Observations on the ectoparasites of some Newfoundland passerines (Aves: Passeriformes)

1986 ◽  
Vol 64 (3) ◽  
pp. 630-636 ◽  
Author(s):  
Terry A. Wheeler ◽  
William Threlfall
Keyword(s):  
Bird Species ◽  
Ecological Factors ◽  
Parasite Fauna ◽  
Age Classes ◽  
Large Numbers ◽  
Host Phylogeny ◽  
Biting Lice ◽  
Avalon Peninsula ◽  
Degree Of Similarity ◽  
Ectoparasite Fauna

A total of 144 birds (17 species) were mist-netted in June and July 1984 on the Avalon Peninsula, Newfoundland, and examined for ectoparasites; 139 birds (96.5%) of 17 species were found to be infested. Biting lice (Mallophaga: 6 genera) were recovered from 59 (41.0%) of the birds, fleas (Siphonaptera: 1 genus) from 19 (13.0%), and hippoboscids (Diptera: 1 genus) from 2 (1.4%). Mites (Acarina: 8 genera) were the most frequently encountered parasites, with 137 (95.1%) of the hosts being infested. The prevalence of Mallophaga was similar to that recorded by other workers. Nymphs and females constituted the most prevalent mallophagan age-classes, which suggests that an increasing louse population is coincident with the host breeding season. No significant differences were noted in the prevalence of parasites on male and female birds or on adult and immature birds. Ground-feeding passerines showed the highest prevalence, intensity, and diversity of infestation by Mallophaga, as well as the greatest degree of similarity in ectoparasite fauna between species. Host specificity is discussed, and ecological factors in addition to host phylogeny are considered to play a role in determining the parasite fauna of a given bird species. The collection technique used was evaluated and found to be adequate for the processing of large numbers of birds when both qualitative and quantitative data on certain ectoparasitic groups are to be collected.

Effect of underwater seismic surveys on molting male Long-tailed Ducks in the Beaufort Sea, Alaska

2003 ◽  
Vol 81 (11) ◽  
pp. 1862-1875 ◽  
Author(s):  
Deborah L Lacroix ◽  
Richard B Lanctot ◽  
John A Reed ◽  
Trent L McDonald
Keyword(s):  
Seismic Activity ◽  
Bird Species ◽  
Ecological Factors ◽  
Barrier Islands ◽  
Beaufort Sea ◽  
Diving Behavior ◽  
Large Numbers ◽  
Seismic Area ◽  
And Control ◽  
Clangula Hyemalis

Large numbers of Long-tailed Ducks (Clangula hyemalis) (10 000 – 30 000) undergo a postnuptial wing molt along barrier islands of the Beaufort Sea, Alaska. To investigate the potential effects of underwater seismic activities on this species, we monitored the number and diving behavior of molting Long-tailed Ducks before, during, and after seismic activities in a seismic area and two control areas nearby between July and September 2001. Aerial surveys documented a decline in duck numbers in both seismic and control areas during the period of seismic activity. We used automated data-collection computers to monitor the presence and diving behavior of radio-equipped Long-tailed Ducks residing within 2.5 km of a series of computer setups located along the barrier islands and on the mainland. A statistical analysis based on a modified before–after control–impact approach found no difference in indices of site fidelity or diving intensity between the seismic area and two control areas. Thus, we found no effect of seismic activity on movements and diving behavior of molting Long-tailed Ducks. These results should be evaluated carefully, however, as logistical and ecological factors limited our ability to detect more subtle disturbance effects. We recommend additional studies on other bird species to fully understand the effects of underwater seismic testing.

Three hundred years of House Sparrow (Passer domesticus) persecution in Germany

2007 ◽  
Vol 34 (2) ◽  
pp. 307-317 ◽  
Author(s):  
J. SEITZ
Keyword(s):  
Rural Areas ◽  
House Sparrow ◽  
Bird Species ◽  
Passer Domesticus ◽  
Second World War ◽  
Population Increase ◽  
World War ◽  
Large Numbers ◽  
Urban And Rural Areas ◽  
Second World

Modernization of agriculture, economic development and population increase after the end of the Thirty Years' War caused authorities in many parts of Germany to decree the eradication of so-called pest animals, including the House Sparrow. Farmers were given targets, and had to deliver the heads of sparrows in proportion to the size of their farms or pay fines. At the end of the eighteenth century German ornithologists argued against the eradication of the sparrows. During the mid-nineteenth century, C. L. Gloger, the pioneer of bird protection in Germany, emphasized the value of the House Sparrow in controlling insect plagues. Many decrees were abolished because either they had not been obeyed, or had resulted in people protecting sparrows so that they always had enough for their “deliveries”. Surprisingly, various ornithologists, including Ernst Hartert and the most famous German bird conservationist Freiherr Berlepsch, joined in the war against sparrows at the beginning of the twentieth century, because sparrows were regarded as competitors of more useful bird species. After the Second World War, sparrows were poisoned in large numbers. Persecution of sparrows ended in Germany in the 1970s. The long period of persecution had a significant but not long-lasting impact on House Sparrow populations, and therefore cannot be regarded as a factor in the recent decline of this species in urban and rural areas of western and central Europe.

scholarly journals Parasitic fauna of Eurasian beavers (Castor fiber) in Sweden (1997–1998)

2021 ◽  
Vol 63 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Per-Arne Åhlen ◽  
Göran Sjöberg ◽  
Margareta Stéen
Keyword(s):  
Age Groups ◽  
Ecological Factors ◽  
Parasite Fauna ◽  
Castor Fiber ◽  
Older Individuals ◽  
Parasitic Fauna ◽  
Eurasian Beaver ◽  
Norwegian Population ◽  
Stichorchis Subtriquetrus ◽  
One Year

Abstract Background The parasitic fauna of beavers (Castor fiber and C. canadensis) has been well studied in many parts of their respective areas of distribution. In Scandinavia there have, however, been limited investigations conducted on the parasites of beavers in recent times. The present study is the first quantitative survey of parasites on beavers living in Sweden and elsewhere in Scandinavia. We investigated the parasitic fauna of the Eurasian beaver (C. fiber) in a North–South gradient in Sweden. The aim of the study was to investigate parasite distribution and prevalence in particular, related to average yearly air temperature and different age groups of beavers. A total of 30 beavers were sampled at eight localities, spanning a 720 km North–South gradient during the springs of 1997 and 1998. Results Five parasite taxa were identified. Four of these were present in all of the examined beavers, Stichorchis subtriquetrus (trematode), Travassosius rufus (nematode), Platypsyllus castoris (coleopteran), and Schizocarpus spp. (arachnid). A higher number of new infections of S. subtriquetrus, and more adults of T. rufus, were seen in beavers in southern Sweden where temperatures are higher. One-year old beavers had a higher infestation of S. subtriquetrus, but not of T. rufus, than older individuals. Conclusions The parasite fauna of Swedish beavers mirrored the impoverished parasite fauna of the original Norwegian population, and the high prevalence of parasites could be due to low major histocompatibility complex (MHC) polymorphism. Young beavers had a higher load of trematodes, probably depending on behavioural and ecological factors. Warmer temperatures in southern localities likely contributed to increased endoparasite loads.

scholarly journals Changes in surface water drive the movements of Shoebills

2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Marta Acácio ◽  
Ralf H. E. Mullers ◽  
Aldina M. A. Franco ◽  
Frank J. Willems ◽  
Arjun Amar
Keyword(s):  
Surface Water ◽  
Optimal Foraging ◽  
Animal Movement ◽  
Bird Species ◽  
Individual Variability ◽  
Home Ranges ◽  
Age Classes ◽  
Water Index ◽  
Normalized Difference Water Index ◽  
Conservation Actions

AbstractAnimal movement is mainly determined by spatial and temporal changes in resource availability. For wetland specialists, the seasonal availability of surface water may be a major determinant of their movement patterns. This study is the first to examine the movements of Shoebills (Balaeniceps rex), an iconic and vulnerable bird species. Using GPS transmitters deployed on six immature and one adult Shoebills over a 5-year period, during which four immatures matured into adults, we analyse their home ranges and distances moved in the Bangweulu Wetlands, Zambia. We relate their movements at the start of the rainy season (October to December) to changes in Normalized Difference Water Index (NDWI), a proxy for surface water. We show that Shoebills stay in the Bangweulu Wetlands all year round, moving less than 3 km per day on 81% of days. However, average annual home ranges were large, with high individual variability, but were similar between age classes. Immature and adult Shoebills responded differently to changes in surface water; sites that adults abandoned became drier, while sites abandoned by immatures became wetter. However, there were no differences in NDWI of areas used by Shoebills before abandonment and newly selected sites, suggesting that Shoebills select areas with similar surface water. We hypothesise that the different responses to changes in surface water by immature and adult Shoebills are related to age-specific optimal foraging conditions and fishing techniques. Our study highlights the need to understand the movements of Shoebills throughout their life cycle to design successful conservation actions for this emblematic, yet poorly known, species.

Epidemiology of an intestinal parasite (Spirometra spp.) in two populations of African lions (Panthera leo)

Parasitology ◽  
1999 ◽  
Vol 118 (4) ◽  
pp. 407-415 ◽  
Author(s):  
C. D. M. MÜLLER-GRAF ◽  
M. E. J. WOOLHOUSE ◽  
C. PACKER
Keyword(s):  
Intestinal Parasite ◽  
Infection Intensity ◽  
Ecological Factors ◽  
Parasite Infection ◽  
Panthera Leo ◽  
Age Classes ◽  
Intensity Of Infection ◽  
Faecal Samples ◽  
African Lions ◽  
Two Populations

Infection with the cestode Spirometra spp. was studied in 2 populations of lions in the Serengeti and the Ngorongoro Crater in Tanzania, East Africa. These 2 lion populations lived in different habitats and were known to differ genetically: lions in the Serengeti were outbred, whereas lions in the Ngorongoro Crater were inbred. Faecal samples were collected from 112 individually known lions between March 1991 and November 1992. Over 60% of lions were infected and the median intensity of infection was 975 eggs per g of faeces. The distribution of egg counts was overdispersed. There was variability through time, though this was unrelated to seasons delimited by rainfall. There were no significant differences in levels of infection between age classes; cubs less than 9 months were already heavily infected. Sex and reproductive status did not have a significant effect. However, there were significant differences in intensities of infection between the Crater and the Serengeti populations – Spirometra spp. showed a higher level of infection intensity in the Crater population – with some variation between prides within these populations. Allozyme heterozygosity scores were available for a subset of 28 lions but were unrelated to levels of Spirometra infection. It was not possible to ascribe differences in levels of parasite infection to genetic rather than ecological factors.

Conservation of the Swift Parrot Lathamus discolor ? management lessons for a threatened migratory species

2007 ◽  
Vol 13 (2) ◽  
pp. 111 ◽  
Author(s):  
Debbie Saunders ◽  
Raymond Brereton ◽  
Chris Tzaros ◽  
Mark Holdsworth ◽  
Rob Price
Keyword(s):  
Site Fidelity ◽  
Bird Species ◽  
Migratory Bird ◽  
Small Population ◽  
Assessment Process ◽  
Migratory Species ◽  
Conservation Assessment ◽  
Broad Distribution ◽  
Large Numbers

Conserving habitat for wide-ranging fauna species provides a challenge because impacts on these species tend to be dismissed based on the assumption that there is sufficient habitat in other areas of its range. This incremental loss of habitat is a serious conservation issue for a diversity of bird species. As knowledge of wide-ranging and migratory bird species increases, it often becomes evident that they select specific sites on a regular basis (i.e., the species exhibit site fidelity). Gaining a better understanding of site fidelity and selective habitat use for wide-ranging species is clearly important, but also extremely challenging. In this paper, challenges associated with conservation of the migratory and wide-ranging Swift Parrot Lathamus discolor are discussed as an example of how a recovery programme has aimed to address such conservation and management challenges. Despite the small population size (less than 2 500 birds), broad distribution (1 250 000 km2) and often cryptic nature, the implementation of the national recovery programme has been successful in the identification and protection of important habitats. This has been made possible by involving large numbers of volunteers who collect long-term sighting and habitat data over large areas, together with more detailed ecological research. This information is then used to inform the conservation assessment process and to improve habitat conservation throughout the range of the species.

The ecology ofBartonellaspp. infections in two rodent communities in the Mazury Lake District region of Poland

Parasitology ◽  
2010 ◽  
Vol 137 (7) ◽  
pp. 1069-1077 ◽  
Author(s):  
RENATA WELC-FALĘCIAK ◽  
ANNA BAJER ◽  
JERZY M. BEHNKE ◽  
EDWARD SIŃSKI
Keyword(s):  
Bacterial Infections ◽  
Ecological Factors ◽  
Myodes Glareolus ◽  
Apodemus Flavicollis ◽  
Lake District ◽  
Age Classes ◽  
Adult Age ◽  
North Eastern ◽  
Rodent Communities

SUMMARYPrevalence and abundance ofBartonellaspp. infections were studied over a 3-year period in woodland and grassland rodents in North-Eastern Poland. Prevalence of bacterial infections was similar in the two rodent communities, with one leading host species in each habitat (46·3% inApodemus flavicollisversus 29·1% inMyodes glareolusin forest, or 36·9% inMicrotus arvalisversus 13·7% inMi. oeconomusin grassland). Prevalence/abundance of infections varied markedly across the 3 years with 2006 being the year of highest prevalence and abundance. Infections were more common during autumn months inMy. glareolusandA. flavicollis, and in juvenile and young adult (age classes 1 and 2)My. glareolusandMi. oeconomusthan in adults (age class 3). Higher prevalence and abundance ofBartonellainfections were found in maleA. flavicollisin comparison to females. These data are discussed in relation to the parasite genotypes identified in this region and with respect to the role of various ecological factors influencingBartonellaspp. infections in naturally infected host populations.

scholarly journals Parasitological survey on birds at some selected brazilian zoos

2015 ◽  
Vol 24 (1) ◽  
pp. 87-91 ◽  
Author(s):  
Paulo Gonzalez Hofstatter ◽  
Ana Maria Aparecida Guaraldo
Keyword(s):  
Bird Species ◽  
Sao Paulo ◽  
Parasite Fauna ◽  
São Paulo ◽  
Fecal Samples ◽  
Parasitological Survey ◽  
The Subject ◽  
Coccidian Species ◽  
Free Ranging

A parasitological survey was conducted at some zoos in the states of São Paulo and Paraná, Brazil, from 2009 to 2011. Several groups of birds were surveyed for fecal samples, but the most important was Psittacidae. Among the parasites, Eimeria (coccidian) and Capillaria, Ascaridia and Heterakis (nematodes) were observed in almost one third of the samples. Presence of a rich parasite fauna associated with captive birds seems to be an effect of captivity, since data on free-ranging birds indicate few or virtually no parasites at all. The discovery of new coccidian species during this survey reveals the need of more research on the subject as even well-known bird species have unknown parasites, but caution must be exercised in order to avoid descriptions of pseudoparasites.

scholarly journals Nest Survival Patterns in Willow Ptarmigan: Influence of Time, Nesting Stage, and Female Characteristics

The Condor ◽  
2007 ◽  
Vol 109 (2) ◽  
pp. 377-388 ◽  
Author(s):  
Scott Wilson ◽  
Kathy Martin ◽  
Susan J. Hannon
Keyword(s):  
British Columbia ◽  
Annual Variation ◽  
Nest Survival ◽  
Bird Species ◽  
Ecological Factors ◽  
Individual Characteristics ◽  
Willow Ptarmigan ◽  
Female Age ◽  
Daily Nest Survival ◽  
Survival Patterns

Abstract Nest predation is the most important factor limiting reproductive success of Willow Ptarmigan (Lagopus lagopus), as it is for many bird species. Using program MARK, we examined patterns of daily nest survival in two widely separated populations of Willow Ptarmigan in Manitoba and British Columbia, Canada, by examining variation among years, over the course of the breeding season or in relation to the age of the nest, or age and condition of the female. At La Pérouse Bay, Manitoba, daily nest survival increased linearly throughout the season, with moderate annual variation. Nests also had higher daily survival during laying and late in incubation, and lower survival early in incubation. At Chilkat Pass, British Columbia, daily nest survival varied strongly by year and nests had higher survival early and late in the season, but survival was not affected by the age of the nest. At both sites, but especially at Chilkat Pass, periods of lower nest survival tended to coincide with peak breeding periods, suggesting predators may adjust their search effort based on the likelihood of locating nests. Neither female age nor condition were included in the best models. Thus, in both ptarmigan populations, nest survival patterns appeared to be influenced more by ecological factors than by individual characteristics of breeding females. The extent of annual variation and seasonal patterns may have differed between sites due to the different predator and alternative prey communities.

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