Download Nincs diacím

Birds, as habitats - the hidden world
of avian ectoparasites
/guiding material/
Life in the water...
life in terrestrial systems…
life in the air...
AND life on / in other animals!
feather lice
Biodiversity of parasites
5-10 % of animal species are considered parasites. If we
involve herbivorous species and parasitoids as parasites
their rate increases up to 30-50 %.
endoparasites: viruses, bacteria, unicellular organisms,
worms, etc…
tapeworms and nematods
unicellulars (Plasmodium, tha causative
agent of malaria)
Many of
them can
induce
serious
diseases.
ectoparasites
feather lice
fleas
mites
Many of them
can transfer
serious
diseases.
ticks
bat flies
Animals usually have:
Sand Lizard as an
example
habitat
prey
predator
for parasites, host individuals means all of these
habitat and food
predator
preening
Arms race between hosts and parasites
Hosts are motivated in avoiding or reducing
infestation.
preening and scratching
bathing and dusting
sunbathing
Sometimes others can help:
an oxpecker is searching for ticks
mates can reach
unreachable bodyparts
anting: ants hint the feathers
with formic acid which is toxic
for parasites
Parasites have to avoid host defences and
colonise new host individuals.
Lice can attach to hippoboscid
flies to reach new hosts more
easily.
A louse hiding in the
hollows of a feather to
avoid preening.