Differential Reproductive Success Favours Strong Host Preference In A Highly Specialized Brood Parasite

Main Category: Veterinary
Also Included In: Biology / Biochemistry
Article Date: 23 Jul 2008 - 1:00 PDT

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Avian brood parasites lay their eggs in the nests of individuals of other species ("hosts") which take care of parasitic chicks.

The screaming cowbird is a highly specialized brood parasite that uses almost a single host despite having many other potential hosts available.

We conducted two experiments to determine whether such specialization is maintained because unused hosts have unbeatable defences against the parasite, or because the parasite survives poorly in their nests.

Our results provide evidence that favours the second explanation, thus offering new insights to understand the evolution of host specialization in this remarkably and poorly studied brood parasite.

Proceedings of the Royal Society B: Biological Sciences

Proceedings B is the Royal Society's flagship biological research journal, dedicated to the rapid publication and broad dissemination of high-quality research papers, reviews and comment and reply papers. The scope of journal is diverse and is especially strong in organismal biology.

www.publishing.royalsociety.org/proceedingsb