Российский паразитологический журнал (Oct 2019)
Influence of the host sex on the helminth community structure in passerine birds (Passeriformes)
Abstract
Objective of research: The study of the influence of the host sex on helminth community structure in passerine birds. Material and methods: 230 individuals of both sex of 6 bird species from order Passeriformes (tree pipit, red-backed shrike, great tit, Eurasian tree sparrow, common chaffinch, yellowhammer) were examined by a method of incomplete helminthological dissection. Parasitological monitoring was conducted by standard methods. Statistical processing of data was carried out using the Shannon, Jaccard, Sorensen indices, Kovnatsky index of domination and Mann-Whitney U test. Results and discussion: The influence of sex structure of host population on the helminth communities of passerine birds was studied. 26 parasite species were registered. Large species diversity was found in helminth communities of yellowhammer and great tit males; in common chaffinch - of females. No difference was detected in parasite communities of males and females of tree pipit and red-backed shrike. Only males of Eurasian tree sparrow were infected. Parasite communities in males and females of tree pipit, yellowhammer and red-backed shrike are most similar. The minimum similarity was found between parasite communities of common chaffinch of both sexes. Neither the analysis of infestation of males and females by individual helminth species nor of the aggregate helminth infestation of both sexes of each bird species, has revealed a universal pattern. In some bird species, females proved to be more infected, in other - males. Significant differences in infection of birds of different sexes were found only for the great tit (females found to have a higher infection rate). At the same time, the analysis of total helminth infestation of all bird individuals showed that females of passerine birds carry a significant higher parasite loads. Ecological features of male and female birds affect helminth distribution in birds. Food composition is an essential factor that affects differences in invasion of both sexes of birds.
