Louse flies in Azorean and mainland populations of four Passeriformes species: A new perspective to parasite Island syndromes

• Published in: International journal for parasitology. Parasites and wildlife Vol. 14; pp. 33 - 40
• Main Authors: Tomás, André, Pereira da Fonseca, Isabel, Valkenburg, Thijs, Rebelo, Maria Teresa
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: England Elsevier Ltd 01.04.2021; Elsevier
• Subjects: Azores; Ectoparasite assemblage; Hippoboscid flies; Louse flies; Portugal; Wild birds; Hippoboscid flies; Wild birds; Ectoparasite assemblage; Azores; Portugal; Louse flies
• ISSN: 2213-2244; 2213-2244
• DOI: 10.1016/j.ijppaw.2020.12.004

Hippoboscid flies, also known as louse flies, are obligate blood-feeders ectoparasites of birds and mammals. By studying louse fly parasites of four Passeriformes species, Eurasian blackbird (Turdus merula), Eurasian blackcap (Sylvia atricapilla), common chaffinch (Fringilla coelebs) and European robin (Erithacus rubecula), with dissimilar time of colonization of Azores islands, we tested whether: (i) island host populations have lower parasite richness than the mainland one; (ii) island host populations undergo higher parasite prevalence, mean intensities and mean abundance than the mainland one; (iii) island parasite diversity are composed exclusively by specific parasites and (iv) parasite richness is positively correlated with the island area and proximity to the continent. For these purposes, 775 birds were sampled for presence of louse flies, by modified fumigation chamber method, from Azores Islands (São Miguel, Terceira and Flores) and Portugal mainland. Insular and mainland parasite assemblages were statistically compared. We record for the first time to Azores, Ornithomya fringillina and Icosta minor from Portugal mainland. Louse flies had highest prevalence and abundance from Azores Islands compared to those observed in mainland birds, especially blackbirds. The insular parasite diversity of Azores blackbirds, blackcaps and chaffinches was richer than the one observed in mainland population. None of the hippoboscid flies observed on the islands and mainland were host-specific. Thus, our findings provide an upgrade of parasite island syndromes knowledge, in the context of the ectoparasites, namely to the hippoboscid flies case. [Display omitted] •We investigate the louse flies of four Passeriformes species from Macaronesia.•Louse flies of Azores blackbirds had highest prevalence than in mainland birds.•Insular parasite diversity was richer than the one observed in mainland population.•Hippoboscid flies observed on the islands and mainland were not host-specific.•Ornithomya fringillina recorded for the first time to Azores.