EXPERIMENTAL MANIPULATION OF NEST TEMPERATURE AND RELATIVE HUMIDITY
REDUCES ECTOPARASITES AND AFFECTS BODY CONDITION OF BLUE TITS (Cyanistes
caeruleus).
Abstract
Studies exploring the effect of microclimatic changes on host-parasite
relationships are scarce, however, many models predict changes in the
distribution and incidence of diseases associated with climate change.
In this study, we increased both temperature and relative humidity in
blue tit nest-boxes during the breeding season, trying to discern
between the effect of both variables on the abundance of ectoparasites
reported in previous studies and, also, on the body condition of the
nestlings and adults. Temperature and relative humidity were
experimentally increased an average of about 2ºC and 15 units
respectively. The abundance of blowfly Protocalliphora azurea pupae was
significantly reduced in nests with increased temperature as compared to
control nests and nests with increased relative humidity, and was also
significantly reduced in nests with increased relative humidity as
compared to control nests. The abundance of Dermanyssus spp. mites and
Ceratophyllus gallinae flea larvae was significantly reduced in nests
with increased relative humidity. However, there was no significant
effect of the experiment on flying insect vectors abundance (Blackflies
and biting midges.). On the other hand, body condition and mass of
nestlings were lower in nests with increased relative humidity and
nestlings’ mass was also lower in heated nests. However, the body
condition and mass of the adults was not significantly affected by the
experiment. In addition, blowfly Protocalliphora azurea pupae and biting
midges Culicoides spp. had a significant negative effect on body
condition and mass of nestlings and adults. In conclusion, an increase
in temperature, on the one hand, and relative humidity, on the other,
reduces the abundance of ectoparasites, which suggests that these
parasites are sensitive to sudden changes in the microclimate in which
they develop. In addition, these fluctuations negatively affect the body
condition and mass of blue tit nestlings despite the concurrent decrease
of parasites in nests.