Plumage micro-organisms and preen gland size in an urbanizing context.

摘要: Urbanization of Earth's habitats has led to considerable loss biodiversity, but the driving ecological mechanism(s) are not always clear. Vertebrates like birds typically experience urban alterations diet, habitat availability, and levels predation or competition, may also be exposed greater more pathogenic communities microbes. Birds have been popular subjects research but, our knowledge, no study assessed how conditions influence microbial on bird plumage. carry a large variety microorganisms their plumage some them capacity degrade feather keratin alter integrity. To limit negative effects these feather-degrading bacteria, coat feathers with preen gland secretions containing antibacterial substances. Here we examined urban-rural variation in abundance size house finches (Haemorhous mexicanus). We found that, although rural similar total-cultivable loads plumage, bacteria was average three times higher birds. an increase along gradient urbanization, suggesting that oil growth activity Given investment preening is traded-off against other immunological defenses can key processes thermoregulation, aerodynamics, coloration, findings highlight importance microbes ecology