Defensive adaptations to cuckoo parasitism in the black-browed reed warbler (Acrocephalus bistrigiceps): recognition and mechanism

Yang, Canchao; Chen, Xiangyang; Wang, Longwu; Liang, Wei

doi:10.1007/s10071-022-01613-9

Cited by 7 publications

(3 citation statements)

References 40 publications

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“…Studies have shown that some hosts choose to abandon their nests instead of rejecting the parasite eggs. 39 , 40 In addition, we found that only 16% (n = 50) of the cuckoo eggs were abandoned during the late egg-laying or incubation period, which could be mainly due to excessive parasitic disturbances caused by cuckoos. In four cases, we observed at least six attempts at parasitism by cuckoos before success, suggesting that nest desertion was not due to host ejection.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 88%

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Nest desertion as an anti-parasitism strategy in hosts selects for late egg-laying behavior in cuckoos

Zhong,

Wan,

Zhang

et al. 2023

iScience

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 88%

“… 37 , 38 However, despite the ejection of parasite eggs, some hosts still abandon their nests at times. 39 , 40 In some cases, the presence of parasite eggs does not lead to nest desertion by the host. 30 …”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Nest desertion as an anti-parasitism strategy in hosts selects for late egg-laying behavior in cuckoos

Zhong,

Wan,

Zhang

et al. 2023

iScience

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“…Moving from trait-based to response-based measures of mimetic fidelity, few studies have tested whether attempts to artificially improve mimicry result in improved receiver performance (but see [ 20 , 21 ]). Here, we improved trait-based mimicry by painting scribbles on cuckoo finch eggs.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Combined measures of mimetic fidelity explain imperfect mimicry in a brood parasite–host system

et al. 2023

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The persistence of imperfect mimicry in nature presents a challenge to mimicry theory. Some hypotheses for the existence of imperfect mimicry make differing predictions depending on how mimetic fidelity is measured. Here, we measure mimetic fidelity in a brood parasite–host system using both trait-based and response-based measures of mimetic fidelity. Cuckoo finches Anomalospiza imberbis lay imperfectly mimetic eggs that lack the fine scribbling characteristic of eggs of the tawny-flanked prinia Prinia subflava , a common host species. A trait-based discriminant analysis based on Minkowski functionals—that use geometric and topological morphometric methods related to egg pattern shape and coverage—reflects this consistent difference between host and parasite eggs. These methods could be applied to quantify other phenotypes including stripes and waved patterns. Furthermore, by painting scribbles onto cuckoo finch eggs and testing their rate of rejection compared to control eggs (i.e. a response-based approach to quantify mimetic fidelity), we show that prinias do not discriminate between eggs based on the absence of scribbles. Overall, our results support relaxed selection on cuckoo finches to mimic scribbles, since prinias do not respond differently to eggs with and without scribbles, despite the existence of this consistent trait difference.

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Breeding stages affect egg recognition in azure-winged magpies (Cyanopica cyanus)

Liu,

Zhou,

Yan

et al. 2024

Anim Cogn

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Egg rejection often involves a cognitive process of recognizing foreign eggs, which can vary not only between species or among different individuals of the same species, but also within the same individual during different breeding stages, leading to markedly different responses to parasitic eggs. We conducted a comparative study in Wuhan, Hubei, and Fusong, Jilin, China, on the recognition and rejection behavior of azure-winged magpies ( Cyanopica cyanus ) at different breeding stages (pre-egg-laying, one-host-egg, multi-host-egg and early incubation stages). In the Fusong population, there was a significant difference in the rejection rate of model eggs by azure-winged magpies at different stages of the egg-laying period. During the one-host-egg stage, the rejection rate (63.6%) was significantly lower than that during the pre-egg-laying stage (85.7%) and the multi-host-egg stage (100%). The population of azure-winged magpies in Wuhan exhibited a 100% rejection rate towards model eggs during the pre-egg-laying stage. Furthermore, during the incubation stage, azure-winged magpies were able to accurately recognize and reject foreign eggs even when those were in majority. This indicates that azure-winged magpies employ a template-based recognition mechanism rather than relying on discordance mechanism for recognition after the onset of incubation. This study suggests that while azure-winged magpies can truly recognize their own eggs, different breeding stages still influence their rejection response towards parasitic eggs, especially during the pre-egg-laying and egg laying stages. Supplementary Information The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s10071-024-01915-0.

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Defensive adaptations to cuckoo parasitism in the black-browed reed warbler (Acrocephalus bistrigiceps): recognition and mechanism

Cited by 7 publications

References 40 publications

Nest desertion as an anti-parasitism strategy in hosts selects for late egg-laying behavior in cuckoos

Nest desertion as an anti-parasitism strategy in hosts selects for late egg-laying behavior in cuckoos

Combined measures of mimetic fidelity explain imperfect mimicry in a brood parasite–host system

Breeding stages affect egg recognition in azure-winged magpies (Cyanopica cyanus)

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