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Related Experiment Videos

Microbes in tree swallow semen.

M P Lombardo1, P A Thorpe

  • 1Department of Biology, Grand Valley State University, Allendale, Michigan 49401-9403, USA. lombardm@gvsu.edu

Journal of Wildlife Diseases
|August 15, 2000
PubMed
Summary
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Male tree swallows carry both harmful and beneficial sexually transmitted microbes (STM

Area of Science:

  • Avian reproductive biology
  • Microbiology
  • Sexual selection

Background:

  • Multiple mating in birds may incur costs via pathogenic sexually transmitted microbes (STM's).
  • Conversely, females may benefit from STM inoculations, gaining protection or therapy against infections.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the presence and prevalence of potentially pathogenic and beneficial STM's in male tree swallow semen.
  • To explore the implications of STM variation for female mate choice.

Main Methods:

  • Semen samples were collected from 30 male tree swallows.
  • Standard microbiological techniques were used to identify microbes in the semen samples.

Main Results:

  • 19 out of 30 semen samples contained one or more types of microbes.

Related Experiment Videos

  • Of the positive samples, 11 had both pathogenic and beneficial microbes, 7 had only pathogenic microbes, and 1 had only beneficial microbes.
  • Few significant differences were observed in male physical characteristics or condition based on the presence of specific microbes.

    • Conclusions:

    • Male tree swallows harbor a variety of STM's, with significant variation between individuals.
    • Females may benefit from assessing males as potential donors of beneficial STM's during mate selection.
    • The direct impact of STM presence on reproductive performance in this study was inconclusive.