High Blood Parasite Infection Rate and Low Fitness Suggest That Forest Water Bodies Comprise Ecological Traps for Pied Flycatchers

Birds

Ronalds Krams¹  Indrikis A. Krams¹  Tatjana Krama¹  Linda Strode²  Iluta Dauškane²  Guntis Brūmelis²  Didzis Elferts²  Patrīcija Raibarte³  Janīna Daukšte³ 

[1] Department of Biotechnology, Daugavpils University, 5401 Daugavpils, Latvia;Department of Botany and Ecology, Faculty of Biology, University of Latvia, 1004 Rīga, Latvia;Institute of Food Safety, Animal Health and Environment BIOR, 1076 Rīga, Latvia;

关键词: blood parasites;    ecological traps;    parasite vectors;    Pied Flycatcher;   

DOI  :  10.3390/birds3020014

来源: DOAJ

【 摘 要 】

Blood parasites are considered to have strong negative effects on host fitness. Negative fitness consequences may be associated with proximity to areas where blood parasite vectors reproduce. This study tested for relationships between haemosporidian infection prevalence, parasitemia, and fitness parameters of breeding Pied Flycatchers (Ficedula hypoleuca) at different distances from forest water bodies. Prevalence and parasitemias (the intensity of infection) of haemosporidians and vector abundance generally decreased with increasing distance from forest lakes, streams, and bogs. Fledgling numbers were lower, and their condition was worse in the vicinity of water bodies, compared with those located one kilometer away from lakes and streams. At the beginning of the breeding season, adult body mass was not related to distance to the nearest water body, whereas at the end of the breeding season body mass was significantly lower closer to water bodies. Forest areas around water bodies may represent ecological traps for Pied Flycatchers. Installing nest boxes in the vicinity of forest water bodies creates unintended ecological traps that may have conservation implications.

【 授权许可】

Unknown