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

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 pa...

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Published inBirds (Basel, Switzerland) Vol. 3; no. 2; pp. 221 - 233
Main Authors Krams, Ronalds, Krama, Tatjana, Elferts, Didzis, Daukšte, Janīna, Raibarte, Patrīcija, Brūmelis, Guntis, Dauškane, Iluta, Strode, Linda, Krams, Indrikis A.
Format Journal Article
LanguageEnglish
Published Rovaniemi MDPI AG 01.06.2022
Subjects
Animal reproduction
Birds
blood parasites
Boxes
ecological traps
Immune system
Infections
Lakes
Mosquitoes
parasite vectors
Parasites
Parasitic diseases
Pied Flycatcher
Trees
Wetlands
Norway
Africa
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Summary: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.
ISSN:2673-6004
2673-6004
DOI:10.3390/birds3020014