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Diez-Méndez D, Bodawatta KH, Freiberga I, Klečková I, Jønsson KA, Poulsen M, Sam K. Indirect maternal effects via nest microbiome composition drive gut colonization in altricial chicks. Mol Ecol 2023. [PMID: 37096441 DOI: 10.1111/mec.16959] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/26/2022] [Revised: 04/07/2023] [Accepted: 04/12/2023] [Indexed: 04/26/2023]
Abstract
Gut microbial communities are complex and heterogeneous and play critical roles for animal hosts. Early-life disruptions to microbiome establishment can negatively impact host fitness and development. However, the consequences of such early-life disruptions remain unknown in wild birds. To help fill this gap, we investigated the effect of continuous early-life gut microbiome disruptions on the establishment and development of gut communities in wild Great tit (Parus major) and Blue tit (Cyanistes caeruleus) nestlings by applying antibiotics and probiotics. Treatment neither affected nestling growth nor their gut microbiome composition. Independent of treatment, nestling gut microbiomes of both species grouped by brood, which shared the highest numbers of bacterial taxa with both nest environment and their mother. Although fathers showed different gut communities than their nestlings and nests, they still contributed to structuring chick microbiomes. Lastly, we observed that the distance between nests increased inter-brood microbiome dissimilarity, but only in Great tits, indicating that species-specific foraging behaviour and/or microhabitat influence gut microbiomes. Overall, the strong maternal effect, driven by continuous recolonization from the nest environment and vertical transfer of microbes during feeding, appears to provide resilience towards early-life disruptions in nestling gut microbiomes.
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Affiliation(s)
- David Diez-Méndez
- Biology Centre of the Czech Academy of Sciences, Institute of Entomology, České Budějovice, Czech Republic
| | - Kasun H Bodawatta
- Natural History Museum of Denmark, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
- Molecular Ecology and Evolution, Globe Institute, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Inga Freiberga
- Biology Centre of the Czech Academy of Sciences, Institute of Entomology, České Budějovice, Czech Republic
| | - Irena Klečková
- Biology Centre of the Czech Academy of Sciences, Institute of Entomology, České Budějovice, Czech Republic
| | - Knud A Jønsson
- Natural History Museum of Denmark, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Michael Poulsen
- Section for Ecology and Evolution, Department of Biology, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Katerina Sam
- Biology Centre of the Czech Academy of Sciences, Institute of Entomology, České Budějovice, Czech Republic
- Faculty of Science, University of South Bohemia, České Budějovice, Czech Republic
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2
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Briggs KB, Deeming DC, Mainwaring MC. Plastic is a widely used and selectively chosen nesting material for pied flycatchers (Ficedula hypoleuca) in rural woodland habitats. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2023; 854:158660. [PMID: 36089011 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2022.158660] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/25/2022] [Revised: 09/05/2022] [Accepted: 09/06/2022] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
There is increasing concern about the burgeoning effects of discarded plastic on the earth's biodiversity. Quantifying the presence of plastic and other anthropogenic waste in the environment can be logistically and financially challenging, although it is possible that bird' nests can be used as bioindicators. Many birds in heavily modified terrestrial ecoystems, such as urban environments, incorporate plastic and other anthropogenic materials into their nests but our understanding of the presence of discarded plastic in nests in rural woodlands remains poor. Here, we show that plastic and other anthropogenic materials were present in 35 % of 325 pied flycatcher (Ficedula hypoleuca) nests from 17 rural woodlands throughout Great Britain, although the woodlands did vary in the amount of material incorporated into nests. Then, in an experimental test at one study site, where flycatchers were provided with a choice of two types of natural and two types of anthropogenic nest materials, they preferentially selected one natural and one anthropogenic material. In another test, the flycatchers were provided with plastic of four colours and overwhelmingly selected white and avoided orange, blue and yellow plastic. Although the flycatcher's selectivity for certain material types and colours preclude their nests being a reliable indicator of plastic in the environment, our study nonetheless demonstrates that bird species incorporate anthropogenic materials, such as plastic, into their nests in rural woodlands.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - D Charles Deeming
- Joseph Banks Laboratories, School of Life and Environmental Sciences, University of Lincoln, Lincoln LN6 7DL, UK
| | - Mark C Mainwaring
- Division of Biological Sciences, University of Montana, Missoula, MT 59812, USA.
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3
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Jagiello Z, Corsini M, Dylewski Ł, Ibáñez-Álamo JD, Szulkin M. The extended avian urban phenotype: anthropogenic solid waste pollution, nest design, and fitness. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2022; 838:156034. [PMID: 35595141 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2022.156034] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/26/2022] [Revised: 05/12/2022] [Accepted: 05/14/2022] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
Solid waste pollution (garbage discarded by humans, such as plastic, metal, paper) has received increased attention given its importance as a global threat to biodiversity. Recent studies highlight how animals incorporate anthropogenic materials into their life-cycle, for example in avian nest construction. While increasingly monitored in natural areas, the influence of solid waste pollution on wildlife has been seldom explored in the urban habitat. There is limited data on the relationship between anthropogenic solid waste pollution, nest design, and reproductive success in an urban context. We address this knowledge gap (i) by investigating the presence of environmental solid waste pollution in the breeding habitats of great tits Parus major and blue tits Cyanistes caeruleus reproducing in a gradient of urbanisation, and (ii) by quantifying (ii) the contribution of different anthropogenic materials in their nests. We further examine potential drivers of solid waste pollution by inferring three distinct properties of the urban space: environmental solid waste pollution on the ground, human presence, and the intensity of urbanisation (e.g impervious surfaces) in nestbox vicinity. Finally, (iii) we explore the relationship between anthropogenic nest materials and reproductive success. We found that environmental solid waste pollution was positively associated with human presence and urbanisation intensity. There was also a positive relationship between increased human presence and the amount of anthropogenic materials in great tit nests. Interestingly, in both species, anthropogenic nest materials covaried negatively with nest materials of animal origin (fur and feathers). We suggest that fur and feathers - key insulating materials in nest design - may be scarcer in areas with high levels of human presence, and are consequently replaced with anthropogenic nest materials. Finally, we report a negative relationship between anthropogenic nest materials and blue tit reproductive success, suggesting species-specific vulnerability of urban birds to solid waste pollution.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zuzanna Jagiello
- Department of Zoology, Poznań University of Life Sciences, ul. Wojska Polskiego 71C, 60-625 Poznań, Poland; Department of Zoology, Faculty of Sciences, University of Granada, 18071 Granada, Spain.
| | - Michela Corsini
- Centre of New Technologies, University of Warsaw, ul. Banacha 2c, 02-097 Warsaw, Poland; Cornell Lab of Ornithology, 159 Sapsucker Woods Road, Ithaca, 14850, NY, USA
| | - Łukasz Dylewski
- Department of Zoology, Poznań University of Life Sciences, ul. Wojska Polskiego 71C, 60-625 Poznań, Poland
| | | | - Marta Szulkin
- Centre of New Technologies, University of Warsaw, ul. Banacha 2c, 02-097 Warsaw, Poland
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Trappes R, Nematipour B, Kaiser MI, Krohs U, van Benthem KJ, Ernst UR, Gadau J, Korsten P, Kurtz J, Schielzeth H, Schmoll T, Takola E. OUP accepted manuscript. Bioscience 2022; 72:538-548. [PMID: 35677293 PMCID: PMC9169896 DOI: 10.1093/biosci/biac023] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Organisms interact with their environments in various ways. We present a conceptual framework that distinguishes three mechanisms of organism–environment interaction. We call these NC3 mechanisms: niche construction, in which individuals make changes to the environment; niche choice, in which individuals select an environment; and niche conformance, in which individuals adjust their phenotypes in response to the environment. Each of these individual-level mechanisms affects an individual's phenotype–environment match, its fitness, and its individualized niche, defined in terms of the environmental conditions under which the individual can survive and reproduce. Our framework identifies how individuals alter the selective regimes that they and other organisms experience. It also places clear emphasis on individual differences and construes niche construction and other processes as evolved mechanisms. The NC3 mechanism framework therefore helps to integrate population-level and individual-level research.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Behzad Nematipour
- Center for Philosophy of Science, University of Münster, Münster, Germany
| | - Marie I Kaiser
- Department of Philosophy, Bielefeld University, Bielefeld, Germany
| | - Ulrich Krohs
- Department of Philosophy, University of Münster, Münster, Germany
| | - Koen J van Benthem
- Department of Theoretical Biology, Bielefeld University, Bielefeld, Germany, and with the Groningen Institute for Evolutionary Life Sciences, University of Groningen, Groningen, The Netherlands
| | - Ulrich R Ernst
- Universität Hohenheim, Apicultural State Institute (Landesanstalt für Bienenkunde), Stuttgart, Germany
- Institute for Evolution and Biodiversity, University of Münster, in Münster, Germany
| | - Jürgen Gadau
- Institute for Evolution and Biodiversity, University of Münster, in Münster, Germany
| | - Peter Korsten
- Department of Animal Behaviour, Bielefeld University, Bielefeld, Germany
| | - Joachim Kurtz
- Institute for Evolution and Biodiversity, University of Münster, Münster, Germany
| | - Holger Schielzeth
- Population Ecology Group, Institute of Ecology and Evolution, Friedrich Schiller University Jena, Jena, Germany
| | - Tim Schmoll
- Department of Evolutionary Biology, Bielefeld University, Bielefeld, Germany
| | - Elina Takola
- Population Ecology Group, Institute of Ecology and Evolution, Friedrich Schiller University Jena, Jena, Germany
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Slagsvold T, Wiebe KL. Nest decoration: birds exploit a fear of feathers to guard their nest from usurpation. ROYAL SOCIETY OPEN SCIENCE 2021; 8:211579. [PMID: 34804584 PMCID: PMC8596015 DOI: 10.1098/rsos.211579] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/04/2021] [Accepted: 10/15/2021] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
Many species of birds incorporate feathers into their nest as structural support and to insulate the eggs or offspring. Here, we investigated the novel idea that birds reduce the risk of nest usurpation by decorating it with feathers to trigger a fear response in their rivals. We let prospecting birds choose between a dyad of nest-boxes in the wild, both containing some nest materials, but where one had a few white feathers and the other had none. All three species of cavity-nesting birds studied, the pied flycatcher Ficedula hypoleuca, the blue tit Cyanistes caeruleus, and the tree swallow Tachycineta bicolor, hesitated to enter boxes with white feathers. A similar avoidance of white feathers was found when the alternative nest-box of a dyad held black feathers. However, the birds readily collected white feathers that we placed in front of their nest-box, showing the fear of such feathers was context-dependent. We suggest that naive prospecting birds may perceive feathers in nests as the result of a predation event, and that owners decorate nests with bright feathers that can be seen from the opening to deter others from entering.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tore Slagsvold
- Centre for Ecological and Evolutionary Synthesis (CEES), Department of Biosciences, University of Oslo, Oslo 0316, Norway
| | - Karen L. Wiebe
- Department of Biology, University of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon, Canada
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Glądalski M, Wolski GJ, Bańbura M, Kaliński A, Markowski M, Skwarska J, Wawrzyniak J, Bańbura J. Differences in use of bryophyte species in tit nests between two contrasting habitats: an urban park and a forest. THE EUROPEAN ZOOLOGICAL JOURNAL 2021. [DOI: 10.1080/24750263.2021.1947397] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/20/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- M. Glądalski
- Department of Experimental Zoology and Evolutionary Biology, Faculty of Biology and Environmental Protection, University of Łódź, Łódź, Poland
| | - G. J. Wolski
- Department of Geobotany and Plant Ecology, Faculty of Biology and Environmental Protection, University of Łódź, Łódź, Poland
| | - M. Bańbura
- Museum of Natural History, Faculty of Biology and Environmental Protection, University of Łódź, Łódź, Poland
| | - A. Kaliński
- Department of Experimental Zoology and Evolutionary Biology, Faculty of Biology and Environmental Protection, University of Łódź, Łódź, Poland
| | - M. Markowski
- Department of Experimental Zoology and Evolutionary Biology, Faculty of Biology and Environmental Protection, University of Łódź, Łódź, Poland
| | - J. Skwarska
- Department of Experimental Zoology and Evolutionary Biology, Faculty of Biology and Environmental Protection, University of Łódź, Łódź, Poland
| | - J. Wawrzyniak
- Department of Experimental Zoology and Evolutionary Biology, Faculty of Biology and Environmental Protection, University of Łódź, Łódź, Poland
| | - J. Bańbura
- Department of Experimental Zoology and Evolutionary Biology, Faculty of Biology and Environmental Protection, University of Łódź, Łódź, Poland
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8
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Castaño-Vázquez F, Merino S, Cuezva S, Sánchez-Moral S. Nest Gasses as a Potential Attraction Cue for Biting Flying Insects and Other Ectoparasites of Cavity Nesting Birds. Front Ecol Evol 2020. [DOI: 10.3389/fevo.2020.00258] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
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Glądalski M, Bańbura M, Kaliński A, Markowski M, Skwarska J, Wawrzyniak J, Zieliński P, Bańbura J. Consequences of experimental addition of fresh, aromatic plants into nests of blue tits (Cyanistes caeruleus) on the physiological condition of nestlings. Behav Ecol Sociobiol 2020. [DOI: 10.1007/s00265-020-2812-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/25/2022]
Abstract
Abstract
The blue tit (Cyanistes caeruleus) is one of a few known passerine birds that incorporate fresh fragments of aromatic plants in their nest during the nesting period. In this study, we experimentally tested whether aromatic plants in blue tit nests affect physiological condition of nestlings as indicated by hemoglobin and glucose in the blood. Nestlings in nests supplemented with fresh, aromatic plants had elevated blood hemoglobin, and therefore improved physiological condition, as compared with control nestlings. There was no difference between nestlings in two contrasting habitats (urban parkland and forest). Although mean levels of blood glucose did not differ between treatment and control nestlings, the blood of forest nestlings contained more glucose than the blood of parkland nestlings, which indicates poorer health for forest nestlings. In general, knowledge of the effects of incorporating fresh green, aromatic plant material into avian nests on physiological condition of nestlings is still fragmentary and more experimental studies are needed.
Significance statement
The blue tit is one of a few known passerine birds that incorporate fresh fragments of aromatic plants in their nest during the nesting period. Little is known about the impact of this material on nestling body condition, and there is a need to understand this behavior and its effects. We tested whether nestlings in nests supplemented with fresh, aromatic plants improved their physiological condition in comparison with control nestlings. The experiment showed that nestlings from supplemented nests improved their physiological condition by exhibiting elevated hemoglobin.
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Glądalski M, Kaliński A, Wawrzyniak J, Bańbura M, Markowski M, Skwarska J, Bańbura J. Physiological condition of nestling great tits Parus major in response to experimental reduction in nest micro- and macro-parasites. CONSERVATION PHYSIOLOGY 2018; 6:coy062. [PMID: 30483402 PMCID: PMC6249426 DOI: 10.1093/conphys/coy062] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/20/2018] [Revised: 10/04/2018] [Accepted: 10/31/2018] [Indexed: 05/09/2023]
Abstract
Most passerines use nests as the exclusive place to lay and incubate eggs and bring nestlings up to fledging. Nests of secondary cavity nesters, like tits, provide a moist, warm and protected habitat for reproduction of blood parasites. Offspring fitness depends on interactions between parental care and environmental constraints. Life-history theory suggests that macro- and micro-parasites may generate selection pressures by affecting host health. In the present study, we replaced natural great tit Parus major nests in two, structurally and floristically contrasting sites (an urban parkland and a rich deciduous forest, located 10 km apart in Łódź, central Poland), with fresh, sterilized, artificial moss-cotton wool nests, twice, on the fifth and tenth day of nestlings life. We then examined haematological condition indicators (haemoglobin and glucose concentrations) of about 14-day-old nestlings. Nestlings that were developing in treated nests improved their health status in comparison with control nestlings. The mean haemoglobin and glucose concentrations (treated and control) also varied between both study areas. Our study confirms that the level of haemoglobin and especially the level of glucose may be treated as reliable indicator of environmental characteristics in great tits.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michał Glądalski
- Department of Experimental Zoology and Evolutionary Biology, Faculty of Biology and Environmental Protection, University of Łódź, Banacha 12/16, 90-237 Łódź, Poland
- Corresponding author: Michał Glądalski. Tel: +48 42 635 44 90.
| | - Adam Kaliński
- Department of Experimental Zoology and Evolutionary Biology, Faculty of Biology and Environmental Protection, University of Łódź, Banacha 12/16, 90-237 Łódź, Poland
| | - Jarosław Wawrzyniak
- Department of Experimental Zoology and Evolutionary Biology, Faculty of Biology and Environmental Protection, University of Łódź, Banacha 12/16, 90-237 Łódź, Poland
| | - Mirosława Bańbura
- Museum of Natural History, Faculty of Biology and Environmental Protection, University of Łódź, Kilińskiego 101, 90-011 Łódź, Poland
| | - Marcin Markowski
- Department of Experimental Zoology and Evolutionary Biology, Faculty of Biology and Environmental Protection, University of Łódź, Banacha 12/16, 90-237 Łódź, Poland
| | - Joanna Skwarska
- Department of Experimental Zoology and Evolutionary Biology, Faculty of Biology and Environmental Protection, University of Łódź, Banacha 12/16, 90-237 Łódź, Poland
| | - Jerzy Bańbura
- Department of Experimental Zoology and Evolutionary Biology, Faculty of Biology and Environmental Protection, University of Łódź, Banacha 12/16, 90-237 Łódź, Poland
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