Background Trait polymorphism can evolve as a consequence of frequency-dependent selection. Coevolutionary interactions between hosts and parasites may lead to selection on both extreme phenotypes deviating from the norm, through disruptive Methodology/Principal finding Here, we show detailed field studies experimental procedures that ashy-throated parrotbill (Paradoxornis alphonsianus) its avian brood parasite, common cuckoo (Cuculus canorus), have evolved egg manifested in discrete...

Abstract Maternal inheritance via the female-specific W chromosome was long ago proposed as a potential solution to evolutionary enigma of co-existing host-specific races (or ‘gentes’) in avian brood parasites. Here we report first unambiguous evidence for maternal egg colouration brood-parasitic common cuckoo Cuculus canorus . Females laying blue eggs belong an ancient (∼2.6 Myr) lineage, evidenced by both mitochondrial and W-linked DNA, but are indistinguishable at nuclear DNA from other...

There is considerable variation in rejection rates of parasitic eggs among hosts avian brood parasites. In this article, we develop a model that can be used to predict host egg behavior parasite-host systems general, by considering both intra- and interclutch appearance; clutch characteristics may important calculating the fitness individuals adopting rejecter or acceptor strategies. addition, consider importance learning appearance own during first breeding attempt probability survival...

Abstract Pine wilt disease is caused by the pinewood nematode Bursaphelenchus xylophilus , which vectored Japanese pine sawyer beetle Monochamus alternatus . Due to their mutualistic relationship, according weakens and makes trees available for reproduction in turn carries transmits healthy trees, this has resulted severe damage Japan recent decades. Previous studies have worked on modeling of population dynamics vector tree explore spatial expansion using an integro‐difference equation with...

Isolation by time occurs when different populations of a single species reproduce at times and thereby reduce the probability interbreeding, potentially causing divergent adaptation to timing reproduction, eventually resulting in ecological separated reproduction. We analysed extensive data on reproduction host races common cuckoo Cuculus canorus that is an obligate brood parasite laying eggs nests many passerine birds. Because hosts breed times, specific cuckoos have adapted these are...

Evolutionary adaptations are required by common cuckoos Cuculus canorus to match host eggs. Hosts may discriminate against alien eggs; hence, accurate matching of the parasite egg hosts' is essential. Egg shape least-studied component mimicry, and it also have other functions: an optimal necessary for effective incubation. For this reason, cuckoo eggs show a wide range variations in set species. Here, we compare using parameters two distant areas: from nests great reed warblers Acrocephalus...

We used metapopulation dynamics to develop a mathematical simulation model for brood parasites and their hosts in order investigate the validity of “spatial habitat structure hypothesis,” which states that low level parasite egg rejection host populations is due immigration acceptor individuals from nonparasitized populations. In our model, we varied dispersal rate relative carrying capacity parasitized unparasitized patches. When both parasite-free patch increase, will provide more...

The evolutionary equilibrium hypothesis was proposed to explain variation in egg rejection rates among individual hosts (intra- and interspecific) of avian brood parasites. Hosts may sometimes mistakenly reject own eggs when they are not parasitized (i.e. make recognition errors). Such errors would incur fitness costs could counter the evolution host defences driven by parasitism creating between acceptors rejecters within particular populations). In present study, we report disappearance...

The common cuckoo Cuculus canorus parasitism greatly reduces the reproductive success of its hosts and imposes strong selection pressure for to evolve defences against parasitism, such as ability recognize reject dissimilar parasitic eggs, which, in turn, selects better egg mimicry by cuckoo. In co-evolutionary interaction, however, it remains unknown how successfully expanded range host usage they developed mimicry. Most previous studies were conducted areas where a very few number species...

Common Cuckoos (<i>Cuculus canorus</i>) parasitize nests of small passerines. The Cuckoo chicks cause the death their nest-mates when evicting eggs or nestlings from nests; consequently, hosts suffer a high loss reproduction. Host adaptations against parasitism, e.g., by egg discrimination behavior, and cuckoo counter-adaptations to hosts, mimetic eggs, are often regarded as result arms race between two interacting species. In Hungary Great Reed Warblers (<i>Acrocephalus arundinaceus</i>)...

Abstract Avian brood parasites greatly reduce the reproductive success of their hosts. Empirical studies have demonstrated that some hosts evolved defenses against parasitism like an ability to recognize and reject parasitic eggs are dissimilar own eggs. Detailed mechanisms how still remain unknown, but recent shown host's recognition, in many cases, is based on discordance a clutch, more error‐prone when nest multiply parasitized, i.e., tend accept multiple than single parasitism. In area...

Abstract In avian brood parasitism, egg phenotype plays a key role for both host and parasite reproduction. Several parrotbill species of the genus Paradoxornis are parasitized by common cuckoo Cuculus canorus , clear polymorphism in is observed. this article, we develop population genetics model order to identify parameters that control maintenance polymorphism. The analyses show can be maintained either statically as an equilibrium or dynamically with frequency oscillations depending on...

The coevolutionary interaction between cuckoos and their hosts has been studied for a long time, but to date some puzzles still remain unsolved. Whether parasitize by laying eggs randomly or matching the egg morphs of is one mysteries cuckoo problem. Scientists tend believe that lay appearance host due selection caused ability recognize own eggs. In this paper, we first review previous empirical studies test mystery found no have provided direct evidence choosing nests where color pattern...

It has been suggested that parasitic interactions in general result co-evolutionary arms races where parasites and hosts evolve adaptive behaviours traits to maximize their fitness a conflicting manner. Avian brood parasitism provides an ideal system for the study of such interactions. In this paper I show discuss possible consequences race inherent avian parasitism, especially focusing on egg appearance, key factor reproduction both parasites. race, ability recognize hence reject dissimilar...

Brood parasitism represents a significant cost in reproduction; thus, natural selection should favor the evolution of host defenses, which turn may more sophisticated techniques by parasite to overcome defenses. These defenses include egg rejection, attacking parasites near nest, and avoiding concealing nest sites. In all these antiparasitism strategies, light environment play an important role. present study, risk Common Cuckoo (Cuculus canorus) for Great Reed Warbler (Acrocephalus...

Avian brood parasites impose strong selection on their hosts leading to the evolution of antiparasite defenses like egg recognition and rejection. Discordance template-based cognitive mechanisms may form base for by hosts. For discordance, recognize eggs that constitute minority in a clutch as alien, whereas recognition, alien when they do not match template can be innate or learnt. Template-based learning compromised host species with polymorphic color Paradoxornis parrotbills, common...

Abstract Recent field studies have demonstrated that many bird species practice intra‐specific brood parasitism. They lay eggs in the nests of other individuals same species, let foster parents rear their offspring and avoid cost parental care. It has been shown birds, including starlings, swallows geese, parasitism various forms. Intra‐specific can be viewed terms optimal resource allocation: how should put under risk being parasitized by others. The situation here is a “game”, because...

Abstract In avian brood parasitism, both the host and parasite are expected to develop various conflicting adaptations; hosts a defense against such as an ability recognize reject parasitic eggs that look unlike their own, while parasites evolve egg mimicry counter this defense. Hosts may further generate phenotypes not mimicked by parasites. Difference in phenotype critically affects successful reproduction of Recent studies have shown clear polymorphism is observed several host–parasite...

Abstract Brood parasitism represents a significant cost in reproduction; thus, natural selection should favor the evolution of host defenses, which turn may more sophisticated techniques by parasite to overcome defenses. These defenses include egg rejection, attacking parasites near nest, and avoiding concealing nest sites. In all these antiparasitism strategies, light environment play an important role. present study, risk Common Cuckoo (Cuculus canorus) for Great Reed Warbler (Acrocephalus...