Genetic Structure of Northern Fowl Mite (Mesostigmata: Macronyssidae) Populations Among Layer Chicken Flocks and Local House Sparrows (Passeriformes: Passeridae)

2019 ◽  
Vol 57 (1) ◽  
pp. 122-130 ◽  
Author(s):  
John B McCulloch ◽  
Jeb P Owen ◽  
Nancy C Hinkle ◽  
Bradley A Mullens ◽  
Jeremiah W Busch
Keyword(s):  
Genetic Structure ◽  
Bird Species ◽  
Passer Domesticus ◽  
Blood Feeding ◽  
The United States ◽  
Effective Control ◽  
Population Declines ◽  
House Sparrows ◽  
Layer Chicken ◽  
Northern Fowl Mite

Abstract The northern fowl mite (NFM) Ornithonyssus sylviarum Canestrini and Fanzago is a blood-feeding ectoparasite found on many wild bird species and is a pest of poultry in the United States. It is unknown where NFM infestations of poultry originate, which has made it difficult to establish preventative biosecurity or effective control. We used microsatellite markers to evaluate genetic variation within and among NFM populations to determine routes of introduction onto farms and long-term persistence. We compared NFM from flocks of chickens (Gallus gallus) on different farms in California, Washington, and Georgia, and we compared NFM collected over a 5-yr interval. On three farms we collected NFM from chickens and house sparrows (Passer domesticus) nesting on each farm, which we used to assess movement between host species. There was strong genetic structure among mites from different poultry farms and low estimates of migration between farms. There were significant differences between mites on chickens and house sparrows on two farms where sparrows nested near flocks, indicating no exchange of mites. Only one farm showed evidence of NFM movement between chickens and sparrows. There was high genetic similarity between mites collected 5 yr apart on each of two farms, indicating that NFM infestations can persist for long periods. The genetic patterns did not reveal sources of NFM infestations on chicken farms. The data suggest that NFMs are strongly differentiated, which likely reflects periodic population declines with flock turnover and pesticide pressure.

scholarly journals Electromagnetic Pollution as a Possible Explanation for the Decline of House Sparrows in Interaction with Other Factors

Birds ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 2 (3) ◽  
pp. 329-337
Author(s):  
Alfonso Balmori
Keyword(s):  
Electromagnetic Radiation ◽  
Thermal Effects ◽  
House Sparrow ◽  
Bird Species ◽  
Passer Domesticus ◽  
The Other ◽  
Rapid Decline ◽  
House Sparrows ◽  
Electromagnetic Pollution ◽  
The Impact

In recent decades, there has been a decline of the House Sparrow (Passer domesticus), mainly in European cities, and several hypotheses have been proposed that attempt to determine the causes of this rapid decline. Previous studies indicated that house sparrows were significantly negatively associated with increasing electromagnetic radiation and sparrows disappeared from areas most polluted. In addition, there are many studies on the impact of radiation on other bird and non-bird species, as well as numerous laboratory studies that demonstrated detrimental effects at electric field strength levels that can be found in cities today. Electromagnetic radiation is the most plausible factor for multiple reasons, including that this is the only one that affects the other hypotheses proposed so far. It is a type of pollution that affects productivity, fertility, decreases insects (chicken feed), causes loss of habitat, decreases immunity and can promote disease. Additionally, the recent sparrow decline matches the deployment of mobile telephony networks. Further, there are known mechanisms of action for non-thermal effects of electromagnetic radiation that may affect sparrows causing their decline. Thus, electromagnetic radiation must be seriously considered as a factor for house sparrows’ decline, probably in synergy with the other factors previously proposed.

Production Of Melanin-Based Plumage Traits In Male House Sparrows: No Effect Of Dietary Copper

2011 ◽  
Vol 35 (1) ◽  
pp. 4-15
Author(s):  
Ian R.K. Stewart ◽  
David F. Westneat
Keyword(s):  
Bird Species ◽  
Passer Domesticus ◽  
Limiting Factors ◽  
Enzymatic Oxidation ◽  
Copper Level ◽  
Melanin Production ◽  
House Sparrows ◽  
Dietary Copper ◽  
Male House ◽  
Recommended Level

Abstract In many bird species, males possess conspicuous patches of black feathers on their head or breast, the size of which is often positively related to their success in intra- and intersexual interactions. The production of these plumage signals is presumed to depend upon one or more limiting factors which prevent low quality males developing large signals in order to gain the associated benefits. The coloration of these feathers is due to their infusion with the pigment melanin, which birds synthesize endogenously during a series of conversion steps beginning with the enzymatic oxidation of the amino acid tyrosine. Copper is the cofactor of the enzyme responsible for this process, and it is possible that copper level limits the activity of the enzyme and therefore limits melanin production. We tested this hypothesis by manipulating the level of dietary copper available to individually caged juvenile and adult house sparrows (Passer domesticus) throughout their moult. Birds were provided with artificial diets containing either 100%, 50% or 10% of the recommended level of copper. Dietary copper did not affect the size of the black breast patch, the most obvious melanin-based plumage trait in this species, nor did it affect the reflectance of the black feathers. In sum, we reject the hypothesis that dietary copper limits the size or blackness of the breast patch of the male house sparrow.

scholarly journals Genetic structure in insular and mainland populations of house sparrows (Passer domesticus) and their hemosporidian parasites

2015 ◽  
Vol 5 (8) ◽  
pp. 1639-1652 ◽  
Author(s):  
Coraline Bichet ◽  
Yoshan Moodley ◽  
Dustin J. Penn ◽  
Gabriele Sorci ◽  
Stéphane Garnier
Keyword(s):  
Genetic Structure ◽  
Passer Domesticus ◽  
House Sparrows

scholarly journals Crop Depredation by Birds in Deccan Plateau, India

2014 ◽  
Vol 2014 ◽  
pp. 1-8 ◽  
Author(s):  
Manoj Ashokrao Kale ◽  
Nandkishor Dudhe ◽  
Raju Kasambe ◽  
Prosun Bhattacharya
Keyword(s):  
Bird Species ◽  
Passer Domesticus ◽  
Columba Livia ◽  
House Sparrows ◽  
Psittacula Krameri ◽  
Ploceus Philippinus ◽  
Field Assessment ◽  
Actual Field ◽  
Deccan Plateau ◽  
Sowing Period

Extent of crop depredation in agricultural fields of groundnut, pearl millet, peas, sorghum and sunflower was assessed in Pune, Akola and Amravati, the three productive districts of Maharashtra, India. The study included interviews with the farmers, identification of the bird species responsible for the crop depredation and actual field assessment of damage. The problem of crop depredation is severe for the crops mostly during harvesting season. Most farmers were not satisfied with the conventional bird repelling techniques. A maximum depredation was observed by Sorghum crops by house sparrows Passer domesticus, baya weavers Ploceus philippinus, and rose-ringed parakeets Psittacula krameri, accounting to 52% of the total damage. Blue rock pigeons Columba livia damaged 42% of the peas crop (chick peas and pigeon peas), while house sparrows and baya weaver damaged the groundnut crop by 26% in the sampling plots. House sparrow Passer domesticus and baya weaver Ploceus philippinus damaged the groundnut crop in the sampling plots just after the sowing period. The sustainable solution for reducing crop depredation is a need for the farmers and also such techniques will help avoid direct or indirect effects of use of lethal bird control techniques on bird species.

scholarly journals Protective Nest Design for Indian House Sparrow (Passer domesticus L.) - with Reference to Predation and Reuse

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Veera Mahesh ◽  
Suseela Lanka
Keyword(s):  
House Sparrow ◽  
Bird Species ◽  
Passer Domesticus ◽  
Food Resources ◽  
Rapid Decline ◽  
House Sparrows ◽  
Bird Population ◽  
Nest Boxes ◽  
Basic Model ◽  
Nest Design

Background: The House Sparrow (Passer domesticus L.), is a human-commensal bird species, belonging to the order Passeriformes. The rapid changes in our lifestyle resulted in the decrease of this bird population during the past four decades. Among the various causes viz., lack of food resources, pollution pressure, indiscriminate usage of pesticides etc. Habitat loss is found to be one of the main threats for their rapid decline. Installation of artificial nest boxes was found to be the best alternatives for raising the bird population. Methods: Jangareddigudem of West Godavari district, Andhra Pradesh, India, was chosen as the study area. The nest boxes were designed by incorporating certain modifications to the basic model specified by British Trust of Ornithology. Installation of the nest boxes was initiated from an area with moderate food resources, located towards south-west edge of the town and was expanded in to other areas in a latitudinal wise towards north and south directions. Data was collected on a regular basis to study the occupancy of the nest boxes by the house sparrows. Result: The model designed was proved to be protective from predators and also well accepted by the public. Out of 570 nests that were installed in the study area, 550 nests were occupied and being used for breeding, that comes to around 97.6% occupancy indicating the suitability and protectiveness of this model. The sparrow population in the study area has been increased with a count of sparrows from few to 300+ sparrows at each roosting site (two roosting sites) by the end of 2020 by utilizing the nest boxes.

scholarly journals Male age and its association with reproductive traits in captive and wild house sparrows

2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Antje Girndt ◽  
Glenn Cockburn ◽  
Alfredo Sánchez-Tójar ◽  
Moritz Hertel ◽  
Terry Burke ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Sperm Quality ◽  
Bird Species ◽  
Passer Domesticus ◽  
Reproductive Traits ◽  
House Sparrows ◽  
Reproductive Senescence ◽  
Young Males ◽  
Adaptive Models ◽  
Socially Monogamous ◽  
Sperm Traits

Evolutionary theory predicts that females seek extra-pair fertilisations from high-quality males. In socially monogamous bird species, it is often old males that are most successful in extra-pair fertilisations. Adaptive models of female extra-pair mate choice suggest that old males may produce offspring of higher genetic quality than young males because they have proven their survivability. However, old males are also more likely to show signs of reproductive senescence, such as reduced sperm quality. To better understand why old males account for a disproportionally large number of extra-pair offspring and what the consequences of mating with old males are, we compared several sperm traits of both captive and wild house sparrows, Passer domesticus. Sperm morphological traits and cloacal protuberance volume (a proxy for sperm load) of old and young males did not differ substantially. However, old males delivered almost three times more sperm to the female’s egg than young males. We discuss the possibility of a post-copulatory advantage for old over young males and the consequences for females mated with old males.

scholarly journals First Evidence of a Relationship Between Female Major Histocompatibility Complex Diversity and Eggshell Bacteria in House Sparrows (Passer domesticus)

2021 ◽  
Vol 9 ◽  
Author(s):  
Alžbeta Darolová ◽  
Miroslav Poláček ◽  
Ján Krištofík ◽  
Barbara Lukasch ◽  
Herbert Hoi
Keyword(s):  
Major Histocompatibility Complex ◽  
Reproductive Tract ◽  
Negative Relationship ◽  
Bird Species ◽  
Passer Domesticus ◽  
Selective Medium ◽  
Major Histocompatibility ◽  
Bacterial Strains ◽  
House Sparrows ◽  
Histocompatibility Complex

Bacteria are known to exert positive and negative influences on animals’ health and fitness. Bacteria, in particular those inhabiting the skin and inner organs of vertebrates, are horizontally or vertically transmitted. Specifically, mothers of bird species can transfer bacterial strains to their offspring when the egg is passing the reproductive tract, as the eggshell rubs against the wall of the uterus. In this context, the female immune system might play an important role in influencing the vertical transmission of bacteria. Here, we investigate the relationship between the major histocompatibility complex (MHC) and cultivable eggshell bacteria originating putatively from the female urogenital tract in a captive population of house sparrows (Passer domesticus). We predict that females with a more variable MHC will transfer fewer bacteria onto the eggshells. Our results show a negative relationship between the number of functional MHC class I alleles and bacteria originating in the urinary tract and growing on a selective medium. This is the first study to find a correlation between female MHC diversity and eggshell bacteria.

Symbiotic arthropods from the house sparrow (Passer domesticus, Aves: Passeridae) from two locations in Alberta, Canada

2013 ◽  
Vol 145 (6) ◽  
pp. 668-673 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kaylee Byers ◽  
Heather Proctor
Keyword(s):  
United States ◽  
North America ◽  
United States Of America ◽  
House Sparrow ◽  
Passer Domesticus ◽  
The United States ◽  
Striking Difference ◽  
Eastern North America ◽  
House Sparrows ◽  
Feather Mite

AbstractHouse sparrows (Passer domesticus(Linnaeus), Aves: Passeridae) were introduced into eastern North America in the mid 1800s and have been expanding their range since then. We collected sparrows from two sites in Alberta, Canada (Edmonton: 58 birds; Onefour: 13 birds), and compared symbiont richness and prevalence between them and between Alberta and two states in the United States of America. We found 17 species of symbionts: 13 mites, three insects, and one trematode. Richness of symbionts in Alberta was very similar to that in the United States of America sites. The most striking difference was absence of the feather miteProctophyllodes troncatusRobin (Acari: Proctophyllodidae) on sampled hosts in Alberta.

scholarly journals A large-scale perspective for managing prairie avifauna assemblages across the western US: influences of habitat, land ownership and latitude

PeerJ ◽  
2017 ◽  
Vol 5 ◽  
pp. e2879 ◽  
Author(s):  
Victoria J. Dreitz ◽  
Lani T. Stinson ◽  
Beth A. Hahn ◽  
Jason D. Tack ◽  
Paul M. Lukacs
Keyword(s):  
Large Scale ◽  
Bird Species ◽  
The United States ◽  
Habitat Diversity ◽  
Land Ownership ◽  
Landscape Scale ◽  
Individual Species ◽  
Small Scale ◽  
Population Declines ◽  
Avian Assemblages

Future demands for increased food production are expected to have severe impacts on prairie biodiversity and ecosystem integrity. Prairie avifauna of North America have experienced drastic population declines, prompting numerous conservation efforts, which have been informed primarily by small-scale studies. We applied a large-scale perspective that integrates scale dependency in avian responses by analyzing observations of 20 prairie bird species (17 grassland obligates and three sagebrush obligate species) from 2009–2012 in the western prairie region of the United States. We employed a multi-species model approach to examine the relationship of land ownership, habitat, and latitude to landscape-scale species richness. Our findings suggest that patterns and processes influencing avian assemblages at the focal-scale (e.g., inference at the sampling unit) may not function at the landscape-scale (e.g., inference amongst sampling units). Individual species responses to land ownership, habitat and latitude were highly variable. The broad spatial extent of our study demonstrates the need to include lands in private ownership to assess biodiversity and the importance of maintaining habitat diversity to support avian assemblages. Lastly, focal-scale information can document species presence within a study area, but landscape-scale information provides an essential complement to inform conservation actions and policies by placing local biodiversity in the context of an entire region, landscape or ecosystem.

Factors affecting intra- and inter-specific variations in the difference between alert distances and flight distances for birds in forested habitats

2002 ◽  
Vol 80 (7) ◽  
pp. 1212-1220 ◽  
Author(s):  
E Fernández-Juricic ◽  
M D Jimenez ◽  
E Lucas
Keyword(s):  
Bird Species ◽  
Passer Domesticus ◽  
Tree Height ◽  
Large Species ◽  
Pica Pica ◽  
Bare Ground ◽  
House Sparrows ◽  
Factors Affecting ◽  
Predator Prey ◽  
The Difference

Studies of escape from predators have usually focused on fleeing. We studied intra- and inter-specific variations in a previous level of decision-making during predator–prey encounters by determining the difference between the distance at which a predator is detected and the distance at which the prey flees from the predator (buffer distance). We measured buffer distances of four bird species (ground foragers) living in forested habitats (wooded recreational parks) to approaching humans. Buffer distances increased with group size and temperature, and this was probably related to dilution of the predation risk and a higher risk of heat stress, respectively. Buffer distances decreased with shrub and coniferous cover, probably because of increased visual obstruction, and increased with tree height, probably because of the increased security provided by taller trees. Grass cover increased buffer distances of wood pigeons (Columba palumbus) but decreased those of house sparrows (Passer domesticus) and magpies (Pica pica); this may be related to higher food availability, i.e., vegetation in grassy areas for wood pigeons and food left by humans in areas with bare ground for house sparrows and magpies. Buffer distances of blackbirds (Turdus merula) and house sparrows were greater in highly visited parks, which may be related to habituation. Finally, larger species showed greater buffer distances, landed farther away, used higher landing substrates (trees), and flew higher, probably because they need to ensure a certain margin of security from predators. Alternatively, the increased buffer distances of large species may be related to the increasing energy expenditure of flight. The buffer distance appears to be a good indicator of tolerance toward predators and (or) risk taken by prey after detecting predators.

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