Intraspecific avian brood parasites avoid host nests infested by ectoparasites

摘要: Intraspecific brood parasitism is widespread among birds and provides clues for elucidating the evolutionary origin of interspecific parasitism. Studies suggest that does not occur at random, but parasitic females select nests with advantages such as higher physical stability, reduced predation risk, or lower ectoparasite infestations. However, this evidence sparse mainly correlative. By experimentally increasing abundance Carnus hemapterus (a common, generalist ectoparasitic nest fly a multitude bird species) in half nests, we show Spotless Starlings (Sturnus unicolor) avoid conspecific infested by ectoparasites. Since ectoparasites impinge costs on their avian nestling hosts, avoidance response would be adaptive Starlings. Further, mechanism which may assess level infestation to host accordingly: using parasite cues faeces blood remains. Additionally, these used synchronization reproductive cycle because also indicate incubation has already commenced. Whatever functionality, suggested here employed intra- parasites, so it might represent strategy nature.