Horizontal and vertical ectoparasite transmission of three species of Malophaga, and individual variation in european bee-eaters (Merops apiaster)

The Journal of Parasitology
A DarolováC Hoi

Abstract

Dispersal of avian ectoparasites can occur through either vertical transmission from adult birds to their offspring in the nest or through horizontal transmission between adult birds or through phoresy. In this study, we investigated the importance of the 2 main transmission modes in the colonial European bee-eater and examined whether individual differences in ectoparasite intensity exist in relation to age, sex, and morphological features of the birds. The intensity of 3 chewing lice species was investigated. Almost all adult bee-eaters (98.3%, n = 176) were infested with 1 of the 3 ectoparasite species, whereas only 10.8% (n = 167) of all chicks were infested. Meropoecus meropis was the most frequent ectoparasite species on adult bee-eaters (prevalence 94.3%), whereas Meromenopon meropis was the most common species on chicks (prevalence 9.6%). Our results suggest that chewing lice are mainly horizontally transmitted among adult bee-eaters and mainly among pair members, whereas vertical transmission between parents and nestlings is less frequent. These conclusions were supported by a relation in ectoparasite intensity of pair members and a parasite removal experiment. Ectoparasite intensity was in general low in nestlings and...Continue Reading

References

Oct 1, 1976·Canadian Journal of Zoology·E S Eveleigh, W Threlfall
Jan 1, 1990·Neuroscience and Biobehavioral Reviews·B L Hart
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Citations

Nov 26, 2004·The Journal of Parasitology·Noah Kerness Whiteman, Patricia G Parker
Jul 6, 2013·Parasitology Research·M S LeonardiF J Aznar
Apr 12, 2003·Medical and Veterinary Entomology·C CalveteA Estrada
Apr 5, 2013·Evolution; International Journal of Organic Evolution·Zoltán VasLajos Rózsa
Jul 24, 2015·Acta Parasitologica·Fernanda Rodrigues FernandesClaudio José Von Zuben
May 23, 2003·The Journal of Parasitology·Francisco ValeraHerbert Hoi
Jul 2, 2020·Revista brasileira de parasitologia veterinária = Brazilian journal of veterinary parasitology : Órgão Oficial do Colégio Brasileiro de Parasitologia Veterinária·Mabel MenaDaniel González-Acuña
Mar 18, 2020·Parasitology Research·Imre Sándor PirossPéter Fehérvári
Nov 1, 2008·Ecology·Christopher W HarbisonDale H Clayton

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Methods Mentioned

BETA
PCA

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