02492nas a2200289 4500008004100000022001400041245011700055210006900172260001200241300000900253520160900262653001001871653002801881100002601909700001901935700001801954700002101972700001901993700002102012700001602033700001902049700001702068700001802085700001902103700002402122856005602146 2020 eng d a0932-011300aSex interacts with age-dependent change in the abundance of lice-infesting Amur Falcons (Falco amurensis)0 aSex interacts with agedependent change in the abundance of licei c06-2021 a7 pp3 a
Sex-biassed and age-biassed parasite infections are common in nature, including ectoparasites-vertebrate host systems. We investigated the effect of Amur Falcons’ sex, age and body size on the abundance of their lice at a migratory stopover site, where the falcons’ habitat use and behaviour are more homogeneous across sex and age categories than during the breeding season. We sampled Amur Falcons in Nagaland, India at major roosting sites in 2016. We applied generalized linear models (with negative binomial distribution and log-link) to model the abundance of their two most numerous lice (Colpocephalum subzerafae and Degeeriella rufa) using the host age category (juvenile or adult) and wing length, both in interaction with sex, as explanatory variables. The abundance of C. subzerafae was only affected by host age, being nearly four times higher on juveniles than on adults. Juveniles were also more infested with D. rufa than the adults. Additionally, the abundance of the latter species was lower on adult male Falcons as compared to adult females. A juvenile bias in ectoparasite infestations is common in nature, probably due to juveniles being immunologically naïve, more resource-limited and may be inexperienced in body maintenance behaviours like preening and grooming. On the other hand, female-biassed infestations are much rarer than male-biassed infestations. We briefly discuss the possible causes of female-biassed infestations on Amur Falcons reported here, and in the closely related Red-footed Falcon and Lesser Kestrel as reported in the literature.
10alouse10aSex-biassed infestation1 aPiross, Imre, Sándor1 aSiliwal, Manju1 aKumar, Suresh1 aPalatitz, Péter1 aSolt, Szabolcs1 aBorbáth, Péter1 aVili, Nóra1 aMagonyi, Nóra1 aVas, Zoltán1 aRózsa, Lajos1 aHarnos, Andrea1 aFehérvári, Péter uhttp://link.springer.com/10.1007/s00436-020-06753-w02709nas a2200325 4500008004100000022001400041245009800055210006900153260001600222300001600238490000800254520173800262653001202000653001702012653002702029653002602056100002602082700001902108700001902127700002302146700002102169700002002190700002302210700001602233700001702249700001802266700001902284700002402303856005602327 2020 eng d a0932-011300aSex-dependent changes in the louse abundance of red-footed falcons (Falco vespertinus)0 aSexdependent changes in the louse abundance of redfooted falcons cJan-04-2020 a1327 - 13350 v1193 aPermanent ectoparasites live in stable environments; thus, their population dynamics are mostly adapted to changes in the host life cycle. We aimed to investigate how static and dynamic traits of red-footed falcons interplay with the dynamics of their louse subpopulations during breeding and how they affect the colonisation of new hosts by lice. We sampled red-footed falcon (Falco vespertinus) nestlings (two breeding seasons) and adults (one breeding season) in southern Hungary. The mean abundance of Colpocephalum subzerafae and Degeeriella rufa lice on the nestlings was modelled with generalized linear mixed models using clutch size and host sex in interaction with wing length. For adults, we used wing length and the number of days after laying the first egg, both in interaction with sex. D. rufa abundances increased with the nestlings’ wing length. In one year, this trend was steeper on females. In adult birds, both louse species exhibited higher abundances on females at the beginning, but it decreased subsequently through the breeding season. Contrarily, abundances were constantly low on adult males. Apparently, D. rufa postpones transmission until nestlings develop juvenile plumage and choose the more feathered individual among siblings. The sexual difference in the observed abundance could either be caused by the different plumage, or by the females’ preference for less parasitized males. Moreover, females likely have more time to preen during the incubation period, lowering their louse burdens. Thus, sex-biased infestation levels likely arise due to parasite preferences in the nestlings and host behavioural processes in the adult falcons.
10aecology10aectoparasite10aSex-biased infestation10aVertical transmission1 aPiross, Imre, Sándor1 aSolt, Szabolcs1 aHorváth, Éva1 aKotymán, László1 aPalatitz, Péter1 aBertók, Péter1 aSzabó, Krisztián1 aVili, Nóra1 aVas, Zoltán1 aRózsa, Lajos1 aHarnos, Andrea1 aFehérvári, Péter uhttp://link.springer.com/10.1007/s00436-020-06634-202927nas a2200157 4500008004100000245010900041210006900150260007200219300001100291490000800302520227200310653001402582653003102596100001702627856012502644 2014 eng d00aHost-parasite relationship of birds (Aves) and lice (Phthiraptera) – evolution, ecology and faunistics0 aHostparasite relationship of birds Aves and lice Phthiraptera ev aBudapest, HungarybSzent István Egyetem (Szent István University) a275 pp0 vPhD3 aThe host-parasite relationship is one of the most complex and intimate associations in nature. In this thesis I present a multidisciplinary approach to investigate the host-parasite relationship of lice (Insecta: Phthiraptera: Amblycera, Ischnocera) and their avian (and sometimes mammalian) hosts (Vertebrata: Aves, Mammalia). I apply both modern statistical methodologies of evolutionary comparative analysis and classical zoological methodologies such as sampling in the field for faunistical purposes.
The understanding of the diversity component of host-parasite relationships is a major and yet scarcely discovered field of evolutionary ecology. Here I present a review of the previous literature and three original studies published by myself and my co-authors concerning the factors that shape louse diversity at macroevolutionary level (Chapter 1). I show a positive co-variation found between avian cognitive capabilities and Amblyceran louse richness; a decrease in louse richness due to the brood-parasitic life-style of the hosts; and a positive diversity interaction between Ischnoceran louse richness and foster species richness of brood-parasitic cuckoos. The supposed positive co-variation between host and parasite diversity – an assumption originating from Eichler (1942, the so called Eichler’s rule) – were revisited and tested for the first time with modern methodologies across a wide range of avian and mammalian hosts and their lice, and showed to be the strongest and most general diversity pattern of host-parasite evolution found so far.
Chapter 2 incorporates papers related to different aspects of louse faunistics as well as the review of their background. First, I summarize the Hungarian louse fauna based on formerly published records. Second, I report that this checklist was significantly extended by my own recent collections. The third paper is a methodological contribution that points out a formerly overlooked bias in currently widespread sampling projects: the handling of avian host individuals during the bird ringing procedure can reduce the louse burden. Finally, in the last paper I provide global checklist of critically endangered species of parasitic lice.
Brood parasitic birds, their foster species and their ectoparasites form a complex coevolving system composed of three hierarchical levels. However, effects of hosts’ brood parasitic life-style on the evolution of their louse (Phthiraptera: Amblycera, Ischnocera) lineages have never been tested. We present two phylogenetic analyses of ectoparasite richness of brood parasitic clades. Our hypothesis was that brood parasitic life-style affects louse richness negatively across all avian clades due to the lack of vertical transmission routes. Then, narrowing our scope to brood parasitic cuckoos, we explored macroevolutionary factors responsible for the variability of their louse richness. Our results show that taxonomic richness of lice is lower on brood parasitic clades than on their nonparasitic sister clades. However, we found a positive covariation between the richness of cuckoos’ Ischnoceran lice and the number of their foster species, possibly due to the complex and dynamic subpopulation structure of cuckoo species that utilize several host species. We documented diversity interactions across a three-level host parasite system and we found evidence that brood parasitism has opposing effects on louse richness at two slightly differing macroevolutionary scales, namely the species richness and the genera richness.
10ahost–parasite evolution10aIndependent contrasts10amacroevolution10aparasite transmission10aparasitism10aPhthiraptera.1 aVas, Zoltán1 aFuisz, Tibor, István1 aFehérvári, Péter1 aReiczigel, Jenő1 aRózsa, Lajos uhttp://doi.wiley.com/10.1111/evo.2013.67.issue-400396nas a2200121 4500008004100000245005300041210005300094260003100147300001000178100001800188700001700206856005100223 2015 eng d00aHost correlates of diversification in avian lice0 aHost correlates of diversification in avian lice bCambridge University Press a58-761 aRózsa, Lajos1 aVas, Zoltán uhttps://phthiraptera.myspecies.info/node/9423500516nas a2200133 4500008004100000245012200041210006900163260003100232300001000263100001800273700002300291700001700314856005100331 2015 eng d00aUnder the changing climate: how shifting geographic distributions and sexual selection shape parasite diversification0 aUnder the changing climate how shifting geographic distributions bCambridge University Press a58-761 aRózsa, Lajos1 aTryjanowski, Piotr1 aVas, Zoltán uhttps://phthiraptera.myspecies.info/node/9423401504nas a2200193 4500008004100000245013300041210006900174260001600243300001000259490000700269520083100276653002301107653001501130653001301145100001801158700002601176700001701202856009101219 2013 eng d00aLouse (Insecta: Phthiraptera) infestations of European Bee-eaters (Merops apiaster Linnaeus, 1758) at Albertirsa, Hungary0 aLouse Insecta Phthiraptera infestations of European Beeeaters iM cJan-01-2013 a33-370 v213 aAbstract Colonial breeding birds such as the European Bee-eater (Merops apiaster), are per- fectly suited for ectoparasitological studies, as their elaborate social life and frequent body-to-body contacts in- duce high prevalence of louse (Phthiraptera) infestations. In this study we investigated a large breeding colony at Albertirsa, Hungary, and measured the louse burden of the breeding population. With more than 200 pairs nesting in the loess wall there, it may be Hungary’s largest colony of European Bee-eaters. We sampled breeding birds and compared their louse burdens between age groups and sexes. We report the prevalence, mean and median in- tensity of infestations of the three louse species harboured by the Bee-eaters, and the results of louse burden com- parisons between age groups and sexes.
10aEctoparasite. lice10aparasitism10apreening1 aKaráth, Kata1 aFuisz, Tibor, István1 aVas, Zoltán uhttp://www.degruyter.com/view/j/orhu.2013.21.issue-2/orhu-2014-0003/orhu-2014-0003.xml02410nas a2200361 4500008004100000245011000041210006900151300001000220490000700230520130500237653002901542653002101571653002701592653001701619653002801636653000901664100002601673700002401699700001701723700001901740700001901759700002101778700002201799700001801821700002001839700001801859700002301877700002101900700002001921700002001941700001901961856006801980 2015 eng d00aLouse (Insecta: Phthiraptera) infestations of the Amur Falcon (Falco amurensis) and the Red-footed Falcon0 aLouse Insecta Phthiraptera infestations of the Amur Falcon Falco a58-650 v233 aLittle is known about the louse species harboured by Red-footed and Amur Falcons despite the fact that various life-history traits of these hosts make them good model species to study host-parasite interactions. We collected lice samples from fully grown Amur (n=20) and Red-footed Falcons (n=59), and from nestlings of Red-footed Falcons (n=179) in four countries: Hungary, India, Italy and South Africa. We identified 3 louse species on both host species, namely Degeeriella rufa, Colpocephalum subzerafae and Laembothrion tinnunculi. The latter species has never been found on these hosts. Comparing population parameters of lice between hosts we found significantly higher prevalence levels of D. rufa and C. subzerafae on Amur Falcons. Adult Red-footed Falcons had higher D. rufa prevalence compared to C. subzerafae. For the first time we also show inter-annual shift in prevalence and intensity levels of these species on Red-footed Falcons; in 2012 on adult hosts C. subzerafae had higher intensity levels than D. rufa, however in 2014 D. rufa had significantly higher intensity compared to C. subzerafae. In case of nestlings both louse species had significantly higher prevalence levels than in 2014. The exact causes of such inter-annual shifts are yet to be understood.
10aColpocephalum subzerafae10aDegeeriella rufa10adescriptive statistics10aectoparasite10aLaembothrion tinnunculi10alice1 aPiross, Imre, Sándor1 aFehérvári, Péter1 aVas, Zoltán1 aSolt, Szabolcs1 aHorváth, Éva1 aPalatitz, Péter1 aGiosele, Cristina1 aGustin, Marco1 aPedrelli, Mario1 aKumar, Suresh1 aWilliams, Nick, P.1 aPretorious, Rina1 aBernitz, Zephne1 aBernitz, Herman1 aHarnos, Andrea uhttp://www.ornis.hu/articles/OrnisHungarica_vol23(1)_p58-65.pdf01478nas a2200205 4500008004100000022001400041245015200055210006900207300001400276490000700290520075400297653001801051653003601069653002901105653000901134653001401143100001801157700001701175856008001192 2015 eng d a0030-605300aCo-extinct and critically co-endangered species of parasitic lice, and conservation-induced extinction: should lice be reintroduced to their hosts?0 aCoextinct and critically coendangered species of parasitic lice a107–1100 v493 aThe co-extinction of parasitic taxa and their host species is considered a common phenomenon in the current global extinction crisis. However, information about the conservation status of parasitic taxa is scarce. We present a global list of co-extinct and critically co-endangered parasitic lice (Phthiraptera), based on published data on their host-specificity and their hosts’ conservation status according to the IUCN Red List. We list six co-extinct and 40 (possibly 41) critically co-endangered species. Additionally, we recognize 2–4 species that went extinct as a result of conservation efforts to save their hosts. Conservationists should consider preserving host-specific lice as part of their efforts to save species.
10aco-extinction10aConservation-induced extinction10acritically co-endangered10alice10aparasites1 aRózsa, Lajos1 aVas, Zoltán uhttps://phthiraptera.myspecies.info/sites/phthiraptera.info/files/68821.pdf03344nas a2200241 4500008004100000245010500041210006900146260001200215300001000227490000700237520261900244653000902863653001702872653001502889653000902904653001502913100001702928700002102945700002902966700002002995700001803015856006903033 2012 eng d00aNew species and host association records for the Hungarian avian louse fauna (Insecta: Phthiraptera)0 aNew species and host association records for the Hungarian avian c01/2012 a44-490 v203 aA recently published checklist of Hungarian louse fauna (Insecta: Phthiraptera) listed 279 species and subspecies which have been recorded in Hungary. According to that checklist several louse species
still await detection in Hungary, and many of the previously reported louse species have not been found on all expected host species yet. Our faunistical survey on avian lice started in 2005 at Ócsa Bird Ringing Station, resulting hundreds of ectoparasite samples collected from over 70 bird species. Additionally, our louse collection has grown by collecting samples in other research projects focusing on various bird species, and by sampling cadavers before taxidermy in the Bird Collection of the Hungarian Natural History Museum. As the results of a preliminary exploration of this collection, we list 20 louse species which are new to the Hungarian fauna, as well as the first Hungarian records of 17 host-parasite associations. We also found 3 louse-bird association records new for the World fauna.
Abstract (in Hungarian) Összefoglalás:
A tetvek rendjének (Insecta: Phthiraptera) hazai faunalistája 279 tetűfaj és alfaj előfordulásáról számol be. A faunalista szerint számos további tetűfaj fordul elő nagy valószínűséggel Magyarországon, és a már megtalált tetűfajok jelentős része sem került még elő valamennyi várható gazdafajáról. A madarakon élősködő tetvek faunisztikai kutatását 2005-ben az Ócsai Madárvártán kezdtük, ahol több mint 70 madárfaj ektoparazitáit mintavételeztük. A több száz, Ócsán gyűjtött minta mellett más madártani kutatások keretében is gyűjtöttünk külső élősködőket, illetve a Magyar Természettudományi Múzeum Madárgyűjteményében is vettünk mintákat a preparálásra előkészített madártetemekről. A gyűjtött minták előzetes feldolgozása során magyar faunára új 20 tetűfajt, és Magyarországon eddig nem jegyzett 17 gazda-parazita kapcsolatot dokumentáltunk. Eredményeink közt további 3, a nemzetközi irodalomból eddig ismeretlen gazda-parazita kapcsolatról is beszámolunk.
10abird10aectoparasite10afaunistics10alice10aparasitism1 aVas, Zoltán1 aPrivigyei, Csaba1 aProhászka, Viola, Judit1 aCsörgő, Tibor1 aRózsa, Lajos uhttp://phthiraptera.info/sites/phthiraptera.info/files/68778.pdf04807nas a2200169 4500008004100000245016400041210006900205260001200274300001000286490000700296520413100303653008004434100001704514700002004531700001704551856006904568 2012 eng d00aRelationship between sexual signals and louse (Insecta: Phthiraptera) infestation of breeding and migrating Barn swallows ( Hirundo rustica ) in Hungary0 aRelationship between sexual signals and louse Insecta Phthirapte c06/2012 a37-430 v203 aLice (Phthiraptera) chew characteristic holes on the remiges and rectrices of Barn swallows (Hirundo rustica). The number of these holes correlate positively with the intensity of louse infestation, hence hole counts are useful to quantify lousiness. Several papers showed that lice affect both life expectancy and reproductive success of hosts. In male Barn swallows, the length of the outermost tail feathers act as a sexual signal. Females prefer long-tailed males, which have significantly fewer feather holes. In this study we sampled breeding and migrating Barn swallows and compared their louse burden, and the relationship between tail length and the number of feather holes. We found significant negative correlation between feather holes and tail length in breeding males; however, we found non-significant correlation in migrating males. We suggest that attractive males have more physical interactions (e.g. extra-pair copulation) during the breeding season, than less attractive males, hence they are more exposed to louse transmission, and therefore the difference in the infestation declines towards the end of the breeding season. However, given that migrating swallow groups include colonial and solitary breeding birds, it cannot be excluded that a potentially different louse distribution on solitary breeding birds may contribute to the results.
(Abstract in Hungarian) Összefoglalás
A füsti fecskék (Hirundo rustica) evező- és faroktollain a tolltetvek (Phthiraptera) karakterisztikus lyukakat rágnak. A toll-lyukak száma korrelál a tolltetű fertőzöttség intenzitásával, így a toll-lyukak megszámolásával a fertőzöttség jól becsülhető. A magasabb tolltetű fertőzöttségi intenzitás a füsti fecskék túlélési és szaporodási esélyeit is csökkenti. A hosszabb szélső faroktollú füsti fecske hímek kevésbé fertőzöttek, mint a rövidebb farkúak, így a szélső faroktollak hossza a fertőzöttség megbízható jelzéseként szolgálhat a tojók számára. Munkánkban vizsgáltuk, hogy a költési időszak során, a vonulási időszakra megváltozik-e a költő populációkban kimutatott negatív korreláció a szexuális szignálok és a tolltetű-fertőzöttség között. Költési időszakban és vonulási időszakban jelölt füsti fecskéken összehasonlítottuk a toll-lyukak gazdaegyedek közötti eloszlását, a fertőzöttség mérőszámait és öszszefüggését a szexuális szignálok kifejezettségével. A költő hímeknél negatív korrelációt találtunk a farokhossz és a toll-lyukak száma közt, a vonuló hímeknél azonban ez az összefüggés nem volt kimutatható. Hipotézisünk szerint a költési időszak során a „vonzóbb” hímek gyakrabban és több fajtárssal kerülnek fi zikai kontaktusba, mint „kevésbé vonzó” társaik, így ezek során nagyobb esélyük van tolltetvekkel fertőződni, ezáltal a költési időszak elején lévő fertőzöttségbeli különbség a vonulási időszakra lecsökkenhet. Ugyanakkor a minták különböző összetétele (a vonuló csapatokhoz magányosan költő madarak is társulnak) is hozzájárulhat a kapott eredményhez.Abstract in Hungary:
10aectoparasites; lice; feather holes; extra-pair copulation; sexual selection1 aGál, Enikő1 aCsörgő, Tibor1 aVas, Zoltán uhttp://phthiraptera.info/sites/phthiraptera.info/files/68777.pdf01154nas a2200205 4500008004100000245005900041210005400100300001000154490000800164520058400172653001000756653001800766653002100784653001000805653001200815100001700827700001700844700001800861856006900879 2012 eng d00aA checklist of lice of Hungary (Insecta: Phthiraptera)0 achecklist of lice of Hungary Insecta Phthiraptera a5-1090 v1043 a
A checklist of louse species and subspecies collected from wild or domestic (exotic pets excluded) birds and mammals including humans in Hungary since 1945 is provided. The list is based on formerly published data and includes 279 louse species and subspecies. Their hosts represent 156 bird and 30 mammal species. Additionally, further 550 louse species (and subspecies) are also listed, whose occurrence is likely as judged from geographic and host distribution but have not been detected yet. This paper presents the most complete review of the Hungarian louse fauna.
10abirds10aectoparasites10ahost association10alouse10amammals1 aVas, Zoltán1 aRékási, J.1 aRózsa, Lajos uhttp://phthiraptera.info/sites/phthiraptera.info/files/61700.pdf01989nas a2200181 4500008004100000245013000041210006900171260001200240300001400252490000700266520135900273100001701632700002601649700002401675700002101699700001801720856006901738 2012 eng d00aAvian brood parasitism and ectoparasite richness-scale-dependent diversity interactions in a three-level host-parasite system0 aAvian brood parasitism and ectoparasite richnessscaledependent d c04/2013 a959 - 9680 v673 aBrood parasitic birds, their foster species and their ectoparasites form a complex coevolving system composed of three hierarchical levels. However, effects of hosts’ brood parasitic life-style on the evolution of their louse (Phthiraptera: Amblycera, Ischnocera) lineages have never been tested. We present two phylogenetic analyses of ectoparasite richness of brood parasitic clades. Our hypothesis was that brood parasitic life-style affects louse richness negatively across all avian clades due to the lack of vertical transmission routes. Then, narrowing our scope to brood parasitic cuckoos, we explored macroevolutionary factors responsible for the variability of their louse richness. Our results show that taxonomic richness of lice is lower on brood parasitic clades than on their nonparasitic sister clades. However, we found a positive covariation between the richness of cuckoos’ Ischnoceran lice and the number of their foster species, possibly due to the complex and dynamic subpopulation structure of cuckoo species that utilize several host species. We documented diversity interactions across a three-level host parasite system and we found evidence that brood parasitism has opposing effects on louse richness at two slightly differing macroevolutionary scales, namely the species richness and the genera richness.
1 aVas, Zoltán1 aFuisz, Tibor, István1 aFehérvári, Péter1 aReiczigel, Jenő1 aRózsa, Lajos uhttp://phthiraptera.info/sites/phthiraptera.info/files/61699.pdf01947nas a2200193 4500008004100000022001300041245011800054210006900172260001200241300001600253490000700269520131200276100001701588700001701605700002301622700002101645700001801666856006901684 2011 eng d a0020751900aClever birds are lousy: Co-variation between avian innovation and the taxonomic richness of their amblyceran lice0 aClever birds are lousy Covariation between avian innovation and c10/2011 a1295 - 13000 v413 aLice (Insecta: Phthiraptera) are ectoparasites that reduce host life expectancy and sexual attractiveness. Their taxonomic richness varies considerably among their hosts. Previous studies have already explored some important factors shaping louse diversity. An unexplored potential correlate of louse taxonomic richness is host behavioural flexibility. In this comparative study, we examine the relationship between louse generic richness, innovative capabilities (as a proxy for behavioural flexibility), and brain size while controlling for host species diversity, phylogeny, body size and research effort. Using data for 108 avian families, we found a highly ignificant positive relationship between host innovative capabilities and the taxonomic richness of amblyceran lice, but a lack of a similar relationship in ischnoceran lice. Host brain size had only a marginal impact on amblyceran diversity and no correlation with ischnoceran diversity. This suggests that the effect in Amblycera is not mediated by metabolic limitations due to the energetic costs of brain size and maintenance, rather directly caused by the ecological differences between hosts with differing cognitive capabilities. We propose four alternative and mutually non-exclusive hypotheses that may explain this phenomenon.
1 aVas, Zoltán1 aLefebvre, L.1 aJohnson, Kevin, P.1 aReiczigel, Jenő1 aRózsa, Lajos uhttp://phthiraptera.info/sites/phthiraptera.info/files/61622.pdf01661nas a2200169 4500008004100000022003800041245014300079210007100222260001100293300001400304490000800318520104200326100001701368700001901385700001801404856006901422 2012 eng d aOnline:1432-1955, Print:0932-011300aEvolutionary co-variation of host and parasite diversity—the first test of Eichler’s rule using parasitic lice (Insecta: Phthiraptera)0 aEvolutionary covariation of host and parasite diversity—the firs c7/2012 a393 - 4010 v1113 aThe taxonomic richness of lice (Phthiraptera) varies considerably among their avian and mammalian hosts. Previous studies explored some factors shaping louse diversity; however, the so-called Eichler’s rule—according to which taxonomic richness of parasites co-varies with that of their hosts—has never been tested. Our study incorporates all families of birds and mammals and the whole order of lice to test this co-variation, thus we present the widest taxonomic range to test any correlates of louse richness. Louse richness data were controlled for uneven sampling effort. We used the method of independent contrasts to control for phylogenetic effects. We found a strong correlation between the species richness of avian and mammalian families and generic richness of their lice. We discuss some alternative macroevolutionary and macroecological hypotheses that may explain this phenomenon that may well be a general feature of parasitism and it seems possible that this effect contribute considerably to global biodiversity.1 aVas, Zoltán1 aCsorba, Gábor1 aRózsa, Lajos uhttp://phthiraptera.info/sites/phthiraptera.info/files/61621.pdf00477nas a2200133 4500008004100000245009300041210006900134260000900203300001200212490000700224100001700231700002600248856006900274 2010 eng d00aRinging procedure can reduce the burden of feather lice in barn swallows Hirundo rustica0 aRinging procedure can reduce the burden of feather lice in barn c2010 a203-2070 v451 aVas, Zoltán1 aFuisz, Tibor, István uhttp://phthiraptera.info/sites/phthiraptera.info/files/61239.pdf01909nas a2200169 4500008004100000245012700041210006900168260000900237300001600246490000700262520131600269100001701585700002001602700002601622700001801648856007301666 2008 eng d00aThe Feather Holes on the Barn Swallow Hirundo rustica and Other Small Passerines are Probably Caused by Brueelia Spp. Lice0 aFeather Holes on the Barn Swallow Hirundo rustica and Other Smal c2008 a1438 - 14400 v943 aBarn swallows Hirundo rustica often have characteristic feather holes on wing and tail feathers. During the past 15 yr, several influential papers have been based on the assumption that these holes were chewed by the louse Machaerilaemus malleus. We gathered feather-hole data from barn swallows and other passerines at 2 sites in Hungary and correlated the presence of holes with louse infestations and, more specifically, with the occurrence of M. malleus versus other species of avian lice. The shape of frequency distribution of holes was left biased, and this bias was more pronounced in large swallow colonies that in a random sample, in accordance with the view that the causative agent of the ‘feather hole symptom’ is a contagious macroparasite. However, both intra- and interspecific comparisons suggest that the causative agent of the symptom had probably been misidentified. The occurrence of Brueelia spp. ‘wing lice’ provides the best fit to the distribution and abundance of feather holes, both in barn swallows and across some other small passerines. This identification error does not challenge the results of the former evolutionary–ecological studies based on this model system, although it has important implications fromthe viewpoint of louse biology.
1 aVas, Zoltán1 aCsörgő, Tibor1 aMøller, Anders, Pape1 aRózsa, Lajos uhttp://www.phthiraptera.info/sites/phthiraptera.info/files/47447.pdf