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Ziegler SL, Atencio WE, Carroll JM, Byers JE. High parasite prevalence in an ecosystem engineer correlated with both local- and landscape-level factors. Oecologia 2024; 205:423-435. [PMID: 38898336 DOI: 10.1007/s00442-024-05581-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/15/2023] [Accepted: 06/13/2024] [Indexed: 06/21/2024]
Abstract
Spatial variation in parasitic infection may have many physical and biological drivers. Uncovering these drivers may be especially important for parasites of ecosystem engineers because the engineers are foundational to their communities. Oysters are an important coastal ecosystem engineer that have declined drastically worldwide, in part due to enhanced cases of lethal oyster diseases, such as Dermo and MSX, caused by the protozoan parasites Perkinsus marinus and Haplosporidium nelsoni, respectively. Besides water quality and hydrodynamics, there is little information on how other variables influence the prevalence and intensity of these pathogens in oysters across a regional scale. To examine drivers of spatial variation in these oyster parasites-including host size, local reef properties, and landscape properties-we sampled 24 reefs systematically spread along the coast of Georgia, USA. Across sites, we found universally high prevalence of oysters with at least one of these parasites (91.02% ± 8.89, mean ± SD). Not only are high levels of parasite prevalence potentially problematic for a pivotal ecosystem engineer, but also low spatial variability may limit the explanatory power of variables across a regional scale. Our statistical models explained between 18 and 42% of the variation in spatial patterns of prevalence and intensity of these microparasites. Interestingly, landscape context was a positive predictor of P. marinus, but a negative predictor of H. nelsoni. Overall, our findings suggest that factors driving parasite prevalence and intensity operate across multiple spatial scales, and the same factor can both facilitate and hinder different parasites within the same host species.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Wil E Atencio
- Department of Biology, Georgia Southern University, Statesboro, GA, USA
| | - John M Carroll
- Department of Biology, Georgia Southern University, Statesboro, GA, USA
| | - James E Byers
- Odum School of Ecology, University of Georgia, Athens, GA, USA
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2
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Naz S, Sychra O, Rizvi SA, Dharejo AM. The genus Neopsittaconirmus (Psocodea: Ischnocera: Philopteridae) from parrots of Pakistan, and evaluation of its distribution on captive parrots (Psittaciformes) around the world. Res Vet Sci 2024; 167:105121. [PMID: 38150940 DOI: 10.1016/j.rvsc.2023.105121] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/29/2023] [Revised: 12/01/2023] [Accepted: 12/19/2023] [Indexed: 12/29/2023]
Abstract
The genus Neopsittaconirmus Conci, 1942 is a host-specific genus, found on both wild and captive parrots and love birds (order Psittaciformes). Two species of this genus: N. lybartota (Ansari, 1947) and N. chandabani (Ansari, 1947) have been previously reported from the Punjab province, Pakistan. We recorded N. lybartota from Psittacula eupatria nipalensis (n = 2), Psittacula krameri borealis (n = 13), and captive Psittacula krameri krameri (n = 4) with the mean intensity of 2.0 ± 1, 2.13 ± 0.35 and 2.25 ± 0.47, respectively; the prevalence of louse infestation was 62% in P. krameri borealis and 100% in P. krameri krameri and P. eupatria nipalensis. From this material, we redescribed its morphological variations in taxonomic features. Records on P. eupatria nipalensis and P. krameri krameri represent new host associations for this species of louse. We also present a new record of Neopsittaconirmus vendulae from a captive cockatiel, Nymphicus hollandicua (n = 3) in Pakistan, with mean intensity of 2.6 ± 0.66. Intraspecific variability of this species is described in detail, with special reference to the male and female terminalia, and male genitalia. We aimed to update and extend the fauna of chewing lice infesting birds of Pakistan. Previous records of Neopsittaconirmus on captive parrots around the world are summarized and discussed. Despite long-standing systematic veterinary care, some Neopsittaconirmus have cosmopolitan distribution and they are able to survive and successfully reproduce in captivity with their hosts, and even colonize novel hosts.
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Affiliation(s)
- Saima Naz
- Advanced Parasitology Research Laboratory (APRL), Department of Zoology, Faculty of Natural Sciences, University of Sindh, Jamshoro 76080, Sindh, Pakistan.
| | - Oldřich Sychra
- Department of Biology and Wildlife Diseases, Faculty of Veterinary Hygiene and Ecology, University of Veterinary Sciences, Brno, Czech Republic.
| | - Syed Anser Rizvi
- Department of Zoology, University of Karachi, Karachi 75270, Sindh, Pakistan
| | - Ali Murtaza Dharejo
- Advanced Parasitology Research Laboratory (APRL), Department of Zoology, Faculty of Natural Sciences, University of Sindh, Jamshoro 76080, Sindh, Pakistan
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Jarayseh B, Amaya M, Gustafsson DR. Review of the chewing louse fauna of the invasive common myna (Acridotheres tristis), with new records from Palestine and a redescription of Brueelia chayanh Ansari, 1955 (Phthiraptera, Ischnocera, Brueelia-complex). Zootaxa 2023; 5383:325-351. [PMID: 38221246 DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.5383.3.3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/11/2023] [Indexed: 01/16/2024]
Abstract
Palestine hosts a large diversity of birds, with 393 recorded species, but little data are available on the chewing lice fauna found on these birds. In this study, we surveyed the species of chewing lice found on the common myna, Acridotheres tristis, which is one of the most invasive bird species in the world. Forty-five mynas were examined to collect their ectoparasites, which were preserved and slide mounted. Among the 1004 chewing lice processed, we identified two species: Menacanthus eurysternus (Burmeister, 1838) (prevalence 100%) and Brueelia chayanh Ansari, 1955 (prevalence 82.2%). No other species of chewing louse known from A. tristis in its native range was found, showing a possible sorting event in the founding population of common myna in the region. Prevalence (100%) and abundance (22.3) were high compared to similar studies of the common myna. To contribute to future research on the lice of common mynas, we provide an annotated checklist of the louse species reported from this host globally. Also, we redescribe and illustrate Brueelia chayanh, and place Sturnidoecus tristisae Bughio et al., 2018 as a new junior synonym of Sturnidoecus bannoo Ansari, 1968.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bashar Jarayseh
- Department of Biology; Faculty of Science; Bethlehem University; Bethlehem; Palestine; Environmental Education Center (EEC/ELCJHL); Beit Jala; Palestine.
| | - Maria Amaya
- Department of Biology; Faculty of Science; Bethlehem University; Bethlehem; Palestine.
| | - Daniel R Gustafsson
- Guangdong Key Laboratory of Animal Conservation and Resource Utilization; Guangdong Public Laboratory of Wild Animal Conservation and Utilization; Institute of Zoology; Guangdong Academy of Sciences; Guangzhou; China.
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4
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Do porcupines self-medicate? The seasonal consumption of plants with antiparasitic properties coincides with that of parasite infections in Hystrix cristata of Central Italy. EUR J WILDLIFE RES 2022. [DOI: 10.1007/s10344-022-01620-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/04/2022]
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5
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Parasitism in heterogeneous landscapes: association between conserved habitats and gastrointestinal parasites in populations of wild mammals. Acta Trop 2022; 237:106751. [DOI: 10.1016/j.actatropica.2022.106751] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/05/2022] [Revised: 11/07/2022] [Accepted: 11/09/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022]
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Drivers of the Ectoparasite Community and Co-Infection Patterns in Rural and Urban Burrowing Owls. BIOLOGY 2022; 11:biology11081141. [PMID: 36009768 PMCID: PMC9405203 DOI: 10.3390/biology11081141] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/29/2022] [Revised: 07/19/2022] [Accepted: 07/26/2022] [Indexed: 11/24/2022]
Abstract
Simple Summary We analyzed the ectoparasite community of a monomorphic and non-social bird, the burrowing owl, Athene cunicularia, breeding in rural and urban habitats. Such community was composed by two lice, one mite and one flea species. Rural individuals had more fleas and less mites than urban ones. Adult birds harbored less ectoparasites than young ones and females harbored more lice than males. The presence of lice was positively related to the presence of fleas. On the contrary, the presence of mites was negatively related to the presence of fleas and lice. The study of parasite communities in urban and rural populations of the same species can shed light on how urban stressor factors impact the physiology of wildlife inhabiting cities and, therefore, the host-parasite relationships. Abstract Urbanization creates new ecological conditions that can affect biodiversity at all levels, including the diversity and prevalence of parasites of species that may occupy these environments. However, few studies have compared bird–ectoparasite interactions between urban and rural individuals. Here, we analyze the ectoparasite community and co-infection patterns of urban and rural burrowing owls, Athene cunicularia, to assess the influence of host traits (i.e., sex, age, and weight), and environmental factors (i.e., number of conspecifics per nest, habitat type and aridity) on its composition. Ectoparasites of burrowing owls included two lice, one flea, and one mite. The overall prevalence for mites, lice and fleas was 1.75%, 8.76% and 3.50%, respectively. A clear pattern of co-infection was detected between mites and fleas and, to less extent, between mites and lice. Adult owls harbored fewer ectoparasites than nestlings, and adult females harbored more lice than males. Our results also show that mite and flea numbers were higher when more conspecifics cohabited the same burrow, while lice showed the opposite pattern. Rural individuals showed higher flea parasitism and lower mite parasitism than urban birds. Moreover, mite numbers were negatively correlated with aridity and host weight. Although the ectoparasitic load of burrowing owls appears to be influenced by individual age, sex, number of conspecifics per nest, and habitat characteristics, the pattern of co-infection found among ectoparasites could also be mediated by unexplored factors such as host immune response, which deserves further research.
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Rescue data as an alternative for assessing trends and phenological changes in two invasive parakeet species. Urban Ecosyst 2022. [DOI: 10.1007/s11252-022-01224-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/27/2022]
Abstract
AbstractMonitoring population trends of alien species is pivotal to design effective management plans to preserve native biodiversity, particularly urban areas, where most populations of alien birds are established. Urban wildlife rescue centers, with personnel trained to record species, age and sex of each individual brought by the public, may represent a reliable citizen-science based method to estimate both local changes in alien species phenology and population trends. In this work, we analysed records of monk and ring-necked parakeets by comparing rescue records in the urban area of Rome from the last 15 years. We also tested whether breeding phenology of alien parakeets showed any changes since the start of the invasion processes.We recorded a strong correlation between the number of rescued parakeets and their population trends, thus confirming the importance of wildlife rescue centers in monitoring populations of alien species in urban areas. We also observed a shift in the breeding phenology of these parakeet species. The hatching peak for ring-necked parakeet occurred in early spring, in line with previous studies on the reproduction of this species, but with a slight increase in the number of months with evidence of breeding in the last years. As to the monk parakeet, our findings support the expansion of its reproductive season between 2006 and 2020 in Rome, with chicks currently being observed for seven months a year. Therefore, data collected through wildlife rescue centers may help improving models of population growth of alien species established in urban areas.
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Hernández-Brito D, Carrete M, Tella JL. Annual Censuses and Citizen Science Data Show Rapid Population Increases and Range Expansion of Invasive Rose-Ringed and Monk Parakeets in Seville, Spain. Animals (Basel) 2022; 12:677. [PMID: 35327075 PMCID: PMC8944835 DOI: 10.3390/ani12060677] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/03/2022] [Revised: 02/25/2022] [Accepted: 03/07/2022] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Population changes of invasive species can go unnoticed long before population explosions, so long-term monitoring programs are needed to assess changes in population size. Although invasive populations of rose-ringed (Psittacula krameri) and monk parakeets (Myiopsitta monachus) are present worldwide, their current status and dynamics are mostly poorly known. Here, we provide a long-term population monitoring of both parakeet species established in a Mediterranean urban area. Between 2013 and 2021, we conducted systematic population censuses in the city of Seville and collected their occurrence and spatial distribution data from citizen science platforms. Our censuses showed a rapid population growth of both species: rose-ringed parakeets increased from 1200 to 6300 individuals, while monk parakeets increased from 70 to 1487 individuals. These population trends were weakly reflected by the number of parakeet observations and the number of cells with parakeet observations but not by the number of individuals recorded in citizen science platforms. Moreover, for the monk parakeet, the number of cells with observations was related to the spatial spread of its nests across the study area. Although resource-intensive, long-term monitoring programs are essential to assess population changes and develop effective management actions for invasive species. Thus, contrasting this information with data taken through citizen science platforms can validate the utility of the latter for assessing population status of invasive species.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dailos Hernández-Brito
- Department of Conservation Biology, Doñana Biological Station (CSIC), Calle Américo Vespucio, 26, 41092 Sevilla, Spain;
| | - Martina Carrete
- Department of Physical, Chemical and Natural Systems, Universidad Pablo de Olavide, Carretera de Utrera, km 1, 41013 Sevilla, Spain;
| | - José L. Tella
- Department of Conservation Biology, Doñana Biological Station (CSIC), Calle Américo Vespucio, 26, 41092 Sevilla, Spain;
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Magory Cohen T, Hauber ME, Akriotis T, Crochet P, Karris G, Kirschel ANG, Khoury F, Menchetti M, Mori E, Per E, Reino L, Saavedra S, Santana J, Dor R. Accelerated avian invasion into the Mediterranean region endangers biodiversity and mandates international collaboration. J Appl Ecol 2022. [DOI: 10.1111/1365-2664.14150] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/01/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Tali Magory Cohen
- School of Zoology, Faculty of Life Sciences Tel Aviv University 69978 Tel Aviv Israel
- Steinhardt Museum of Natural History Tel Aviv University 69978 Tel Aviv Israel
| | - Mark E. Hauber
- Department of Evolution, Ecology, and Behavior, School of Integrative Biology University of Illinois at Urbana‐Champaign 61801 Urbana IL USA
| | | | - Pierre‐André Crochet
- CEFE, CNRS, Univ Montpellier, EPHE, IRD, Univ Paul Valéry Montpellier 3 Montpellier France
| | - Georgios Karris
- Lab of Environmental Physics, Energy and Environmental Biology, Department of Environment, Faculty of Environment Ionian University Zakynthos 29100 Greece
| | | | - Fares Khoury
- Department of Biology and Biotechnology American University of Madaba Jordan
| | - Mattia Menchetti
- Institut de Biologia Evolutiva (CSIC‐UPF), Passeig Maritim de la Barceloneta, 37/49, 08003 Barcelona Spain
| | - Emiliano Mori
- National Research Council ‐ Research Institute on Terrestrial Ecosystems ‐ Via Madonna del Piano 10, 50019 Sesto Fiorentino (FI) Italy
| | - Esra Per
- Department of Biology, Faculty of Science Gazi University Ankara Turkey
| | - Luís Reino
- CIBIO, Centro de Investigação em Biodiversidade e Recursos Genéticos, InBIO Laboratório Associado, Campus de Vairão, Universidade do Porto, 4485‐661 Vairão Portugal
- CIBIO, Centro de Investigação em Biodiversidade e Recursos Genéticos, InBIO Laboratório Associado,Instituto Superior de Agronomia, Universidade de Lisboa, Tapada da Ajuda, 1349‐017 Lisboa Portugal
- BIOPOLIS Program in Genomics, Biodiversity and Land Planning, CIBIO, Campus de Vairão, 4485‐661 Vairão Portugal
| | - Susana Saavedra
- Invasive Bird Management (INBIMA), P.O. Box 6009 38007 Tenerife Canary Islands Spain
| | - Joana Santana
- CIBIO, Centro de Investigação em Biodiversidade e Recursos Genéticos, InBIO Laboratório Associado, Campus de Vairão, Universidade do Porto, 4485‐661 Vairão Portugal
- CIBIO, Centro de Investigação em Biodiversidade e Recursos Genéticos, InBIO Laboratório Associado,Instituto Superior de Agronomia, Universidade de Lisboa, Tapada da Ajuda, 1349‐017 Lisboa Portugal
- BIOPOLIS Program in Genomics, Biodiversity and Land Planning, CIBIO, Campus de Vairão, 4485‐661 Vairão Portugal
| | - Roi Dor
- Department of Natural and Life Sciences The Open University of Israel 4353701 Ra’Anana
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The Role of Monk Parakeets as Nest-Site Facilitators in Their Native and Invaded Areas. BIOLOGY 2021; 10:biology10070683. [PMID: 34356538 PMCID: PMC8301312 DOI: 10.3390/biology10070683] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/08/2021] [Revised: 07/09/2021] [Accepted: 07/14/2021] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
Simple Summary Invasive species can be harmful to native species, although this fact could be more complex when some natives eventually benefit from invaders. Faced with this paradox, we show how the invasive monk parakeet, the only parrot species that builds its nests with sticks, can host other species as tenants, increasing nest-site availability for native but also exotic species. This same pattern is observed in the native range of the species, and when parakeets occupy urban or rural habitats, although the richness of tenants was higher in invaded areas and rural habitats. Tenants participated in the cooperative defense against predators, benefiting parakeets with their presence. As tenants can be both native and invasive species, management plans should consider the complex network of interactions developed with the invader. Abstract While most of the knowledge on invasive species focuses on their impacts, little is known about their potential positive effects on other species. Invasive ecosystem engineers can disrupt recipient environments; however, they may also facilitate access to novel resources for native species. The monk parakeet (Myiopsitta monachus) is a worldwide invader and the only parrot that builds its own communal nests, which can be used by other species. However, the ecological effects of these interspecific interactions are barely known. We compared the role of the monk parakeet as a nest-site facilitator in different rural and urban areas, both invaded and native, across three continents and eight breeding seasons. A total of 2690 nests from 42 tenant species, mostly cavity-nesting birds, were recorded in 26% of 2595 monk parakeet nests. Rural and invaded areas showed the highest abundance and richness of tenant species. Multispecies communal nests triggered interspecific aggression between the monk parakeet host and its tenants, but also a cooperative defense against predators. Despite the positive effects for native species, monk parakeets also facilitate nesting opportunities to other non-native species and may also transmit diseases to tenants, highlighting the complexity of biotic interactions in biological invasions.
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Briceño C, Yévenes K, Larraechea M, Sandoval-Rodríguez A, Silva-de la Fuente MC, Fredes F, Hidalgo H, Alcayaga V, Oyarzún-Ruiz P, Munita C, González-Acuña D. First record of Ornithonyssus bursa (Berlese, 1888) (Mesostigmata: Macronyssidae) parasitizing invasive monk parakeets in Santiago, Chile. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2021; 30:e024020. [PMID: 33852700 DOI: 10.1590/s1984-29612021023] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/13/2020] [Accepted: 02/08/2021] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
Myiopsitta monachus is an invasive psittacine with wide distribution due to the pet trade. Its large communal nests and synanthropic nature contribute to its successful colonization of cities, from where it seems to be expanding in range and numbers. This is relevant with regard to pathogens that invasive species may harbor, especially when host populations thrive. We aimed to identify an abundant mite found in invasive monk parakeet chicks that had been collected in Santiago during 2017 and 2018. Through morphological and molecular identification of the 18S ribosomal RNA gene, we confirmed the presence of Ornithonyssus bursa. This was the first report of this mite in Chile. This mite is common in native and invasive monk parakeet populations and may affect other birds, including domestic fowl. Further, this mite bites people and can be a potential vector of pathogens such as bacteria or viruses. We conclude that this parasite was likely introduced with the parakeet and discuss possible ecological, health and economic consequences of this new potential pest.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cristóbal Briceño
- ConserLab, Departamento de Medicina Preventiva Animal, Facultad de Ciencias Veterinarias y Pecuarias, Universidad de Chile, Santiago, Chile
| | - Karina Yévenes
- ConserLab, Departamento de Medicina Preventiva Animal, Facultad de Ciencias Veterinarias y Pecuarias, Universidad de Chile, Santiago, Chile
| | - Matilde Larraechea
- ConserLab, Departamento de Medicina Preventiva Animal, Facultad de Ciencias Veterinarias y Pecuarias, Universidad de Chile, Santiago, Chile
| | - Alejandra Sandoval-Rodríguez
- ConserLab, Departamento de Medicina Preventiva Animal, Facultad de Ciencias Veterinarias y Pecuarias, Universidad de Chile, Santiago, Chile
| | | | - Fernando Fredes
- Unidad de Parasitología, Departamento de Medicina Preventiva Animal, Facultad de Ciencias Veterinarias y Pecuarias, Universidad de Chile, Santiago, Chile
| | - Héctor Hidalgo
- Patología Aviar, Departamento de Patología Animal, Facultad de Ciencias Veterinarias y Pecuarias, Universidad de Chile, Santiago, Chile
| | - Valeria Alcayaga
- Patología Aviar, Departamento de Patología Animal, Facultad de Ciencias Veterinarias y Pecuarias, Universidad de Chile, Santiago, Chile
| | - Pablo Oyarzún-Ruiz
- Laboratorio de Parásitos y Enfermedades en Fauna Silvestre, Facultad de Ciencias Veterinarias, Universidad de Concepción, Chillán, Chile
| | - Cintia Munita
- ConserLab, Departamento de Medicina Preventiva Animal, Facultad de Ciencias Veterinarias y Pecuarias, Universidad de Chile, Santiago, Chile
| | - Daniel González-Acuña
- Laboratorio de Parásitos y Enfermedades en Fauna Silvestre, Facultad de Ciencias Veterinarias, Universidad de Concepción, Chillán, Chile
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Shivambu TC, Shivambu N, Downs CT. Population estimates of non-native rose-ringed parakeets Psittacula krameri (Scopoli, 1769) in the Durban Metropole, KwaZulu-Natal Province, South Africa. Urban Ecosyst 2020. [DOI: 10.1007/s11252-020-01066-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/23/2022]
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13
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Hernández-Brito D, Blanco G, Tella JL, Carrete M. A protective nesting association with native species counteracts biotic resistance for the spread of an invasive parakeet from urban into rural habitats. Front Zool 2020; 17:13. [PMID: 32411270 PMCID: PMC7206781 DOI: 10.1186/s12983-020-00360-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/09/2019] [Accepted: 04/22/2020] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Non-native species are often introduced in cities, where they take advantage of microclimatic conditions, resources provided by humans, and competitor/predator release to establish and proliferate. However, native communities in the surrounding rural or natural areas usually halt their spread through biotic resistance, mainly via top-down regulative processes (predation pressure). Here, we show an unusual commensal interaction between exotic and native bird species that favours the spread of the former from urban to rural habitats. Results We show how Monk parakeets Myiopsitta monachus, an invasive species often introduced in cities worldwide, associated for breeding with a much larger, native species (the white stork Ciconia ciconia) to reduce predation risk in central Spain, thus allowing their colonization of rural areas. Parakeets selected stork nests close to conspecifics and where breeding raptors were less abundant. Parakeets always flushed when raptors approached their nests when breeding alone, but stayed at their nests when breeding in association with storks. Moreover, when storks abandoned a nest, parakeets abandoned it in the following year, suggesting that storks actually confer protection against predators. Conclusions Our results show how a protective-nesting association between invasive and native species can counteract biotic resistance to allow the spread of an invasive species across non-urban habitats, where they may become crop pests. Monk parakeet populations are now growing exponentially in several cities in several Mediterranean countries, where they coexist with white storks. Therefore, management plans should consider this risk of spread into rural areas and favour native predators as potential biological controllers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dailos Hernández-Brito
- 1Department of Conservation Biology, Estación Biológica de Doñana (CSIC), Avda. Américo Vespucio, 41092 Sevilla, Spain
| | - Guillermo Blanco
- 2Department of Evolutionary Ecology, Museo Nacional de Ciencias Naturales (CSIC), C/ José Gutiérrez Abascal 2, 28006 Madrid, Spain
| | - José L Tella
- 1Department of Conservation Biology, Estación Biológica de Doñana (CSIC), Avda. Américo Vespucio, 41092 Sevilla, Spain
| | - Martina Carrete
- 3Department of Physical, Chemical and Natural Systems, University Pablo de Olavide, Ctra. de Utrera km. 1, 41013 Sevilla, Spain
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14
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Lettoof D, von Takach B, Bateman P, Gagnon MM, Aubret F. Investigating the role of urbanisation, wetlands and climatic conditions in nematode parasitism in a large Australian elapid snake. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL FOR PARASITOLOGY-PARASITES AND WILDLIFE 2019; 11:32-39. [PMID: 31879593 PMCID: PMC6920308 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijppaw.2019.11.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/18/2019] [Revised: 11/28/2019] [Accepted: 11/28/2019] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
Tiger snakes (Notechis scutatus) in wetlands of South-West Western Australia (SW WA) are commonly parasitised by the nematode Ophidascaris pyrrhus. Host-parasite interactions are complex and can potentially be impacted by factors such as urbanisation or climate. We assessed whether urbanisation, distance to wetland sites, and climatic factors have influenced parasitism in tiger snakes from specimens collected over the last century. We dissected 91 museum specimens of tiger snakes across SW WA and counted gastrointestinal nematodes. Binomial generalised linear modelling, with presence/absence of nematodes as a response variable, was used to determine which factors were driving infection. Model selection using AICc values showed that proximity to wetlands, rainfall and topographic wetness were most strongly associated with the probability of infection of snakes by nematodes. We also found a slight positive correlation between nematode abundance and annual mean maximum temperature. We found no significant influence of distance to urban centre on nematode burdens; however, our results suggest that water-related variables are a key driver of nematode parasitism in tiger snakes in SW WA. We also suggest that urbanisation is still of interest as its role in wetland and climate modification may increase parasitism in wetland snakes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Damian Lettoof
- Behavioural Ecology Lab., School of Molecular and Life Sciences, Curtin University, Brand Drive, Bentley, WA, 6102, USA
- Corresponding author.
| | - Brenton von Takach
- Research Institute for the Environment & Livelihoods, Charles Darwin University, Darwin, NT, 0909, Australia
| | - P.W. Bateman
- Behavioural Ecology Lab., School of Molecular and Life Sciences, Curtin University, Brand Drive, Bentley, WA, 6102, USA
| | - Marthe Monique Gagnon
- School of Molecular and Life Sciences, Curtin University, Brand Drive, Bentley, WA, 6102, USA
| | - Fabien Aubret
- Behavioural Ecology Lab., School of Molecular and Life Sciences, Curtin University, Brand Drive, Bentley, WA, 6102, USA
- CNRS, Station d'Écologie Théorique et Expérimentale, UMR 5321 CNRS – Université Paul Sabatier, 09200, Moulis, France
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Mori E, Sala JP, Fattorini N, Menchetti M, Montalvo T, Senar JC. Ectoparasite sharing among native and invasive birds in a metropolitan area. Parasitol Res 2018; 118:399-409. [DOI: 10.1007/s00436-018-6174-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/10/2018] [Accepted: 12/03/2018] [Indexed: 01/25/2023]
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