The Avian Brood Parasites: Deception at the Nest

1999 ◽  
Vol 85 (3) ◽  
pp. 404
Author(s):  
John Janovy ◽  
Paul A. Johnsgard
Keyword(s):  
Brood Parasites

scholarly journals Adjustment of egg laying by both hosts and intraspecific brood parasites in a beetle

Ethology ◽  
2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jon Richardson ◽  
Sarah Dobson ◽  
Lucy E. Ford ◽  
Per T. Smiseth
Keyword(s):  
Egg Laying ◽  
Brood Parasites

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’.

scholarly journals UV reflectance as a cue in egg discrimination in twoPriniaspecies exploited differently by brood parasites in Taiwan

Ibis ◽  
2013 ◽  
Vol 155 (3) ◽  
pp. 571-575 ◽  
Author(s):  
Canchao Yang ◽  
Longwu Wang ◽  
Yu-Cheng Hsu ◽  
Anton Antonov ◽  
Arne Moksnes ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Egg Discrimination ◽  
Brood Parasites ◽  
Uv Reflectance

scholarly journals Nest prospecting brown-headed cowbirds ‘parasitize’ social information when the value of personal information is lacking

2017 ◽  
Vol 284 (1861) ◽  
pp. 20171083 ◽  
Author(s):  
David J. White ◽  
Hayden B. Davies ◽  
Samuel Agyapong ◽  
Nora Seegmiller
Keyword(s):  
Personal Information ◽  
Molothrus Ater ◽  
Social Information ◽  
Negative Relationship ◽  
Brood Parasites ◽  
Nest Selection ◽  
Strong Negative Relationship ◽  
Nest Quality ◽  
Cognitive Challenges

Brood parasites face considerable cognitive challenges in locating and selecting host nests for their young. Here, we test whether female brown-headed cowbirds, Molothrus ater , could use information acquired from observing the nest prospecting patterns of conspecifics to influence their own patterns of nest selection. In laboratory-based experiments, we created a disparity in the amount of personal information females had about the quality of nests. Females with less personal information about the quality of two nests spent more time investigating the nest that more knowledgeable females investigated. Furthermore, there was a strong negative relationship between individual's ability to track nest quality using personal information and their tendency to copy others. These two contrasting strategies for selecting nests are equally effective, but lead to different patterns of parasitism.

Striking difference in response to expanding brood parasites by birds in western and eastern Beringia

2018 ◽  
Vol 89 (2) ◽  
pp. 117-125 ◽  
Author(s):  
Vladimir Dinets ◽  
Kristaps Sokolovskis ◽  
Daniel Hanley ◽  
Mark E. Hauber
Keyword(s):  
Striking Difference ◽  
Brood Parasites

The evolution of acceptance and tolerance in hosts of avian brood parasites

2015 ◽  
Vol 91 (3) ◽  
pp. 569-577 ◽  
Author(s):  
Iliana Medina ◽  
Naomi E. Langmore
Keyword(s):  
Brood Parasites

scholarly journals The Perceptual and Cognitive Processes That Govern Egg Rejection in Hosts of Avian Brood Parasites

2021 ◽  
Vol 9 ◽  
Author(s):  
Daniel Hanley ◽  
Samantha L. Rutledge ◽  
Juliana Villa
Keyword(s):  
Cognitive Processing ◽  
Cognitive Processes ◽  
Selective Pressure ◽  
Null Model ◽  
Egg Rejection ◽  
Egg Recognition ◽  
Brood Parasites ◽  
The Past ◽  
The Cost ◽  
Receptor Noise

Hosts of avian brood parasites are under intense selective pressure to prevent or reduce the cost of parasitism. Many have evolved refined egg discrimination abilities, which can select for eggshell mimicry in their parasite. A classic assumption underlying these coevolutionary dynamics is that host egg recognition depends on the perceivable difference between their own eggs and those of their parasite. Over the past two decades, the receptor noise-limited (RNL) model has contributed to our understanding of these coevolutionary interactions by providing researchers a method to predict a host’s ability to discriminate a parasite’s egg from its own. Recent research has shown that some hosts are more likely to reject brown eggs than blue eggs, regardless of the perceived differences to their own. Such responses suggest that host egg recognition may be due to perceptual or cognitive processes not currently predictable by the RNL model. In this perspective, we discuss the potential value of using the RNL model as a null model to explore alternative perceptual processes and higher-order cognitive processes that could explain how and why some hosts make seemingly counter-intuitive decisions. Further, we outline experiments that should be fruitful for determining the perceptual and cognitive processing used by hosts for egg recognition tasks.

scholarly journals Ecophysiology of egg rejection in hosts of avian brood parasites: new insights and perspectives

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Francisco Ruiz-Raya
Keyword(s):  
Potential Role ◽  
Physiological State ◽  
Host Responses ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Egg Rejection ◽  
Fitness Costs ◽  
Brood Parasites ◽  
Proximate Mechanisms ◽  
Proximate Factors

Abstract Egg rejection is the most effective and widespread defence used by host species to counteract the extreme fitness costs frequently imposed by obligate avian brood parasites. Yet, the proximate mechanisms underlying between- and within-individual variation in host responses remain poorly explored. Emerging evidence suggests that egg rejection is dependent on individual physiological state, and draws attention to the role of hormones as mediators of flexible antiparasitic responses. In this perspective article, I outline recent advances in our understanding of the proximate factors that mediate egg rejection. I also point out some areas where knowledge remains still lacking, especially those related to the development and maintenance of effective cognitive functions, the potential role of oxidative stress, immunological state and developmental stressors. I propose new hypotheses that stimulate future research on behavioural host responses towards brood parasitism.

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