Ectoparasites exposure affects early growth and mouth colour in nestlings of a cavity-nesting raptor

Romanò, Andrea; Corti, Margherita; Soravia, Camilla; Cecere, Jacopo G.; Rubolini, Diego

doi:10.1007/s00265-021-03098-x

Cited by 9 publications

(11 citation statements)

References 105 publications

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“…Although we limited biometric recordings at ca. 15 days post‐hatching, and thus, we could not assess if further increases of body mass occurred beyond the sampling period, this is the age when body mass and skeletal size reach a plateau in lesser kestrels (Braziotis et al, 2017; Catry et al, 2011; Romano et al, 2021). Hence, we can reasonably assume that a smaller body size at 15 days post‐hatching is later mirrored into smaller body size at fledging.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…The effect of shading on nestling growth (body mass and tarsus length) of individuals surviving up to 15 days after hatching (corresponding to the linear growth phase, see Romano et al, 2021) were investigated using LMMs, including shading (three-level factor), brood size, laying date, age, ectoparasite load, rank, and sex as fixed effects. Nestling, brood, and synchronous group identity were included as random intercept effects.…”

Section: Effects Of Shading On Nestling Mortality and Growthmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Experimental nest cooling reveals dramatic effects of heatwaves on reproduction in a Mediterranean bird of prey

Corregidor‐Castro,

Morinay,

McKinlay

et al. 2023

Global Change Biology

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Future climatic scenarios forecast increases in average temperatures as well as in the frequency, duration, and intensity of extreme events, such as heatwaves. Whereas behavioral adjustments can buffer direct physiological and fitness costs of exposure to excessive temperature in wild animals, these may prove more difficult during specific life stages when vagility is reduced (e.g., early developmental stages). By means of a nest cooling experiment, we tested the effects of extreme temperatures on different stages of reproduction in a cavity‐nesting Mediterranean bird of prey, the lesser kestrel (Falco naumanni), facing a recent increase in the frequency of heatwaves during its breeding season. Nest temperature in a group of nest boxes placed on roof terraces was reduced by shading them from direct sunlight in 2 consecutive years (2021 and 2022). We then compared hatching failure, mortality, and nestling morphology between shaded and non‐shaded (control) nest boxes. Nest temperature in control nest boxes was on average 3.9°C higher than in shaded ones during heatwaves, that is, spells of extreme air temperature (>37°C for ≥2 consecutive days) which hit the study area during the nestling‐rearing phase in both years. Hatching failure markedly increased with increasing nest temperature, rising above 50% when maximum nest temperatures exceeded 44°C. Nestlings from control nest boxes showed higher mortality during heatwaves (55% vs. 10% in shaded nest boxes) and those that survived further showed impaired morphological growth (body mass and skeletal size). Hence, heatwaves occurring during the breeding period can have both strong lethal and sublethal impacts on different components of avian reproduction, from egg hatching to nestling growth. More broadly, these findings suggest that the projected future increases of summer temperatures and heatwave frequency in the Mediterranean basin and elsewhere in temperate areas may threaten the local persistence of even relatively warm‐adapted species.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Effects Of Shading On Nestling Mortality and Growthmentioning

confidence: 99%

Experimental nest cooling reveals dramatic effects of heatwaves on reproduction in a Mediterranean bird of prey

Corregidor‐Castro,

Morinay,

McKinlay

et al. 2023

Global Change Biology

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“…The incubation lasts on average 28-29 days and is carried out by both individuals ( Cramp & Simmons, 1980 ), the late incubation phase represents the last two weeks of this period. The early nestling rearing phase lasts up to 15 days of age and corresponds to the linear growth phase of nestlings ( Podofillini et al, 2018 ; Romano et al, 2021 ). The late nestling rearing phase is characterized by the last period of parental care, during which nestlings undergo mass recession and during which fledglings become progressively independent from their parents.…”

Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Vegetation height and structure drive foraging habitat selection of the lesser kestrel (Falco naumanni) in intensive agricultural landscapes

Cioccarelli

Terras

Assandri

et al. 2022

PeerJ

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Habitat selection in animals is a fundamental ecological process with key conservation implications. Assessing habitat selection in endangered species and populations occupying the extreme edges of their distribution range, or living in highly anthropized landscapes, may be of particular interest as it may provide hints to mechanisms promoting potential range expansions. We assessed second- and third-order foraging habitat selection in the northernmost European breeding population of the lesser kestrel (Falco naumanni), a migratory falcon of European conservation interest, by integrating results obtained from 411 direct observations with those gathered from nine GPS-tracked individuals. The study population breeds in the intensively cultivated Po Plain (northern Italy). Direct observations and GPS data coincide in showing that foraging lesser kestrels shifted their habitat preferences through the breeding cycle. They positively selected alfalfa and other non-irrigated crops during the early breeding season, while winter cereals were selected during the nestling-rearing phase. Maize was selected during the early breeding season, after sowing, but significantly avoided later. Overall, vegetation height emerged as the main predictor of foraging habitat selection, with birds preferring short vegetation, which is likely to maximise prey accessibility. Such a flexibility in foraging habitat selection according to spatio-temporal variation in the agricultural landscape determined by local crop management practices may have allowed the species to successfully thrive in one of the most intensively cultivated areas of Europe. In the southeastern Po Plain, the broad extent of hay and non-irrigated crops is possibly functioning as a surrogate habitat for the pseudo-steppe environment where most of the European breeding population is settled, fostering the northward expansion of the species in Europe. In intensive agricultural landscapes, the maintenance of alfalfa and winter cereals crops and an overall high crop heterogeneity (deriving from crop rotation) is fundamental to accommodate the ecological requirements of the species in different phases of its breeding cycle.

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“…Imperfect repair of DNA damage induced by oxidative stress could then shorten telomeres. In addition, parasites can stunt body growth (Hoi et al, 2018; as seen in birds: Pryor & Casto, 2017; Romano et al, 2021; but see Dugas & Border, 2022a) in multiple ways. Parasites may limit resource allocation (Lochmiller & Deerenberg, 2000) toward body growth via consumption of blood or by increasing metabolic rates during infection (Cutrera et al, 2022; Lind et al, 2020; Ots et al, 2001; but see Smith et al, 2017).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Ectoparasitism in particular may also cost time and energy via increased grooming (Mooring et al, 1996; Simon et al, 2005), although this removal of parasites could aid host nutrition (Johnson et al, 2010). Interestingly, parasitism is also linked to low quality ornaments in young birds, which may influence resource allocation among siblings from parents (Dugas & Border, 2022a, 2022b; Romano et al, 2021). Such stunted growth could theoretically decrease oxidative stress and slow telomere loss (Alonzo‐Alvarez et al, 2007; Monaghan & Ozanne, 2018; but see Vedder et al, 2017); however, slowed growth accompanied by other parasite‐induced oxidative stress may still lead to telomere loss.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Experimental ectoparasite removal has a sex‐specific effect on nestling telomere length

Wolf

Zhang

Clotfelter

2023

Ecology and Evolution

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Parasites are a strong selective force that can influence fitness-related traits. The length of chromosome-capping telomeres can be used to assess the long-term costs of parasitism, as telomere loss accelerates in response to environmental stressors and often precedes poorer survival prospects. Here, we explored the sex-specific effects of ectoparasite removal on morphology and telomere length in nestling tree swallows (Tachycineta bicolor). To do so, we experimentally removed blow fly (Protocalliphora spp.) larvae from nests using Permethrin, a broad-spectrum insecticide. Compared to water-treated controls, insecticide treatment of nests had a sex-biased effect on blood telomere length: ectoparasite removal resulted in significantly longer telomeres in males but not females. While this treatment did not influence nestling body mass, it was associated with reduced feather development regardless of sex. This may reflect a relaxed pressure to fledge quickly in the absence of parasites, or alternatively, could be a negative side effect of permethrin on morphology. Exploring robust sex-specific telomere dynamics in response to early-life environmental pressures such as parasitism will shed light on sexual dimorphism in adult life histories and aging.

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Ectoparasites exposure affects early growth and mouth colour in nestlings of a cavity-nesting raptor

Cited by 9 publications

References 105 publications

Experimental nest cooling reveals dramatic effects of heatwaves on reproduction in a Mediterranean bird of prey

Experimental nest cooling reveals dramatic effects of heatwaves on reproduction in a Mediterranean bird of prey

Vegetation height and structure drive foraging habitat selection of the lesser kestrel (Falco naumanni) in intensive agricultural landscapes

Experimental ectoparasite removal has a sex‐specific effect on nestling telomere length

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