Red‐backed shrike (<i>Lanius collurio</i>) versus common cuckoo (<i>Cuculus canorus</i>): An example of ineffective cuckoo–hawk mimicry

Krausová, Ladislava; Veselý, Petr; Syrová, Michaela; Antonová, Kateřina; Fišer, Ondřej; Chlumská, Vanda; Pátková, Markéta; Pužej, Šimon; Fuchs, Roman

doi:10.1002/ece3.9664

Cited by 5 publications

(3 citation statements)

References 55 publications

Supporting

Mentioning

Contrasting

Order By: Relevance

“…It is hypothesized that cuckoos have evolved this mimicry to avoid such attacks. However, observations on a common host species, the red-backed shrike ( Lanius collurio ) suggest that this mimicry is no longer as effective as before [ 31 ].…”

Section: Coevolutionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Host–Parasite Coevolution in Primates

Zinner

Paciência²,

Roos

2023

Life

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Organisms adapt to their environment through evolutionary processes. Environments consist of abiotic factors, but also of other organisms. In many cases, two or more species interact over generations and adapt in a reciprocal way to evolutionary changes in the respective other species. Such coevolutionary processes are found in mutualistic and antagonistic systems, such as predator–prey and host–parasite (including pathogens) relationships. Coevolution often results in an “arms race” between pathogens and hosts and can significantly affect the virulence of pathogens and thus the severity of infectious diseases, a process that we are currently witnessing with SARS-CoV-2. Furthermore, it can lead to co-speciation, resulting in congruent phylogenies of, e.g., the host and parasite. Monkeys and other primates are no exception. They are hosts to a large number of pathogens that have shaped not only the primate immune system but also various ecological and behavioral adaptions. These pathogens can cause severe diseases and most likely also infect multiple primate species, including humans. Here, we briefly review general aspects of the coevolutionary process in its strict sense and highlight the value of cophylogenetic analyses as an indicator for coevolution.

show abstract

Section: Coevolutionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Host–Parasite Coevolution in Primates

Zinner

Paciência²,

Roos

2023

Life

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

show abstract

“…It is crucial for the host’s fitness to be able to recognize its parasite 20 . The ability of hosts to distinguish between the European cuckoo ( Cuculus canorus ), a well-known parasite of small passerines in Europe and Asia, is often assessed by observing their behavioural reactions to dummies of cuckoos and other species, including the predatory sparrowhawk ( Accipiter nisusus ) 24 . Parasites, in response to host attacks, have evolved coloration that mimics predators threatening the hosts.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…A significant number of species fail to differentiate the cuckoo from the sparrowhawk, reacting with comparable aggression towards both, yet showing greater hostility than towards control species, primarily pigeons 21 , 22 . However, some studies suggest that certain species can distinguish between a cuckoo and a sparrowhawk but see Ref 23 , 24 , and exhibit aggressive behavior towards the cuckoo, sometimes resulting in its death 25 . Even non-host species, such as tits, substantially reduce their activity at feeders in the presence of both cuckoo and sparrowhawk dummies.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Reactions of wintering passerines to male calls of the European cuckoo Cuculus canorus

Tryjanowski,

Golawski,

Jankowiak

et al. 2024

Sci Rep

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

The reaction of birds to the nest parasite, the European cuckoo Cuculus canorus, has been the subject of extensive testing in various aspects. However, while the cuckoo is a long-distance migrant, some of its hosts are sedentary species. In this study, we aimed to investigate whether species, primarily hosts, react to the presence of the cuckoo also in the winter season. This behaviour may involve an attempt to drive the parasite away from locations that will subsequently become their breeding sites. During playback experiments conducted in the winter of 2021/2022 in Poland, we demonstrated that numerous bird species react to the male cuckoo calls in winter. These calls may be perceived as a source of danger, particularly by cuckoo hosts, who responded to this call more frequently than non-hosts and the control species (pigeon). Nonetheless, the birds’ reactions were not strong, as they did not approach the source of the call. However, our results are constrained by the limited number of cuckoo host species wintering in Poland. To better evaluate the intensity of bird responses to the male cuckoo’s call during the non-breeding season, further studies should be conducted in regions where a greater variety of species, especially those most susceptible to parasitism, overwinter.

show abstract

Avian Reproduction: Post-hatching Parental Care and Brood Parasitism

Ritchison

2023

Fascinating Life Sciences

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Red‐backed shrike (Lanius collurio) versus common cuckoo (Cuculus canorus): An example of ineffective cuckoo–hawk mimicry

Cited by 5 publications

References 55 publications

Host–Parasite Coevolution in Primates

Host–Parasite Coevolution in Primates

Reactions of wintering passerines to male calls of the European cuckoo Cuculus canorus

Avian Reproduction: Post-hatching Parental Care and Brood Parasitism

Contact Info

Product

Resources

About