Padrões de distribuição de hipoboscídeos, ácaros dermícolas e piolhos e suas interações sobre Columba livia

Abstract

The diversity of parasites observed on hosts varies substantially between individuals of the same species, as between host species. The enlightenment of the factors involved in parasite diversity patterns is essential to an understanding about the ecological and evolutionary dynamics that shapes the interactions between host-parasite, which are considered powerful arenas for ecological studies. The ectoparasites of Columba livia, for being well known in this area, are considered ideal models for ecological studies of this nature. This study aimed to analyze the seasonal variation in the distribution patterns of lice, of Pseudolynchia canariensis, Haemoproteus columbae, and phoretic skin mites on young and adults of C. livia of three different plumage colors. It was observed that the plumage color did not influence the patterns of infestation of lice, P. canariensis, H. columbae, and phoretic skin mites both on young and on adults of C. livia. However, among the offspring a significant difference in infestation of P. canariensis and abundance of ectoparasites was observed between seasons. On the other hand, on the adults of C. livia a difference was found in lice and hippoboscid flies infestations, as well as the richness of ectoparasites between the seasons. Skin mites of the Epidermoptidae family use hippoboscid flies for dispersion and oviposition, attaching preferably on the dorsal surface of the abdomen and ventral side of the wings, respectively. However, the species of lice observed and O. hallae use hippoboscid flies only as a form of dispersion, attaching mainly in the region between the metathorax and the first abdominal tergite. In the hottest seasons was observed a higher prevalence, mean intensity of infestation and increased abundance of phoretic species on P. canariensis. In all seasons a greater abundance of eggs of the phoretic mites, including embryonated eggs, was observed on the females of P. canariensis.