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Lawson SL, Enos JK, Mendes NC, Gill SA, Hauber ME. Pairing status moderates both the production of and responses to anti‐parasitic referential alarm calls in male yellow warblers. Ethology 2021. [DOI: 10.1111/eth.13139] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Shelby L. Lawson
- Department of Evolution, Ecology, and Behavior School of Biological Sciences University of Illinois at Urbana‐Champaign Urbana IL USA
| | - Janice K. Enos
- Department of Evolution, Ecology, and Behavior School of Biological Sciences University of Illinois at Urbana‐Champaign Urbana IL USA
| | - Niko C. Mendes
- Department of Evolution, Ecology, and Behavior School of Biological Sciences University of Illinois at Urbana‐Champaign Urbana IL USA
| | - Sharon A. Gill
- Department of Biological Sciences Western Michigan University Kalamazoo MI USA
| | - Mark E. Hauber
- Department of Evolution, Ecology, and Behavior School of Biological Sciences University of Illinois at Urbana‐Champaign Urbana IL USA
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Yu J, E M, Sun W, Liang W, Wang H, Møller AP. Differently sized cuckoos pose different threats to hosts. Curr Zool 2019; 66:247-253. [PMID: 32440285 PMCID: PMC7234197 DOI: 10.1093/cz/zoz049] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/10/2019] [Accepted: 10/03/2019] [Indexed: 12/02/2022] Open
Abstract
Hole-nesting tits Parus spp. have been classified as “unsuitable” hosts for cuckoo parasitism because cuckoos cannot enter a cavity if the entrance is too small. However, Chinese tits could reject alien eggs and egg ejection rate increased with the local diversity of parasitic cuckoo species. Antiparasitic behavior among Chinese tits may have evolved due to greater size variation among sympatric cuckoo species. This raises the question of whether differently sized parasitic cuckoos pose different threats to Chinese tits. A green-backed tit Parus monticolus population that is sympatric with Asian emerald cuckoo Chrysococcyx maculatus (eme-cuckoo, small-sized parasite) and common cuckoo Cuculus canorus (com-cuckoo, large-sized parasite), and a cinereous tit P. cinereus population that is only sympatric with com-cuckoo were chosen as study organisms. We observed behavioral response and recorded alarm calls of the 2 tit species to eme-cuckoo, com-cuckoo, chipmunk Tamias sibiricus (a nest predator) and dove Streptopelia orientalis (a harmless control), and subsequently played back alarm calls to conspecific incubating females. In dummy experiments, both tit species performed intense response behavior to chipmunk, but rarely responded strongly to the 3 avian species. In playback experiments, both tit species responded strongly to conspecific chipmunk alarm calls, but rarely responded to dove alarm calls. The intensity of response of incubating female green-backed tits to eme-cuckoo and com-cuckoo alarm calls were similar to that of chipmunk alarm calls, while the intensity to eme-cuckoo alarm calls was higher than the intensity to dove alarm calls which was similar to that of com-cuckoo alarm calls. In contrast, few female cinereous tits responded to eme-cuckoo and com-cuckoo alarm calls. These findings indicated that the threat level of eme-cuckoo was slightly greater than that of com-cuckoo for sympatric green-backed tits, but not for allopatric cinereous tits.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jiangping Yu
- Jilin Engineering Laboratory for Avian Ecology and Conservation Genetics, School of Life Sciences, Northeast Normal University, Changchun 130024, China.,Ministry of Education Key Laboratory of Vegetation Ecology, School of Life Sciences, Northeast Normal University, Changchun 130024, China
| | - Mingju E
- Jilin Provincial Key Laboratory of Animal Resource Conservation and Utilization, School of Life Sciences, Northeast Normal University, Changchun 130024, China
| | - Wei Sun
- Ministry of Education Key Laboratory of Vegetation Ecology, School of Life Sciences, Northeast Normal University, Changchun 130024, China
| | - Wei Liang
- Ministry of Education Key Laboratory for Ecology of Tropical Islands, College of Life Sciences, Hainan Normal University, Haikou 571158, China
| | - Haitao Wang
- Jilin Engineering Laboratory for Avian Ecology and Conservation Genetics, School of Life Sciences, Northeast Normal University, Changchun 130024, China
| | - Anders Pape Møller
- Ecologie Systématique Evolution, Université Paris-Sud, CNRS, AgroParisTech, Université Paris-Saclay, Orsay Cedex F-91405, France.,Ministry of Education Key Laboratory for Biodiversity Science and Ecological Engineering, College of Life Sciences, Beijing Normal University, Beijing 100875, China
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Briskie JV, Sealy SG, Hobson KA. BEHAVIORAL DEFENSES AGAINST AVIAN BROOD PARASITISM IN SYMPATRIC AND ALLOPATRIC HOST POPULATIONS. Evolution 2017; 46:334-340. [DOI: 10.1111/j.1558-5646.1992.tb02041.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 64] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/07/1990] [Accepted: 06/28/1991] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- James V. Briskie
- Department of Biology; Queen's University; Kingston Ontario K7L 3N6 CANADA
| | - Spencer G. Sealy
- Department of Zoology; University of Manitoba; Winnipeg Manitoba R3T 2N2 CANADA
| | - Keith A. Hobson
- Department of Biology; University of Saskatchewan; Saskatoon Saskatchewan S7N 0W0 CANADA
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Grim T. Host Defences Against Brood Parasite Nestlings: Theoretical Expectations and Empirical Evidence. AVIAN BROOD PARASITISM 2017. [DOI: 10.1007/978-3-319-73138-4_29] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
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Shew JJ, van der Merwe J, Schauber EM, Tallitsch BK, Nielsen CK. A classic question revisited in red-winged blackbirds: disentangling confounding hypotheses surrounding parental investment theory and nest defense intensity. Behav Ecol Sociobiol 2016. [DOI: 10.1007/s00265-016-2190-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
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8
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Kuehn MJ, Peer BD, McCleery RA, Rothstein SI. Yellow warbler defenses are retained in the absence of brood parasitism but enhanced by experience with cowbirds. Behav Ecol 2016. [DOI: 10.1093/beheco/arv145] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/14/2022] Open
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Hanley D, Samaš P, Heryán J, Hauber ME, Grim T. Now you see it, now you don't: flushing hosts prior to experimentation can predict their responses to brood parasitism. Sci Rep 2015; 5:9060. [PMID: 25762433 PMCID: PMC4356969 DOI: 10.1038/srep09060] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/10/2014] [Accepted: 02/10/2015] [Indexed: 12/04/2022] Open
Abstract
Brood parasitic birds lay their eggs in other birds' nests, leaving hosts to raise their offspring. To understand parasite-host coevolutionary arms races, many studies have examined host responses to experimentally introduced eggs. However, attending parents often need to be flushed from their nests to add experimental eggs. If these birds witness parasitism events, they may recognize and reject foreign eggs more readily than parents who did not. We found that, after being flushed, female blackbirds, Turdus merula, remained close to their nests. Flushed females were more likely to eject foreign eggs and did so more quickly than females that were not flushed during experimentation. In contrast, flushing did not predict responses and latency to responses to parasitism by song thrush, Turdus philomelos, which flew farther from their nests and likely did not witness experimental parasitism. When statistically considering flushing, previously published conclusions regarding both species' response to experimental parasitism did not change. Nevertheless, we recommend that researchers record and statistically control for whether hosts were flushed prior to experimental parasitism. Our results have broad implications because more vigilant and/or bolder parents can gain more information about parasitism events and therefore have better chances of successfully defending against brood parasitism.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daniel Hanley
- Department of Zoology and Laboratory of Ornithology, Palacký University, 17. listopadu 50, Olomouc 77146, Czech Republic
| | - Peter Samaš
- Department of Zoology and Laboratory of Ornithology, Palacký University, 17. listopadu 50, Olomouc 77146, Czech Republic
| | - Josef Heryán
- Department of Zoology and Laboratory of Ornithology, Palacký University, 17. listopadu 50, Olomouc 77146, Czech Republic
| | - Mark E. Hauber
- Department of Psychology, Hunter College and the Graduate Center, The City University of New York, 695 Park Avenue, New York, New York 10065, United States
| | - Tomáš Grim
- Department of Zoology and Laboratory of Ornithology, Palacký University, 17. listopadu 50, Olomouc 77146, Czech Republic
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Medina I, Langmore NE. The evolution of acceptance and tolerance in hosts of avian brood parasites. Biol Rev Camb Philos Soc 2015; 91:569-77. [PMID: 25765722 DOI: 10.1111/brv.12181] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/28/2014] [Revised: 01/26/2015] [Accepted: 02/12/2015] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
Avian brood parasites lay their eggs in the nests of their hosts, which rear the parasite's progeny. The costs of parasitism have selected for the evolution of defence strategies in many host species. Most research has focused on resistance strategies, where hosts minimize the number of successful parasitism events using defences such as mobbing of adult brood parasites or rejection of parasite eggs. However, many hosts do not exhibit resistance. Here we explore why some hosts accept parasite eggs in their nests and how this is related to the virulence of the parasite. We also explore the extent to which acceptance of parasites can be explained by the evolution of tolerance; a strategy in which the host accepts the parasite but adjusts its life history or other traits to minimize the costs of parasitism. We review examples of tolerance in hosts of brood parasites (such as modifications to clutch size and multi-broodedness), and utilize the literature on host-pathogen interactions and plant herbivory to analyse the prevalence of each type of defence (tolerance or resistance) and their evolution. We conclude that (i) the interactions between brood parasites and their hosts provide a highly tractable system for studying the evolution of tolerance, (ii) studies of host defences against brood parasites should investigate both resistance and tolerance, and (iii) tolerance and resistance can lead to contrasting evolutionary scenarios.
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Affiliation(s)
- Iliana Medina
- Evolution, Ecology and Genetics, Research School of Biology, The Australian National University, Canberra, Australia
| | - Naomi E Langmore
- Evolution, Ecology and Genetics, Research School of Biology, The Australian National University, Canberra, Australia
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Soler M, Pérez-Contreras T, de Neve L. Great Spotted Cuckoos Frequently Lay Their Eggs While Their Magpie Host is Incubating. Ethology 2014. [DOI: 10.1111/eth.12267] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Manuel Soler
- Departamento de Zoología; Facultad de Ciencias; Universidad de Granada; Granada Spain
- Grupo Coevolución; Unidad Asociada al CSIC; Universidad de Granada; Granada Spain
| | - Tomás Pérez-Contreras
- Departamento de Zoología; Facultad de Ciencias; Universidad de Granada; Granada Spain
- Grupo Coevolución; Unidad Asociada al CSIC; Universidad de Granada; Granada Spain
| | - Liesbeth de Neve
- Departamento de Zoología; Facultad de Ciencias; Universidad de Granada; Granada Spain
- Terrestrial Ecology Unit; Department of Biology; Ghent University; Gent Belgium
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Avilés JM, Bootello EM, Molina-Morales M, Martínez JG. The multidimensionality of behavioural defences against brood parasites: evidence for a behavioural syndrome in magpies? Behav Ecol Sociobiol 2014. [DOI: 10.1007/s00265-014-1739-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
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Gloag R, Fiorini VD, Reboreda JC, Kacelnik A. The wages of violence: mobbing by mockingbirds as a frontline defence against brood-parasitic cowbirds. Anim Behav 2013. [DOI: 10.1016/j.anbehav.2013.09.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 57] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
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Rock C, Quinlan S, Martin M, Green D. Age-dependent costs of cowbird parasitism in Yellow Warblers ( Setophaga petechia). CAN J ZOOL 2013. [DOI: 10.1139/cjz-2013-0014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
Brood parasitism by Brown-headed Cowbirds (Molothrus ater (Boddaert, 1783)) often reduces the reproductive success of their hosts. We examined whether the ability of females to avoid or mitigate the costs of brood parasitism improved with age in a population of Yellow Warblers (Setophaga petechia (L., 1766)) breeding near Revelstoke, British Columbia, between 2004 and 2011. Cowbirds parasitized 18% of Yellow Warbler nesting attempts and females rejected 24% of parasitized nests, principally by deserting the nest and initiating a new breeding attempt. We found no evidence that older females were better at avoiding parasitism or more likely to reject parasitized nests than yearlings. On average, brood parasitism reduced clutch sizes by 0.8 eggs, had no effect on nest success, but reduced the number of young fledged from successful nests by 1.3 offspring. Despite age-related improvement in some measures of breeding performance, the costs of brood parasitism at each period of the breeding cycle did not vary with age. There was, however, some evidence, that brood parasitism reduced the annual productivity (total number of young fledged) of older females less than the annual productivity of yearlings suggesting that the cumulative costs of brood parasitism varied with age.
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Affiliation(s)
- C.A. Rock
- Centre for Wildlife Ecology, Department of Biological Sciences, Simon Fraser University, 8888 University Drive, Burnaby, BC V5A 1S6, Canada
| | - S.P. Quinlan
- Centre for Wildlife Ecology, Department of Biological Sciences, Simon Fraser University, 8888 University Drive, Burnaby, BC V5A 1S6, Canada
| | - M. Martin
- Centre for Wildlife Ecology, Department of Biological Sciences, Simon Fraser University, 8888 University Drive, Burnaby, BC V5A 1S6, Canada
| | - D.J. Green
- Centre for Wildlife Ecology, Department of Biological Sciences, Simon Fraser University, 8888 University Drive, Burnaby, BC V5A 1S6, Canada
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Kleindorfer S, Evans C, Colombelli-Négrel D, Robertson J, Griggio M, Hoi H. Host response to cuckoo song is predicted by the future risk of brood parasitism. Front Zool 2013; 10:30. [PMID: 23692969 PMCID: PMC3666891 DOI: 10.1186/1742-9994-10-30] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/11/2012] [Accepted: 05/14/2013] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
Introduction Risk assessment occurs over different temporal and spatial scales and is selected for when individuals show an adaptive response to a threat. Here, we test if birds respond to the threat of brood parasitism using the acoustical cues of brood parasites in the absence of visual stimuli. We broadcast the playback of song of three brood parasites (Chalcites cuckoo species) and a sympatric non-parasite (striated thornbill, Acanthiza lineata) in the territories of superb fairy-wrens (Malurus cyaneus) during the peak breeding period and opportunistic breeding period. The three cuckoo species differ in brood parasite prevalence and the probability of detection by the host, which we used to rank the risk of parasitism (high risk, moderate risk, low risk). Results Host birds showed the strongest response to the threat of cuckoo parasitism in accordance with the risk of parasitism. Resident wrens had many alarm calls and close and rapid approach to the playback speaker that was broadcasting song of the high risk brood parasite (Horsfield’s bronze-cuckoo, C. basalis) across the year (peak and opportunistic breeding period), some response to the moderate risk brood parasite (shining bronze-cuckoo, C. lucidus) during the peak breeding period, and the weakest response to the low risk brood parasite (little bronze-cuckoo, C. minutillus). Playback of the familiar control stimulus in wren territories evoked the least response. Conclusion Host response to the threat of cuckoo parasitism was assessed using vocal cues of the cuckoo and was predicted by the risk of future parasitism.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sonia Kleindorfer
- School of Biological Sciences, Flinders University, Adelaide, 5042, South Australia.
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Gill SA, Bierema AMK. On the Meaning of Alarm Calls: A Review of Functional Reference in Avian Alarm Calling. Ethology 2013. [DOI: 10.1111/eth.12097] [Citation(s) in RCA: 94] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Sharon A. Gill
- Department of Biological Sciences; Western Michigan University; Kalamazoo; MI; USA
| | - Andrea M.-K. Bierema
- The Mallinson Institute for Science Education; Western Michigan University; Kalamazoo; MI; USA
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Learned recognition of brood parasitic cuckoos in the superb fairy-wren Malurus cyaneus. Behav Ecol 2012. [DOI: 10.1093/beheco/ars033] [Citation(s) in RCA: 53] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/14/2022] Open
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Rands SA. Mobbing and sitting tight at the nest as methods of avoiding brood parasitism. Interface Focus 2012; 2:217-25. [PMID: 23565334 DOI: 10.1098/rsfs.2011.0080] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/28/2011] [Accepted: 12/20/2011] [Indexed: 11/12/2022] Open
Abstract
The arms race between brood parasites and their hosts has led to many different host behaviours for avoiding parasitism. Some of these behaviours are social, and require the presence of conspecifics to work effectively: in response to alarm calls, some species engage in mobbing behaviour where neighbours join nest tenants in attacking and repelling an invading brood parasite. There are risks involved for the neighbours, but it has been demonstrated that social mobbing allows individuals to learn about the presence of brood parasites in the environment, suggesting that social learning is occurring. Here, I consider whether using social signals to alert naive individuals to the presence of brood parasites is a suitable strategy, compared with sitting tight on the nest in response to the signal (which should reduce the chances of being parasitized). I also compare the efficiency of these strategies with the case where individuals fail to change behaviour in response a brood parasite. Using an individual-based simulation model, I demonstrate that both mobbing and sitting tight are effective strategies in response to a signal, and that mobbing is more effective when the chances of being parasitized increase. These results are discussed and compared with known host-brood parasite relationships.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sean A Rands
- Centre for Behavioural Biology, School of Veterinary Science , University of Bristol , Langford, Bristol BS40 5DU , UK
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21
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Campobello D, Sealy SG. Nest defence against avian brood parasites is promoted by egg-removal events in a cowbird–host system. Anim Behav 2011. [DOI: 10.1016/j.anbehav.2011.07.028] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/17/2022]
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Aggression towards egg-removing cowbird elicits clutch abandonment in parasitized yellow warblers, Dendroica petechia. Anim Behav 2011. [DOI: 10.1016/j.anbehav.2010.10.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 35] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
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Bazin RC, Sealy SG. Experiments on the Responses of a Rejector Species to Threats of Predation and Cowbird Parasitism. Ethology 2010. [DOI: 10.1111/j.1439-0310.1993.tb00449.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
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Gill SA, Grieef PM, Staib LM, Sealy SG. Does Nest Defence Deter or Facilitate Cowbird Parasitism? A Test of the Nesting-cue Hypothesis. Ethology 2010. [DOI: 10.1111/j.1439-0310.1997.tb00007.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 42] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
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Campobello D, Sealy SG. Enemy Recognition of Reed Warblers (Acrocephalus scirpaceus): Threats and Reproductive Value Act Independently in Nest Defence Modulation. Ethology 2010. [DOI: 10.1111/j.1439-0310.2010.01764.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 50] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
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Langmore NE, Cockburn A, Russell AF, Kilner RM. Flexible cuckoo chick-rejection rules in the superb fairy-wren. Behav Ecol 2009. [DOI: 10.1093/beheco/arp086] [Citation(s) in RCA: 73] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
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Pozgayová M, Procházka P, Honza M. Sex-specific defence behaviour against brood parasitism in a host with female-only incubation. Behav Processes 2008; 81:34-8. [PMID: 19154783 DOI: 10.1016/j.beproc.2008.12.019] [Citation(s) in RCA: 51] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/15/2008] [Revised: 12/19/2008] [Accepted: 12/21/2008] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
Nest protection against intruders is an indispensable component of avian parental care. In species with biparental care, both mates should evolve nest defence behaviour to increase their reproductive success. In most host-parasite systems, host females are predicted to have more important roles in nest defence against brood parasites, because they typically are primarily responsible for clutch incubation. Male antiparasitic behaviour, on the other hand, is often underestimated or even not considered at all. Here we investigated sex-specific roles in four aspects of great reed warbler (Acrocephalus arundinaceus) nest defence against a brood parasite-the cuckoo (Cuculus canorus), namely (1) mobbing, (2) nest attendance/guarding, (3) nest checking and (4) egg ejection. Using dummy experiments, simulating brood parasitism and by video-monitoring of host nests we found that males took the key roles in cuckoo mobbing and nest guarding, while females were responsible for nest checking and egg ejection behaviours. Such partitioning of parental roles may provide a comprehensive clutch protection against brood parasitism.
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Affiliation(s)
- Milica Pozgayová
- Institute of Vertebrate Biology, Academy of Sciences of the Czech Republic, Brno, Czech Republic.
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De Mársico MC, Reboreda JC. Differential reproductive success favours strong host preference in a highly specialized brood parasite. Proc Biol Sci 2008; 275:2499-506. [PMID: 18647716 PMCID: PMC2603199 DOI: 10.1098/rspb.2008.0700] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Obligate avian brood parasites show dramatic variation in the degree to which they are host specialists or host generalists. The screaming cowbird Molothrus rufoaxillaris is one of the most specialized brood parasites, using a single host, the bay-winged cowbird (Agelaioides badius) over most of its range. Coevolutionary theory predicts increasing host specificity the longer the parasite interacts with a particular avian community, as hosts evolve defences that the parasite cannot counteract. According to this view, host specificity can be maintained if screaming cowbirds avoid parasitizing potentially suitable hosts that have developed effective defences against parasitic females or eggs. Specialization may also be favoured, even in the absence of host defences, if the parasite's reproductive success in alternative hosts is lower than that in the main host. We experimentally tested these hypotheses using as alternative hosts two suitable but unparasitized species: house wrens (Troglodytes aedon) and chalk-browed mockingbirds (Mimus saturninus). We assessed host defences against parasitic females and eggs, and reproductive success of the parasite in current and alternative hosts. Alternative hosts did not discriminate against screaming cowbird females or eggs. Egg survival and hatching success were similarly high in current and alternative hosts, but the survival of parasitic chicks was significantly lower in alternative hosts. Our results indicate that screaming cowbirds have the potential to colonize novel hosts, but higher reproductive success in the current host may favour host fidelity.
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Affiliation(s)
- María C De Mársico
- Departamento de Ecología, Genética y Evolución, Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales, Universidad de Buenos Aires, Pabellón II Ciudad Universitaria, C1428EGA Buenos Aires, Argentina.
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Gill SA, Neudorf DLH, Sealy SG. Do Hosts Discriminate between Sexually Dichromatic Male and Female Brown-headed Cowbirds? Ethology 2008. [DOI: 10.1111/j.1439-0310.2008.01501.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
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31
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Grim T. Host Recognition of Brood Parasites: Implications for Methodology in Studies of Enemy Recognition. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2005. [DOI: 10.1093/auk/122.2.530] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/13/2022]
Abstract
AbstractVarious studies have shown that experiments on nest defense and enemy recognition (e.g. recognition of adult brood parasites) can be confounded by many factors. However, no study has described a confounding effect of control dummy type. Here, I show experimentally that the choice of control dummy may influence the results of an experiment and lead to erroneous conclusions. I tested recognition abilities of the Blackcap (Sylvia atricapilla), currently a host rarely used by the Common Cuckoo (Cuculus canorus). Blackcaps responded very differently to two kinds of control dummies: they ignored the Eurasian Blackbird (Turdus merula) dummy, but attacked the Rock Pigeon (Columba livia) dummy as frequently as they attacked the Common Cuckoo. The differing results may be explained by the fact that the Rock Pigeon is more similar to the Common Cuckoo than the Eurasian Blackbird is, and consequently elicited more aggressive behavior than the latter. Thus, absence of discrimination in enemy-recognition studies may reflect a methodological artifact resulting from varying abilities of particular hosts to discriminate along a continuum of recognition cues. This result has serious methodological implications for further research on enemy recognition and aggression in general: a control dummy should not be too similar to the dummy brood parasite; otherwise, the chance of detecting existing recognition abilities is low. Further, I argue that coevolution only increases pre-existing aggression in the particular host species. Therefore, increment analysis (assessing changes in host antiparasitic responses during the nesting cycle while controlling for background aggression to control dummies) provides a more accurate picture of hosts' recognition abilities than the traditional approach (when the total level of antiparasitic response is analyzed).
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Affiliation(s)
- Tomáš Grim
- Department of Zoology, Palacký University, tř. Svobody 26, CZ-771 46 Olomouc, Czech Republic
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Peer BD, Rothstein SI, Kuehn MJ, Fleischer RC. Host Defenses against Cowbird (Molothrus spp.) Parasitism: Implications for Cowbird Management. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2005. [DOI: 10.2307/40166816] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/10/2022]
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Gill SA, Sealy SG. Tests of two functions of alarm calls given by yellow warblers during nest defence. CAN J ZOOL 2003. [DOI: 10.1139/z03-162] [Citation(s) in RCA: 37] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
During nest defence, yellow warblers (Dendroica petechia) give "seet" and "chip" calls. Seet calls are given preferentially toward brood parasitic brown-headed cowbirds (Molothrus ater) during the yellow warblers' egg-laying period, whereas chip calls are given toward mammalian and avian nest predators throughout the nesting period. In this study, we investigated two possible functions of seet and chip calls during nest defence by playing alarm calls to nesting yellow warblers. We tested whether nest owners give seet and chip calls during defence to alert their offspring and their mates about nest threats and, in the latter case, whether the alarm calls differ in function depending on nesting stage. In response to playbacks, nestlings remained inactive for a significantly longer period when chip calls were played than when seet calls were played. Female yellow warblers returned to their nesting areas more quickly when seet calls were played than when chip calls were played, but pairs were equally likely to return to the nesting area in response to both call types. These findings suggests that both seet and chip calls alert mates but that only chip calls function to alert nestlings of potential danger.
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Tewksbury JJ, Martin TE, Hejl SJ, Kuehn MJ, Jenkins JW. Parental care of a cowbird host: caught between the costs of egg-removal and nest predation. Proc Biol Sci 2002; 269:423-9. [PMID: 11886632 PMCID: PMC1690900 DOI: 10.1098/rspb.2001.1894] [Citation(s) in RCA: 45] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Avian brood parasites reduce host fitness through the addition of parasitic eggs and the removal of host eggs. Both parasitic egg-addition and host egg-removal may be important sources of selection on host behaviour, creating fitness trade-offs with selection imposed by nest predation. However, the relative costs hosts suffer from egg-addition and host egg-removal and the responses to these costs are largely unstudied. Through experimental manipulations and observations, we demonstrate that increased nest attentiveness by female yellow warblers (Dendroica petechia) reduces the cost of brood parasitism by reducing egg-removal by brown-headed cowbirds (Molothrus ater). However, female attentiveness does not reduce the addition of parasitic eggs. Experimentally parasitized females respond to the threat of egg-removal by increasing nest attentiveness. Increased attentiveness, however, reduces time for females to gather food and requires males to visit the nest more often to feed incubating females. This increased activity in turn increases the risk of nest predation. Thus, brood parasitism (specifically egg-removal) and nest predation produce conflicting selection on incubation strategies, as parasitized hosts are caught between the costs of egg-removal by brood parasites, and the costs of increased nest predation if the female spends more time on the nest to reduce egg-removal.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joshua J Tewksbury
- Montana Cooperative Wildlife Research Unit, Avian Studies Program, University of Montana, Missoula, MT 59812, USA.
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Teather K, Cronin S. The response of yellow warblers to brown-headed cowbird models in Prince Edward Island. CAN J ZOOL 2000. [DOI: 10.1139/z99-261] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
The negative impact of brown-headed cowbird parasitism (Molothrus ater) on the reproductive success of many songbirds has led to the evolution of host defensive behaviours that may reduce the chance of being parasitized. Populations of songbirds that have only recently experienced cowbird parasitism, however, may have had insufficient time to develop such behaviours. We examined the response of nesting yellow warblers (Dendroica petechia), a host species, to cowbird models on Prince Edward Island, where cowbirds have been present for less than 50 years. Yellow warblers gave more alarm calls and remained closer to their nests when presented with a cowbird model than when presented with a model of a white-throated sparrow (Zonotrichia albicollis), a nonthreatening local species. Our results suggest that yellow warblers recognize brown-headed cowbirds as greater threats to their nests and respond in a way that is similar to other populations which have been exposed to cowbirds for a much longer period of time.
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Gill SA, Neudorf DL, Sealy SG. Host responses to cowbirds near the nest: cues for recognition. Anim Behav 1997; 53:1287-93. [PMID: 9236024 DOI: 10.1006/anbe.1996.0362] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/04/2023]
Abstract
Two cues (bill shape and vocalizations) that yellow warblers, Dendroica petechiamay use to recognize brown-headed cowbirds, Molothrus aterwere examined experimentally. Female yellow warblers responded more intensely to a control cowbird than one with a longer, thinner bill, which suggests that bill shape was an important cue in recognition. Responses involved close approaches, 'seet' alarm calls and sitting in the nest. Female yellow warblers distinguished between vocalizations of male and female cowbirds and those of a song sparrow, Melospiza melodia (control). They responded most intensely to female cowbird 'chatter calls' and least intensely to the sparrow song; responses to male cowbird 'perched song' were intermediate in intensity. The results suggest that female yellow warblers recognize cowbirds on the basis of bill shape and vocalizations. Furthermore, these results, coupled with previous findings, suggest that female yellow warblers distinguish between male and female cowbirds by vocalizations but not appearance.
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Affiliation(s)
- SA Gill
- Department of Zoology, University of Manitoba
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Differential parasitism of least flycatchers and yellow warblers by the brown-headed cowbird. Behav Ecol Sociobiol 1990. [DOI: 10.1007/bf00164066] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/26/2022]
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Hobson KA, Sealy SG. Breeding-season aggression of female yellow warblers to models of male and female conspecific intruders. Anim Behav 1990. [DOI: 10.1016/s0003-3472(05)80397-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/24/2022]
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