Micro-evolutionary change and population dynamics of a brood parasite and its primary host: the intermittent arms race hypothesis

Oecologia ◽  
1998 ◽  
Vol 117 (3) ◽  
pp. 381-390 ◽  
Author(s):  
Manuel Soler ◽  
Juan J. Soler ◽  
Juan G. Martinez ◽  
Tomás Pérez-Contreras ◽  
Anders P. Møller
Keyword(s):  
Population Dynamics ◽  
Evolutionary Change ◽  
Arms Race ◽  
Brood Parasite ◽  
Primary Host

scholarly journals The ghosts of parasitism past: lingering frontline anti-brood parasite defences in a former host

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Matthew H J Chaumont ◽  
Naomi E Langmore ◽  
Justin A Welbergen
Keyword(s):  
Brood Parasitism ◽  
Species Interactions ◽  
Egg Laying ◽  
Arms Race ◽  
Fine Tuning ◽  
Brood Parasite ◽  
Reed Warbler ◽  
Arms Races ◽  
Brood Parasites ◽  
Defensive Behaviors

Abstract Coevolutionary arms races between brood parasites and hosts provide tractable systems for understanding antagonistic coevolution in nature; however, little is known about the fate of frontline antiparasite defences when the host ‘wins’ the coevolutionary arms race. By recreating bygone species-interactions, using artificial parasitism experiments, lingering defensive behaviors that evolved in the context of parasitism can be understood and may even be used to identify the unknown agent of parasitism past. Here we present the first study of this type by evaluating lingering “frontline” nest defences that have evolved to prevent egg laying in a former brood parasite host. The Australian reed warbler Acrocephalus australis, is currently not parasitized but is known to exhibit fine-tuned egg discrimination—a defensive behavior indicative of a past brood parasite-host arms race and common in closely related parasitized species. Here, using 3 D-printed models of adult brood parasites, we examined whether the Australian reed warbler also exhibits frontline defences to adult brood parasites, and whether we could use these defences to identify the warbler’s “ghost of parasitism past”. Our findings provide evidence that the Australian reed warbler readily engages in frontline defences that are considered adaptive specifically in the context of brood parasitism. However, individuals were unable to discriminate between adults of different brood parasite species at their nest. Overall, our results demonstrate that despite a relaxation in selection, defences against brood parasitism can be maintained across multiple stages of the host’s nesting cycle, and further suggest that, in accordance with previous findings, that learning may be important for fine-tuning frontline defence.

scholarly journals Synthèse des observations récentes de Stenoria analis (Schaum) (Coleoptera, Meloidae) en France et dans les régions voisines

Osmia ◽  
2010 ◽  
Vol 4 ◽  
pp. 1-4 ◽  
Author(s):  
Nicolas J. Vereecken ◽  
Pierre Dufrêne ◽  
Johannes Lückmann ◽  
Jelle Devalez ◽  
Ivo Raemakers ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Population Dynamics ◽  
Western Europe ◽  
Geographic Range ◽  
Primary Host ◽  
The North ◽  
Blister Beetle

Synthesis of recent observations of Stenoria analis (Schaum) (Coleoptera, Meloidae) in France and in neighboring regions. - We provide a synthesis of records from France and neighbouring regions concerning Stenoria analis (Schaum), a parasitic beetle of Colletes nests in western Europe. The data gathered indicate that this blister beetle has expanded its geographic range to the north, presumably following the recent population dynamics of its primary host, Colletes hederae Schmidt & Westrich.

scholarly journals Host–parasite coevolution beyond the nestling stage? Mimicry of host fledglings by the specialist screaming cowbird

2012 ◽  
Vol 279 (1742) ◽  
pp. 3401-3408 ◽  
Author(s):  
María C. De Mársico ◽  
Mariela G. Gantchoff ◽  
Juan C. Reboreda
Keyword(s):  
Survival Rates ◽  
Plumage Colour ◽  
Brood Parasite ◽  
Primary Host ◽  
Brood Parasites ◽  
Molothrus Bonariensis ◽  
Egg Mimicry ◽  
Host Parasite ◽  
Host Rejection

Egg mimicry by obligate avian brood parasites and host rejection of non-mimetic eggs are well-known textbook examples of host–parasite coevolution. By contrast, reciprocal adaptations and counteradaptations beyond the egg stage in brood parasites and their hosts have received less attention. The screaming cowbird ( Molothrus rufoaxillaris ) is a specialist obligate brood parasite whose fledglings look identical to those of its primary host, the baywing ( Agelaioides badius ). Such a resemblance has been proposed as an adaptation in response to host discrimination against odd-looking young, but evidence supporting this idea is scarce. Here, we examined this hypothesis by comparing the survival rates of young screaming cowbirds and non-mimetic shiny cowbirds ( Molothrus bonariensis ) cross-fostered to baywing nests and quantifying the similarity in plumage colour and begging calls between host and cowbird fledglings. Shiny cowbirds suffered higher post-fledging mortality rates (83%) than screaming cowbirds (0%) owing to host rejection. Visual modelling revealed that screaming cowbirds, but not shiny cowbirds, were indistinguishable from host young in plumage colour. Similarly, screaming cowbirds matched baywings' begging calls more closely than shiny cowbirds. Our results strongly support the occurrence of host fledgling mimicry in screaming cowbirds and suggest a role of visual and vocal cues in fledgling discrimination by baywings.

Coevolutionary arms race between a specialist brood parasite, the Screaming Cowbird, and its host, the Grayish Baywing

2019 ◽  
Vol 160 (4) ◽  
pp. 1221-1233 ◽  
Author(s):  
María C. De Mársico ◽  
Cynthia A. Ursino ◽  
Romina C. Scardamaglia ◽  
Juan C. Reboreda
Keyword(s):  
Arms Race ◽  
Brood Parasite ◽  
Coevolutionary Arms Race

Micro-evolutionary change in host response to a brood parasite

1994 ◽  
Vol 35 (4) ◽  
pp. 295-301 ◽  
Author(s):  
M. Soler ◽  
J. J. Soler ◽  
J. G. Martinez ◽  
A. P. M�ller
Keyword(s):  
Host Response ◽  
Evolutionary Change ◽  
Brood Parasite

An obligate brood parasite trapped in the intraspecific arms race of its hosts

Nature ◽  
2004 ◽  
Vol 432 (7015) ◽  
pp. 390-393 ◽  
Author(s):  
Bruce E. Lyon ◽  
John McA. Eadie
Keyword(s):  
Arms Race ◽  
Brood Parasite
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