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Cues Followed by Parasites and Predators in Detecting Their Victims

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A special issue of Biology (ISSN 2079-7737).

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (30 November 2021) | Viewed by 18229

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Special Issue Editors

Dr. Gustavo Tomás

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Guest Editor

Department of Functional and Evolutionary Ecology, Estación Experimental de Zonas Áridas (EEZA), Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas (CSIC), Carr. Sacramento, s/n, 04120 La Cañada de San Urbano, Almería, Spain
Interests: host-parasite interactions; ecological immunology; behavioural ecology; avian ecology; evolutionary biology; sexual selection

Dr. Juan José Soler

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Guest Editor

Departamento de Ecología Funcional y Evolutiva, Estación Experimental de Zonas Áridas, Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas, 04120 Almería, Spain
Interests: coevolution between avian brood parasites and their hosts; parasitism and ecological immunology; interactions between bacteria and their avian hosts; avian signalling and sexual selection

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Parasites and predators share many evolutionary aspects. Both have evolved strategies to maximise the probability of encounter with their host and prey victims, while hosts and prey have evolved defensive characteristics to reduce their detectability. Parasites and predators mainly use visual, chemical, auditory, or thermal cues to find their hosts and prey. Most cues are derived from essential biological activities such as respiration, feeding, or defecation. These activities cannot be supressed, but the selection pressure exerted by parasites and predators would limit their expression. Parasites and predators could also exploit sexual signals and behaviours of hosts and prey. These signals are key to reproduction but can increase the detectability of the signaller by unintended receivers. Therefore, parasites and predators might constrain the evolution of these signals.

Some cues involved in host and prey location are indirectly produced by symbiotic microorganisms or derived from materials used to build nests or similar constructions. Nest materials and/or the metabolism of symbiotic microorganisms are important factors affecting, for instance, the odours released or the faeces characteristics of hosts and prey that can be detected by parasites and predators. On the other hand, host and prey organisms may also use byproducts of microbial metabolism and nest materials to deter or even kill parasites and predators.

Selection pressures are not similar for all hosts and prey because certain phenotypes may provide the parasites and predators with relatively greater benefits and be preferred for this reason. Understanding preferences for particular host and prey phenotypes is particularly important for the evolution of host and prey traits, and for epidemiologic and demographic processes associated with these interactions.

This Special Issue will highlight recent advances within this field, focusing on cues and signals employed by parasites and predators to locate their hosts and prey in different systems. It will include the role of microorganisms and nest materials in these interactions, and the biased preferences of parasites and predators over hosts and prey as well as their effects on host and prey populations. We welcome experimental, correlational, and review manuscripts on this topic.

Dr. Gustavo Tomás
Dr. Juan José Soler
Guest Editors

Manuscript Submission Information

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Keywords

parasite–host interactions
predator–prey interactions
host location mechanisms
prey location mechanisms
host preference
prey selection
cues
sexual signals
microbiome
nest materials

Published Papers (6 papers)

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Research

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13 pages, 1804 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Microorganismal Cues Involved in Host-Location in Asilidae Parasitoids

by Marcela K. Castelo and José E. Crespo

Biology 2022, 11(1), 129; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/biology11010129 - 13 Jan 2022

Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1769

Abstract

Parasitoids are organisms that kill their host before completing their development. Typical parasitoids belong to Hymenoptera, whose females search for the hosts. But some atypical Diptera parasitoids also have searching larvae that must orientate toward, encounter, and accept hosts, through cues with different levels of detectability. In this work, the chemical cues involved in the detection of the host by parasitoid larvae of the genus Mallophora are shown with a behavioral approach. Through olfactometry assays, we show that two species of Mallophora orient to different host species and that chemical cues are produced by microorganisms. We also show that treating potential hosts with antibiotics reduces attractiveness on M. ruficauda but not to M. bigoti suggesting that endosymbiotic bacteria responsible for the host cues production should be located in different parts of the host. In fact, we were able to show that M. bigoti is attracted to frass from the most common host. Additionally, we evaluated host orientation under a context of interspecific competence and found that both parasitoid species orient to Cyclocephaala signaticollis showing that host competition could occur in the field. Our work shows how microorganisms mediate orientation to hosts but differences in their activity or location in the host result in differences in the attractiveness of different cues. We show for the first time that M. bigoti behaves similar to M. ruficauda extending and reinforcing that all Mallophora species have adopted a parasitoid lifestyle. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Cues Followed by Parasites and Predators in Detecting Their Victims)

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14 pages, 1690 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Exogenous Application of Methyl Jasmonate Increases Emissions of Volatile Organic Compounds in Pyrenean Oak Trees, Quercus pyrenaica

by Luisa Amo, Anna Mrazova, Irene Saavedra and Katerina Sam

Biology 2022, 11(1), 84; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/biology11010084 - 06 Jan 2022

Cited by 4 | Viewed by 2172

Abstract

The tri-trophic interactions between plants, insects, and insect predators and parasitoids are often mediated by chemical cues. The attraction to herbivore-induced Plant Volatiles (HIPVs) has been well documented for arthropod predators and parasitoids, and more recently for insectivorous birds. The attraction to plant volatiles induced by the exogenous application of methyl jasmonate (MeJA), a phytohormone typically produced in response to an attack of chewing herbivores, has provided controversial results both in arthropod and avian predators. In this study, we examined whether potential differences in the composition of bouquets of volatiles produced by herbivore-induced and MeJA-treated Pyrenean oak trees (Quercus pyrenaica) were related to differential avian attraction, as results from a previous study suggested. Results showed that the overall emission of volatiles produced by MeJA-treated and herbivore-induced trees did not differ, and were higher than emissions of Control trees, although MeJA treatment showed a more significant reaction and released several specific compounds in contrast to herbivore-induced trees. These slight yet significant differences in the volatile composition may explain why avian predators were not so attracted to MeJA-treated trees, as observed in a previous study in this plant-herbivore system. Unfortunately, the lack of avian visits to the experimental trees in the current study did not allow us to confirm this result and points out the need to perform more robust predator studies. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Cues Followed by Parasites and Predators in Detecting Their Victims)

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12 pages, 979 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Attraction to Smelly Food in Birds: Insectivorous Birds Discriminate between the Pheromones of Their Prey and Those of Non-Prey Insects

by Luisa Amo and Irene Saavedra

Biology 2021, 10(10), 1010; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/biology10101010 - 08 Oct 2021

Cited by 4 | Viewed by 3078

Abstract

Natural selection has favored the evolution of different capabilities that allow animals to obtain food—e.g., the development of senses for improving prey/food detection. Among these senses, chemical sense is possibly the most ancient mechanism used by organisms for environmental assessment. Comparative studies suggest the prime role of foraging ecology in the evolution of the olfactory apparatus of vertebrates, including birds. Here, we review empirical studies that have shown birds’ abilities to detect prey/food via olfaction and report the results of a study aiming to analyze the specificity of eavesdropping on prey pheromones in insectivorous birds. In a field study, we placed artificial larvae and a dispenser with one of three treatments—prey (Operopthera brumata) pheromones, non-prey (Rhynchophorus ferrugineus) pheromones, or a control unscented dispenser—on the branches of Pyrenean oak trees (Quercus pyrenaica). We then measured the predation rate of birds on artificial larvae. Our results show that more trees had larvae with signs of avian predation when they contained a prey pheromone dispenser than when they contained a non-prey pheromone dispenser or an unscented dispenser. Our results indicate that insectivorous birds can discriminate between the pheromones emitted by their prey and those emitted by non-prey insects and that they only exhibit attraction to prey pheromones. These results highlight the potential use of insectivorous birds in the biological control of insect pests. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Cues Followed by Parasites and Predators in Detecting Their Victims)

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11 pages, 714 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Autoclaving Nest-Material Remains Influences the Probability of Ectoparasitism of Nestling Hoopoes (Upupa epops)

by Mónica Mazorra-Alonso, Manuel Martín-Vivaldi, Juan Manuel Peralta-Sánchez and Juan José Soler

Biology 2020, 9(10), 306; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/biology9100306 - 23 Sep 2020

Cited by 4 | Viewed by 2122

Abstract

Nest bacterial environment influences avian reproduction directly because it might include pathogenic- or antibiotic-producing bacteria or indirectly because predators or ectoparasites can use volatile compounds from nest bacterial metabolism to detect nests of their avian hosts. Hoopoes (Upupa epops) do not build nests. They rather reuse holes or nest-boxes that contain remains of nest-materials from previous breeding seasons. Interestingly, it has been recently described that the nest’s bacterial environment partly affects the uropygial gland microbiota of hoopoe females and eggshells. Blood-sucking ectoparasites use chemical cues to find host nests, so we experimentally tested the hypothetical effects of microorganisms inhabiting nest-material remains before reproduction regarding the intensity of ectoparasitism suffered by 8-day-old nestling hoopoes. In accordance with the hypothesis, nestlings hatched in nest-boxes with autoclaved nest-material remains from the previous reproductive seasons suffered less from ectoparasites than those hatched in the control nest-boxes with nonautoclaved nest-material. Moreover, we found a positive association between the bacterial density of nest-material during the nestling phase and ectoparasitism intensity that was only apparent in nest-boxes with autoclaved nest-material. However, contrary to our expectations, nest bacterial load was positively associated with fledgling success. These results suggest a link between the community of microorganisms of nest-material remains and the intensity of ectoparasitism, and, on the other hand, that the nest bacterial environment during reproduction is related to fledging success. Here, we discuss possible mechanisms explaining the experimental and correlative results, including the possibility that the experimental autoclaving of nest material affected the microbiota of females and nestlings’ secretion and/or nest volatiles that attracted ectoparasites, therefore indirectly affecting both the nest bacterial environment at the nestling stage and fledging success. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Cues Followed by Parasites and Predators in Detecting Their Victims)

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Review

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20 pages, 504 KiB

Open AccessReview

Stimuli Followed by Avian Malaria Vectors in Host-Seeking Behaviour

by Alfonso Marzal, Sergio Magallanes and Luz Garcia-Longoria

Biology 2022, 11(5), 726; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/biology11050726 - 09 May 2022

Cited by 4 | Viewed by 2898

Abstract

Vector-borne infectious diseases (e.g., malaria, dengue fever, and yellow fever) result from a parasite transmitted to humans and other animals by blood-feeding arthropods. They are major contributors to the global disease burden, as they account for nearly a fifth of all infectious diseases worldwide. The interaction between vectors and their hosts plays a key role driving vector-borne disease transmission. Therefore, identifying factors governing host selection by blood-feeding insects is essential to understand the transmission dynamics of vector-borne diseases. Here, we review published information on the physical and chemical stimuli (acoustic, visual, olfactory, moisture and thermal cues) used by mosquitoes and other haemosporidian vectors to detect their vertebrate hosts. We mainly focus on studies on avian malaria and related haemosporidian parasites since this animal model has historically provided important advances in our understanding on ecological and evolutionary process ruling vector-borne disease dynamics and transmission. We also present relevant studies analysing the capacity of feather and skin symbiotic bacteria in the production of volatile compounds with vector attractant properties. Furthermore, we review the role of uropygial secretions and symbiotic bacteria in bird–insect vector interactions. In addition, we present investigations examining the alterations induced by haemosporidian parasites on their arthropod vector and vertebrate host to enhance parasite transmission. Finally, we propose future lines of research for designing successful vector control strategies and for infectious disease management. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Cues Followed by Parasites and Predators in Detecting Their Victims)

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16 pages, 859 KiB

Open AccessFeature PaperEditor’s ChoiceReview

Microbially Mediated Chemical Ecology of Animals: A Review of Its Role in Conspecific Communication, Parasitism and Predation

by Mónica Mazorra-Alonso, Gustavo Tomás and Juan José Soler

Biology 2021, 10(4), 274; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/biology10040274 - 27 Mar 2021

Cited by 11 | Viewed by 4906

Abstract

Microbial symbionts are nowadays considered of pivotal importance for animal life. Among the many processes where microorganisms are involved, an emerging research avenue focuses on their major role in driving the evolution of chemical communication in their hosts. Volatiles of bacterial origin may underlie chemical communication and the transfer of social information through signals, as well as inadvertent social information. We reviewed the role of microorganisms in animal communication between conspecifics, and, because the microbiome may cause beneficial as well as deleterious effects on their animal hosts, we also reviewed its role in determining the outcome of the interactions with parasites and predators. Finally, we paid special attention to the hypothetical role of predation and parasitism in driving the evolution of the animal microbiome. We highlighted the novelty of the theoretical framework derived from considering the microbiota of animals in scenarios of communication, parasitism, and predation. We aimed to encourage research in these areas, suggesting key predictions that need to be tested to better understand what is one of the main roles of bacteria in animal biology. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Cues Followed by Parasites and Predators in Detecting Their Victims)

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