Merops Apiaster Research Articles

Evaluation of large‐scale dissemination of Nosema ceranae spores by European bee‐eaters Merops apiaster

Identification of transmission routes and of factors affecting the spatial positions of pathogens, hosts and vectors is basic to an adequate disease management. Nosema ceranae is a Microsporidian recently described as a parasite of Apis mellifera honeybees and is currently considered the aetiological agent of an emergent illness named nosemosis type C. In this article we evaluate the role of a bird species, the European bee-eater, Merops apiaster, as a large-scale dispersive agent of N. ceranae. We found a high prevalence of viable spores of N. ceranae in pellets regurgitated by bee-eaters in different locations in the Iberian Peninsula, Central Europe and central Asia. In contrast, spores of Nosema apis, considered till recently the most common microsporidium infecting honeybees, were detected in a single locality and Nosema bombi spores were not noticed. Since non-viable spores were also found in bee-eater nests from different locations, this bird species could also reduce the fraction of infected insects by withdrawing pathogens from the colonies. We conclude that bee-eater mobility and migration may have played an important role in the transmission of the pathogen N. ceranae.

Cytochrome c oxidase subunit I barcoding of the green bee-eater (Merops orientalis)

DNA barcoding using mitochondrial cytochrome c oxidase subunit I (COI) is regarded as a standard method for species identification. Recent reports have also shown extended applications of COI gene analysis in phylogeny and molecular diversity studies. The bee-eaters are a group of near passerine birds in the family Meropidae. There are 26 species worldwide; five of them are found in Saudi Arabia. Until now, GenBank included a COI barcode for only one species of bee-eater, the European bee-eater (Merops apiaster). We sequenced the 694-bp segment of the COI gene of the green bee-eater M. orientalis and compared the sequences with those of M. apiaster. Pairwise sequence comparison showed 66 variable sites across all the eight sequences from both species, with an interspecific genetic distance of 0.0362. Two and one within-species variable sites were found, with genetic distances of 0.0005 and 0.0003 for M. apiaster and M. orientalis, respectively. This is the first study reporting barcodes for M. orientalis.

Flight Modes in Migrating European Bee-Eaters: Heart Rate May Indicate Low Metabolic Rate during Soaring and Gliding

BackgroundMany avian species soar and glide over land. Evidence from large birds (m b>0.9 kg) suggests that soaring-gliding is considerably cheaper in terms of energy than flapping flight, and costs about two to three times the basal metabolic rate (BMR). Yet, soaring-gliding is considered unfavorable for small birds because migration speed in small birds during soaring-gliding is believed to be lower than that of flapping flight. Nevertheless, several small bird species routinely soar and glide.Methodology/Principal FindingsTo estimate the energetic cost of soaring-gliding flight in small birds, we measured heart beat frequencies of free-ranging migrating European bee-eaters (Merops apiaster, m b∼55 g) using radio telemetry, and established the relationship between heart beat frequency and metabolic rate (by indirect calorimetry) in the laboratory. Heart beat frequency during sustained soaring-gliding was 2.2 to 2.5 times lower than during flapping flight, but similar to, and not significantly different from, that measured in resting birds. We estimated that soaring-gliding metabolic rate of European bee-eaters is about twice their basal metabolic rate (BMR), which is similar to the value estimated in the black-browed albatross Thalassarche (previously Diomedea) melanophrys, m b∼4 kg). We found that soaring-gliding migration speed is not significantly different from flapping migration speed.Conclusions/SignificanceWe found no evidence that soaring-gliding speed is slower than flapping flight in bee-eaters, contradicting earlier estimates that implied a migration speed penalty for using soaring-gliding rather than flapping flight. Moreover, we suggest that small birds soar and glide during migration, breeding, dispersal, and other stages in their annual cycle because it may entail a low energy cost of transport. We propose that the energy cost of soaring-gliding may be proportional to BMR regardless of bird size, as theoretically deduced by earlier studies.

Thermoregulatory Behavior in Migratory European Bee-eaters (Merops apiaster)

Abstract Birds in hyper-arid environments have acute problems of energy and water balance, and thermoregulate both physiologically and behaviorally. I report on European Bee-eaters (Merops apiaster) engaged in a previously unreported thermoregulatory behavior of diving into the sea and in salt ponds with high levels of salinity. This behavior may also explain the previously reported, but unexplained, finding of bee-eaters inside a tiger shark (Galeocerdo cuvier) in the Red Sea. These observations should instigate future experiments on the subject of selective use of salt water for evaporative cooling and thermoregulatory behavior by desert birds.

Are parasite intensity and related costs of the milichiid fly Carnus hemapterus related to host sociality?

Ectoparasites have often been shown to have detrimental effects on their host. Not much is known, however, about determinants of infestation, e.g. the question of which factors affect distribution and occurrence of parasites on different host species (degree of host specificity) and their infestation rates. In this study we examine possible effects of host determinants on parasite intensity of Carnus hemapterus (Carnidae), an ectoparasitic fly on nestling birds, in the European bee-eater (Merops apiaster), which is a common host of C. hemapterus. Our results show that European bee-eaters seem to be one of the most heavily infested host species of C. hemapterus. We found that brood size, nestling age, and colony size are the most important determinants of infestation by C. hemapterus. This parasite seems to prefer medium-sized bee-eater chicks and to select them according to their condition. Our results further suggest a negative effect of C. hemapterus on chick development.

INCIDENCE OF RESIDENT AND MIGRATORY BIRD SPECIES COLLECTED FROM BURULLUS PROTECTED AREA IN KAFR EL-SHEIKH GOVERNORATE.

Resident and visitor bird species were collected from Burullus protected area in Kafr El-Sheikh Governorate during two successive years 2007/2008. Data revealed that 24 bird species in 17 families and 10 orders were recorded during the survey. The most common resident species in this habitat were: moorhen, Gallinula chloropus, Purple gallinule, Porphyrio porphyrio, little tern, Sterna albifrons, King fisher, Alcedo rudis, little Bittern, Ixobrychus minutus-Senegal coucal, Centroipus senegalensis and little grebe, Tachybatus ruficollis. While, the most common winter visitors were gray wagtail, Motacilla cinerea, northern Pochard, Aythya ferina, teal, Anas crecca, Wigeon, Anas penelop , Shovler, Anas clypeata, Black-headed Gull, Larus fuscus, pied avocet, Recurvirostra avosetta Gray heron, Ardea cinerea and little Bittern, Ixobrychus minutus. Also, twelve species were recorded as autumn passer i.e. swallows, Hirundo rustica, Gray wagtail, Motacilla cnerea, common quail, Coturnix coturnix, northern pochard, Aythya ferina, Teal, Anas crecca, Wigeon, Anas Penelope, Shoveler, Anas clypeata, little tern, Sterna albifrons, red shank, Tringa erythropus Bee eater, Merops apiaster, little bittern, Ixobrychus minutus and turtle dove, Streptopelia turtur.

European bee-eater (Merops apiaster) populations under arsenic and metal stress: evaluation of exposure at a mining site

Two populations of the European bee-eater were studied, one living at a reference site and the other at a metal mining site. The concentration of arsenic and 11 metals (Al, Cd, Co, Cr, Cu, Fe, Hg, Mn, Ni, Pb, and Zn) was measured in feathers and regurgitated pellets collected at both sites. Cadmium, chromium, mercury, nickel, and lead were at least twofold higher in feathers of birds from the contaminated site than in the reference site, suggesting that this population was exposed to higher metal levels. Similarly, levels of aluminum, arsenic, cadmium, cobalt, chromium, iron, and lead were also at least twofold higher in pellets from the contaminated area. The obtained results suggested that the impacted population of Merops apiaster is at risk due to the exposure to some metals.

A 2006-2008-as gyűrűfűi Biodiverzitás Napok ornitológiai eredményei (Aves)

Between 2006-2008, an investigation was carried out by the local group of Birdlife Hungary on the surrounding Gyűrűfű in the framework of the Hungarian Biodiversity Days. In 1 km2 area, in different habitats altogether 68 species were supervised. The characteristic groups of birds were associated with mature forests and bushy area (eg. Columba oenas, Merops apiaster, Dendrocopus medius, Anthus trivialis, Sylvus n isoria, Oriolus oriolus, Lanius collurio, Loxia curvirostra). The most interesting species is Milvus milvus.

Incidence and Geographical Distribution of Honeybee (Apis mellifera L.) Pests in Jordan

The occurrence and distribution of pests of honeybee (Apis mellifera L.) in Jordan were surveyed during the agricultural seasons of 1999 and 2000. A total of 800 colonies in 112 apiaries were chosen from different geographical regions that support beekeeping in Jordan. Honeybee colonies are attacked by 21 pest species in different areas of Jordan. The most distributed pests which cause considerable damage are Varroa destructor, Vespa orientalis, Galleria melonella, Dorylus fulvus, Braula orientalis, Merops apiaster, Hirundo rustica, Hirundo daurica and Merops orientalis. Other pests of minor importance to beekeeping were also recorded. Most of the recorded pests were appeared in both the Jordan Valley and Irbid regions.

Synchronization of host-parasite cycles by means of diapause: host influence and parasite response to involuntary host shifting

Many parasites require synchronization of their infective phases with the appearance of susceptible host individuals and, for many species, diapause is one of the mechanisms contributing to such coincidence. A variety of ecological factors, like changes in host temperature produced by involuntary host shifting (substitution of the usual host by an infrequent one), can modify host-parasite synchronization of diapausing ectoparasites of endothermic species. To understand the influence of host shifting on the mechanisms of parasite synchronization, we conducted experiments using the system formed by the ectoparasitic fly Carnus hemapterus and its avian hosts. We simulated the occurrence of the usual host and natural cases of host shifting by exposing overwintering carnid pupae from Bee-eater nests (Merops apiaster) to the earlier incubation periods of two Carnus host species that frequently reoccupy Bee-eater nests. Pupae exposed to host shifting treatments advanced the mean date of emergence and produced an earlier and faster rate of emergence in comparison with pupae exposed both to the control (absence of any host) and Bee-eater treatments. The effect was more evident for the treatment resembling the host with the most dissimilar phenology to the one of the usual host. Our results show that host temperature is an environmental cue used by this nest-dwelling haematophagous ectoparasite and reveal that Carnus hemapterus has some potential to react to involuntary host shifting by means of plasticity in the termination of diapause.

Soil penetrability as a key factor affecting the nesting of burrowing birds

AbstractSoil penetrability resistance was found to be crucial for nest site selection of all three Central European burrowing bird species—Sand Martins (Riparia riparia), European Bee‐eaters (Merops apiaster), and Eurasian Kingfishers (Alcedo atthis). Soil penetrability resistance measurements were used to find out whether increased hardness of unexcavated banks is the key factor affecting the presence of burrowing birds. All three species avoided banks composed of too compact or too loose soils. Birds discriminated not only between high‐ and low‐quality breeding banks, but also between different soil strata within banks. In banks with generally low penetrability resistance, Sand Martins preferred soil strata with the highest available penetrability resistance and compactness to avoid hole collapses. There was a preference for hard soil below holes to serve as a resistant platform when birds begin to dig their holes. In Sand Martins, the penetrability resistance level affected physical characteristics of holes such as tunnel length and dimensions of the orifices. Excessive compactness—and probably not high talus presence—was a major cause of abandonment of Sand Martin localities. A high penetrability resistance is the crucial factor for site selection in Sand Martins.

Regurgitated pellets of Merops apiaster as fomites of infective Nosema ceranae (Microsporidia) spores

The importance of transmission factor identification is of great epidemiological significance. The bee-eater (Merops apiaster) is a widely distributed insectivorous bird, locally abundant mainly in arid and semi-arid areas of southern Europe, northern Africa and western Asia but recently has been seen breeding in central Europe and Great Britain. Bee-eaters predominantly eat insects, especially bees, wasps and hornets. On the other hand, Nosema ceranae is a Microsporidia recently described as a parasite in Apis mellifera honeybees in Europe. Due to the short time since its description scarce epidemiological data are available. In this study we investigate the role of the regurgitated pellets of the European bee-eater as fomites of infective spores of N. ceranae. Spore detection in regurgitated pellets of M. apiaster is described [phase-contrast microscopy (PCM) and polymerase chain reaction (PCR) methods]. Eighteen days after collection N. ceranae spores still remain viable and their infectivity is shown after artificial infection of Nosema-free 8-day-old adult bees. The epidemiological consequences of the presence of Nosema spores in this fomites are discussed.

Information transfer determined by association of neighbours in European bee-eater (Merops apiaster) colonies

The Information Centre Hypothesis (ICH) and the Two-Strategies Hypothesis (TSH) predict that foraging success is enhanced by information exchanged among individuals within a colony or roost. Nest location within a colony may be critical in this regard, as individuals with abundant, nearby neighbours likely have greater access to information regarding a new food resource than relatively isolated breeders. To determine how the availability of neighbours influences information transfer, we quantified foraging success in a population of European bee-eaters (Merops apiaster) provided with a honey bee (Apis mellifera) hive as a new food resource. To quantify potential information transfer we developed a neighbour index that incorporated both the number and proximity of neighbours into a single continuous measure. The change in feeding rate of individual birds after introducing the honey bee hive was positively correlated with our neighbour index, suggesting that information transfer among colony members, at least in part, selects for colonial breeding in European bee-eaters.

Delayed Breeding Affects Lifetime Reproductive Success Differently in Male and Female Green Woodhoopoes

In cooperatively breeding species, many individuals only start breeding long after reaching physiological maturity [1], and this delay is expected to reduce lifetime reproductive success (LRS) [1-3]. Although many studies have investigated how nonbreeding helpers might mitigate the assumed cost of delayed breeding (reviewed in [3]), few have directly quantified the cost itself [4, 5] (but see [6, 7]). Moreover, although life-history tradeoffs frequently influence the sexes in profoundly different ways [8, 9], it has been generally assumed that males and females are similarly affected by a delayed start to breeding [7]. Here, we use 24 years of data to investigate the sex-specific cost of delayed breeding in the cooperatively breeding green woodhoopoe (Phoeniculus purpureus) and show that age at first breeding is related to LRS differently in males and females. As is traditionally expected, males that started to breed earlier in life had greater LRS than those that started later. However, females showed the opposite pattern: Those individuals that started to breed later in life actually had greater LRS than those that started earlier. In both sexes, the association between age at first breeding and LRS was driven by differences in breeding-career length, rather than per-season productivity. We hypothesize that the high mortality rate of young female breeders, and thus their short breeding careers, is related to a reduced ability to deal with the high physiological costs of reproduction in this species. These results demonstrate the importance of considering sex-specific reproductive costs when estimating the payoffs of life-history decisions and bring into question the long-held assumption that delayed breeding is necessarily costly.

Le régime alimentaire du Guêpier d’Europe Merops apiaster dans les parc national de l’Ichkeul (Tunisie)

Diet of the European Bee-eater Merops apiaster in the Ichkeul National Park (Tunisia). — The diet of the European Bee-eater was studied in April and May 1999 from a collection of 138 regurgitation pellets : 2862 preys were identified and alloted to 9 Arthropod orders. Globally, Hymenoptera insects were by far the most numerous with 66.1% of the preys. Diptera occupied the second position with 18.6%, followed by Coleoptera (10%), and the other orders were only marginally or exceptionally represented. Nevertheless, in April Coleoptera came second to the Hymenoptera, whereas it was by far the contrary in May. As a whole, during this two-month study the diet of the European Bee-eater in the Ichkeul Park was very broad and at the same time very specialized on Hymenoptera, although the proportion of Domestic Bees was relatively low in relation to other localities.

Determinants of population biology of the chewing louse Brueelia apiastri (Mallophaga, Philopteridae) on the European bee-eater (Merops apiaster)

In this study we examine the population biology of Brueelia apiastri, a chewing louse living on the European bee-eater (Merops apiaster). We investigate the relationships between parasite intensity of infestation, sex ratio, reproductive output, parasite size and their environment i.e. the morphology, condition, age and sex of the host. Chewing lice were collected, their sex and age (developmental stage) identified and parasite body size determined as a measure of parasite condition (larger individuals consume larger meals and larger females may produce larger clutches). The data show that there is variation in intensity as well as body size of B. apiastri between individual bee-eaters and this variation is independent of the sex of the birds. However, size, condition and age of the birds seem to influence the infestation rates with B. apiastri. The study suggested size-dependent depredation, since more, smaller chewing lice (usually nymphs) living on birds in better condition and birds having longer bills. Furthermore, more male chewing lice (males are smaller than females) live on older birds. Intraspecific competition between parasites seems to have a negative effect on female but not male body size but this result could be also explained by size-dependent depredation.

Microsatellite loci for behavioural studies of rainbow bee‐eaters (Merops ornatus: Aves)

AbstractA set of polymorphic microsatellite loci was identified for population and behavioural studies of the rainbow bee‐eater (Merops ornatus). Eight loci were newly isolated from a rainbow bee‐eater genomic library enriched for GA‐containing repeats, and six loci from those previously reported for the European bee‐eater (Merops apiaster). From these two sources, the seven most variable loci that amplified reliably were unlinked and in Hardy–Weinberg equilibrium, had five to 13 alleles (mean 7.7) and an expected heterozygosity of 0.60–0.86 (mean 0.73).

Sjeldne fugler i Norge i 2004 - Rapport fra Norsk sjeldenhetskomité for fugl (NSKF)

This is the 29th annual report and the 30th announcement from the Norwegian Rarities Committee (NSKF). The majority of records treated here are from 2004, but some older records are also included. Norway follows taxonomic advises given by the Taxonomic Advisory Committee (TAC) in the Association of European Rarity Committees (AERC). The systematic list of accepted records is set out in the following system: (1) The birds Norwegian name, (2) scientific name, (3) the numbers in brackets, e.g. (30/32 - 1), refers respectively to the total number of records/total number of individuals up to and including 2003, and in 2004, (4) any limitations given of (3), (5) any breeding, (6) year, (7) county, (8) number of individuals, age (1K = first calendar year etc.), sex (if known) and sometimes circumstances («rm» means that the bird was ringed), (9) site and municipality, (10) date, (11) * indicates if the record was complemented by positive evidence, and type of the evidence (F = photo, V = video-recorded, L = tape-recorded, D = found dead), (12) observers names in brackets, main observer is specified first and emphasized with *, (13) roughly gives the species distribution and (14) comments concerning the records.General trends:2004 was one of the best years in the history of NSKF, With 223 accepted records. 76 accepted records from previous years help to complete the Norwegian Bird list. There are 22 records presented that have been shelved. Half of these are concerning first year «Eastern Yellow Wagtails». This is due to the lack of identification knowledge in the literature for such birds. Also presented are 47 records that for some reason have not been accepted. The records from 2004 shows few extraordinary trends, maybe except for a smaller influx of Sabine’s Gulls (16 records). It was the second best year for Green-winged Teal Anas carolinensis (10 records) and the best year for Bee-eater Merops apiaster (7 records) and Caspian Gull Larus cachinnans (4 records). Other records of interest are Norway’s fourth Short-toed Eagle Circaetus gallicus, sixth Gull-billed Tern Sterna niloctia, fifth Pallid Swift Apus pallidus, second White-winged Lark Melanocorypha leucoptera and second Eastern Bonelli’s Warbler Phylloscopus orientalis. Five records of White-winged Black Tern Chlidonias leucopterus and two records of Whites Thrush Zootera dauma are also more than normal.New species to the Norwegian list:There are a total of five new species to the Norwegian category A list presented in this report, all from 2004. This brings the official Norwegian Bird list to 471 species. Included in this list are accepted records in category A-C. The new species are Baird’s Sandpiper Calidris bairdii, Bridled Tern Sterna anaetheus, Thick-billed Warbler Acrocephalus aedon, Eastern Olivaceous Warbler Hippolais pallida and Eastern Orphean Warbler Sylvia crassirostris.

Body condition as a determinant for stopover in bee-eaters ( Merops apiaster) on spring migration in the Arava Valley, southern Israel

The most critical, and dangerous, time of the avian life cycle probably is the migratory period when not only does a migrating bird have to decide on the routes to take to and from the wintering grounds but also when to rest, where and for how long. To understood the migrants decision we studied migratory European Bee-eaters ( Merops apiaster) along the Arava Valley, Israel, during their spring migration stopover immediately after crossing the combined ecological barrier of the Sahel, Sahara, and Sinai deserts. We evaluated the effects of body mass and age on the decision to stopover as a function of the distance from the northern edge of the deserts northwards up to the Dead Sea basin. We propose a new “drop-out hypothesis” wherein the weaker individuals dropout earlier from a migratory flock that is moving northwards from an ecological barrier. Most of the birds that drop out at the stopover sites closest to the ecological barrier are juveniles, on their first migration from Africa and that lack experience of the northbound flight. The proportion of adults increases as the flock moves northwards. The evolutionary and conservation implications of this study stress the importance of conservation of not only a single stopover site along the migratory route but that of several points staggered out such that they will allow individuals with varying degrees of body condition to advance in their desired direction with minimum stress.

Studies of avian communities along river Drava, between 2000-2004 (Aves)

The monitoring of avian fauna (Aves) along river Drava was launched in 2000. According to our results total density in the floodland sample areas in 2000-2004 was found to range between 54.0-76.56 pairs/10 ha. In the study years a total of 5-14 pairs of Sterna albifrons and 50-90 pairs of Sterna hirundo bred annually in the Drava section between river kilometres 236-180, being distributed in 2-3 nest colonies. Between river kilometres 199-180 a minimum of 32-48 pairs of Charadrius dubius and minimum 5-15 pairs of Actitis hypoleucos occupied their territorries in the studied years. The nesting of 1116-2370 pairs of Riparia riparia and 2-23 pairs of Merops apiaster was recorded in the Drava section between river kilometres 199-133 in the study years. During our investigations in the Berzence grassland habitat 10-15 bird species were found to breed annually, with total density varying between 9.28-13.34 pairs/10 ha. Data from the waterfowl surveys in 2001-2004 between river kilometres 199-184, 30 species occurred among the studied taxa, with the maximum number of specimens recorded in this section being 4650. The Ciconia ciconia population along river Drava decreased from 58 to 45 pairs in the studied years. During the monitoring studies we have gathered data on the occurrence of a total of 162 bird species.