Darwins finches combat introduced nest parasites with fumigated cotton

pre-printIntroduced parasites are a threat to biodiversity when naïve hosts lack effective defenses against such parasites [1]. Several parasites have recently colonized the Galápagos Islands, threatening native bird populations [2]. For example, the introduced parasitic nest fly Philornis downsi (Diptera: Muscidae) has been implicated in the decline of endangered species of Darwin's finches, such as the mangrove finch (Camarhynchus heliobates) [3]. Here, we show that Darwin's finches can be encouraged to "self-fumigate" nests with cotton fibers that have been treated with permethrin. Nests with permethrin-treated cotton had significantly fewer P. downsi than control nests, and nests containing at least one gram of cotton were virtually parasite-free. Nests directly fumigated with permethrin had fewer parasites and fledged more offspring than nests treated with water

Does avian malaria reduce fledging success: an experimental test of the selection hypothesis

pre-printLike many parasites, avian haematozoa are often found at lower infection intensities in older birds than young birds. One explanation, known as the "selection" hypothesis, is that infected young birds die before reaching adulthood, thus removing the highest infection intensities from the host population. We tested this hypothesis in the field by experimentally infecting nestling rock pigeons (Columba livia) with the malaria parasite Haemoproteus columbae. We compared the condition and fledging success of infected nestlings to that of uninfected controls. There was no significant difference in the body mass, fledging success, age at fledging, or post-fledging survival of experimental versus control birds. These results were unexpected, given that long-term studies of older pigeons have demonstrated chronic effects of H. columbae. We conclude that H. columbae has little impact on nestling pigeons, even when they are directly infected with the parasite. Our study provides no support for the selection hypothesis that older birds have lower parasite loads because parasites are removed from the population by infected nestlings dying. To our knowledge, this is the first study to test the impact of avian malaria using experimental inoculations under natural conditions

Winter Ecology of Buggy Creek Virus (Togaviridae, \u3ci\u3eAlphavirus\u3c/i\u3e) in the Central Great Plains

A largely unanswered question in the study of arboviruses is the extent to which virus can overwinter in adult vectors during the cold winter months and resume the transmission cycle in summer. Buggy Creek virus (BCRV; Togaviridae, Alphavirus) is an unusual arbovirus that is vectored primarily by the swallow bug (Hemiptera: Cimicidae: Oeciacus vicarius) and amplified by the ectoparasitic bug’s main avian hosts, the migratory cliff swallow (Petrochelidon pyrrhonota) and resident house sparrow (Passer domesticus). Bugs are sedentary and overwinter in the swallows’ mud nests. We evaluated the prevalence of BCRV and extent of infection in swallow bugs collected at different times in winter (October–early April) in Nebraska and explored other ecological aspects of this virus’s overwintering. BCRV was detected in 17% of bug pools sampled in winter. Virus prevalence in bugs in winter at a site was significantly correlated with virus prevalence at that site the previous summer, but winter prevalence did not predict BCRV prevalence there the following summer. Prevalence was higher in bugs taken from house sparrow nests in winter and (in April) at colony sites where sparrows had been present all winter. Virus detected by reverse transcription (RT)-polymerase chain reaction in winter was less cytopathic than in summer, but viral RNA concentrations of samples in winter were not significantly different from those in summer. Both of the BCRV lineages (A, B) overwintered successfully, with lineage A more common at sites with house sparrows and (in contrast to summer) generally more prevalent in winter than lineage B. BCRV’s ability to overwinter in its adult vector probably reflects its adaptation to the sedentary, long-lived bug and the ecology of the cliff swallow and swallow bug host–parasite system. Its overwintering mechanisms may provide insight into those of other alphaviruses of public health significance for which such mechanisms are poorly known

Winter Ecology of Buggy Creek Virus (Togaviridae, \u3ci\u3eAlphavirus\u3c/i\u3e) in the Central Great Plains

A largely unanswered question in the study of arboviruses is the extent to which virus can overwinter in adult vectors during the cold winter months and resume the transmission cycle in summer. Buggy Creek virus (BCRV; Togaviridae, Alphavirus) is an unusual arbovirus that is vectored primarily by the swallow bug (Hemiptera: Cimicidae: Oeciacus vicarius) and amplified by the ectoparasitic bug’s main avian hosts, the migratory cliff swallow (Petrochelidon pyrrhonota) and resident house sparrow (Passer domesticus). Bugs are sedentary and overwinter in the swallows’ mud nests. We evaluated the prevalence of BCRV and extent of infection in swallow bugs collected at different times in winter (October–early April) in Nebraska and explored other ecological aspects of this virus’s overwintering. BCRV was detected in 17% of bug pools sampled in winter. Virus prevalence in bugs in winter at a site was significantly correlated with virus prevalence at that site the previous summer, but winter prevalence did not predict BCRV prevalence there the following summer. Prevalence was higher in bugs taken from house sparrow nests in winter and (in April) at colony sites where sparrows had been present all winter. Virus detected by reverse transcription (RT)-polymerase chain reaction in winter was less cytopathic than in summer, but viral RNA concentrations of samples in winter were not significantly different from those in summer. Both of the BCRV lineages (A, B) overwintered successfully, with lineage A more common at sites with house sparrows and (in contrast to summer) generally more prevalent in winter than lineage B. BCRV’s ability to overwinter in its adult vector probably reflects its adaptation to the sedentary, long-lived bug and the ecology of the cliff swallow and swallow bug host–parasite system. Its overwintering mechanisms may provide insight into those of other alphaviruses of public health significance for which such mechanisms are poorly known

Global change drivers and the risk of infectious disease

Anthropogenic change is contributing to the rise in emerging infectious diseases, but it remains unclear which global change drivers most increase disease and under what contexts. We amassed a dataset from the literature that includes 1,832 observations of infectious disease responses to global change drivers across 1,202 host-parasite combinations. We found that biodiversity loss, climate change, and introduced species were associated with increases in disease-related endpoints or harm (i.e., enemy release for introduced species), whereas urbanization was associated with decreases in disease endpoints. Natural biodiversity gradients, deforestation, forest fragmentation, and most classes of chemical contaminants had non-significant effects on these endpoints. Overall, these results were consistent across human and non-human diseases. Context-dependent effects of the global change drivers on disease were common and are discussed. These findings will help better target disease management and surveillance efforts towards global change drivers that increase disease.One-Sentence SummaryHere we quantify which global change drivers increase infectious diseases the most to better target global disease management and surveillance efforts

Ectoparasite Abundance and Individual Color Variation in Three Cardueline Finch Species

Advisor: Muir EatonElaborate and/or colorful bird plumages have often been hypothesized to evolve via sexual selection for increased ornamentation. Differences in coloration among individuals can be influenced by a number of variables, including diet, hormones, and disease resistance. Specifically, Hamilton and Zuk 22 (1892) hypothesized a link between an individual’s parasite resistance and more colorful plumage signals, as a mechanism for individuals to advertise their ‘quality’. While much data has accumulated documenting the nutritional and hormonal regulation of various types of plumage coloration, relatively little data exists reporting the effects of parasite load on individual plumage colors (i.e. melanin and carotenoid pigmented feathers). We collected ectoparasites and plumage color data from 24 purple finches (Carpodacus purpureus), 11 pine siskins (Carduelis pinus), and 21 American goldfinches (Carduelis tristis). We found substantial individual variation in both total parasite load and quantified measures of feather coloration, and we report on the association between these variables among individuals within each species.Drake University, Department of Biolog

Influence of human activity on gut microbiota and immune responses of Darwin’s finches in the Galápagos Islands

Urbanization can influence many environmental factors that can affect the condition, immunity, and gut microbiota of birds. Over the past several decades, the Galápagos Islands of Ecuador have experienced increasing human activity, which has led to recent changes in the morphology, gut microbiota, and immunity of Darwin’s finches. However, these traits have not been characterized before the exponential growth of human population size and tourist visitation rates, i.e., before 2009. The goal of this study was to determine the effect of land use on the fecal microbiota, immune response, and body measurements of Darwin’s finches in 2008, at a time of rapidly increasing human activity on the islands. Specifically, we compared fecal microbiota (bacterial diversity, community structure and membership, and relative abundance of bacterial taxa), proxies of immunity (lysozyme activity and haptoglobin, complement antibody, and natural antibody levels), and body measurements (body mass and condition, tarsus length) across undeveloped, agricultural, and urban areas for medium ground finches ( Geospiza fortis ) and small ground finches ( G. fuliginosa ). Lysozyme activity was lower and observed bacterial species richness was higher in urban areas compared to non-urban areas across both finch species. In medium ground finches, four genera ( Methylobacterium-Methylorubrum , Escherichia-Shigella , Brucella , and Citrobacter spp.) were higher in urban areas compared to undeveloped areas. In small ground finches, Paucibacter , Achromobacter , Delftia , Stenotrophomonas , and Brucella spp. had higher relative abundances in undeveloped and agricultural areas whereas the genus Cutibacterium was more abundant in finches from urban and agricultural areas than in finches from undeveloped areas. Medium ground finches were smaller in undeveloped areas compared to the other two areas, but body mass of small ground finches did not differ across areas. Our results suggest that human activity can have an impact on immune measures and gut microbiota of Darwin’s finches

Brachymeria

Key to <i>Brachymeria</i> spp. of the <i>subrugosa</i> complex based on females <p>1 Basal fold of fore wing densely setose with over 20 setae, sometimes partly arranged in several rows (Figs 9 F, 10D).......2</p> <p>1' Basal fold of fore wing less densely setose with at most 15 setae arranged in one row................................3</p> <p> 2(1) Upper edge of antennal scrobes not quite reaching lower margin of median ocellus (Fig. 9 A). Basal fold of fore wing with about 30 setae partly arranged in several rows (Fig. 9 F). Ocellar ocular distance hardly shorter than lateral ocellus diameter (Fig. 9 A)........................................................................... <i>B</i>. <i>subconica</i> Bouček</p> <p> 2' Upper edge of antennal scrobes reaching median ocellus. Basal fold of fore wing with about 20 setae arranged in one row (Fig. 10 D). Ocellar ocular distance much shorter than lateral ocellus diameter.................. <i>Brachymeria</i> sp. [= ' <i>Brassolis</i> ']</p> <p> 3(1') Adtorular carina vestigial, i.e. thin, incomplete, hardly raised and hence visible in some angles only (Fig. 6 C). Clypeus dorsally with 7−9 large piliferous punctures, mostly arranged in one row, apart from the smaller ones below. Gena, lower face and supracoxal stripe of metepimeron densely setose (Fig. 6 A, B, H). Clava subovoid and bearing a large area of micropilosity (Fig. 6 F, G). Basal fold of fore wing with 10−15 setae (median 13). Mandible almost entirely black (Fig. 6 B). Mesotibia with incomplete black ring (Fig. 6 K). Upper half of epicnemium black (Fig. 6 I)................ <i>B. philornisae</i> Delvare <b>sp. nov.</b></p> <p>3' Adtorular carina more distinctly expanded and visible (Fig. 6 B). Clypeus with different ornamentation—either the large points are irregularly distributed (Fig. 8 C) or less numerous (Fig. 7 B). Gena, lower face (Fig. 7 A, B) and supracoxal stripe of metepimeron moderately setose (Fig. 7 D). Clava tapering and with small area of micropilosity (Fig. 7 C). Basal fold of fore wing sometimes with less than 10 setae. Mandible, except teeth, largely brown in apical half (Fig. 7 B). Mesotibia with complete black ring. Upper half of epicnemium sometimes orange (Fig. 7 F)..........................................4</p> <p> 4(3') Adtorular carinae thin, visible as irregular rugae (Fig. 8 C). Antennal scrobes virtually as high as eye (0.97×), hence upper edge of scrobes about at level of upper ocular line (Fig. 8 A). Clypeus with irregularly distributed points (Fig. 8 C). Upper half of epicnemium black................................................................... <i>B. subrugosa</i> Blanchard</p> <p> 4' Adtorular carinae thick, appearing as a swelling (Fig. 7 B). Antennal scrobes 0.88−0.91× as high as eye, hence upper edge of scrobes slightly but distinctly below upper ocular line. Clypeus with 3 large points on either side in a dorsal row (Fig. 7 B). Upper half of epicnemium orange (Fig. 7 F)........................................ <i>B. costalimai</i> Delvare nom. nov.</p>Published as part of <i>Delvare, Gérard, Heimpel Hannes Baur, George E., Chadee, Dave D., Martinez, Raymond & Knutie, Sarah A., 2017, Description of Brachymeria philornisae sp. n. (Hymenoptera: Chalcididae), a parasitoid of the bird parasite Philornis trinitensis (Diptera: Muscidae) in Tobago, with a review of the sibling species in Zootaxa 4242 (1)</i>, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.4242.1.2, <a href="http://zenodo.org/record/375990">http://zenodo.org/record/375990</a&gt

Brachymeria subconica Boucek 1992

<i>Brachymeria subconica</i> Bouček, 1992 <p>(Fig. 9 A −G)</p> <p> <i>Pseudochalcis conica</i> Ashmead, 1904: 407. Original description ♀. BRAZIL: Santarem. <i>Brachymeria</i> (<i>Pseudobrachymeria</i>) <i>conica</i> (Ashmead); Burks, 1960: 270 −271 [redescription]. <i>Brachymeria subconica</i> Bouček, 1992: 92 [replacement name for <i>B. conica</i> (Ashmead, 1904) nec <i>B. conica</i> (Fabricius, 1798)];</p> <p> Aquino <i>et al</i>., 2015: 298−299.</p> <p> <b>Material examined</b>. Type material. Holotype ♀ (USNM type #8061, examined). Other material. <b>VENEZUELA</b>. Aragua, Chroni, La Sabaneta, 120 m, ex pupae of <i>Carmenta</i> sp. [Lepidoptera: Sesiidae] on <i>Theobroma cacao</i>, 10.i.1999, Garcia J. -L. & Montilla R. leg. (2 ♀) (in CIRAD).</p> <p> <b>Diagnosis</b>. Mandibles brown subapically (Fig. 9 B). Prepectus and upper half of epicnemium, black. Black ring on mesotibia complete. <i>Head 1.07× as broad as mesosoma</i>. Gena, lower face and supracoxal stripe of metepimeron moderately setose (Fig. 8 B). Clypeus with 4 large punctures on either side mostly arranged in one dorsal row (Fig. 8 C). <i>Adtorular carinae and subtorular swellings well visible but incomplete</i> (Fig. 8 C). <i>Antennal scrobes not reaching lower margin of median ocellus</i> (Fig. 8 A). <i>Lateral ocellus bordered with large fovea on outer side</i> (Fig. 8 A). <i>Ocellar ocular distance nearly as great as median ocellus diameter</i> (Fig. 8 A). Clava tapering with small area of micropilosity. <i>Mesosoma more slender than in alternate species, 1.45−1.55× as long as broad</i>. <i>Edge of frenal carina distinctly emarginate mesally</i> (Fig. 8 D). <i>Basal fold of fore wing with 28−34 setae</i> arranged <i>in several rows at base</i> (Fig. 8 E, F). Metasoma 2.09−2.16× as long as broad. <i>Apex of hypopygium hardly emarginate mesally</i> (Fig. 8 G).</p> <p> <b>Recognition</b>. This species is easily recognizable through a number of characters. Aquino <i>et al</i>. (2015) noted the upper edge of the antennal scrobes not reaching the base of the median ocellus and the hardly emarginate hypopygium. One can also add the less transverse head, figured in the quantitative analysis as the ratio <i>head breath</i>: <i>head height</i>. Also, the ocellar-ocular distance is hardly less than the diameter of the median ocellus versus much more reduced in the rest of the species (Tab. 4 and Fig. 4). The dense setation of the basal fold is shared with <i>Brachymeria</i> 'Brassolis'.</p> <p> <b>Host</b>. The series examined was most probably reared from <i>Carmenta theobromae</i> (Busck) (Lepidoptera: Sesiidae) because this species was quoted as a pest of cocoa in Venezuela by Franklin <i>et al</i>. (2009). The parasitoid record was quoted by Garcia & Montilla (2010).</p> <p> <b>Distribution</b>. Brazil and Venezuela.</p>Published as part of <i>Delvare, Gérard, Heimpel Hannes Baur, George E., Chadee, Dave D., Martinez, Raymond & Knutie, Sarah A., 2017, Description of Brachymeria philornisae sp. n. (Hymenoptera: Chalcididae), a parasitoid of the bird parasite Philornis trinitensis (Diptera: Muscidae) in Tobago, with a review of the sibling species in Zootaxa 4242 (1)</i>, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.4242.1.2, <a href="http://zenodo.org/record/375990">http://zenodo.org/record/375990</a&gt

Brachymeria costalimai Delvare, nom. nov.

<i>Brachymeria costalimai</i> Delvare nom. nov. <p>(Fig. 7 A −G)</p> <p>http://zoobank.org:act:6E182B92-CC63-4E74-BF5C-8D17859CD858</p> <p> <i>Trigonura annulipes</i> Costa Lima, 1919: 57 −58. Original description ♀. BRAZIL: Maranhão. Preoccupied by <i>B. annulipes</i> (Walker, 1834).</p> <p> <i>Brachymeria annulipes</i>; Bouček, 1992: 88; Aquino <i>et al</i>., 2015: 294, 297 [lectotype designation]. <i>Brachymeria subconica</i> Bouček: Delvare, 1993: 351, 353, 361[misidentification]. <i>Brachymeria subrugosa</i> Blanchard: Aquino <i>et al</i>., 2015: 294 −299 [misidentification].</p> <p> <b>Material examined</b>. <b>COLOMBIA.</b> Santander, San Alberto, Indupalma plantation, ex <i>Peleopoda arcanella</i> [Lepidoptera: Peleopodidae] on <i>Elaeis guineensis</i>, 13.iii.1986, Genty P. leg. (7 ♀ 7 ♂) [Ref. Cirad 8087] (in CIRAD); same sampling information but without Cirad ref. (3 ♀ 1 ♂) (in CIRAD); same locality, associate plant and collector, ex <i>Stenoma cecropia</i> [Lepidoptera: Elachistidae Stenomatinae], 23.v.1989 [Ref. Cirad 9583] (in CIRAD); same locality, associate plant and collector, ex <i>Anteotricha</i> sp. [Elachistidae: Stenomatinae], 31.iii.1986 (2 ♂) (in CIRAD); same locality and associated plant, ex <i>Casinaria</i> sp. [Hymenopera: Ichneumonidae], 08.ii.1977, Desmier de Chénon R. leg. (1 ♀) (in CIRAD); same locality, on <i>Solanum torvum</i>, 03.x.1984, Genty P. (1 ♀) (in CIRAD); same locality, on <i>Urena sinuata</i>, 23.vii.1987, Delvare G. leg. (1 ♀) (in CIRAD). <b>ECUADOR</b>. Pichilingue (3 ♀) [1 ♀ with identification label ' Pseudobrachymeria conica Ashm. ' in Steffan's handwriting]. <b>PERU</b>. Palmawasi, ex <i>Peleopoda arcanella</i> on <i>Elaeis guineensis</i>, 03.ix.1995, Chigne A. leg (4 ♀ 2 ♂) (Ref. Cirad 14536 and 14537) (in CIRAD).</p> <p> <b>Diagnosis</b>. Mandibles largely brown in apical half (Fig. 7 B). <i>At least upper half of epicnemium, and most often also medioventral projection of prepectus</i>, <i>orange</i> (Fig. 7 E, F). Metepisternum from entirely black to broadly orange (Fig. 7 G). Black ring on mesotibia complete. Head about as broad as mesosoma. Gena, lower face and supracoxal stripe of metepimeron moderately setose (Fig. 7 A, 7B). <i>Clypeus with 3 large points on either side in a dorsal row</i> (Fig. 7 B). Adtorular carinae well expanded, appearing as a swelling (Fig. 7 B). Antennal scrobes shorter than eye height (0.85−0.91×), their upper edge reaching lower margin of median ocellus but somewhat below upper ocular line. Ocellar ocular distance much shorter than median ocellus diameter (as in Fig. 5 A). Clava tapering with small area of micropilosity (Fig. 7 C). Mesosoma 1.25−1.4× as long as broad. <i>Basal fold of fore wing with 7–13 setae (median 9)</i>. Metasoma 1.9−2.3× as long as broad. Apex of hypopygium emarginate mesally (as in Fig. 5 J).</p> <p> <b>Recognition</b>. This species is easily separated from <i>B. subconica</i> and <i>Brachymeria</i> 'Brassolis' by the smaller number of setae on the basal fold. It is distinguished from <i>B. subrugosa</i> by its shorter antennal scrobes and lighter epicnemium, the upper half of which is orange. It differs from <i>B. philornisae</i> by its moderately dense setation on the gena, lower face and supracoxal stripe of metepimeron, by the different ornamentation of the clypeus, and by the habitus of the adtorular carina.</p> <p> The ratios from the LDA extractor (Tab. 4) are also useful. The ratios of <i>head breath</i>: <i>frontovertex breath</i> and <i>scutellum breath</i>: <i>median ocellus diameter</i> readily separate it from <i>B. subrugosa</i> and <i>B. philornisae</i> (Fig. 4).</p> <p> <b>Hosts</b>. The type series of <i>T. annulipes</i> was originally reared from <i>Pectinophora gossypiella</i> Saunders (Gelechiidae) on cotton. From the material examined, the species mostly develops upon small Lepidoptera belonging to the families Elachistidae, Peleopodidae or Yponomeutidae, but may also be hyperparasitoid of Ichneumonidae hence the hosts quoted by Delvare (1993) for <i>B. subconica</i> actually refer to <i>B. costalimai</i>. In addition, most of the hosts quoted by Aquino <i>et al</i> (2015: 297−298) for <i>B. subrugosa</i> probably also refer to <i>B. costalimai</i>, especially those belonging to Tortricidae and the above families.</p> <p> <b>Distribution</b>. It is certainly wide and includes at least Brazil, Colombia, Ecuador and Peru. According to Aquino <i>et al</i> (2015) [under <i>B. subrugosa</i>] the distribution also includes the United States (Texas), Mexico, Honduras, Costa Rica and Venezuela.</p> <p> <b>Comments</b>. A new name is proposed for the original species name of Costa Lima because it is preoccupied by <i>B. annulipes</i> (Walker, 1834), synonymised with <i>B. annulata</i> (Fabricius) by Bouček & Delvare (1992).</p>Published as part of <i>Delvare, Gérard, Heimpel Hannes Baur, George E., Chadee, Dave D., Martinez, Raymond & Knutie, Sarah A., 2017, Description of Brachymeria philornisae sp. n. (Hymenoptera: Chalcididae), a parasitoid of the bird parasite Philornis trinitensis (Diptera: Muscidae) in Tobago, with a review of the sibling species in Zootaxa 4242 (1)</i>, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.4242.1.2, <a href="http://zenodo.org/record/375990">http://zenodo.org/record/375990</a&gt