Publication Type: | Journal Article |
Year of Publication: | 2003 |
Authors: | F. Valera, Casas-Crivillé, A., Hoi, H. |
Journal: | Journal of Parasitology |
Volume: | 89 |
Issue: | 2 |
Pagination: | 245 - 250 |
Date Published: | 2003 |
Abstract: | Studies of avian host-parasite interactions rarely include consequences of relationships among hosts for either the host or parasite species. In this study, we examine the ectoparasitic burden of adult and nestling European bee-eaters (Merops apiaster) and rock sparrows (Petronia petronia) in a mixed colony. We found that (1) each bird species had its own species of lice; (2) hematophagous mites parasitized both adults and nestlings of both bird species; (3) Carnus hemapterus, a common parasite of nestling bee-eaters, also infested rock sparrow nestlings, a species not previously described as a host for this dipteran; and (4) whereas C. hemapterus did not show high host specificity within the colony, the emergence of adult flies was synchronized with the start of hatching in bee-eater nests. We suggest that coexistence of these 2 bird species results in parasite exchange, bee-eaters obtaining mites from sparrows and sparrows becoming infested by C. hemapterus. Differences in the detrimental effects of parasite transfer for each host species may result in a process of apparent competition mediated by shared parasites. Interspecific parasite exchange is an important aspect of host-parasite relationships in mixed colonies, which requires further attention. |
URL: | https://bioone.org/journals/journal-of-parasitology/volume-89/issue-2/0022-3395(2003)089%5B0245%3AIPEIAM%5D2.0.CO%3B2/INTERSPECIFIC-PARASITE-EXCHANGE-IN-A-MIXED-COLONY-OF-BIRDS/10.1645/0022-3395(2003)089[0245:IPEIAM]2.0.CO;2.short |
DOI: | 10.1645/0022-3395(2003)089[0245:IPEIAM]2.0.CO;2 |
Interspecific parasite exchange in a mixed colony of birds
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