The Experts below are selected from a list of 4599 Experts worldwide ranked by ideXlab platform
Dale H. Clayton - One of the best experts on this subject based on the ideXlab platform.
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Beak of the pinch: anti-parasite traits are similar among Darwin’s finch species
Evolutionary Ecology, 2018Co-Authors: Scott M. Villa, Jennifer A. H. Koop, Céline Le Bohec, Dale H. ClaytonAbstract:Darwin’s finches are an iconic example of adaptive radiation. The size and shape of the beaks of different finch species are diversified for feeding on different size seeds and other food resources. However, beaks also serve other functions, such as Preening for the control of ectoparasites. In diverse groups of birds, the effectiveness of Preening is governed by the length of the overhanging tip of the upper mandible of the beak. This overhang functions as a template against which the tip of the lower mandible generates a pinching force sufficient to damage or kill ectoparasites. Here we compare feeding versus Preening components of the beak morphology of small, medium, and large ground finches that share a single parasite community. Despite adaptive divergence in beak morphology related to feeding, the three species have nearly identical relative mandibular overhang lengths. Moreover, birds with intermediate length overhangs have the lowest feather mite loads. These results suggest that Darwin’s finches maintain an optimal beak morphology to effectively control their ectoparasites.
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Does alloPreening control avian ectoparasites
Biology Letters, 2016Co-Authors: Scott M. Villa, Graham B. Goodman, James S. Ruff, Dale H. ClaytonAbstract:For birds, the first line of defence against ectoparasites is Preening. The effectiveness of self-Preening for ectoparasite control is well known. By contrast, the ectoparasite control function of ...
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How effective is Preening against mobile ectoparasites? An experimental test with pigeons and hippoboscid flies.
International Journal for Parasitology, 2012Co-Authors: Jessica L. Waite, Autumn R. Henry, Dale H. ClaytonAbstract:Birds combat ectoparasites with many defences but the first line of defence is grooming behaviour, which includes Preening with the bill and scratching with the feet. Preening has been shown to be very effective against ectoparasites. However, most tests have been with feather lice, which are relatively slow moving. Less is known about the effectiveness of Preening as a defence against more mobile and evasive ectoparasites such as hippoboscid flies. Hippoboscids, which feed on blood, have direct effects on the host such as anaemia, as well as indirect effects as vectors of pathogens. Hence, effective defence against hippoboscid flies is important. We used captive Rock Pigeons (Columba livia) to test whether Preening behaviour helps to control pigeon flies (Pseudolynchia canariensis). We found that pigeons responded to fly infestation by Preening twice as much as pigeons without flies. Preening birds killed twice as many flies over the course of our week-long experiment as birds with impaired Preening; however, Preening did not kill all of the flies. We also tested the role of the bill overhang, which is critical for effective Preening against feather lice, by experimentally removing the overhang and re-measuring the effectiveness of Preening against flies. Birds without overhangs were as effective at controlling flies as were birds with overhangs. Overall, we found that Preening is effective against mobile hippoboscid flies, yet it does not eliminate them. We discuss the potential impact of Preening on the transmission dynamics of blood parasites vectored by hippoboscid flies.
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Does sunlight enhance the effectiveness of avian Preening for ectoparasite control
Journal of Parasitology, 2012Co-Authors: Jennifer A. H. Koop, Sarah K. Huber, Dale H. ClaytonAbstract:Preening is a bird's first line of defense against harmful ectoparasites. Ectoparasites, in turn, have evolved adaptations for avoiding Preening such as hardened exoskeletons and escape behavior. Earlier work suggests that some groups of ectoparasites, such as feather lice, leave hiding places in feathers that are exposed to direct sunlight, making them more vulnerable to Preening. It is, therefore, conceivable that birds may choose to preen in direct sunlight, assuming it improves the effectiveness of Preening. Using mourning doves and their feather lice, we tested 2 related hypotheses; (1) that birds with access to direct sunlight preen more often than birds in shade, and (2) that birds with access to direct sunlight are more effective at controlling their ectoparasites than birds in shade. To test these hypotheses, we conducted an experiment in which we manipulated both sunlight and Preening ability. Our results provided no support for either hypothesis, i.e., birds given the opportunity to preen in direct sunlight did not preen significantly more often, or more effectively, than did birds in shade. Thus, the efficiency of Preening for ectoparasite control appears to be independent of light intensity, at least in the case of mourning doves and their feather lice.
Billy M. Hargis - One of the best experts on this subject based on the ideXlab platform.
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Effect of photointensity, sound intensity, and ambient temperature on Preening behavior and ingestion of spray-applied biologics
Journal of Applied Poultry Research, 2001Co-Authors: D. Y. Caldwell, D J Caldwell, R.w. Moore, Billy M. HargisAbstract:SUMMARY Spray application offers low-cost and efficient application of biologics and reduced concerns regarding diverse water quality and medicator/proportioner function. However, little is known about how environmental conditions may modify Preening and associated ingestion of spray-applied biologics. We evaluated the effect of selected photo intensities, sound levels, and ambient temperatures on Preening behavior and ingestion of spray-applied biologics on day-of-hatch chicks. Data from these experiments suggest that temperature, sound, and especially photointensity may play a major role in determination of Preening behavior in day-of-hatch chicks. Increasing photointensity (0 to 115.5 FC) at the time of spray application resulted in marked and significant increases in Preening and Preening-associated ingestion of spray-applied products. Furthermore, changes in sound intensity (56 to 83 dB) or temperature (35 to 22°C) increased cumulative Preening events. These data indicate that control of selected environmental conditions is essential for optimal ingestion of spray box-applied biologics.
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Interaction of Color and Photointensity on Preening Behavior and Ingestion of Spray-Applied Biologics
Journal of Applied Poultry Research, 2001Co-Authors: D. Y. Caldwell, D J Caldwell, R.w. Moore, S. D. Young, Billy M. HargisAbstract:SUMMARY Previous research has demonstrated that increased photointensity near the time of spray application can increase Preening activity and ingestion of spray-applied material and can enhance establishment of a competitive exclusion culture. In the present study, inclusion of selected colors had a marked effect on Preening activity, with fluorescein or forest green combined with fluorescein causing the greatest increase in Preening under conditions of constant lighting (92 FC before, during and after spray). Minimal effects of constant incandescent (80 FC) vs. fluorescent light (80 FC) source were observed, regardless of the color used. While addition of color improved Preening activity under constant lighting, no additional increase in Preening activity was observed when coloring was added to the spray applied under conditions of increasing photointensity. These data indicate that coloring of spray solutions for application to neonatal chicks can improve Preening activity under conditions of constant lighting. However, optimization of photointensity near the time of spray application negates the need for addition of coloring and, in fact, increases Preening activity to levels not observed due to color addition to the spray solution under conditions of constant lighting.
Scott M. Villa - One of the best experts on this subject based on the ideXlab platform.
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Beak of the pinch: anti-parasite traits are similar among Darwin’s finch species
Evolutionary Ecology, 2018Co-Authors: Scott M. Villa, Jennifer A. H. Koop, Céline Le Bohec, Dale H. ClaytonAbstract:Darwin’s finches are an iconic example of adaptive radiation. The size and shape of the beaks of different finch species are diversified for feeding on different size seeds and other food resources. However, beaks also serve other functions, such as Preening for the control of ectoparasites. In diverse groups of birds, the effectiveness of Preening is governed by the length of the overhanging tip of the upper mandible of the beak. This overhang functions as a template against which the tip of the lower mandible generates a pinching force sufficient to damage or kill ectoparasites. Here we compare feeding versus Preening components of the beak morphology of small, medium, and large ground finches that share a single parasite community. Despite adaptive divergence in beak morphology related to feeding, the three species have nearly identical relative mandibular overhang lengths. Moreover, birds with intermediate length overhangs have the lowest feather mite loads. These results suggest that Darwin’s finches maintain an optimal beak morphology to effectively control their ectoparasites.
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Does alloPreening control avian ectoparasites
Biology Letters, 2016Co-Authors: Scott M. Villa, Graham B. Goodman, James S. Ruff, Dale H. ClaytonAbstract:For birds, the first line of defence against ectoparasites is Preening. The effectiveness of self-Preening for ectoparasite control is well known. By contrast, the ectoparasite control function of ...
D. Y. Caldwell - One of the best experts on this subject based on the ideXlab platform.
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Effect of photointensity, sound intensity, and ambient temperature on Preening behavior and ingestion of spray-applied biologics
Journal of Applied Poultry Research, 2001Co-Authors: D. Y. Caldwell, D J Caldwell, R.w. Moore, Billy M. HargisAbstract:SUMMARY Spray application offers low-cost and efficient application of biologics and reduced concerns regarding diverse water quality and medicator/proportioner function. However, little is known about how environmental conditions may modify Preening and associated ingestion of spray-applied biologics. We evaluated the effect of selected photo intensities, sound levels, and ambient temperatures on Preening behavior and ingestion of spray-applied biologics on day-of-hatch chicks. Data from these experiments suggest that temperature, sound, and especially photointensity may play a major role in determination of Preening behavior in day-of-hatch chicks. Increasing photointensity (0 to 115.5 FC) at the time of spray application resulted in marked and significant increases in Preening and Preening-associated ingestion of spray-applied products. Furthermore, changes in sound intensity (56 to 83 dB) or temperature (35 to 22°C) increased cumulative Preening events. These data indicate that control of selected environmental conditions is essential for optimal ingestion of spray box-applied biologics.
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Interaction of Color and Photointensity on Preening Behavior and Ingestion of Spray-Applied Biologics
Journal of Applied Poultry Research, 2001Co-Authors: D. Y. Caldwell, D J Caldwell, R.w. Moore, S. D. Young, Billy M. HargisAbstract:SUMMARY Previous research has demonstrated that increased photointensity near the time of spray application can increase Preening activity and ingestion of spray-applied material and can enhance establishment of a competitive exclusion culture. In the present study, inclusion of selected colors had a marked effect on Preening activity, with fluorescein or forest green combined with fluorescein causing the greatest increase in Preening under conditions of constant lighting (92 FC before, during and after spray). Minimal effects of constant incandescent (80 FC) vs. fluorescent light (80 FC) source were observed, regardless of the color used. While addition of color improved Preening activity under constant lighting, no additional increase in Preening activity was observed when coloring was added to the spray applied under conditions of increasing photointensity. These data indicate that coloring of spray solutions for application to neonatal chicks can improve Preening activity under conditions of constant lighting. However, optimization of photointensity near the time of spray application negates the need for addition of coloring and, in fact, increases Preening activity to levels not observed due to color addition to the spray solution under conditions of constant lighting.
Jennifer A. H. Koop - One of the best experts on this subject based on the ideXlab platform.
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Beak of the pinch: anti-parasite traits are similar among Darwin’s finch species
Evolutionary Ecology, 2018Co-Authors: Scott M. Villa, Jennifer A. H. Koop, Céline Le Bohec, Dale H. ClaytonAbstract:Darwin’s finches are an iconic example of adaptive radiation. The size and shape of the beaks of different finch species are diversified for feeding on different size seeds and other food resources. However, beaks also serve other functions, such as Preening for the control of ectoparasites. In diverse groups of birds, the effectiveness of Preening is governed by the length of the overhanging tip of the upper mandible of the beak. This overhang functions as a template against which the tip of the lower mandible generates a pinching force sufficient to damage or kill ectoparasites. Here we compare feeding versus Preening components of the beak morphology of small, medium, and large ground finches that share a single parasite community. Despite adaptive divergence in beak morphology related to feeding, the three species have nearly identical relative mandibular overhang lengths. Moreover, birds with intermediate length overhangs have the lowest feather mite loads. These results suggest that Darwin’s finches maintain an optimal beak morphology to effectively control their ectoparasites.
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Does sunlight enhance the effectiveness of avian Preening for ectoparasite control
Journal of Parasitology, 2012Co-Authors: Jennifer A. H. Koop, Sarah K. Huber, Dale H. ClaytonAbstract:Preening is a bird's first line of defense against harmful ectoparasites. Ectoparasites, in turn, have evolved adaptations for avoiding Preening such as hardened exoskeletons and escape behavior. Earlier work suggests that some groups of ectoparasites, such as feather lice, leave hiding places in feathers that are exposed to direct sunlight, making them more vulnerable to Preening. It is, therefore, conceivable that birds may choose to preen in direct sunlight, assuming it improves the effectiveness of Preening. Using mourning doves and their feather lice, we tested 2 related hypotheses; (1) that birds with access to direct sunlight preen more often than birds in shade, and (2) that birds with access to direct sunlight are more effective at controlling their ectoparasites than birds in shade. To test these hypotheses, we conducted an experiment in which we manipulated both sunlight and Preening ability. Our results provided no support for either hypothesis, i.e., birds given the opportunity to preen in direct sunlight did not preen significantly more often, or more effectively, than did birds in shade. Thus, the efficiency of Preening for ectoparasite control appears to be independent of light intensity, at least in the case of mourning doves and their feather lice.
