Bee-eater Merops Research Articles

Effect of European Bee-Eater (Merops Apiaster) on Honeybee Colonies in Toshka Region, Egypt

Effect of European Bee-Eater (Merops Apiaster) on Honeybee Colonies in Toshka Region, Egypt

Using behavioral observations and genetic markers to characterize the flexible reproductive system in an ex situ population of carmine bee-eaters (Merops n. nubicus)

Combining behavioral observations with population genetic analyses in ex situ populations can be used to evaluate factors that determine the success of a breeding program. Avian species living in a colony accrue reproductive benefits by taking advantage of multiple reproductive strategies. Growing evidence suggests that both extra pair fertilizations (EPFs) and intra-specific nest parasitism (ISNP) are sufficiently frequent in colonial birds to produce patterns of relatedness that differ from those inferred from behavioral observations. The aim of this study was to use behavioral and genetic information to examine relatedness and reproductive behaviors in an ex situ colony of Northern carmine bee-eaters (Merops n. nubicus). We conducted behavioral observations to determine social parents (i.e. the males and females that entered/exited each nest with the highest frequency). We also used microsatellite marker to conduct parentage analysis and calculate relatedness between individuals in the colony. Using two methods of parentage analysis, we were able to determine one or both parents of all offspring. Males and females differ in their parental behavior during the different reproductive phases. Finally, both males and females were found to use reproductive strategies other than monogamy. In general, EPFs and ISNP are two of the consequences of social living, with multiple individuals utilizing these various strategies for reproduction. In summary, our study found that Northern carmine bee-eaters use a flexible social system that enables individuals within populations to take advantage of suitable nest conditions and mating strategies as they arise, which allows for some individuals in this ex situ colony to have improved reproductive success.

Castosyringophilus meropis sp. n. (Acariformes: Syringophilidae) - a new quill mite species parasitising the world population of Merops apiaster Linnaeus (Coraciiformes: Meropidae).

A new species, Castosyringophilus meropis sp. n., found in quills of feathers of the European bee-eater Merops apiaster Linnaeus (Coraciiformes: Meropidae) is described. This new species is close to C. claravis Skoracki et Glowska, 2008 and differs, in females, by the presence apunctate coxal fields (vs sparsely punctate in C. claravis) and by the lengths of setae d1 145-180 µm, f2 170-185 µm and ag3 190-215 µm (vs d1 200-220 µm, f2 230-250 µm and ag3 150-170 µm). We present a vast mite material collected from bee-eaters originated from different localities in Europe, Asia and Africa, both breeding and wintering grounds of this bird. It indicates that the whole world population of the European bee-eater is parasitised by this quill mite species.

451. Notes on the vocalizations of Ethiopian Bee-eater (Merops lafresnayii) and Blue-breasted Bee-eater (Merops variegatus)

451. Notes on the vocalizations of Ethiopian Bee-eater (Merops lafresnayii) and Blue-breasted Bee-eater (Merops variegatus)

Any role for the dissemination of Nosema spores by the blue-tailed bee-eater Merops philippinus?

Pathogens are major suspects for the current massive losses of honey bee colonies worldwide. Information about circulation and modes of transmission of Nosema ceranae, an emergent microsporidium parasite of Apis mellifera, is currently lacking. Here we examine the dispersion of N. ceranae and N. apis by the blue-tailed bee-eater Merops philippinus, a migratory bird whose distribution along Southeast Asia overlaps with the original distribution of N. ceranae. We investigate the presence of Nosema spp. spores in bee-eater pellets, feces and nest material collected on the isolated Kinmen island (Taiwan). We found N. ceranae in all types of samples, whilst N. apis was not detected. We describe for the first time the occurrence of N. ceranae spores in birds’ feces, which increases the potential of this bird species as a dispersive agent of the parasite. We molecularly assessed the occurrence of A. cerana and A. mellifera remains in infected and non-infected samples. We discuss the low prevalence of N. ceranae in fomites with Apis spp. in relation to the ecological characteristics of the study area (isolation, low abundance of bees) and their implications on the origin and dispersal of the pathogen. Our results allow us to generalize the likely role of avian bee predators as potential disseminators of this pathogen all over the world.

First records of Little Green Bee-eater Merops orientalis for Ghana

First records of Little Green Bee-eater Merops orientalis for Ghana

Identification of Beak and Feather Disease Virus in an Unusual Novel Host (Merops ornatus) Using Nested PCR.

The complete genome sequence of beak and feather disease virus (BFDV) was discovered from a rainbow bee-eater (Merops ornatus), a species of Coraciiformes. The genome consisted of 1,996 bp encoding two major bidirectional transcribed open reading frames. This is the first evidence of BFDV infection and complete genome characterization for this novel host species.

Management-Related Traffic as a Stressor Eliciting Parental Care in a Roadside-Nesting Bird: The European Bee-Eater Merops apiaster.

Traffic is often acknowledged as a threat to biodiversity, but its effects have been mostly studied on roads subjected to high traffic intensity. The impact of lower traffic intensity such as those affecting protected areas is generally neglected, but conservation-oriented activities entailing motorized traffic could paradoxically transform suitable habitats into ecological traps. Here we questioned whether roadside-nesting bee-eaters Merops apiaster perceived low traffic intensity as a stressor eliciting risk-avoidance behaviors (alarm calls and flock flushes) and reducing parental care. Comparisons were established within Doñana National Park (Spain), between birds exposed to either negligible traffic (ca. 0–10 vehicles per day) or low traffic intensity (ca. 10–90 vehicles per day) associated to management and research activities. The frequencies of alarm calls and flock flushes were greater in areas of higher traffic intensity, which resulted in direct mortality at moderate vehicle speeds (≤ 40 km/h). Parental feeding rates paralleled changes in traffic intensity, but contrary to our predictions. Indeed, feeding rates were highest in traffic-exposed nests, during working days and traffic rush-hours. Traffic-avoidance responses were systematic and likely involved costs (energy expenditure and mortality), but vehicle transit positively influenced the reproductive performance of bee-eaters through an increase of nestling feeding rates. Because the expected outcome of traffic on individual performance can be opposed when responses are monitored during mating (i.e. negative effect by increase of alarm calls and flock flushes) or nestling-feeding period (i.e. at least short-term positive effect by increase of nestling feeding rates), caution should be taken before inferring fitness consequences only from isolated behaviors or specific life history stages.

Molecular characterisation of three avian haemoproteids (Haemosporida, Haemoproteidae), with the description of Haemoproteus (Parahaemoproteus) palloris n. sp.

DNA barcoding (molecular characterisation) is a useful tool for describing the taxonomy and systematics of organisms. Over 250 species of avian haemosporidian parasites have been described using morphological characters, yet molecular techniques based on polymerase chain reaction (PCR) suggest this diversity is underestimated. Moreover, molecular techniques are particularly useful for the detection of chronic infections and tissue stages of these parasites. Species delimitation is problematic among haemosporidians, and many questions about the mechanisms and patterns of speciation, host specificity and pathogenicity are still unresolved. Accumulation of additional genetic and morphological information is needed to approach these questions. Here, we combine microscopic examination with PCR-based methods to develop molecular characterisation of Haemoproteus (Parahaemoproteus) manwelli Bennett, 1978 and Haemoproteus (Parahaemoproteus) gavrilovi Valkiūnas & Iezhova, 1990, both of which parasitise the bee-eater Merops apiaster L. We also describe a new species, Haemoproteus (Parahaemoproteus) palloris n. sp., from the blood of the willow warbler Phylloscopus trochilus (L.). We performed phylogenetic analyses with a set of mitochondrial cytochrome b (cyt b) gene lineages, which have been linked to parasite morphospecies and are available in the MalAvi database. Our findings show that morphological characters, which have been traditionally used in the description of haemosporidians, exhibit phylogenetic congruence. This study contributes to a better understanding of avian haemosporidian diversity and provides new molecular markers (cyt b and apicoplast gene sequences) for the diagnostics of inadequately investigated haemosporidian infections.

Population genetic structure and long-distance dispersal of a recently expanding migratory bird

Long-distance dispersal events and their derivable increases of genetic diversity have been highlighted as important ecological and evolutionary determinants that improve performances of range-expanding species. In the context of global environmental change, specific dispersal strategies have to be understood and foreseen if we like to prevent general biodiversity impoverishment or the spread of allochthonous diseases. We explored the genetic structure and potential population mixing on the recently range-expanding European bee-eater Merops apiaster. In addition, the species is suspected of harbouring and disseminating the most relevant disease for bees and apiculture, Nosema microsporidia. In agreement with complementary ringing recovery data and morphometric measurements, genetic results on two mitochondrial genes and 12 microsatellites showed a reasonably well-structured population partitioning along its breeding distribution. Microsatellite results indicated that not only did a few birds recently disperse long distance during their return migrations and change their natal breeding areas, but also that a group of allochthonous birds together founded a new colony. Although we did not provide evidence on the direct implication of birds in the widespread of Nosema parasites, our finding on the long-distance dispersal of bird flocks between remote breeding colonies adds concern about the role of European bee-eaters in the spread of such disease at a large, inter-continental scale.

Gigantobilharzia , Possible Cause of Cercarial Dermatitis : Case Report

Cercarial dermatitis (swimmer's itch) is a worldwide, often neglected parasitic skin disease characterized by strong maculopapular skin eruption accompanied by intensive itching. A fisherman suffered from forearm dermatitis. Clinical history associated with the recovery of the avian schistosome; Gigantobilharzia from little green bee-eater (Merops orientalis najdanus) and collected Lymnaea snails supported the authors' opinion that patient clinical signs are most likely due to the invasion of avian schistosome cercariae.

Consumption of honey bees by Merops apiaster Linnaeus, 1758 (Aves: Meropidae) in Mediterranean semiarid landscapes: a threat to beekeeping?

The diet of several European bee-eater Merops apiaster colonies was studied in the Murcia Region (SE Spain) during the spring and summer of 2009, in order to assess their predation on the honey bee Apis mellifera. The examination of invertebrate remains found in pellets revealed the dominance of Hymenoptera and Coleoptera in the average diet, and a similar consumption of honey bees compared to other species of Hymenoptera. The number of honey bees and other Hymenoptera recorded in the pellets varied both spatially (between locations) and temporally (along the main reproductive phases). On average, it was estimated that a single bee-eater consumed 1333.39 ± 759.8 honey bees during its complete stay in the region, far below the theoretical regeneration capacity of a single honey bee colony (36,000–45,000 honey bees per month from April to July). Consequently, under normal circumstances the effect of bee-eater predation on local apiaries appears negligible, and partially dependent on the availability of alternative prey.

New data on the species Metacheyletia degenerata Fain and Bochkov (Acariformes: Cheyletidae)

Metacheyletia degenerata Fain and Bochkov, 2003 (Acariformes: Cheyletidae) is recorded for the first time from the quills of the European Bee-eater Merops apiaster L., 1758 (Coraciformes: Meropidae). It is also the first record of Metacheyletia found on coraciiform birds. Moreover, the following localities: Macedonia, Italy, Azerbaijan, Russia and Tanzania, are new for M. degenerata.

Complete Mitochondrial Genome of Blue-Throated Bee-eater Merops viridis (Coraciiformes: Meropidae) with its Taxonomic Consideration

Complete Mitochondrial Genome of Blue-Throated Bee-eater Merops viridis (Coraciiformes: Meropidae) with its Taxonomic Consideration

Determinants of between-year burrow re-occupation in a colony of the European bee-eater Merops apiaster.

Re-occupation of existing nesting burrows in the European bee-eater Merops apiaster has only rarely – and if so mostly anecdotically – been documented in the literature record, although such behavior would substantially save time and energy. In this study, we quantify burrow re-occupation in a German colony over a period of eleven years and identify ecological variables determining reuse probability. Of 179 recorded broods, 54% took place in a reused burrow and the overall probability that one of 75 individually recognized burrows would be reused in a given subsequent year was estimated as 26.4%. This indicates that between-year burrow reuse is a common behavior in the study colony which contrasts with findings from studies in other colonies. Furthermore, burrow re-occupation probability declined highly significantly with increasing age of the breeding wall. Statistical separation of within- and between-burrow effects of the age of the breeding wall revealed that a decline in re-occupation probability with individual burrow age was responsible for this and not a selective disappearance of burrows with high re-occupation probability over time. Limited duty cycles of individual burrows may be caused by accumulating detritus or decreasing stability with increasing burrow age. Alternatively, burrow fidelity may presuppose pair fidelity which may also explain the observed restricted burrow reuse duty cycles. A consequent next step would be to extend our within-colony approach to other colonies and compare the ecological circumstances under which bee-eaters reuse breeding burrows.

Strong cascading effect of weather conditions on prey availability and annual breeding performance in European bee-eaters Merops apiaster

Aerial insectivorous birds depend highly on favourable weather conditions for successful foraging because flight activity of insects is constrained by daily weather. Thus, the variation in weather conditions during reproduction, mediated by prey limitations, should be mirrored in annual reproduction performance, and finally in annual breeding success. We analysed the effect of local weather conditions on the availability of airborne insects and on the variation in brood size and nestling condition of European bee-eaters Merops apiaster at the northern edge of their range where years with adverse weather frequently occur. The availability of large flying insects, the common prey of bee-eaters, increased with air temperatures and duration of daily sunshine. As predicted, local weather conditions affected reproductive performance with annual breeding success (mean 3.7 nestlings per breeding pair, range 1.7–4.9 nestlings) being up to 32 % higher in extraordinary dry and hot summers. Additionally, a nestling's body condition (residual mass) was also affected by sunshine duration during their growth period and internally was co-affected by the number of siblings and the individual rank within the sibling hierarchy. Thus, a prolonged duration of daily sunshine causes a cascade from higher insect flight activity, and, thus, higher food availability for chick-rearing bee-eaters, which finally translates into better chick body conditions and higher annual breeding success. Consequently reproduction and population development of European bee-eaters might be especially susceptible to regional changes in weather and climatic conditions.

The sight of an adult brood parasite near the nest is an insufficient cue for a honeyguide host to reject foreign eggs.

Hosts of brood-parasitic birds typically evolve anti-parasitism defences, including mobbing of parasitic intruders at the nest and the ability to recognize and reject foreign eggs from their clutches. The Greater Honeyguide Indicator indicator is a virulent brood parasite that punctures host eggs and kills host young, and accordingly, a common host, the Little Bee-eater Merops pusillus frequently rejects entire clutches that have been parasitized. We predicted that given the high costs of accidentally rejecting an entire clutch, and that the experimental addition of a foreign egg is insufficient to induce this defence, Bee-eaters require the sight of an adult parasite near the nest as an additional cue for parasitism before they reject a clutch. We found that many Little Bee-eater parents mobbed Greater Honeyguide dummies while ignoring barbet control dummies, showing that they recognized them as a threat. Surprisingly, however, neither a dummy Honeyguide nor the presence of a foreign egg, either separately or in combination, was sufficient to stimulate egg rejection.

Seasonal Shift in the Diet Composition of European Bee-EatersMerops apiasterat the Northern Edge of Distribution

Summary. European bee-eaters Merops apiaster forage almost exclusively on airborne insects caught on the wing. The availability of this food might be temporally limited due to adverse weather conditions, especially at climatically sub-optimal breeding sites. We determined seasonal variation in the diet composition in adult and nestling bee-eaters at the species' northernmost breeding colonies by analysing food remains from pellets and by direct observation. Adult bee-eaters preyed on a wide range of insect species with more than 97% belonging to the taxonomic orders Hymenoptera, Odonata and Coleoptera. We observed consistent seasonal changes in adult diet composition from the pre-incubation to the late chick rearing period. The dry mass proportion of dragonflies decreased remarkably in the adult diet as chick rearing started, whereas the consumption of small Hymenopterans increased by the end of the chick provisioning period. Additionally, we found differences in the diet composition of adults and nestlin...

On the diet of the Pharaoh Eagle Owl, Bubo ascalaphus (Savigny, 1809), in Qatar, with an overview of its feeding habits

The diet of Bubo ascalaphus in Qatar was assessed based on pellets collected from the first known nesting site of the species in the country. The pellets contained a total of 68 prey items, representing 9 different species: 4 mammals, 1 bird, 1 reptile, and at least 3 scorpions. Mammals clearly comprised the major food source (89.7% and 97.7% in frequency and biomass respectively). Our data suggest that Pharaoh Eagle Owls are opportunistic predators that feed on a variety of prey depending on their temporal/spatial availability, which is consistent with previous studies. A literature review clearly suggests that Eagle Owls in arid to semi-arid environments are opportunistic predators with small mammals being their main prey. Predation on migrating Blue-cheeked Bee-eaters Merops persicus supports this hypothesis.

Prey selection of the Barbary Falcon (Falco pelegrinoides) in south-western Iran

The diet of a breeding pair of Barbary Falcons (Falco pelegrinoides) was studied at Dena National Park, southwestern Iran, in the 2011-2013 breeding seasons by identifying species occurring in prey remains, an analysis of pellets and by video recording. The prey items belonged to 14 species of bird and two orders of insect. Birds composed the greatest proportion of the diet, comprising 95.3% by frequency and 99.9% by biomass. Bee-eater (Merops apiaster) was taken most frequently, but Wood Pigeon (Columba palumbus) and Middle Spotted Woodpecker (Dendrocopos medius) contributed more by biomass. Species that occurred in open habitats (e.g., Syrian Woodpeckers, Dendrocopos syriacus) or were of medium or large-size (e.g., Common Cuckoo, Cuculus canorus, Chukar and Common Magpie, Pica pica) were taken more than expected based on their availability. Altogether, the diet of the Barbary Falcon is based on the more abundant species, those of medium-size (50-120 g), and those frequenting open habitats.