@article {8814,
	title = {Synchronization of host-parasite cycles by means of diapause: host influence and parasite response to involuntary host shifting},
	journal = {Parasitology},
	volume = {135},
	number = {11},
	year = {2008},
	month = {September},
	pages = {1343-1352},
	type = {Article},
	abstract = {Many parasites require synchronization of their infective phases with the appearance of susceptible host individuals and, for many species, diapause is one of the mechanisms contributing to such coincidence. A variety of ecological factors, like changes in host temperature produced by involuntary host shifting (Substitution of the usual host by an infrequent one), can modify host-parasite synchronization of diapausing ectoparasites of endothermic species. To understand the influence of host shifting on the mechanisms of parasite synchronization, we conducted experiments using the system formed by the ectoparasitic fly Carnus hemapterus and its avian hosts. We simulated the occurrence of the usual host and natural cases of host shifting by exposing overwintering carnid Pupae from Bee-eater nests (Merops apiaster) to the earlier incubation periods of two Carnus host species that frequently reoccupy Bee-eater nests. Pupae exposed to host shifting treatments advanced the mean date of emergence and produced an earlier and faster rate of emergence in comparison with Pupae exposed both to the control (absence of any host) and Bee-eater treatments. The effect was more evident for the treatment resembling the host with the most dissimilar phenology to the one of the usual host. Our results show that host temperature is an environmental cue used by this nest-dwelling haematophagous ectoparasite and reveal that Carnus hemapterus has some potential to react to involuntary host shifting by means of plasticity in the termination of diapause.},
	keywords = {Carnidae, Carnus hemapterus, on Merops apiaster, Spain},
	isbn = {0031-1820},
	url = {<Go to ISI>://ZOOREC:ZOOR14503013830 },
	author = {Calero-Torralbo, M. A. and Valera, F.}
}
@article {3599,
	title = {Ectoparasite load is linked to ontogeny and cell-mediated immunity in an avian host system with pronounced hatching asynchrony},
	journal = {Biological Journal of the Linnean Society},
	volume = {94},
	number = {3},
	year = {2008},
	month = {July},
	pages = {463-473},
	type = {Article},
	abstract = {Several contrasting hypotheses have been proposed to account for host age-biased parasite distribution, with some of them suggesting a key role of ectoparasites in the evolution and maintenance of weight hierarchies within broods. We examined parasite distribution among individual hosts across the whole period of host exposure to the parasite in a host system that shows distinct within-brood differences in age and age-related mortality. By contrast to previous hypotheses, we found that the abundance of a haematophagous, mobile ectoparasite Carnus haemapterus on nestling European rollers (Coracias garrulus) was highest approximately during the mid-nestling stage of their host, coinciding with the inflection point of the host growth phase. Parasite load increased neither with absolute resource availability (i.e. body size), nor body condition index. By contrast to previous evidence, higher parasite load under natural conditions was associated with a stronger cell-mediated immune response. However, this association was moderated by low parasite densities, as well as a better brood body condition index. Overall, although we revealed remarkable host ontogenetic effects on parasite distribution, the present study suggests that a highly mobile ectoparasite generally prefers healthier hosts. We propose that, in host systems with a marked asynchrony of hatching and background mortality within the brood, parasites favour persistence rather than nutritional attractiveness of the host. (C) 2008 The Linnean Society of London.
},
	keywords = {Carnus hemapterus, Europe},
	isbn = {0024-4066},
	url = {<Go to ISI>://ZOOREC:ZOOR14409054805 },
	author = {Vaclav, Radovan and Calero-Torralbo, Miguel A. and Valera, F.}
}
@article {2282,
	title = {Prolonged diapause in the ectoparasite Carnus hemapterus (Diptera: Cyclorrhapha, Acalyptratae) - how frequent is it in parasites},
	journal = {Parasitology},
	volume = {133},
	number = {2},
	year = {2006},
	month = {August},
	pages = {179-186},
	abstract = {Prolonged diapause is usually interpreted as an adaptation to unpredictable environmental conditions and resource availability. Many parasites usually face highly unpredictable environments, therefore prolonged diapause should be common among these organisms. Here we examine the occurrence and frequency of prolonged diapause in the ectoparasite Carnus hemapterus (Diptera: Cyclorrhapha, Acalyptratae). We found that the studied population is polymorphic with respect to diapause duration. Emergence of carnid flies after 2 and 3 wintering seasons was therefore detected in around 17\% and 21\% of the samples respectively. The number of flies with prolonged diapause ranked 0.88-50\% with respect to the number of flies emerging during the first spring. Both the occurrence of prolonged diapause and the number of flies with a long life-cycle are related to the number of flies emerging during the first spring. The emergence pattern of flies with prolonged diapause was very similar to that observed for flies with a short cycle and occurred in synchrony with the occurrence of hosts. Prolonged diapause has been frequently reported in plant-feeding insects and in some host-parasitoid systems, but this is, to our knowledge, the second report ever on prolonged diapause in true parasites of animals. We discuss the reasons for the apparent rarity of prolonged diapause among these organisms.
},
	keywords = {Carnidae, Carnus, Carnus hemapterus, Spain},
	isbn = {0031-1820},
	url = {<Go to ISI>://ZOOREC:ZOOR14211069128 },
	author = {Valera, F. and Casas-Criville, A. and Calero-Torralbo, M. A.}
}
@article {2283,
	title = {Interspecific parasite exchange in a mixed colony of birds},
	journal = {Journal of Parasitology},
	volume = {89},
	year = {2003},
	note = {Carnus hemapterus on Merops apiaster and Petronia petronia
},
	pages = {245-250},
	type = {article},
	keywords = {Carnidae, Carnus, Carnus hemapterus},
	author = {Valera, F. and Casas-Criville, A. and Hoi, H.}
}
