Carpodacus Erythrinus Research Articles

Age-related changes in the temporal structure of song in the common rosefinch Erythrina erythrina

AbstractBird species that have visual differences in plumage coloration between young and older males may also differ in their song parameters. We have studied the difference in song rate between yearlings vs. older males in the common rosefinch Erythrina erythrina, a species with delayed plumage maturation. Yearlings sang 2.3 more strophes per minute compared to older males, and the breaks between strophes were 1.3 s shorter in young males. The higher singing rate of yearling males is probably a form of compensation for lower age (male quality), which may be important in finding a mate or avoiding aggression from older males.

Yearling Males have Female-Like Body Size in Common Rosefinch

Yearling Males have Female-Like Body Size in Common Rosefinch

Особенности фауны и летнего населения птиц Ашинского природного биологического заказника (Челябинская область)

Based on the results of ornithological research conducted in the Ashinsky State Biological Reserve during several nesting seasons during the period 1990–2021, a preliminary list of bird species was compiled. It includes 107 species, the vast majority of which nest or are expected to nest. To study the bird population, the main types of habitats in the southeastern and southwestern parts of the reserve were examined. The highest indicators of species diversity (42 species) and population density (568.0 ind./km²) were found in avian associations of dark coniferousdeciduous forests. The communities of upland meadows were found to be the most impoverished (16 species and 227.5 ind./km²). Based on these indices, avian associations of floodplain habitats of the Biyanka River occupied an intermediate position (34 species and 385.5 ind./km²).). In the communities of the forest biotopes of the reserve, the chaffinch, redwing, tree pipit, willow tit, white wagtail, garden warbler, common rosefinch and greenish warbler prevailed. In the associations of upland meadows, the skylark, tree pipit, whinchat and yellowhammer dominated. Almost half (43 %) of the nesting species were representatives of the European fauna; the proportions of species of the Euro-Chinese, Siberian and Nomadic types are 19, 15 and 10 %, respectively

Does the expansion of the species' breeding range also involve the establishment of new migratory routes and new wintering ranges? The case of the citrine wagtail <em>Motacilla citreola</em> (Pallas, 1776)

From the second half of the 20th century, some Asian or Eastern European species expanded their breeding range westward. These include red-flanked bluetail Tarsiger cyanurus, black-headed bunting Emberiza melanocephala, common rosefinch Carpodacus erythrinus, and citrine wagtail Motacilla citreola. All of these species are long-range migratory species that historically have their own wintering ranges concentrated in Southern Asia. Although migratory behavior is mainly controlled by genetic factors, there is evidence of a high degree of flexibility and adaptability. Therefore, in the event of specific environmental changes, the genetic basis for a rapid and diverse micro-evolutionary development that affects the future migration patterns of birds is already in place. Possible adaptations also include changes to migratory directions and the choice of new and closer winter quarters. It is therefore prudent to ask whether the long-range migratory species that have expanded their breeding range westward in Europe have also established new migration routes and wintering ranges. This research shows that over the last few decades, the wintering area of Motacilla citreola has expanded westwards, including significantly the Middle East and, to a lesser extent, Africa and Europe. Especially in the activation of the most western routes, a fundamental role was played by the phenomenon of post-fledging dispersal, manifested by young who, as also observed in other Asian passerines (e.g., Pallas's warbler Phylloscopus proregulus, yellow-browed warbler Phylloscopus inornatus, pine bunting Emberiza leucocephalos), in autumn moved in different directions than the typical migratory route of their species. The Middle East and the neighboring Horn of Africa are progressively increasing in relevance as an additional area for the wintering of the species as a whole. Similarly, if in Europe the expansion of the breeding range towards the west continues in the future, West Africa, reached through Gibraltar, could become important as additional wintering ranges. In analogy with what is being observed for the western yellow wagtail Motacilla flava, Europe itself is also becoming part of the wintering range of the species. In fact, there is an increase in cases of wintering not only in the south of the continent, but there is also a progression towards the north.

The Indo‐European flyway: Opportunities and constraints reflected by Common Rosefinches breeding across Europe

AbstractAimThe configuration of the earth's landmasses influences global weather systems and spatiotemporal resource availability, thereby shaping biogeographical patterns and migratory routes of animals. Here, we aim to identify potential migratory barriers and corridors, as well as general migration strategies within the understudied Indo‐European flyway.LocationEurope, Central Asia.Major taxon studiedCommon rosefinches.MethodsWe used a combination of theoretical optimization modelling and empirical tracking of Common Rosefinches (Carpodacus erythrinus) breeding across a large latitudinal gradient in Europe. First, we identified optimal migration routes driven by wind and resource availability along the Indo‐European flyway. Second, we tracked rosefinches from five breeding populations using light‐level geolocators. Finally, we compared to what extent empirical tracks overlapped with the modelled optimal routes.ResultsIn autumn, theoretical wind driven migration routes formed a broad‐front corridor connecting Europe and the Indian Subcontinent while the theoretical resource driven routes formed a distinct north‐south divide. The latter pattern also reflected the rosefinch tracks with all but the most southerly breeding birds making a northern detour towards non‐breeding sites in Pakistan and India. In spring, the resource availability model predicted a similar migratory divide, however, the southern route seemed relatively more favourable and closely matched with the optimal wind driven migration routes. Spring tracking data showed larger overlap with the modelled wind driven migration routes compared to the resource driven routes.Main conclusionsOptimal wind and resource driven migration routes along the Indo‐European flyway are seasonally specific and to a large extend do not overlap with one another. Under these conditions, migratory birds adopt seasonally distinct migration strategies following energy minimization strategy in autumn, driven by resource availability, and time minimizing strategy in spring, driven by wind conditions. Our optimal migration models can be applied worldwide and used to validate against empirical data to explain large‐scale biogeographic pattern of migratory animals.

Experimental study of newly described avian malaria parasite Plasmodium (Novyella) collidatum n. sp., genetic lineage pFANTAIL01 obtained from South Asian migrant bird

BackgroundAvian malaria parasites are microorganisms parasitizing erythrocytes and various tissues of the birds; they are common and distributed worldwide. These parasites are known to infect birds of different taxa and be the cause of the deaths of birds in the wild and in captivity. The species of parasites with the ability to colonize new territories and infect local non-migratory birds are of particular interest. This scenario is likely in temperate zones of Europe, because of climate change and its contribution in spreading vectors of southern origin, which can be involved in the transmission of malaria parasites. In the present study, a tropical Plasmodium parasite from a naturally infected long-distance migrant bird was isolated and tested for its ability to develop in common species of mosquitoes and European short-distance migrant birds.MethodsPlasmodium sp. (pFANTAIL01) was isolated on the Curonian spit of the Baltic sea coast from the naturally infected Common rosefinch, Carpodacus erythrinus in June 2019. The parasite was described based on the morphological features of its blood stages, the partial mitochondrial cytochrome b gene and development after experimental infection of birds and mosquitoes. The parasite was inoculated into Eurasian siskins, Carduelis spinus. Parasitaemia, haematocrit and weight of birds were monitored. At the end of the survey, internal organs were collected to study exoerythrocytic stages of this parasite. Experimental infection of mosquitoes Culex pipiens form molestus and Culex quinquefasciatus was applied to study sporogonic development of the parasite.ResultsBased on morphological features, the parasite was described as a new species, Plasmodium collidatum n. sp., and attributed to subgenus Novyella. It was revealed that the obtained pFANTAIL01 lineage is a generalist parasite infecting a wide range of avian hosts and most likely is transmitted in South and Southeast (SE) Asia and Oceania. In Europe, this strain was recorded only in adult migratory birds wintering in South Asia. This parasite developed high parasitaemia in experimentally infected siskins and caused 25 % mortality. Exoerythrocytic stages of pFANTAIL01 were found in the lungs, liver, spleen and kidney of the deceased birds. Sporogonic development did not occur in Cx. pipiens form molestus and Cx. quinquefasciatus mosquitoes.ConclusionsPlasmodium collidatum is a highly virulent for Eurasian siskin and completes its development in these birds, which can be considered as a potential vertebrate host if the transmission of the infection starts occurring in Europe and temperate zones.

Grassland specialist birds in a managed habitat of north-east Bangladesh

A seven‐month spanned study from November, 2015 to May, 2016 was carried out to investigate the status and fluctuation of grassland dependent birds in a Saccharum‐Imperata patch locating in the northeastern Bangladesh under ownership of a tea‐garden; applying line transects with direct observation and diversity index. A total of 2586 individuals of 110 species was observed, grassland specialists constituted 829 (32%) individuals from 39 (35%) species. Only seven non‐passerine specialists were observed against 32 passerine specialists whereas 19 being resident and 20 wintering species. Of the grassland specialists, 31% turned out as few, 33% fairly common, 21% common and 15% very common. Insectivores and seed‐eaters were dominant feeding guilds over scavengers and omnivores at the site yielding nine categories. Specialists scored the highest value in Shannon’s Index for November (H′sp.nov = 2.81) followed by a steady decline throughout the study period. The largest winter congregation of Yellow‐breasted Bunting and Common Rosefinch in Bangladesh was observed and sighting of Black‐headed Bunting was the fourth national record. The site was found to be supporting breeding population of Golden‐headed Cisticola so far only known to country’s inventory. Despite once supporting about 10 extirpated avian species and still being diverse, adequate information on grasslands is still wanting in Bangladesh.
 Dhaka Univ. J. Biol. Sci. 26(2): 175-187, 2017 (July)

Age ratio and survival of Common Rosefinch (Carpodacus erythrinus, Passeriformes, Fringillidae) in a local population based on ringing data

The ringing data on Common Rosefinch obtained during thirteen field seasons (2002–2014) at the National Park “Russky Sever” (Vologda region) are analyzed. Birds were trapped in two sites 59 km apart. The age of the birds (yearlings or first breeders and adults) was determined according to the plumage color in every male captured with mist nets. The apparent survival rate of adult individuals was determined using two methods: according to the ratio of males’ age and the CJS model (Lebreton et al., 1992; Bursky, 2011). A total of 713 captures of 657 individuals were analyzed. The ratios of ages in the males from the sites studied did not differ; yearlings amounted to 56% of all males. The rate of survival in the males based on the age ratios was estimated at 44 ± 2%. The apparent survival rate obtained using the CJS model was significantly higher (61 ± 6%). The survival rate of adult rosefinches in two sites did not differ and did not depend on sex. Literature materials on the age ratio and survival of rosefinches in local populations are analyzed. There is a suggestion that the mismatch of the survival rates obtained by two methods and the high proportion of yearling males in the banding captures can be explained by the fact that the majority of individuals of that age category did not participate in nesting.

Breeding avifauna of Niemodlin countryside (SW Poland) during the years 2002-2007, and its changes over the last 56 years (1962-2007)

Abstract Niemodlin countryside (c. 300 km2) is situated in the south-western part of Opole Silesia, SW Poland. Forests occupy c. 40%, arable grounds – 1/3, and meadows and pastures – 7%. There are 31 fish-ponds with a total diked surface of 663 ha. The paper presents results of field investigations carried out during the years 2002-2007 and an analysis of changes in the breeding avifauna over the last 56 years. During the years 2002-2007, 123 breeding and 11 probably breeding bird species were recorded in this area. During the years 1962-2007 151 species were recorded as breeding residents; and additional five species – as probably breeding resident. The following species were recorded as breeding for the first time in 1962-2007: Haliaeetus albicilla, Larus canus, Motacilla cinerea, Saxicola torquata, Locustella luscinioides, Ficedula albicollis, Corvus corax and Carpodacus erythrinus. In the same period the following species became extinct: Podiceps nigricollis, Anas clypeata, Milvus milvus, and Tringa glareola. The following species increaed in numbers in 1962-2007: Coturnix coturnix, Grus grus, Columba oenas, Apus apus, Dryocopus martius, Dendrocopos medius, Motacilla cinerea, Saxicola torquata and Corvus corax. In the same period, Tachybaptus ruficollis, Podiceps cristatus, Podiceps grisegena, Ciconia ciconia, Aythya nyroca, Perdix perdix, Gallinago gallinago, Larus ridibundus, Tyto alba, Alcedo atthis, Picus viridis, Riparia riparia and Corvus cornix decreased in numbers. The areas with the highest concentration of rare and endangered species are postulated to be protected as nature reserves, landscape parks and other spatial forms of nature conservation.

Migration routes and timing in a bird wintering in South Asia, the Common Rosefinch Carpodacus erythrinus

Only few bird species from Western Europe migrate eastward to wintering areas in South Asia, and little is known about this migratory flyway. The Common Rosefinch has in the past century expanded i ...

Effects of heterozygosity and MHC diversity on patterns of extra-pair paternity in the socially monogamous scarlet rosefinch

Extra-pair copulation without apparent direct benefits is an evolutionary puzzle that requires indirect fitness benefits to females to explain its ubiquity in socially monogamous mating systems. Using wild scarlet rosefinches (Carpodacus erythrinus), we tested if genetic benefits in the form of global (microsatellite) heterozygote advantage, adaptive genes (major histocompatibility complex), or complementary genes (using both markers) were responsible for female extra-pair mate choice, while considering that the benefits of mate choice may be conditional on female genotype. We found no evidence for assortative or relatedness-based mating (complementary genes), but higher MHC diversity, microsatellite heterozygosity, and condition were significantly related to male extra-pair paternity (EPP) success. In contrast, female probability of having extra-pair offspring decreased with increasing heterozygosity. Interestingly, extra-pair and within-pair males had higher heterozygosity than their female mates and extra-pair males had higher MHC supertype diversity. The only genetic difference between extra-pair and within-pair offspring was lower variance in MHC allelic diversity within extra-pair offspring, providing limited support for indirect genetic fitness benefits for the markers tested. Offspring had both higher neutral heterozygosity and number of MHC supertypes than adults, as well as significant identity disequilibrium, potentially suggesting that mates are chosen to increase offspring diversity in the period of the present study. Overall, our results point to an EPP heterozygote advantage for males, especially when involving less heterozygous females, and suggest that heterozygosity effects on reproduction may differ between the sexes.

Male ornamentation and within-pair paternity are not associated with male provisioning rates in scarlet rosefinches Carpodacus erythrinus

As proposed by the ‘good parent model’ for evolution of secondary male ornamentation, secondary ornaments may signal male provisioning rates and, therefore, direct benefit to females. On the other hand, male parental care intensity can potentially be affected by the occurrence of extra-pair offspring in its nest. According to ‘parental investment theory’, males that lose paternity in their nests should reduce their parental care. In this study, we analyse potential relationships between intensity of parental care, male ornamentation, the occurrence of extra-pair paternity and male extra-pair fertilisation success in the scarlet rosefinch Carpodacus erythrinus. Our results based on 50 observed nests indicate no effect of paternity loss on the rate of food provisioning to nestlings in scarlet rosefinches. Simultaneously, we found no evidence for an association between male ornamentation and male provisioning rates. The only male trait associated with provisioning was the ability to sire extra-pair offspring. Our data indicate that direct selection against female promiscuity is weak or absent in rosefinches.

Complete phylogeny and historical biogeography of true rosefinches (Aves:Carpodacus)

True rosefinches (Aves: Carpodacus) are restricted to Eurasia, and 19 out of 25 species occur in the Sino-Himalayas, making this the likely centre of origin. To test this hypothesis, suggested species splits had to be evaluated and potential further cryptic diversity unravelled. A taxon-complete dated molecular phylogeny was reconstructed using maximum-likelihood and Bayesian methods. Maximum-parsimony and likelihood approaches were applied to deduce ancestral areas. Rosefinches, including the widespread Carpodacus erythrinus (Pallas, 1770), originated in south-west China (and the Himalayas) 14 Mya, and gave rise to a smaller clade consisting of C. erythrinus, Haematospiza sipahi (Hodgson, 1836), and Chaunoproctus ferreorostris (Vigors, 1829), and a larger clade with 22 species. The latter split into four major lineages through vicariance during the uplift of the Himalayas. The suggested species splits of dubius from Carpodacus thura Bonaparte & Schlegel, 1850, formosanus from Carpodacus vinaceus Verreaux, 1871, grandis from Carpodacus rhodochlamys Brandt, 1843, verreauxii from Carpodacus rodopeplus (Vigors, 1831) (even polyphyletic) could be supported, whereas the suggested split of severtzovi from Carpodacus rubicilla (Guldenstadt, 1775) appears to be too young, and should be considered intraspecific. On the other hand, the central Asian lineage of Carpodacus synoicus Temminck, 1825 deserves species rank [Carpodacus stolickae (Hume, 1874)]. The Carpodacus eos/pulcherrimus complex consists of four lineages, pulcherrimus/argyrophrys and davidianus [Carpodacus pulcherrimus s.s. (Moore, 1856)], and eos and waltoni [Carpodacus waltoni (Sharpe, 1905)]. © 2013 The Linnean Society of London

Haemosporidian parasites of a European passerine wintering in South Asia: diversity, mixed infections and effect on host condition

We studied haemosporidian parasites in the scarlet rosefinch Carpodacus erythrinus in a small isolated semicolony during an eight-year period using molecular methods of parasite detection. The scarlet rosefinch is an interesting model of parasite host species. It winters in South Asia which represents a rare exception among European passerines. Males express yellow to red carotenoid-based plumage ornament which is a good predictor of male reproductive success. In 240 blood samples originating from 199 adult individuals, the total parasite prevalence reached 60%. Prevalence varied among years from 36 to 81% in Haemoproteus, 8 to 22% in Plasmodium, and 0 to 14% in Leucocytozoon. Twenty parasite lineages were detected (Haemoproteus: 5 lineages, Plasmodium: 10 lineages, and Leucocytozoon: 5 lineages). Among them, the Haemoproteus ROFI2 lineage, which is a host-specific parasite lineage of the scarlet rosefinch, was the most frequently found. Parasite lineages showed varying degree of lineage specificity. While Haemoproteus lineages detected in the scarlet rosefinch have relatively narrow host breadth restricted mainly to Fringillidae family, Leucocytozoon and Plasmodium lineages generally showed wider host range. The presence of some parasite lineages hitherto detected in sedentary European passerines (SISKIN1, CCF3, BT2) or in Culicoides biting midges at the same locality (ROFI1) suggest local transmission. On the contrary, lineages LK05 and FANTAIL1 that were previously reported exclusively from Asian hosts imply parasite transmission at the scarlet rosefinch wintering sites in South Asia. Mixed infections were found in 17% of infected samples and comprised mainly the most frequent lineages. The pattern of concomitant infections seemed to be rather random and matched expected levels based on lineage frequencies. Between-year comparisons revealed that in a majority of the repeatedly captured individual hosts the infection status remained unchanged (individuals stayed uninfected or possessed the same parasite lineages). However, 16 gains and 8 losses of lineages were also reported. We have not found any effect of haemosporidians on male carotenoid ornament expression or host body mass.

О ГНЕЗДОВОМ ПАРАЗИТИРОВАНИИ ГЛУХОЙ КУКУШКИ (CUCULUS OPTATUS GOULD, 1845) В ЯКУТИИ

The data on the first findings of the oriental cuckoo eggs within the territory of Yakutia are presented. Common rosefinch (Carpodacus erythrinus Pallas, 1770) is detected as a host for the oriental cuckoo; the development of chics in the nest of dusky warbler (Phylloscopus fuscatus Blyth 1842) was documented.

Effect of extra-pair paternity and parental quality on brood sex ratio in the scarlet rosefinchCarpodacus erythrinus

The attractiveness hypothesis predicts that females should bias the sex ratio of their offspring towards sons when mated to attractive males. Females of many socially monogamous bird species commonly engage in extra-pair fertilizations (EPFs). Assuming that extra-pair males are more attractive to females than their social partners, and that sons inherit superior traits from their fathers, extra-pair young should be more likely males. According to the maternal condition hypothesis male-biased sex ratio in offspring should be also associated with better female body condition. We evaluated these ideas in the scarlet rosefinch (Carpodacus erythrinus), socially monogamous songbird with moderate level of extra-pair fertilizations. Contrary to the attractiveness hypothesis we have found no significant effect of paternity (within-pair or extra-pair) on the sex of individual offspring. Furthermore, data did not suggest that females mated to males with more elaborated plumage colour were more likely to produce sons. However, consistently with the maternal condition hypothesis, high-quality females produced more sons than daughters. Our results indicate that scarlet rosefinch females may not be able to manipulate the primary sex ratio of their offspring in relation to the attractiveness of their mate, but they may adjust it according to their own condition.

Recent allopatric divergence and niche evolution in a widespread Palearctic bird, the common rosefinch (Carpodacus erythrinus)

A previously published phylogeographic analysis of mtDNA sequences from the widespread Palearctic common rosefinch (Carpodacus erythrinus) suggested the existence of three recently diverged groups, corresponding to the Caucasus, central-western Eurasia, and northeastern Eurasia. We re-evaluated the mtDNA data using coalescence methods and added sequence data from a sex-linked gene. The mtDNA gene tree and SAMOVA supported the distinctiveness of the Caucasian group but not the other two groups. However, UPGMA clustering of mtDNA ΦST-values among populations recovered the three groups. The sex-linked gene tree recovered no phylogeographic signal, which was attributed to recent divergence and insufficient time for sorting of alleles. Overall, coalescence methods indicated a lack of gene flow among the three groups, and population expansion in the central-western and northeastern Eurasia groups. These three groups corresponded to named subspecies, further supporting their validity. A species distribution model revealed potential refugia at the Last Glacial Maximum. These three groups, which we hypothesized are in the early stages of speciation, provided an opportunity for testing tenets of ecological speciation. We showed that the early stages of speciation were not accompanied by ecological niche divergence, consistent with other avian studies.

Phytohaemagglutinin skin-swelling test in scarlet rosefinch males: low-quality birds respond more strongly

The phytohaemagglutinin (PHA) skin-swelling test is one of the most widely used methods for cell-mediated immunity measurement in immunoecology. Although several studies have investigated the condition-dependent traits associated with the magnitude of cutaneous inflammatory response to PHA, the results concerning signalling of the responsiveness through ornamental traits are still controversial. This is especially true for carotenoid-based feather ornamentation in birds. We therefore examined the linkage between several condition-dependent traits, including the red ornamental coloration of the plumage, and the magnitude of the PHA-induced immune response in scarlet rosefinch, Carpodacus erythrinus, males. Our results show two important aspects of the PHA-induced inflammation in this species. First, histological analysis showed that the swelling response was dependent on basophil activity. Second, the magnitude of the response (increase in patagium thickness) was associated with individual size, carotenoid-based ornamental coloration and a ptilochronological marker of feather growth at the time of moulting (mean growth bar width), thus mirroring the long-term quality of the individual. The positive linkage between the individual size or mean growth bar width and the PHA response suggests an association between the magnitude of the response and individual metabolic rate. However, as the magnitude of the response was also related negatively to ornament saturation and positively to ornament lightness, our results indicate stronger responsiveness in inferior males. Highly ornamented, healthier individuals recruited fewer basophils into the inflamed tissue causing less intense swelling. To our knowledge, this study is the first to show a negative association between carotenoid-based plumage coloration and the magnitude of the PHA-induced immune response.

The Importance ofIxodes arboricolain Transmission ofRickettsiaspp.,Anaplasma phagocytophilum, andBorrelia burgdorferiSensu Lato in the Czech Republic, Central Europe

Wild birds are known to be a reservoir of infectious disease agents and disseminatory hosts of ticks. The purpose of this work was to obtain information about the occurrence of rickettsial, anaplasmal, and borrelial infections in some ticks that parasitize wild birds in the Czech Republic. A total of 549 subadult ticks of three species Ixodes arboricola (75.0%), Ixodes ricinus (23.1%), and Haemaphysalis concinna (1.8%) were collected from 20 species of birds (Passeriformes). Rickettsiae were detected in 44.0% larvae and 24.5% nymphs of I. arboricola collected from Parus major, Poecile palustris, and Sitta europaea. Rickettsiae-positive I. ricinus larvae (13.7%) were collected from P. major, Cyanistes caeruleus, and S. europaea, and 2.6% of nymphs from Erithacus rubecula and Prunella modularis. Comparison of sequences of a gltA gene fragment with data available in GenBank identified Rickettsia helvetica, a spotted fever rickettsia associated with human infections, and other Rickettsia spp. Anaplasma phagocytophilum was found only in two I. ricinus nymphs collected from E. rubecula and P. major. Infections with Borrelia burgdorferi sensu lato were recorded in 1.3% larvae of I. arboricola acquired from P. palustris and P. major and in 11.8% larvae and 25.0% nymphs of I. ricinus collected from P. major, P. palustris, C. caeruleus, Acrocephalus schoenobaenus, Turdus merula, Carpodacus erythrinus, Sylvia atricapilla, P. modularis, and Phylloscopus collybita. Reverse-line blot hybridization showed infections with Borrelia garinii and Borrelia valaisiana and mixed infections with these two genospecies. This is the first record of a high rate of rickettsial infection in I. arboricola subadult ticks acquired from birds in the Czech Republic and in central Europe. Our study suggests that I. arboricola, P. major, and P. palustris play important roles in circulating rickettsiae.

Occurrence of extra‐pair paternity is connected to social male's MHC‐variability in the scarlet rosefinch Carpodacus erythrinus

Genes of the Major Histocompatibility Complex (MHC) represent an essential component of the vertebrate acquired immune system. In the last decades, the role of MHC genes in mate choice has been subject of particular scientific interest. However, results of studies dealing with this topic in different species are equivocal and mechanisms conducting MHC‐based mate choice are still puzzling. We investigated the impact of MHC class I variability on within‐pair and extra‐pair fertilisation success in a wild population of a socially monogamous passerine bird with considerable rates of extra‐pair paternity, the scarlet rosefinch Carpodacus erythrinus. We found some support for the ‘good‐genes‐as‐heterozygosity model’, as social males of high MHC‐heterozygosity were cheated by their females less frequently than less MHC‐heterozygous males. However, cuckolding males were not more MHC‐heterozygous than the cheated social males, nor were extra‐pair young more MHC‐heterozygous than within‐pair young. We did not find any evidence for mating preferences according to the complementarity model.