Evening Bats (Nycticeius humeralis) Use Bird Nest Boxes as Day Roosts in Northeastern Arkansas

AbstractThe hypothesis of associating pseudoscorpions with bird nest types was tested on the basis of an analysis of 480 specimens. Eleven pseudoscorpion species were found in 171 nests of 28 different bird species collected in Slovakia, Austria and the Czech Republic. The frequent appearance of Cheiridium museorum, Dactylochelifer latreillii, Chernes hahnii, Dendrochernes cyrneus and Allochernes wideri was confirmed. High proportion and association of Pselaphochernes scorpioides in hoopoe hollow nests with decomposed substrate, D. cyrneus in the Eurasian tree sparrow nest boxes and A. wideri in the nests of the tawny owls, the European scops owls and the European roller was proved. In contrast, C. hahnii and D. latreillii were related to the nest fauna of blackbirds and song thrushes, C. museorum to the nests of white wagtails situated on the ground and on buildings and C. cancroides to the nests in synanthropic habitats. Until present, the occurrence of 22 pseudoscorpion species has been confirmed in the bird nests of Central Europe based on the obtained results and published resources. According to the association to bird nests these pseudoscorpions were classified as (1) nidixenous species — Chthonius fuscimanus, C. tetrachelatus, Mundochthonius styriacus, Neobisium carcinoides, N. crassifemoratum, N. inaequale, N. sylvaticum, Chernes cimicoides, C. similis, C. vicinus, Allochernes powelli, Lamprochernes chyzeri, L. nodosus and Larca lata; and (2) nidiphilous species — C. museorum, C. cancroides, A. wideri, D. cyrneus, D. latreillii, C. hahnii, D. panzeri and P. scorpioides.

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Culicoides biting midges involved in transmission of haemoproteids

Parasites & Vectors ◽

10.1186/s13071-020-04516-1 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 14 (1) ◽

Author(s):

Rita Žiegytė ◽

Elena Platonova ◽

Egidijus Kinderis ◽

Andrey Mukhin ◽

Vaidas Palinauskas ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Biting Midges ◽

Bird Nest ◽

Genetic Lineages ◽

Nest Boxes ◽

Culicoides Obsoletus ◽

Haemosporidian Parasites ◽

Natural Vector ◽

Parasite Biology ◽

Culicoides Biting Midges

Abstract Background Culicoides biting midges (Diptera, Ceratopogonidae) are known vectors of avian Haemoproteus parasites. These parasites cause diseases, pathology and even mortality in birds. The diversity of biting midges in Europe is great, but only four Culicoides species are known to be vectors of avian Haemoproteus parasites. In general, our knowledge about the role of the particular Culicoides species in the transmission of Haemoproteus parasites remains insufficient. Information gaps hinder a better understanding of parasite biology and the epizootiology of parasite-caused diseases. The aim of this study was to determine new Culicoides species involved in the transmission of Haemoproteus parasites. Methods Biting midges were collected using a UV trap as well as sticky traps installed in bird nest boxes. Individual parous females were diagnosed for the presence of haemoproteids using both PCR-based and microscopic methods. Results We collected and dissected 232 parous Culicoides females from 9 species using a UV trap and 293 females from 11 species from bird nest boxes. Culicoides obsoletus was the dominant species collected using a UV trap, and Culicoides kibunensis dominated among midges collected in nest boxes. PCR-based screening showed that 5.2% of parous biting midges collected using a UV trap and 4.4% of midges collected from nest boxes were infected with avian haemosporidian parasites. Haemoproteid DNA was detected in C. kibunensis, Culicoides pictipennis, Culicoides punctatus, Culicoides segnis and Culicoides impunctatus females. The sporozoites of Haemoproteus minutus (genetic lineages hTURDUS2 and hTUPHI01) were detected in the salivary glands of two C. kibunensis females using microscopy, and this finding was confirmed by PCR. Conclusions Culicoides kibunensis was detected as a new natural vector of Haemoproteus minutus (hTURDUS2 and hTUPHI01). Haemoproteid DNA was detected in females from five Culicoides species. This study contributes to the epizootiology of avian Haemoproteus infections by specifying Culicoides species as vectors and species that are likely to be responsible for the transmission of haemoproteids in Europe.

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A plastic device fixed around trees can deter snakes from predating bird nest boxes

Animal Biodiversity and Conservation ◽

10.32800/10.32800/abc.2021.44.0103 ◽

2021 ◽

pp. 103-108

Author(s):

H. Navalpotro ◽

D. Mazzoni ◽

J. C. Senar

Keyword(s):

Endangered Species ◽

Breeding Success ◽

Predation Rate ◽

Scientific Data ◽

Bird Nest ◽

Nest Boxes ◽

Cavity Nesters ◽

Bird Breeding ◽

Duct Tape ◽

Transparent Acetate

Several devices have been designed to prevent predation in nest boxes by mammals and birds. Although snakes are one of the most common predators in cavity–nesters, they have always been difficult to deter. Here we tested a method originally designed to avoid predation by tree–climbing mammals. To prevent snakes from climbing trees and predating on nest boxes, we wrapped a transparent acetate sheet of 80 cm high around tree trunks below a sample of 40 nest boxes used by tits. The acetate sheets were secured with duct tape. The remaining nest boxes (N = 74) in the study area were left as controls. The predation rate in the experimental nest boxes was 20 % and 2 % in control boxes. This method can be useful to increase bird breeding success, improving both the effectiveness of resources to obtain scientific data and the breeding success of endangered species.

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A criticism against the usage of the styrene foam for bird nest boxes

Japanese Journal of Ornithology ◽

10.2326/jjo.55.117 ◽

2006 ◽

Vol 55 (2) ◽

pp. 117-118 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Takeda, K.

Keyword(s):

Bird Nest ◽

Nest Boxes

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A plastic device fixed around trees can deter snakes from predating bird nest boxes

Animal Biodiversity and Conservation ◽

10.32800/abc.2021.44.0103 ◽

2021 ◽

pp. 103-108

Author(s):

H. Navalpotro ◽

D. Mazzoni ◽

J. C. Senar

Keyword(s):

Endangered Species ◽

Breeding Success ◽

Predation Rate ◽

Scientific Data ◽

Bird Nest ◽

Nest Boxes ◽

Cavity Nesters ◽

Bird Breeding ◽

Duct Tape ◽

Transparent Acetate

Several devices have been designed to prevent predation in nest boxes by mammals and birds. Although snakes are one of the most common predators in cavity–nesters, they have always been difficult to deter. Here we tested a method originally designed to avoid predation by tree–climbing mammals. To prevent snakes from climbing trees and predating on nest boxes, we wrapped a transparent acetate sheet of 80 cm high around tree trunks below a sample of 40 nest boxes used by tits. The acetate sheets were secured with duct tape. The remaining nest boxes (N = 74) in the study area were left as controls. The predation rate in the experimental nest boxes was 20 % and 2 % in control boxes. This method can be useful to increase bird breeding success, improving both the effectiveness of resources to obtain scientific data and the breeding success of endangered species.

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A Push-pull Protocol to Reduce Colonization of Bird Nest Boxes by Honey Bees

Journal of Visualized Experiments ◽

10.3791/53950 ◽

2016 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Caroline A. Efstathion ◽

William H. Kern,

Keyword(s):

Honey Bees ◽

Bird Nest ◽

Nest Boxes

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The use of nest boxes in determination of biting midges involved in transmission of Haemoproteus parasites

10.21203/rs.2.20031/v1 ◽

2020 ◽

Author(s):

Rita Žiegytė ◽

Elena Platonova ◽

Egidijus Kinderis ◽

Andrey Mukhin ◽

Vaidas Palinauskas ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Genetic Lineage ◽

Culicoides Species ◽

Vector Ecology ◽

Biting Midges ◽

Bird Nest ◽

Biting Midge ◽

Nest Boxes ◽

Blood Sucking ◽

Local Transmission

Abstract BackgroundCulicoides biting midges (Diptera, Ceratopogonidae) are known to be vectors of avian Haemoproteus parasites. These parasites cause disease and pathology in birds. The diversity of biting midges in Europe is great, but only four Culicoides species are known to be vectors of avian Haemoproteus parasites. In general, our knowledge about the role of the particular Culicoides species in transmission of Haemoproteus parasites remains insufficient. Information gaps hinder a better understanding of parasite biology and the epizootiology of parasite-caused diseases. The aim of this study was to determine new ornithophilic Culicoides species potentially involved in local transmission of Haemoproteus parasites. To do this we collected biting midges in bird nest boxes, identified their species and prevalence of haemoproteids in insects as well as in juvenile birds during breeding season.Methods Biting midges were collected from bird nest boxes, identified and parous females were tested individually for the presence of haemoproteids. The blood of juvenile birds was sampled to determine a local transmission of Haemoproteus spp. in the study area. We have used both microscopy and PCR-based methods.ResultsIn all, 293 Culicoides females belonging to 11 species were collected from nest boxes. Culicoides pictipennis, Culicoides segnis and Culicoides kibunensis were determined as dominant species collected using this method. Culicoides kibunensis was found to be infected with Haemoproteus lanii (genetic lineage hRB1), C.pictipennis and Culicoides punctatus− with Haemoproteus minutus (hTUPHI01 and hTURDUS2, respectively), C.segnis− with Haemoproteus majoris (hCWT4), H.minutus (hTURDUS2) and Haemoproteus tartakovskyi (hSISKIN1). From 187 studied juvenile birds 31 were infected with H. majoris (hCWT4, hPARUS1, hPHSIB1, hWW2) and Haemoproteus sp. (hPARUS10) parasites, which are widespread in Europe.Conclusions Our results provided information about the distribution of biting midge species and determined new ornithophilic Culicoides species at the study site. This study contributes to epizootiology of avian Haemoproteus infections by specifying Culicoides species that likely are responsible for the transmission of haemoproteids in Europe. Used method is suitable for better understanding vector ecology and evaluating the role of different blood sucking insects in transmission of haemoproteids in different wild ecosystems.

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