Effects of blow fly (Protocalliphora spatulata: Diptera: Calliphoridae) parasitism on the growth of nestling savannah sparrows in Alaska

1997 ◽  
Vol 75 (4) ◽  
pp. 641-644 ◽  
Author(s):  
Clinton K. Miller ◽  
Jeanne M. Fair
Keyword(s):  
Growth Parameters ◽  
Food Limitation ◽  
Blow Fly ◽  
Tarsus Length ◽  
Passerculus Sandwichensis ◽  
Avian Reproduction ◽  
Project Site ◽  
Fly Larvae ◽  
Breeding Seasons ◽  
Savannah Sparrows

We investigated the effect of blow fly larvae (Protocalliphora spatulata) on nestling savannah sparrows (Passerculus sandwichensis) in Alaska subject to biennially fluctuating prey abundance. Grasshopper populations in some regions of interior Alaska can show a strong biennial periodicity. Growth of nestling savannah sparrows, numbers of blow fly larvae in nests and on nestlings, and grasshopper populations were monitored during four breeding seasons (1990–1993) on the Delta Agriculture Project site near Delta Junction, Alaska. Growth parameters for parasitized and nonparasitized nestlings were compared within and between years. There were no significant differences in growth parameters between parasitized and nonparasitized nestlings between any years. There were also no differences in growth parameters within years, except for tarsus length in 1991 and nestling mass in 1993 (low grasshopper years); in 1993, parasitized nestlings were heavier and the sample size was small. Additionally, there were no differences in fledging success within years. Although parasitism combined with other factors (e.g., food limitation) may have an impact on avian reproduction, our data do not support this.

Blow Fly Larvae as a Source of Botulinum Toxin for Game Farm Pheasants

1962 ◽  
Vol 26 (4) ◽  
pp. 411 ◽  
Author(s):  
V. H. Lee ◽  
Srikrishnan Vadlamudi ◽  
R. P. Hanson
Keyword(s):  
Botulinum Toxin ◽  
Blow Fly ◽  
Fly Larvae

Colonisation of finfish substrate inhabited by black soldier fly larvae by blow flies, bacteria, and fungi

2020 ◽  
Vol 6 (3) ◽  
pp. 291-304 ◽  
Author(s):  
E. Bernard ◽  
J. Villazana ◽  
A. Alyokhin ◽  
J. Rose
Keyword(s):  
Microbial Communities ◽  
Additional Treatment ◽  
Blow Fly ◽  
Gram Positive ◽  
Black Soldier Fly ◽  
Gram Positive Bacteria ◽  
Fungal Abundance ◽  
Black Soldier Fly Larvae ◽  
Fly Larvae ◽  
Bacteria And Fungi

Black soldier fly, Hermetia illucens (L.) (Diptera: Stratiomyidae) can be used for recycling a wide variety of organic wastes. However, these wastes are also suitable for colonisation by pest fly species, including the blow fly Lucilia sericata (Meigen) (Diptera: Calliphoridae), and by pathogenic microorganisms. We tested effects of the presence of black soldier fly larvae (BSFL) on recruitment and retention of blow fly larvae, as well as on composition and dynamics of microbial communities in finfish-based substrates. Substrates inhabited by BSFL contained approximately one-tenth of the L. sericata pupae found in the control substrate even when BSFL were removed prior to the introduction of gravid L. sericata females. Furthermore, almost three-quarters of L. sericata released into substrates previously colonised by BSFL emigrated within 24 h, while no such emigration was detected for the control substrates. Unlike previous studies, bacterial community was heavily dominated by Gram-positive species. Overall bacterial abundance on BSFL substrates declined approximately two-fold compared to the control substrate, while fungal abundance increased. However, surviving microbial communities were still robust and diverse, and continued to be dominated by Gram-positive bacteria. On the other hand, Gram-negative Shigella sonnei, which is a common cause of diarrhoea in humans, was more than 200 times less abundant in BSFL substrates compared to the control throughout the experiment. Repellent and antibiotic properties observed in this study are advantageous for using BSFL in remediation of finfish wastes. However, additional treatment of remaining residue may still be necessary to eliminate all biological contamination.

Food Limitation of Avian Reproduction: An Experiment with the Cactus Wren

Ecology ◽  
1990 ◽  
Vol 71 (3) ◽  
pp. 869-876 ◽  
Author(s):  
Laurie Stuart Simons ◽  
Thomas E. Martin
Keyword(s):  
Food Limitation ◽  
Avian Reproduction

scholarly journals Mitochondrial DNA Variation, Species Limits, and Rapid Evolution of Plumage Coloration and Size in the Savannah Sparrow

The Condor ◽  
2005 ◽  
Vol 107 (1) ◽  
pp. 21-28 ◽  
Author(s):  
Robert M. Zink ◽  
James D. Rising ◽  
Steve Mockford ◽  
Andrew G. Horn ◽  
Jonathan M. Wright ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Mitochondrial Dna ◽  
Nova Scotia ◽  
San Diego ◽  
Baja California ◽  
Rapid Evolution ◽  
Plumage Coloration ◽  
Phylogeographic Structure ◽  
Species Status ◽  
Passerculus Sandwichensis ◽  
Savannah Sparrows

Abstract We compared sequences from two mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) genes (ND2, ND3) in Savannah Sparrows (Passerculus sandwichensis; n = 112) sampled from Baja California (five sites), coastal Sonora and the continental range (eight sites). Populations from Baja California, San Diego and Sonora formed a clade within which there was no phylogeographic structure; this clade merits species status (Passerculus rostratus). The other clade, consisting of phenotypically “typical” savannah sparrows, should be classified as P. sandwichensis. Among the typical sparrows, there was no phylogeographic structure, although two major clades were discovered. Representatives of each of the two main clades occurred at most sampling localities, excluding Suisan Bay, California and Sable Island, Nova Scotia, Canada. Haplotypes found on Sable Island, representing the “Ipswich Sparrow,” were not distinctive, thereby failing to support species status for this taxon. On Isla San Benito, a single haplotype was found, which also occurred in other Mexican localities. The results for Sable Island and Isla San Benito show that size and plumage coloration can evolve rapidly. Variación en ADN Mitocondrial, Límites entre Especies y Evolución Rápida de la Coloración del Plumaje y el Tamaño en Passerculus sandwichensis Resumen. En este estudio comparamos secuencias de dos genes mitocondriales (ND2 y ND3) entre individuos de la especie Passerculus sandwichensis (n = 112) muestreados en Baja California (5 sitios), la costa de Sonora y el rango de distribución continental (8 sitios). Las poblaciones de Baja California, San Diego y Sonora formaron un clado, al interior del cual no existió estructura filogeográfica; este clado merece estatus de especie (Passerculus rostratus). El otro clado, conformado por individuos fenotípicamente “típicos”, debe clasificarse como P. sandwichensis. Entre los individuos típicos no existió estructura filogeográfica, aunque se descubrieron dos clados principales. Individuos representativos de cada uno de estos dos clados se encontraron en la mayoría de las localidades, excepto Suisan Bay, California y Sable Island, Nova Scotia. Los haplotipos encontrados en Sable Island, correspondientes al “gorrión de Ipswich” no fueron distintivos, lo que no apoya el estatus de especie para este taxón. En Isla San Benito se encontró un solo halpotipo, el cual también se encontraba en otras localidades mexicanas. Los resultados de Sable Island e Isla San Benito muestran que el tamaño y la coloración del plumaje pueden evolucionar rápidamente.

A noninclusion virus of blow-fly larvae

1969 ◽  
Vol 13 (2) ◽  
pp. 310-311 ◽  
Author(s):  
W.A.L. David
Keyword(s):  
Blow Fly ◽  
Fly Larvae

Field Metabolism and Food Consumption of Savannah Sparrows during the Breeding Season

The Auk ◽  
1987 ◽  
Vol 104 (2) ◽  
pp. 277-289 ◽  
Author(s):  
Joseph B. Williams
Keyword(s):  
Energy Expenditure ◽  
Brood Size ◽  
Water Flux ◽  
Water Losses ◽  
Time Activity ◽  
Passerculus Sandwichensis ◽  
Nestling Period ◽  
Relationship Construction ◽  
The Relationship ◽  
Savannah Sparrows

Abstract I applied the doubly labeled water (DLW) technique to measure rates of water flux and energy expenditure of Savannah Sparrows (Passerculus sandwichensis) during two breeding seasons on Kent Island, New Brunswick, Canada. Simultaneous to DLW measurements, I constructed time-activity budgets for territorial males, monitored nest attentiveness for incubating females, and quantified frequency of nest visitation for parents feeding young. To ascertain the relationship between brood size and adult energy expenditure, I measured the energy expenditure of adults feeding 2, 4, and 6 nestlings. There was little difference in field metabolic rates (FMR) between territorial males [161.0\pm 21.7 (SD) ml CO2/h). and males that fed 4 nestlings (157.6 ± 19.7 ml CO2/h). Incubating females expired CO2 at rates lower than males during the same time period (134.4 ± 7.9 vs. $161.0 ± 21.7 ml CO2/h but similar to rates for females feeding 4 young, the normal brood size ($134.4 ± 7.9 ml CO2/h for incubating females vs. $136.5 ± 26.9 ml CO2h for females feeding young). Incubating females expended energy at a lower rate than females making 8 or more trips to the nest per hour, the average feeding rate for females late in the nestling period. For males and females together, water influx and efflux rates averaged 17.1 ± 3.2 and 17.2 ± 3.0 ml H20/day, suggesting that birds balanced water intake against water losses. Mean daily solar radiation (MDSR; W/ m2) also influenced FMR during the nestling period. The equation ml CO2/h=172.6-0.07 (MDSR) described the relationship. When brood sizes were manipulated, parents responded by altering their frequency of nest visitation; as frequency increased, so did the FMR of females but not of males. The equation ml CO2/h =98.4 + 5.3 (mean visits/h) described the relationship. Construction of a food budget indicated that, on average, territorial males consumed 21.1 g fresh arthropods per day, while incubating females ingested 17.5 g/day or 210.0 g during the 12-day incubation period. Through the 8-day nestling period, males augmented their foraging by 75%, females by 87%, to feed a brood of 4.

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