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Evaluation of two methods for quantifying passeriform lice
Jennifer A H Koop1, Dale H Clayton
1Department of Biology, University of Utah, 257 South 1400 East, Salt Lake City, Utah 84112, USA ; Current address: University of Arizona, Ecology and Evolutionary Biology P.O. Box 210088, Tucson, Arizona 85721.
Journal of Field Ornithology
|September 17, 2013
Summary
Visual examination and dust-ruffling methods reliably quantify lice abundance on small birds like European Starlings. These methods, though accounting for a small proportion of total lice, significantly predict overall parasite load.
Area of Science:
- Ornithology
- Ectoparasite Research
- Wildlife Biology
Background:
- Visual examination and dust-ruffling are common methods for quantifying bird ectoparasites.
- Previous accuracy assessments were limited to large-bodied Rock Pigeons.
- The efficacy on smaller passerine species remained largely untested.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the accuracy of visual examination and dust-ruffling for quantifying lice on European Starlings.
- To compare the effectiveness of these methods on a small-bodied passerine species.
- To determine if these methods are reliable predictors of total louse abundance.
Main Methods:
- European Starlings were assessed using visual examination for lice.
- Immediately following, the dust-ruffling method was applied to the same birds.
- Total lice counts were determined using a body-washing method after euthanasia for comparison.
Main Results:
- Visual examination accounted for 14% of total lice; dust-ruffling accounted for 16%.
- Both methods were significant predictors of total louse abundance.
- Visual examination explained 68% of the variation in total abundance; dust-ruffling explained 72%.
Conclusions:
- Visual examination and dust-ruffling are reliable methods for quantifying lice on European Starlings.
- These methods can be effectively applied to similar-sized passerine birds.
- Despite low recovery proportions, both methods provide significant predictive value for ectoparasite abundance.
