Zhang ◽  
Tomáš Grim ◽  
Wei Liang ◽  
Bård G. Stokke
Keyword(s):  
Host Species ◽  
Brood Parasitism ◽  
Habitat Requirements ◽  
Potential Host ◽  
Parasitism Rates

scholarly journals Impact of Shiny Cowbird and botfly parasitism on the reproductive success of the globally endangered Yellow CardinalGubernatrix cristata

2014 ◽  
Vol 25 (3) ◽  
pp. 294-305 ◽  
Author(s):  
MARISOL DOMÍNGUEZ ◽  
JUAN CARLOS REBOREDA ◽  
BETTINA MAHLER
Keyword(s):  
Reproductive Success ◽  
Clutch Size ◽  
Brood Parasitism ◽  
Conservation Status ◽  
Nest Survival ◽  
Chick Survival ◽  
Molothrus Bonariensis ◽  
North East ◽  
Conservation Actions ◽  
The Impact

SummaryThe Yellow CardinalGubernatrix cristatais a globally endangered passerine endemic to southern South America. Although the conservation status of this species is alarming, there is no information about factors that affect its reproductive success. We studied the breeding biology of a Yellow Cardinal population in Corrientes province in north-east Argentina and report reproductive parameters, such as timing of breeding, clutch size, hatching success and chick survival and analyse factors influencing nest survival. The breeding season lasted from October to December with most nesting attempts occurring during the second half of November. Re-nesting after nest failure occurred in approximately 35% of pairs but we did not observe re-nesting after successful attempts. Modal clutch size was three eggs and successful nests fledged on average 1.6 chicks. We observed brood parasitism by Shiny CowbirdsMolothrus bonariensisin 33% of the nests. The main cost of brood parasitism was the puncture of cardinal eggs by cowbird females, which very often resulted in nest abandonment. Another factor reducing reproductive success was parasitism by botfliesPhilornissp., which occurred in 22% of the nests and reduced chick survival. We determined daily nest survival rate with MARK software and found that during the egg stage, it decreased with time of breeding and brood parasitism by Shiny Cowbirds. Our results indicate that Shiny Cowbird and botfly parasitism represent a threat for Yellow Cardinals. Conservation actions to protect the remaining populations of Yellow Cardinals should consider the impact of Shiny Cowbird parasitism.

scholarly journals Host density predicts the probability of parasitism by avian brood parasites

2019 ◽  
Vol 374 (1769) ◽  
pp. 20180204 ◽  
Author(s):  
Iliana Medina ◽  
Naomi E. Langmore
Keyword(s):  
Spatial Distribution ◽  
Reproductive Success ◽  
Host Species ◽  
Field Data ◽  
Host Density ◽  
Brood Parasites ◽  
Parasitism Rates ◽  
Analyse Data ◽  
First Time ◽  
Determining Factor

The spatial distribution of hosts can be a determining factor in the reproductive success of parasites. Highly aggregated hosts may offer more opportunities for reproduction but can have better defences than isolated hosts. Here we connect macro- and micro-evolutionary processes to understand the link between host density and parasitism, using avian brood parasites as a model system. We analyse data across more than 200 host species using phylogenetic comparative analyses and quantify parasitism rate and host reproductive success in relation to spatial distribution using field data collected on one host species over 6 years. Our comparative analysis reveals that hosts occurring at intermediate densities are more likely to be parasitized than colonial or widely dispersed hosts. Correspondingly, our intraspecific field data show that individuals living at moderate densities experience higher parasitism rates than individuals at either low or high densities. Moreover, we show for the first time that the effect of host density on host reproductive success varies according to the intensity of parasitism; hosts have greater reproductive success when living at high densities if parasitism rates are high, but fare better at low densities when parasitism rates are low. We provide the first evidence of the trade-off between host density and parasitism at both macro- and micro-evolutionary scales in brood parasites. This article is part of the theme issue ‘The coevolutionary biology of brood parasitism: from mechanism to pattern’.

Diversity, distribution and parasitism rates of fleas (Insecta: Siphonaptera) on sigmodontine rodents (Cricetidae) from Argentinian Patagonia

2018 ◽  
Vol 109 (1) ◽  
pp. 72-83 ◽  
Author(s):  
J. Sanchez ◽  
M. Lareschi
Keyword(s):  
Host Species ◽  
Arid Regions ◽  
Epidemiological Studies ◽  
Surveillance Systems ◽  
Parasitism Rate ◽  
Host Environment ◽  
Ecological Aspects ◽  
Parasitism Rates ◽  
Survival And Development ◽  
Causative Agents

AbstractFleas have great medical relevance as vectors of the causative agents of several diseases in animals and humans and rodents are the principal reservoirs for these pathogens. Argentinian Patagonia has the highest diversity of rodent fleas in South America. However, parasitism rates of rodents by fleas, the factors that influence them and the ecological aspects that modulate geographical distributions of flea–host association remain unknown for this region. This is the first study to record the diversity, prevalence, abundance, geographical distributions and host ranges of fleas in Argentinian Patagonia. It also compares parasitism rates among Patagonian ecoregions and host species. We captured 438 rodents belonging to 13 species, which harboured 624 fleas from 11 species and subspecies (P = 46%; mean abundance = 1.44). The high parasitism rates obtained were consistent with previous records for other arid regions, suggesting that Patagonia favours the survival and development of Siphonaptera. Host geographic range and abundance were related to the parasitological indexes: host species with high-density populations had the highest mean flea abundance and prevalence, whereas widely distributed hosts had the highest richness and diversity of flea species. Our results contribute to the knowledge of the flea–host–environment complex. Our analysis of flea distributions and parasitism rate in Central Patagonia may be useful in epidemiological studies of flea-borne diseases and provide a basis for implementing surveillance systems for better risk assessment of emerging zoonoses in the region.

scholarly journals How Many Baskets? Clutch Sizes That Maximize Annual Fecundity of Multiple-Brooded Birds

The Auk ◽  
2001 ◽  
Vol 118 (4) ◽  
pp. 973-982 ◽  
Author(s):  
George L. Farnsworth ◽  
Theodore R. Simons ◽  
J. Brawn
Keyword(s):  
Clutch Size ◽  
Breeding Season ◽  
Nest Predation ◽  
Reproductive Effort ◽  
Nest Survival ◽  
Survival Rates ◽  
Season Length ◽  
Deterministic Models ◽  
Cavity Nesting ◽  
Theoretical Issues

Abstract We developed deterministic models on the basis of nest survival rates and renesting behavior capable of predicting annual fecundity in birds. The models calculate probabilities of fledging from one to four nests within a discrete breeding season. We used those models to address theoretical issues related to clutch size. In general, birds require at least one day to lay an egg, and many species delay incubation until their entire clutch is laid. Because it takes longer to complete a larger clutch, and fewer such clutches can fit into a limited breeding season, there exists a clutch size for which annual fecundity is maximized. We asked, for a given amount of reproductive effort (i.e. a set number of eggs), does the age-old maxim “don't put all your eggs in one basket” apply? If so, in how many “baskets” should a nesting bird place its eggs? The answer depends on both likelihood of nest predation and length of the breeding season. Those results are consistent with the observed increase in clutch size with latitude (shorter breeding season length) and larger clutch sizes characteristic of cavity-nesting species (with higher nest survival rates). The models also predict that the size of replacement clutches should decrease as the breeding season progresses, and that intraseasonal decline in clutch size should be more pronounced when the breeding season is short.

scholarly journals Impact of brood parasitism and predation on nest survival of the fan‐tailed gerygone in New Caledonia

2020 ◽  
Vol 51 (7) ◽  
Author(s):  
Alfredo Attisano ◽  
Lara B. Groß ◽  
Nozomu J. Sato ◽  
Yuji Okahisa ◽  
Keita D. Tanaka ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Brood Parasitism ◽  
New Caledonia ◽  
Nest Survival

scholarly journals Nesting biology and population dynamics of Jankowski's Bunting Emberiza jankowskii in Western Jilin, China

2008 ◽  
Vol 18 (2) ◽  
pp. 153-163 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yun-Lei Jiang ◽  
Wei Gao ◽  
Fu-Min Lei ◽  
Hai-Tao Wang ◽  
Dong-Mei Wan ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Population Dynamics ◽  
Clutch Size ◽  
Nest Success ◽  
Tree Planting ◽  
Hatching Rate ◽  
Nesting Biology ◽  
Individual Level ◽  
Declining Populations ◽  
The Individual ◽  
Western Jilin

AbstractJankowski's Bunting Emberiza jankowskii is endemic to China, Russia and Northern Korea, and was listed as a ‘Vulnerable’ species. The population in Dagang Forestry of western Jilin is one of the small remaining discrete breeding populations in the species' range. Very little information on the nesting biology and population dynamics has previously been published. We studied the nesting biology from 1999 to 2002 and population dynamics of the bunting from 1999 to 2006 (except 2003). A total of 74 nesting attempts were monitored. Jankowski's Bunting breeding season began in late April and usually ended in late July. Both sexes participated in nest-building, feeding young and defending the nest. Mean full clutch size for three years combined was 5.26 ± 0.76 eggs, and ranged from four to seven. Clutch size decreased with nest-initiation date. Mean hatching rate was 41.2%. Overall probability of Mayfield nest success to fledging was low for the three years, averaging 0.218 ± 0.007. The factors leading to low nest success include nest parasitization, nest predation, human activities and nest abandonment. Low survival of Jankowski's Bunting nests may be a factor in declining populations and the slow recovery of populations because of low recruitment at the population and the individual level. The population of Jankowski's Bunting in the Dagang Forestry grassland was small and declined dramatically from 1999 to 2006. The main threat is habitat loss and fragmentation due to agriculture, tree planting and housing following human colonization of the region. The habitat has been reduced in extent by c. 70% since the 1960s. In addition, grazing by domestic livestock dramatically destroyed their preferred vegetation. Furthermore, the restriction to several small, discrete sites makes the bunting inherently vulnerable to catastrophic and stochastic events that can eliminate subpopulations. Jankowski's bunting is one of the most threatened species in China and faces an unpredictable future. Maintaining the structure and general composition of remaining Jankowski's Bunting nesting habitat is important to ensure continued presence of this species in western Jilin and worldwide.

Use of Clutch Size to Infer Brood Parasitism in Wood Ducks

1992 ◽  
Vol 56 (3) ◽  
pp. 495 ◽  
Author(s):  
Brad Semel ◽  
Paul W. Sherman
Keyword(s):  
Clutch Size ◽  
Brood Parasitism ◽  
Wood Ducks
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