Avian Research最新文献

{"title":"The intensity of supplementary feeding in an urban environment impacts overwintering Mallards (Anas platyrhynchos) as wintering conditions get harsher","authors":"Marta Witkowska ,&nbsp;Wojciech Wesołowski ,&nbsp;Martyna Markiewicz ,&nbsp;Jonasz Pakizer ,&nbsp;Julia Neumann ,&nbsp;Agnieszka Ożarowska ,&nbsp;Włodzimierz Meissner","doi":"10.1016/j.avrs.2024.100205","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.avrs.2024.100205","url":null,"abstract":"<div><p>Although urbanization poses various threats to avifauna, some bird species, including Mallards (<em>Anas platyrhynchos</em>), choose towns and cities as their wintering habitats, possibly due to favourable temperatures and abundant anthropogenic food. In this study, we investigated how population dynamics changed in relation to winter harshness and intensity of supplementary bird feeding in Mallard, a dabbing duck species well adapted to an urban environment. We surveyed 15 city ponds for five consecutive years, counting overwintering individuals and incidents of bird feeding conducted by the citizens of Gdańsk. Number of Mallards observed in the studied area fluctuated both annually and within seasons, with on average 327 (± SD = 108.5) individuals and a male-biased sex ratio reported. We observed a gradient of feeding intensity on the surveyed ponds, with number of feeding incidents ranging from 0 to 30 in a day. The results indicated that the number of Mallards increased with the bird feeding intensity, independently of the size of the studied ponds, and both males and females were similarly attracted by food provisioning. More severe wintering conditions, expressed by the percentage of the ice cover of studied ponds resulted in more birds wintering in the urban area. This effect was more pronounced in females compared to males, possibly due to females having a lower ability to withstand severe wintering conditions, forcing them to relocate towards urban areas. Our results confirm that urbanized areas may serve as wintering grounds for birds, due to additional food resources available there and milder wintering conditions compared to surrounding rural areas.</p></div>","PeriodicalId":51311,"journal":{"name":"Avian Research","volume":"15 ","pages":"Article 100205"},"PeriodicalIF":1.6,"publicationDate":"2024-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2053716624000483/pdfft?md5=a1ba67588dc67d79caeb4b0b09f01136&pid=1-s2.0-S2053716624000483-main.pdf","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142094743","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"生物学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Seed dispersal by wintering ducks in a coastal wetland of eastern China","authors":"Xin Luo ,&nbsp;Ning Li ,&nbsp;Wei Tai ,&nbsp;Yao Cai ,&nbsp;Zheng Wang","doi":"10.1016/j.avrs.2024.100209","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.avrs.2024.100209","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Duck species are important vectors for seed dispersal of many plants, contributing significantly to the regeneration of wetland plant communities. However, research on the temporal changes in diet and the dynamics and differences of seed dispersal among different duck species is still limited. In this study, we analyzed the diversity of duck community and the diversity of seeds in the feces of different duck species from December to February for 2022–23 and 2023–24 in the coastal wetland of Dafeng, eastern Jiangsu Province, China. A total of 13 duck species were recorded in the four habitats, of which Spot-billed Ducks (<em>Anas zonorhyncha</em>) and Mallards (<em>A. platyrhynchos</em>) were the most abundant. The diversity and abundance of ducks vary across different habitats, and tidal flat supports the greatest diversity and abundance of ducks. We collected fecal samples from Spot-billed Ducks, Gadwalls (<em>Mareca strepera</em>), Mallards, and Eurasian Teals (<em>A. crecca</em>) in the tidal flat, from which seeds belonging to 7 families, 13 genera and 15 different plant species were obtained. There were significant differences in seed dispersal among the four duck species, which varied with the season. Gadwalls and Common Teals showed more significant diversity in seed dispersal, with their feces containing a greater variety of plant seeds, which is related to their broader dietary range and ecological adaptability. Furthermore, the seasonal variation in the number of seeds per feces reflected the availability of seeds in the habitat and the response of ducks to environmental changes, while variations in seed intake among different duck species may be associated with inter-annual weather condition changes. The results of this study will provide a new perspective for understanding the mechanisms of bird-mediated seed dispersal in coastal wetland and offer preliminary insights for the seed dispersal by Asian ducks.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":51311,"journal":{"name":"Avian Research","volume":"15 ","pages":"Article 100209"},"PeriodicalIF":1.6,"publicationDate":"2024-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142552948","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"生物学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Migration pattern of a population of Barn Swallows (Hirundo rustica) breeding in East Asian tropical region","authors":"Li Tian ,&nbsp;Yu Liu ,&nbsp;Yang Wu ,&nbsp;Zimei Feng ,&nbsp;Dan Hu ,&nbsp;Zhengwang Zhang","doi":"10.1016/j.avrs.2024.100192","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1016/j.avrs.2024.100192","url":null,"abstract":"<div><p>Birds exhibit a high degree of migratory diversity, which is influenced by various ecological factors and life history strategies. Conducting studies on tropical bird migration, of which research is scarce, and comparing it with temperate birds can enhance our understanding of bird migration behaviour and its underlying mechanisms. In this study, we explored the migration behaviour of a breeding population of the Barn Swallow (<em>Hirundo rustica</em>) in Zhanjiang, southern China, a region located in the northern tropics, using light-level geolocators. From 2021 to 2023, we deployed geolocators on 92 breeding swallows and retrieved geolocators successfully from 23 individuals. These swallows all exhibited migratory behaviour, and wintering on various islands in Southeast Asia. They displayed sex differences in their wintering locations. All males concentrated in Borneo, while females primarily chose Borneo but also dispersed to the Philippines, South China Sea, and Vietnam for wintering. The studied swallow population adopted a seasonal migration pattern of “indirect in autumn, direct in spring”, bypassing the ecological barrier of the South China Sea in autumn and tending to directly cross it in spring migration. Moreover, the distance and duration of autumn migration was significantly longer than those of the spring migration. Compared to temperate Barn Swallows, the Barn Swallow population breeding in Zhanjiang adopts a pattern of “intra-tropical migration” and initiates autumn migration earlier. The formation of their migration pattern may be limited by ecological and physiological factors.</p></div>","PeriodicalId":51311,"journal":{"name":"Avian Research","volume":"15 ","pages":"Article 100192"},"PeriodicalIF":1.6,"publicationDate":"2024-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2053716624000355/pdfft?md5=0a31b1176f8869d0d8a46ba8ed22e828&pid=1-s2.0-S2053716624000355-main.pdf","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"141592708","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"生物学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Common Cuckoo (Cuculus canorus) nestlings adapt their begging behavior to the host signal system","authors":"Sabah Mushtaq Puswal ,&nbsp;Guo Zhong ,&nbsp;Xuan Zhang ,&nbsp;Longwu Wang ,&nbsp;Wei Liang","doi":"10.1016/j.avrs.2024.100195","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.avrs.2024.100195","url":null,"abstract":"<div><p>Common Cuckoos (<em>Cuculus canorus</em>) dependent on parental care for post-hatching demonstrate an intriguing ability to modify their begging vocalizations to ensure maximum care and resources from their interspecific foster parents. Here, we compared begging calls of the Common Cuckoo nestlings fed by four host species, the Grey Bushchat (<em>Saxicola ferreus</em>), Siberian Stonechat (<em>Saxicola maurus</em>), Daurian Redstart (<em>Phoenicurus auroreus</em>), and Oriental Magpie-robin (<em>Copsychus saularis</em>). Results showed that begging calls of the stonechat–, redstart–, and robin–cuckoo resemble those of host species' nestlings in various aspects like low frequency, high frequency, frequency bandwidth and peak frequency, while the bushchat–cuckoo chicks' begging calls were only comparable to their host species in terms of how long they lasted and their peak frequency. In addition, cuckoo nestlings raised in different host nests displayed significant variations in their begging calls in low and peak frequency. This study suggests that cuckoo nestlings do not mimic host species nestlings' begging calls throughout the nestling period, but may tune their begging calls according to host species, while begging calls vary with cuckoo and host species nestlings' ages. Future research should study the parents’ reactions to these calls in different host species for a better understanding of the mechanisms underlying such adaptations.</p></div>","PeriodicalId":51311,"journal":{"name":"Avian Research","volume":"15 ","pages":"Article 100195"},"PeriodicalIF":1.6,"publicationDate":"2024-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2053716624000380/pdfft?md5=b4c988f8a0157252e4b67d973657b844&pid=1-s2.0-S2053716624000380-main.pdf","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"141736356","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"生物学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"River width and depth as key factors of diurnal activity energy expenditure allocation for wintering Spot-billed Ducks in the Xin'an River Basin","authors":"Chao Yu ,&nbsp;Xuying Lu ,&nbsp;Deli Sun ,&nbsp;Mengnan Chu ,&nbsp;Xueyun Li ,&nbsp;Qun Li","doi":"10.1016/j.avrs.2024.100159","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.avrs.2024.100159","url":null,"abstract":"<div><p>Rivers are important habitats for wintering waterbirds. However, they are easily influenced by natural and human activities. An important approach for waterbirds to adapt to habitats is adjusting the activity time and energy expenditure allocation of diurnal behavior. The compensatory foraging hypothesis predicts that increased energy expenditure leads to longer foraging time, which in turn increases food intake and helps maintain a constant energy balance. However, it is unclear whether human-disturbed habitats result in increased energy expenditure related to safety or foraging. In this study, the scan sample method was used to observe the diurnal behavior of the wintering Spot-billed Duck (<em>Anas poecilorhyncha</em>) in two rivers in the Xin'an River Basin from October 2021 to March 2022. The allocation of time and energy expenditure for activity in both normal and disturbed environments was calculated. The results showed that foraging accounted for the highest percentage of time and energy expenditure. Additionally, foraging decreased in the disturbed environment than that in the normal environment. Resting behavior showed the opposite trend, while other behaviors were similar in both environments. The total diurnal energy expenditure of ducks in the disturbed environment was greater than that in the normal environment, with decreased foraging and resting time percentage and increased behaviors related to immediate safety (swimming and alert) and comfort. These results oppose the compensatory foraging hypothesis in favor of increased security. The optimal diurnal energy expenditure model included river width and water depth, which had a positive relationship; an increase in either of these two factors resulted in an increase in energy expenditure. This study provides a better understanding of energy allocation strategies underlying the superficial time allocation of wintering waterbirds according to environmental conditions. Exploring these changes can help understand the maximum fitness of wintering waterbirds in response to nature and human influences.</p></div>","PeriodicalId":51311,"journal":{"name":"Avian Research","volume":"15 ","pages":"Article 100159"},"PeriodicalIF":1.8,"publicationDate":"2024-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2053716624000021/pdfft?md5=71179c63115603940e0957fac02c644d&pid=1-s2.0-S2053716624000021-main.pdf","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"139663069","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"生物学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Comparative analysis of the microbiome of sympatric wintering Bean Geese, Domestic Ducks, humans, and soil at Shengjin Lake of China reveals potential public risk to human health","authors":"Gang Liu,&nbsp;Na Xu,&nbsp;Chongyang Yu","doi":"10.1016/j.avrs.2024.100175","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1016/j.avrs.2024.100175","url":null,"abstract":"<div><p>The gut microbiota of migratory waterbirds is affected by various complex factors, including cross-species transmission, which increases the risk of pathogen spreading among sympatric animals and poses a potential public health risk to humans. In this study, we investigated the microbial communities of wintering Bean Geese (<em>Anser fabalis</em>), Domestic Ducks (<em>A</em>. <em>platyrhynchos domesticus</em>), humans, and soil using high-throughput sequencing of the 16S rRNA gene region in Shengjin Lake, China. In total, 6,046,677 clean reads were obtained, representing 41,119 operational taxonomic units (OTUs) across the four groups. The dominant microbial phyla were the Proteobacteria, Firmicutes, Bacteroidota, and Actinobacteriota. The Sorensen similarity index and alpha and beta diversity results showed that the gut microbial communities of Bean Geese and Domestic Ducks were more similar to those of the other pairs. Network analysis revealed that <em>Faecalibacterium prausnitzii</em>, <em>Pseudomonas fragi</em>, and <em>Bradyrhizobium elkanii</em> were hubs of the three major modules. Fourteen common microbiomes were identified in Bean Geese, Domestic Ducks, humans, and soil in Shengjin Lake. A total of 96 potential pathogens were identified among the four groups, with 20 specific potentially pathogenic microbiomes found in the gut of Bean Geese. Some of these pathogens are responsible for significant financial losses in the poultry industry and pose risks to human health. <em>Klebsiella pneumoniae</em>, <em>Morganella morganii</em>, <em>Escherichia coli</em>, and <em>Ralstonia insidiosa</em> are potential core pathogens found in the four groups at Shengjin Lake that can cause diseases in humans and animals and facilitate cross-species transmission through various media. Therefore, humans are at risk of contracting these pathogens from migratory birds because of their frequent contact with domestic poultry. However, further studies are required to explore the potential pathogenic species and transmission pathways among sympatric wintering Bean Geese, Domestic Ducks, humans, and soil.</p></div>","PeriodicalId":51311,"journal":{"name":"Avian Research","volume":"15 ","pages":"Article 100175"},"PeriodicalIF":1.8,"publicationDate":"2024-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2053716624000185/pdfft?md5=27cd002573c4004062dde466f331806d&pid=1-s2.0-S2053716624000185-main.pdf","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"140632997","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"生物学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Avian responses to an extreme weather event: The case of the ‘Filomena’ snowstorm in Madrid (central Spain)","authors":"Carlos Lázaro ,&nbsp;Carlos Sánchez-García ,&nbsp;Fabián Casas ,&nbsp;E. Jorge Tizado","doi":"10.1016/j.avrs.2024.100172","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.avrs.2024.100172","url":null,"abstract":"<div><p>Cold spells and severe weather may have detrimental effects in wild birds, but owing to the stochastic nature of these events, it is not always possible to measure their impacts. In January 2021, a strong snowstorm known as ‘Filomena’ affected Spain, mainly the region of Madrid (Central Spain), which was fully covered with snow and suffered freezing temperatures for a fortnight. Using bird surveys conducted in the winter-spring of 2020 and 2021 (before and after Filomena) at same locations, we addressed the possible impact of the cold spell in three widespread gamebirds: Wood Pigeon (<em>Columba palumbus</em>), Eurasian Magpie (<em>Pica pica</em>) and Red-legged Partridge (<em>Alectoris rufa</em>). No significant abundance differences were found between years for none of the species and hunting pressure was only significantly reduced for Partridges, hence this species may have been negatively affected by Filomena. Results suggest that in response to Filomena, Pigeons conducted partial migration in search of better conditions, while Magpies aggregated in certain areas of Madrid and Partridges endured the harsh conditions within their home ranges. Our results highlight the importance to alleviate negative impacts of extreme weather events in wild birds through management actions, especially for sedentary species.</p></div>","PeriodicalId":51311,"journal":{"name":"Avian Research","volume":"15 ","pages":"Article 100172"},"PeriodicalIF":1.8,"publicationDate":"2024-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S205371662400015X/pdfft?md5=9bf2f378acec56e405528e5eed06f534&pid=1-s2.0-S205371662400015X-main.pdf","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"140401066","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"生物学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Exploring the interplay of T cell receptor-V gene copy numbers and major histocompatibility complex selection pressure in avian species: Insights into immune system evolution and reproductive investment","authors":"Lin Sun ,&nbsp;Chunhong Liang ,&nbsp;Shidi Qin ,&nbsp;Ying Zhu ,&nbsp;Ke He","doi":"10.1016/j.avrs.2024.100204","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.avrs.2024.100204","url":null,"abstract":"<div><p>Birds, a fascinating and diverse group occupying various habitats worldwide, exhibit a wide range of life-history traits, reproductive methods, and migratory behaviors, all of which influence their immune systems. The association between major histocompatibility complex (MHC) genes and certain ecological factors in response to pathogen selection has been extensively studied; however, the role of the co-working molecule T cell receptor (TCR) remains poorly understood. This study aimed to analyze the copy numbers of TCR-V genes, the selection pressure (<em>ω</em> value) on MHC genes using available genomic data, and their potential ecological correlates across 93 species from 13 orders. The study was conducted using the publicly available genome data of birds. Our findings suggested that phylogeny influences the variability in TCR-V gene copy numbers and MHC selection pressure. The phylogenetic generalized least squares regression model revealed that TCR-V<em>αδ</em> copy number and MHC-I selection pressure were positively associated with body mass. Clutch size was correlated with MHC selection pressure, and Migration was correlated with TCR-V<em>β</em> copy number. Further analyses revealed that the TCR-V<em>β</em> copy number was positively correlated with MHC-IIB selection pressure, while the TCR-V<em>γ</em> copy number was negatively correlated with MHC-I peptide-binding region selection pressure. Our findings suggest that TCR-V diversity is significant in adaptive evolution and is related to species’ life-history strategies and immunological defenses and provide valuable insights into the mechanisms underlying TCR-V gene duplication and MHC selection in avian species.</p></div>","PeriodicalId":51311,"journal":{"name":"Avian Research","volume":"15 ","pages":"Article 100204"},"PeriodicalIF":1.6,"publicationDate":"2024-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2053716624000471/pdfft?md5=a076c6e39a88ea8b8796bfb71adeb9f8&pid=1-s2.0-S2053716624000471-main.pdf","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142083175","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"生物学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Population trend and spatio-temporal distribution of Greater White-fronted (Anser albifrons) and Bean Geese (Anser fabalis) in Korea","authors":"Eun-Jeong Kim ,&nbsp;Wee-Heang Hur ,&nbsp;Hwa-Jung Kim ,&nbsp;Yu-Seong Choi ,&nbsp;Dongwon Kim ,&nbsp;Who-Seung Lee ,&nbsp;Sejeong Han ,&nbsp;Hyerin Joo ,&nbsp;Chang-Yong Choi","doi":"10.1016/j.avrs.2024.100214","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.avrs.2024.100214","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Geese have undergone significant changes in their distribution and population size due to human-induced impacts. To improve our understanding of the two main geese populations in East Asia—Greater White-fronted (<em>Anser albifrons</em>; GWFG) and Bean Geese (<em>Anser fabalis</em> sensu lato; BEAG), which includes the Tundra <em>A. f. serrirostris</em> (TDBG) and Taiga Bean Geese <em>A. f. middend</em><em>o</em><em>r</em><em>ffi</em><em>i</em> (TGBG), this study estimated their long- and short-term trends and the migration strategies based on their distribution during the migratory and wintering seasons, using nationwide census data collected over 24 years in South Korea. The TRIM (TRends and Indices for Monitoring data) analysis supported a robust long-term population increase since 1999, recently stabilizing around 150,000 individuals in GWFG and 100,000 in TDBG, respectively. But TGBG stabilized at around 7000 with no significant change of population over time. The shorter-term trends within a season suggested that wintering populations of GWFG and TDBG in China might stop over in Korea in their autumn migration before their sea-crossing, evidenced by the large congregation near the Yellow Sea coast followed by a gradual decrease. In contrast to autumn, there was no similar peak in spring migration, suggesting the potential for elliptical migration of some populations around the Yellow Sea. Our findings indicate a growing East Asian population and imply one of the migration strategies of the Greater White-fronted and Tundra Bean Geese. By collaborating with recent tracking data, long-term monitoring efforts could offer more detailed insights into population trends and migration strategies, thereby contributing to the effective management and conservation of goose species in East Asia.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":51311,"journal":{"name":"Avian Research","volume":"15 ","pages":"Article 100214"},"PeriodicalIF":1.6,"publicationDate":"2024-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142662128","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"生物学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Effect of parasite egg size and quantity contrast of parasite-host eggs on recognition and rejection mode of Green-backed Tits","authors":"Xu Zhao ,&nbsp;Ping Ye ,&nbsp;Huaxiao Zhou ,&nbsp;Canchao Yang","doi":"10.1016/j.avrs.2024.100216","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.avrs.2024.100216","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>In the co-evolutionary system of avian brood parasitism, egg recognition and rejection are common and generally act as effective anti-parasitic adaptations by hosts. Accordingly, most studies have examined the role of parasite egg colors and markings in detection cues in hosts; however, studies focusing on the effects of egg size and quantity are relatively scarce and have mostly concentrated on the hosts of parasitic cowbirds. Here, we studied the egg recognition behaviors of a potential host of the Common Cuckoo (<em>Cuculus canorus</em>)—the Green-backed Tit (<em>Parus monticolus</em>), to determine: (1) whether the host uses the sizes of parasite eggs and/or the quantity contrast between parasite and host eggs as cues for recognition, (2) whether the host employs the template or discordant recognition mechanism for egg recognition, and (3) whether the size and quantity of parasite eggs affect the egg rejection modes of the hosts. The results indicate that Green-backed Tits did not use parasite egg size as a primary cue for egg recognition. We hypothesized that both visual and tactile detection might be involved in egg recognition by Green-backed Tits and suggest further studies after controlling for nest light conditions. Differences in egg quantity between parasites and hosts were not used as cues for egg recognition because the hosts employed the template mechanism rather than discordance to recognize parasite eggs. However, both the relative sizes and quantity of parasite and host eggs significantly affected the rejection modes of parasite eggs, and larger or more parasite eggs triggered higher probabilities of nest desertion in hosts.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":51311,"journal":{"name":"Avian Research","volume":"15 ","pages":"Article 100216"},"PeriodicalIF":1.6,"publicationDate":"2024-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142698243","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"生物学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}