Interacciones parásito-hospedador en poblaciones de aves silvestres y su relación con variables ambientales

Abstract

The aim of this Thesis is to explore whether an experimental change in temperature can affect the prevalence and abundance of parasites in cavity nesting birds during their breeding period. During the 2015 breeding period, we observed that an experimental increase in temperature inside blue tit (Cyanistes caeruleus) nests negatively affected the abundance of mites (Dermanyssus gallinoides) and blowfly pupae (Protocalliphora azurea).During the breeding season of 2017 we explored whether an experimental increase in temperature inside blue tit nests located at different latitudes (Spain and Germany) significantly affected the abundance of parasites in the nests. Heated treatment reduced significantly the abundance of blowfly pupae in both locations, as well as that of flea larvae in nests from Germany, although not from those in Spain. In addition, we also observed that infections by hemoparasites such as Haemoproteus/Plasmodium in adult birds was significantly higher in blue tit males attending nests where the temperature was increased in Germany and control nests in Spain. In this study, we also found that the abundance of flea larvae was significantly higher in nests in Germany, while the abundance of blowfly pupae and biting midges was higher in Spain. Similarly, we observed that other parasites such as mites and black flies only appeared in nests in Spain, but not in those in Germany. In addition, we found that the weight of males and the length of wing in blue tit nestlings were negative and significantly related to flea larvae abundance...