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The study focuses on chigger mites parasitizing bird hosts in three countries of Latin America, Costa Rica, Paraguay, and Peru. In total, 785 chiggers collected from 145 birds of 67 species have been identified. Three new species have been described: Eutrombicula talamancensis sp. nov., from ten bird species in Costa Rica, Eutrombicula cathari sp. nov., from two species of the genus Catharus Bonaparte, 1850 in Costa Rica, and Eutrombicula gonzalezi sp. nov., from three bird species in Paraguay. Eutrombicula helleri (Oudemans, 1911), considered as a synonym of Eutrombicula goeldii (Oudemans, 1910) since 1949, has been restored as a separate species. Re-descriptions of E. helleri, E. goeldii, and Eutrombicula pacae (Floch and Fauran, 1957) have been provided based on new materials. Five species have been for the first time recorded in Paraguay, four in Peru, and two in Costa Rica. Five species have been for the first time recorded on bird hosts. Data on a geographic morphometric variability of E. helleri and Blankaartia sinnamaryi (Floch and Fauran, 1956) have been provided. Co-occurrence of two (three, in one case) chigger species on one host individual has been recorded in 17% of birds.

The feather mite genus Lamellodectes Hernandes and Valim, 2014 (Proctophyllodidae) was originally referred to the subfamily Pterodectinae based on the crucial diagnostic feature of this subfamily—the fusion of the epigynum with epimerites IIIa in females. Detailed investigation of two Lamellodectes species collected from ovenbirds (Passeriformes: Furnariidae) in Costa Rica has shown that this genus is actually close to Platyacarus Kudon, 1982 (Proctophyllodinae). Both genera have 4 ventral setae (ra, wa, la, and s) on tarsi I and II, while other proctophyllodid genera have only 3 setae (ra, wa, la). Additionally, it was found that the fusion of epigynum with epimerites IIIa in females of Lamellodectes is incomplete, as in some representatives of the proctophyllodine genera Anisophyllodes Atyeo, 1967 and Armophyllodes Mironov and Bermúdez, 2018 that gives evidence this character state has been independently developed in this genus. Herein, the genus Lamellodectes is provided with renewed diagnosis and transferred to the subfamily Proctophyllodinae; one new species, Lamellodectes favus Mironov sp. n., is described from Premnoplex brunnescens (Sclater, PL, 1856) (Passeriformes: Furnariidae) in Costa Rica.

A total of 1185 passerine birds representing five species were examined for chewing lice in reed beds in southwestern Slovakia in spring (April) 2008, 2009 and 2016. Additional collecting focused only on chewing lice from Panurus biarmicus (Linnaeus, 1758) (Passeriformes: Panuridae) was carried out in spring (April), summer (July) and autumn (October) 2019. A total of 283 (24%) birds were parasitized by 10 species of chewing lice of four genera: Penenirmus, Menacanthus, Philopterus, and Brueelia. Most birds showed only very light (1-10 lice/host; 74%) to light infestations (11-20 lice/host; 16%). The authors found significantly higher prevalences and mean abundances of chewing lice on residents/short-distance migrants, that is, P. biarmicus, Acrocephalus melanopogon (Temminck, 1823) (Passeriformes: Acrocephalidae), than on long-distance migratory birds, that is, Acrocephalus scirpaceus (Hermann, 1804), Acrocephalus schoenobaenus (Linnaeus, 1758) (Passeriformes: Acrocephalidae), Locustella luscinioides (Savi, 1824) (Passeriformes: Locustellidae). No significant difference was found in the total mean intensity of chewing lice between these two groups of birds. Ischnoceran lice were more prevalent and abundant than amblyceran lice on residents and short-distance migrants, whereas the opposite was found on bird species that migrate long distances. A total of 146 (58%, n = 251) P. biarmicus were parasitized by 1490 chewing lice. Males of P. biarmicus showed higher prevalence and mean abundance than females with gradually descending values of prevalence, mean abundance and mean intensity from spring to autumn. The knowledge of the occurrence and population dynamics of lice on wild passerine birds can be useful in endangered species conservation programs and can also be applied to captive passerine birds, which may be analogous to resident birds in this sense.

Understanding egg-laying behaviour of brood parasites in space and time can improve our knowledge of interactions between hosts and parasites. However, no studies have combined information on the laying activity of an obligate brood parasite with detailed information on the distribution of host nests within an area and time period. Here, we used molecular methods and analysis of egg phenotypes to determine maternal identity of common cuckoo, Cuculus canorus, eggs and chicks found in the nests of four species of Acrocephalus warblers in consecutive years. The median size of a cuckoo female laying area (calculated as a minimum convex polygon) was correlated negatively with the density of host nests and positively with the number of eggs assigned to a particular female. Cuckoo female laying areas overlapped to a large extent and their size and location did not change between years. Cuckoo females preferentially parasitized host nests located close to their previously parasitized nests and were mostly host specific except for two that parasitized two host species. Future studies should focus on sympatric host and parasite communities with variable densities across different brood-parasitic systems to investigate how population density of hosts affects fitness and evolution of brood parasites. For instance, it remains unknown whether female parasites moving to new sites need to meet a threshold density of a potential host. In addition, young females may be more limited in their egg laying, particularly with respect to the activity of other parasites and hosts, than older females.

One of the most effective defensive strategies of hosts against brood parasites is rejection, commonly achieved by ejection of the parasitic egg or desertion of the parasitized nest. Nest desertion should be a costlier strategy than egg ejection, because birds must thesn spend additional time and energy renesting, and therefore we still cannot explain why some individuals desert their nests rather than eject parasitic eggs and continue a given breeding attempt. The great reed warbler, Acrocephalus arundinaceus, is a frequent host of the common cuckoo, Cuculus canorus, and is known to use both types of rejection response. By measuring cuckoo egg mimicry, we investigated the hypothesis that the hosts desert if they cannot reliably recognize the cuckoo egg in their nest. We predicted that we would find better mimicry when hosts deserted rather than ejected. However, we did not find a difference in mimicry between these two groups of nests, implying that host females do not desert because they cannot reliably recognize the parasitic egg. We also showed that neither the date in the season nor the age of the host females influenced the type of rejection. Other factors potentially eliciting nest desertion, including host personality, host, inability to eject, excessive clutch reduction and visibility of the cuckoo female at the host nest, are discussed. Finally, we suggest that desertion may persist as a host defensive strategy against brood parasitism because it is not as costly as previously assumed and/or it is beneficial for host females in good physical condition.

Dos especies de ácaros del género Neharpyrhynchus (Acariformes: Harpirhynchidae) fueron registrados en aves silvestres del Perú: Neharpyrhynchus trochilinus ex Amazilia lactea y A. chionogaster (ambos Apodiformes: Trochilidae) y Neharpyrhynchus tangara ex Thraupis episcopus (Passeriformes: Thraupidae). Los registros en A. chionogaster y T. episcopus representan nuevas asociaciones huesped - parásito. Los ácaros de este género fueron reportados por primera vez para el Perú.

In some systems, brood parasites may be attracted by vocal or visual signals connected with host breeding. We studied a Great Reed Warbler (Acrocephalus arundinaceus) population where annually 30–50% of nests are parasitized by the Common Cuckoo (Cuculus canorus). We observed host males and quantified their song-related behaviors, including time spent singing, distance of movements and time spent singing in particular positions on a reed stem. We predicted that nests of more exposed males (i.e., those spending more time singing, moving a larger total distance, and spending more time on the top of stems) would be more likely to be parasitized than the nests of less exposed males. Additionally, we measured male song characteristics that we assumed to be most audible, and thus potentially the most conspicuous to the Common Cuckoo. We counted the number of “kara” syllables per song and measured their peak frequencies. Since these song structures are of low frequency and thus might be audible at longer distances, we predicted that males producing more kara syllables or uttering kara syllables of lower peak frequencies would also be more parasitized. However, we found that neither male singing behavior nor conspicuous song characteristics were significant predictors of parasitism. Only the visibility of host nests to the parasite, which we treated as a covariate, proved to be significant. Visible nests were more often parasitized than hidden nests. Our findings indicate that the Cuckoo females use nest visibility, or host behavior other than male singing, as the cue to locate host nests.

Avian brood parasites lay their eggs in other birds' nests, and hosts can mitigate the fitness cost of raising unrelated offspring by rejecting parasitic eggs. A visually-based cognitive mechanism often thought to be used by hosts to discriminate the foreign egg is to compare it against the hosts' own eggshell by size, shape, maculation, and/or ground coloration (i.e., absolute chromatic contrast). However, hosts may instead discriminate eggs based on their colors along a scale of natural avian eggshell coloration (i.e., directional chromatic contrast). In support of this latter visual process, recent research has found that directional chromatic contrasts can explain some host species' rejection behavior better than absolute chromatic or achromatic contrasts. Here, for the first time, we conducted an experiment in a cavity-nesting host species to test the predictions of these different visual mechanisms. We experimentally parasitized nests of the Common Redstart Phoenicurus phoenicurus, a regular host of a mimetic-egg laying Common Cuckoo Cuculus canorus host-race, using painted, immaculate 3D-printed model eggs in two geographically distant areas (Finland and Czech Republic). We found that directional chromatic contrasts better explained rejection behaviors in both parasitized (Finland) and non-parasitized (Czech Republic) host populations, as hosts rejected eggs that were noticeably browner, but not eggs that were noticeably bluer, than redstart eggs. These results support the paradigm of a single rejection threshold predicted by the directional chromatic contrast model and contribute to a growing generality of these patterns across diverse avian host-brood parasite systems.

Hyalomma ticks are well-known vectors transmitting infectious agents, which can result in severe and potentially fatal diseases in humans. Migratory birds may carry infected ticks over long distances. Here, we report on records of ticks of the H. marginatum complex in birds from Central Europe during the spring migration in 2008-2012. A total of 1172 birds belonging to 32 species, 16 families, and 3 orders was examined for ticks. Sixteen individuals of 6 passerine species were found to transport 30 ticks, identified as individuals belonging to the H. marginatum species complex (consisting of H. isaaci, H. marginatum sensu stricto, H. rufipes, H. turanicum, and H. glabrum) during 5 spring seasons. Infested bird species included the great reed warbler Acrocephalus arundinaceus, the Eurasian reed warbler A. scirpaceus, the marsh warbler A. palustris, the sedge warbler A. schoenobaenus, Savi's warbler Locustella luscinioides, and the common nightingale Luscinia megarhynchos. All of these Central European breeders are migratory species wintering in Africa. To our knowledge, this is the first study to record ticks of the H. marginatum complex on the great reed warbler and Savi's warbler.

The central European lineage of Usutu virus was isolated from a blackbird (Turdus merula), which was found dead in the city of Brno, Czech Republic, in 2011. The virus RNA was detected in two other dead blackbirds in Brno during 2012.

Descriptions and illustrations are given for three new species of the genus Brueelia Kéler from estrildid finches (Estrildidae) from Senegal. They and their type hosts are: B. fasciata from Amadina fasciata, B. senegala from Lagonosticta senegala and B. cantans from Euodice cantans. Records of three other louse species of the genus Myrsidea Waterston from estrildid finches and records of louse-flies (Hippoboscidae) from birds in Senegal are also given.

Until now, four species of eye trematodes have been found in South America. Of them, Philophthalmus lucipetus (synonymized with Philophthalmus gralli) displays a broad host spectrum, with at least 30 bird species (prevalently large water birds), five mammal species and humans serving as definitive hosts, and with snails Fagotia (Microcolpia) acicularis, Amphimelania holandri, Melanopsis praemorsa and Melanoides tuberculata serving as intermediate hosts. When examining a total of 50 birds of ten species in the wetland of Pantanos de Villa, Lima, Peru in July 2011, eye trematodes were identified visually in the edematous conjunctival sac of 11 (48%) out of 23 resident many-colored rush tyrants Tachuris rubrigastra. Based on morphometric characteristics, the trematodes were identified as P. lucipetus. ITS2 and CO1 gene of the examined specimens combined showed a 99% similarity to an Iranian isolate of Philophthalmus sp. from the intermediate host Melanoides tuberculata, an invasive freshwater snail, suggesting that these two isolates represent the same species with a wide geographical range. Moreover, the prevalence of infection with the philophthalmid cercariae was 31% in 744 Melanoides tuberculata examined in Pantanos de Villa in 2010. It is evident that P. lucipetus occurs throughout the world as well as locally, including Eurasia and South America. Here we report this trematode for the first time in Peru, and we were the first to sequence any of the South American eye trematodes. Low host specificity of P. lucipetus and the invasive character of Melanoides tuberculata as a competent intermediate host suggest that eye trematodosis caused by P. lucipetus may emerge frequently in various parts of the world, especially in the tropics. Increase of the zoonotic potential of the P. lucipetus associated with this invasive snail spreading across the world is predictable and should be of interest for further research.

A total of 166 individuals from 10 bird species belonging to the family Turdidae were examined for chewing lice in Costa Ricaduring 2004, 2009 and 2010. A total of 12 species of the louse genus Myrsidea were collected from 54 birds, including four previously named, seven new undescribed species, and one identified as Myrsidea sp. Names, descriptions and illustrations are given for the seven new species of Myrsidea . They and their type hosts are: Myrsidea assimilis sp. nov. ex Turdus assimilis (Cabanis, 1850), M. cerrodelamuertensis sp. nov. ex Catharus gracilirostris (Salvin, 1865), M. hrabaki sp. nov. ex Myadestes melanops (Salvin, 1865), M. obsoleti sp. nov. ex Turdus obsoletus (Lawrence, 1862), M. quinchoi sp. nov. ex Catharus frantzii (Cabanis, 1861), M. tapanti sp. nov. ex Catharus fuscater (Lafresnaye, 1845), and M. tapetapersi sp. nov. ex Turdus nigrescens (Cabanis, 1861). Records of four named and one unidentified species of Myrsidea from other Costa Rican thrushes are also given and discussed.

Androlaelaps fahrenholzi is a common, cosmopolitan mite constituting a species complex. This mite is found in nests or on mammal hosts and occasionally on birds. The specific host association between A. fahrenholzi-like mites and Premnoplex brunnescens in Costa Rica is reported here. Adults (females and males), deutonymphs and protonymphs were found on 14 P. brunnescens examined (prevalence was 100 %) with mean abundance 42 (2?222). The nest environment plays an important role in the evolution of parasites and could explain the evolutionary path of Laelapinae towards parasitism. We hypothesize that the colonization of P. brunnescens took place in this context quite recently, from sympatrically living rodents. Morphology and ecology of A. fahrenholzi from P. brunnescens may constitute at least a new variation of A. fahrenholzi, and possibly a new species. Fil: Lareschi, Marcela. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico La Plata. Centro de Estudios Parasitológicos y de Vectores (i); Argentina. Universidad Nacional de La Plata; Argentina Fil: Literak, Ivan. University of Veterinary and Pharmaceutical Sciences; República Checa Fil: Capek, Miroslav. Academy of Sciences of the Czech Republic; República Checa Fil: Sychra, Oldrich. University of Veterinary and Pharmaceutical Sciences; República Checa

A total of 1878 birds of 217 species were examined for the presence of fleas in Costa Rica during 2004, 2009, and 2010. Altogether 58 specimens of fleas belonging to four species of the family Ceratophyllidae were collected from 43 individuals of 27 bird species. The fleas Dasypsyllus (Dasypsyllus) gallinulae perpinnatus (Baker 1905), which were the most common, were found in 25 bird species. Dasypsyllus (Neornipsyllus) stejnegeri (Jordan 1929) and Ceratophyllus (Ceratophyllus) niger Fox, 1908 were found in three and one bird species, respectively. Six Plusaetis equatoris (Jordan 1933)-like fleas were collected from one individual of the timberline wren Thryorchilus browni (Passeriformes, Troglodytidae).

A total of 12 chigger species (Acariformes: Trombiculidae) occurred on 7 bird species in Vietnam. Two new species, namely Neoschoengastia vietnamensis sp. nov. and Hypogastia stekolnikovi sp. nov. are described, figured and compared with similar species placed in relevant genera using differential diagnoses of related species. Figures and diagnosis of Leptotrombidium taiyuanense Tian and Wen, 1984 are added. Odontacarus audy (Radford, 1946), Leptotrombidium allosetum Wang, Liao and Lin, 1981, L. taiyuanense, Leptotrombidium hanseni Traub and Lakshana, 1966, Leptotrombidium kunshui Wen and Xiang, 1984, Leptotrombidium paradux Vercammen-Grandjean and Langston, 1976, Leptotrombidium turdicola Vercammen-Grandjean and Langston, 1976, Neotrombicula elegans Schluger, 1966 and Neoschoengastia longitar-salis Schluger and Belskaya, 1966 were recorded in Vietnam for the first time.

A new mite, Lasioseius senegalensis n. sp. (Acari, Gamasina, Blattisociidae), is described. Lasioseius senegalensis n. sp. was found in Senegal on flowers of mistletoe Englerina lecardii (Engl.) Balle and on beaks of Scarlet-chested sunbirds Chalcomitra senegalensis (L. 1766) searching for food in the flowers of E. lecardii. L. senegalensis n. sp. differs from similar species by short smooth setae Z4, longer ventri-anal shield, number of ventrianal setae and absence of setae J1. A re-examination of the type material of Lasioseius cinnyris Fain and Mariaux, 1991 also was done and figures of the legs are newly presented.

A new feather mite species, Picalgoides giganteus n. sp. (Psoroptoididae: Pandalurinae), is described from the tawny-throated leaftosser Sclerurus mexicanus Sclater (Passeriformes: Furnariidae) in Costa Rica. Among the 10 species of Picalgoides Černý, 1974, including the new one, this is the third recorded from a passerine host; the remaining seven nominal species are associated with hosts of the order Piciformes. Brief data on the host-parasite associations of Picalgoides spp. are provided. Megninia megalixus Trouessart, 1885 from the short-tailed green magpie Cissa thalassina (Temminck) is transferred to Picalgoides as P. megalixus (Trouessart, 1885) n. comb.

Discrimination of foreign eggs is one of the most studied aspects of host defences against avian brood parasites. Although many factors affecting host egg-recognition processes have already been evaluated, only a few attempts have been made to test the importance of light conditions in microhabitats of host nests. Here, we examined whether the objectively measured nest light environment affects great reed warbler (Acrocephalus arundinaceus) responses towards real common cuckoo (Cuculus canorus) eggs. More specifically, we predicted that parasitic eggs will be rejected with a lower frequency from nests placed in darker conditions than those in lighter conditions. However, we found no effect of the ambient light on egg-rejection behaviour alone, but the photosynthetically active radiation exhibited a positive interactive effect with chromatic contrast between cuckoo and host eggs. Most rejection events were accomplished when cuckoo eggs of poor mimicry were laid in well-lit nests. Our study suggests that this phenomenon may have important implications for the evolution of egg mimicry and host egg discrimination. We encourage further testing of the light environment hypothesis in other host species breeding in variable nest microhabitats and light conditions.

Previous studies have shown that Eurasian Reed Warblers (Acrocephalus scirpaceus) are able to distinguish the Common Cuckoo (Cuculus canorus) from other intruders at the nest and that mobbing is an effective defense measure against brood parasitism. Here we studied the nest-defense behavior of Eurasian Reed Warblers facing four successive exposures to a Common Cuckoo to investigate whether a previous experience of interacting with a brood parasite may play a role in shaping the host's defenses in further encounters. Nesting warblers significantly increased their aggressive behavior from the first to the second presentation of a dummy Common Cuckoo and then sustained their response at the same intensity. The intensity with which the birds tested mobbed the dummy decreased both as the season progressed and with the time of the day. Multiple encounters with the dummy, however, did not increase the warblers' propensity to make recognition errors, i.e., to reject their own eggs in the absence of a Co...

One hundred and six individuals of red-billed quelea (Quelea quelea) were examined for chewing lice (Phthiraptera: Amblycera, Ischnocera) in Senegal. Chewing lice were found on 91 (86 %) birds examined. Three species of chewing lice were identified; they had the following prevalences and mean intensities: Brueelia queleae n. sp. (81 %; 5.3 lice), Myrsidea queleae (37 %; 1.7) and Machaerilaemus plocei (9 %; 1.7). These are the first records of chewing lice from red-billed quelea from Senegal. A new species of Brueelia is described and illustrated. This is the first ischnoceran louse described from this host.

One hundred and seventy individuals of five species of manakins (Passeriformes: Pipridae) were examined for chewing lice (Phthiraptera) in Costa Rica. Six species of chewing lice were identified. Chewing lice or their eggs were found on 26% individuals (28 positive/109 examined) of Long-tailed Manakins (Chiroxiphia linearis), the most numerous manakin species examined. There were significant differences in prevalences and intensities of infestation between males and females. No lice were found on females (n = 28) compared to 35% (24 positive/69 examined) prevalence in males. In older males, the higher prevalence and mean intensity of infestation was found. Description and illustrations are given for a new species of the genus Tyranniphilopterus Mey, 2004 from Long-tailed Manakin-Tyranniphilopterus toledo Sychra, sp. n. Both sexes of Tyranniphilopterus bruneri (Carriker, 1903) are redescribed. New host records are Long-tailed Manakin and White-collared Manakin (Manacus candei) for Ricinus invadens; White-ruffed Manakin (Corapipo altera) for Ricinus pessimalis; Long-tailed Manakin for Myrsidea andyolsoni. These are the first louse records from Long-tailed Manakin.

Four new species of the genus Pterodectes Robin, 1877 and three new monotypic genera of the feather mite subfamily Pterodectinae (Astigmata: Proctophyllodidae) are described from various passerines captured in Mato Grosso do Sul (Brazil). The following new species are described: Pterodectes paroariae sp. n. from Paroaria capitata (Orbigney et Lafresnaye, 1837) (Emberizidae), P. tangarae sp. n. from Tangara cayana (Linnaeus, 1766) (Thraupidae), P. molothrus sp. n. from Molothrus bonariensis (Gmelin, 1789) (Icteridae), P. pitangi sp. n. from Pitangus sulphuratus (Linnaeus, 1766) (Tyrannidae), Tyrannidectes berlai gen. n., sp. n. from Myiarchus tyrannulus (Muller, 1776) (type host) and M. ferox (Gmelin, 1789) (Tyrannidae), Metapterodectes furnarius gen. n., sp. n. from Furnarius rufus (Gmelin, 1788) (Furnariidae), and Nanodectes formicivorae gen. n., sp. n. from Formicivora rufa (Thamnophilidae). Brief comments on the taxonomic structure of the subfamily Pterodectinae and species content of the genus Pterodectes are given. The two newly described genera, Tyrannidectes gen. n. and Metapterodectes gen. n., are close to the genus Pterodectes. The genus Tyrannidectes gen. n. differs from the latter genus by loss of setae sR on trochanters III, and Metapterodectes gen. n. differs by loss of setae sR on trochanters III and Solenidion σ 1 on genua III. In Pterodectes, setae sRIII and solenidion σ 1 are present on legs III. The genus Nanodectes gen. n. is close to Proterothrix Gaud, 1968 and differs from that genus by the loss of idiosomal setae d1, d2, e2, f2 that is a unique combination of lost setae among all pterodectines; in closely related Proterothrix, only idiosomal setae c1 may be absent.

Descriptions and illustrations are given for two new species of Myrsidea Waterston, 1915 from cardinals and tanagers from Costa Rica. They and their type hosts are: Myrsidea poliogasteri ex Caryothraustes poliogaster (Cardinalidae) and M. larvatae ex Tangara larvata (Thraupidae). The male of Myrsidea mitrospingi is also described. New host records are Sporophila corvina for Ricinus diffusus; Mitrospingus cassinii for Menacanthus eurysternus; Tachyphonus luctuosus for Myrsidea spizae; Euphonia gouldi for Myrsidea violaceae; and Tachyphonus delattrii for Machaerilaemus laticorpus. Records of two other louse species of the genus Myrsidea from tanagers are also discussed. This paper includes the first record of Myrsidea from members of the passerine family Cardinalidae, and a number of additional new host-louse associations.

A new species, Neharpyrhynchus baile Bochkov & Literak, n. sp. (Prostigmata: Harpirhynchidae), from Turdus leucomelas Vieillot, 1818 (Aves: Turdidae) is described from Brazil. Illustrations are given.

Descriptions and illustrations are given for one new species of Rallicola Johnston and Harrison, 1911 and three new species of Myrsidea Waterston, 1915 from ovenbirds, leaftossers, and woodcreepers from Costa Rica. These chewing lice and their type hosts are as follows: Rallicola (Rallicola) ochrolaemi and Myrsidea ochrolaemi ex Automolus ochrolaemus (Furnariidae: Furnariinae), Myrsidea calvi ex Sclerurus guatemalensis (Furnariidae: Scleruridae), and (Myrsidea souleyetii ex Lepidocolaptes souleyetii (Furnariidae: Dendrocolaptinae). Records of five other louse species of the genus Myrsidea, Menacanthus and Rallicola from dendrocolaptid hosts are also discussed. These are the first records of the genus Menacanthus and Myrsidea from members of the passerine subfamily Dendrocolaptinae.

A total of 166 individuals from 10 bird species belonging to the family Turdidae were examined for chewing lice in Costa Rica during 2004, 2009 and 2010. A total of 12 species of the louse genus Myrsidea were collected from 54 birds, including four previously named, seven new undescribed species, and one identified as Myrsidea sp. Names, descriptions and illustrations are given for the seven new species of Myrsidea. They and their type hosts are: Myrsidea assimilis sp. nov. ex Turdus assimilis (Cabanis, 1850), M. cerrodelamuertensis sp. nov. ex Catharus gracilirostris (Salvin, 1865). M. hrabaki sp. nov. ex Myadestes melanops (Salvin, 1865), M. obsoleti sp. nov. ex Turdus obsoletus (Lawrence, 1862), M. quinchoi sp. nov. ex Catharus frantzii (Cabanis, 1861), M. tapanti sp. nov. ex Catharus fuscater (Lafresnaye, 1845), and M. tapetapersi sp. nov. ex Turdus nigrescens (Cabanis, 1861). Records of four named and one unidentified species of Myrsidea from other Costa Rican thrushes are also given and discussed.

The aim of this study was to document the presence of Rickettsia spp. in ticks parasitizing wild birds in Costa Rica. Birds were trapped at seven locations in Costa Rica during 2004, 2009, and 2010; then visually examined for the presence of ticks. Ticks were identified, and part of them was tested individually for the presence of Rickettsia spp. by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) using primers targeting fragments of the rickettsial genes gltA and ompA. PCR products were DNA-sequenced and analyzed in BLAST to determine similarities with previously reported rickettsial agents. A total of 1878 birds were examined, from which 163 birds (9%) were infested with 388 ticks of the genera Amblyomma and Ixodes. The following Amblyomma (in decreasing order of abundance) were found in immature stages (larvae and nymphs): Amblyomma longirostre, Amblyomma calcaratum, Amblyomma coelebs, Amblyomma sabanerae, Amblyomma varium, Amblyomma maculatum, and Amblyomma ovale. Ixodes ticks were represented by Ixodes minor and two unclassified species, designated here as Ixodes sp. genotype I, and Ixodes sp. genotype II. Twelve of 24 tested A. longirostre ticks were found to be infected with ‘Candidatus Rickettsia amblyommii’, and 2 of 4 A. sabanerae were found to be infected with Rickettsia bellii. Eight of 10 larval Ixodes minor were infected with an endosymbiont (a novel Rickettsia sp. agent) genetically related to the Ixodes scapularis endosymbiont. No rickettsial DNA was found in A. calcaratum, A. coelebs, A. maculatum, A. ovale, A. varium, Ixodes sp. I, and Ixodes sp. II. We report the occurrence of I. minor in Costa Rica for the first time and a number of new bird host–tick associations. Moreover, ‘Candidatus R. amblyommii’ and R. bellii were found in A. longirostre and A. sabanerae, respectively, in Costa Rica for the first time.

Three species of the genus Pellonyssus Clark and Yunker, 1956 are reported from Costa Rican birds: Pellonyssus gorgasi Yunker and Radovsky 1966 from Threnetes ruckeri (Bourcier) (Trochilidae); Pellonyssus marui Yunker and Radovsky, 1966 from Manacus candei (Parzudaki) (Pipridae); and Pellonyssus cyanoides Dusbabek and Literak n. sp. from Cyanocompsa cyanoides (Lafresnaye) (Cardinalidae) Figures of female P. marui and of male P. cyanoides Dusbabek and Literak n. sp . are included.

Seasonal and diel patterns of singing activity of Savi’s warblers (Locustella luscinioides) were studied in two areas of Central Europe 300 km apart, over a period of 18 years. We assess about 4,600 records of individuals singing. Males were found to exhibit similar singing activity in both study sites. They started to sing after arrival at the beginning of April and peaked from the end of April to the beginning of May. Thereafter, their singing activity was lower but more stable for a relatively long period from mid-May to mid-July. At the end of July, males sang only sporadically and singing activity ceased at the beginning of August. At the beginning and towards the end of the song-period males sang sporadically whereas in the period of the highest singing activity they sang over the entire 24-h period. During the whole song-period, there was a significant difference in singing activity between daylight and the dark (67.2 and 32.8%, respectively). However, the period of daylight was longer. Average singing activity showed similar levels in daylight and the dark with mean numbers of 5.9 and 6.6 males per hour, respectively. Major changes in singing activity were related to the twilight periods. There were distinctive dawn and dusk choruses. In the morning, Savi’s warblers exhibited similar levels of singing activity over 3 h of the dark before twilight, singing reached its highest level at twilight and 1 h after twilight. During the evening, singing activity reached its highest-level 1 h before twilight, while during twilight it was decreasing, with a considerable decline 1 h after nightfall.

Capsule Reed Warblers in a regularly parasitized population do not recognize Cuckoo Cuculus canorus as a special enemy and do not change their behaviour at nest immediately after being parasitized. Aims To assess if an intruder near the nest influences the behaviour of the Cuckoo host. Methods Host responses to Cuckoo, control Pigeon dummies and human intruder were observed. Host behaviour at 71 nests was video-recorded for 30 minutes at four experimental groups of nests: Cuckoo dummy, Cuckoo dummy + Cuckoo egg, Pigeon dummy, human intruder. Results Reed Warblers did not respond differently to the Cuckoo and the control species. The experimental procedure had no significant effect on the behaviour of hosts during the study period. We were unable to find any differences in the time spent at the nest, clutch inspection behaviour and nest defence behaviour between morning and afternoon experimental groups. Our results do not support the hypothesis that afternoon laying by the Cuckoo is maintained by a selection pressure from the host. We observed no ejection or egg-pecking during the 30-min period after the experimental parasitism. Conclusions Low aggression and non-specificity of host responses in our study area are in line with the fact that the Reed Warbler is an intermediate rejecter of Cuckoo eggs as expected from the spatial habitat structure hypothesis.

Blackcaps Sylvia atricapilla reject artificial cuckoo eggs, and their eggs vary little in appearance within clutches, whereas among clutches eggs vary considerably. Low variation within clutches facilitates discrimination of parasitic eggs, whereas high variation among clutches makes it harder for the cuckoo to mimic the eggs of a certain host species. These traits have most probably evolved as counteradaptations against brood parasitism by the common cuckoo Cuculus canorus, even though blackcaps are not regularly parasitised today. In this study, we investigated how fine-tuned the rejection of parasitic eggs is in this species by introducing three types of eggs into their nests: a real non-mimetic egg the approximate size of a cuckoo egg, an artificial mimetic egg the size of a cuckoo egg and a real conspecific egg. As the rejection frequency of both mimetic and non-mimetic artificial cuckoo eggs has been shown to be high in previous studies, the variation in rejection behaviour between individuals is low, indicating that most individuals within the population are able to reject parasitic eggs. Thus, we predict that (1) the intraclutch variation in egg appearance should be generally low in all individuals, and that (2) regarding conspecific eggs, rejection decisions should be highly dependent on the degree of mimicry between parasitic and host eggs. We found support for these predictions, which indicates that due to their highly sophisticated countermeasures against brood parasitism, blackcaps can probably be regarded as current winners of the arms race with the common cuckoo. Furthermore, the high and consistent rejection frequency of cuckoo eggs found throughout Europe for this species supports the spatial habitat structure hypothesis, which claims that woodland-nesting species breeding near trees, like blackcaps, presumably experienced a high level of parasitism throughout their range in the past and, therefore, their rejection behaviour, once evolved, spread rapidly to all populations.

A description and illustrations are given for Myrsidea povedai n. sp. from the black-and-yellow silky-flycatcher Phainoptila melanoxantha. The female of M. povedai is distinguished from those of other species of Myrsidea from Costa Rican passerine hosts by a unique combination of the following characteristics: (1) well-developed hypopharynx, (2) well-defined median gap in the rows of tergal setae and another gap between groups of setae on lateral side of tergites II-VII and the most central seta, and (3) enlarged metanotum with at least 23 setae. These characters place M. povedai close to Myrsidea campestris from Euneornis campestris and Myrsidea marini from Pezopetes capitalis (both from the Emberizidae). The female of M. povedai can be easily separeted from both aforementioned species by the abdomen without conspicuously enlarged tergites. Moreover, the male of M. povedai is characterized by a unique male genital sclerite, which is quite long (0.13-0.15), tapered apically, with a long median line, and without subapical processes. This is the first record of a chewing louse from this host and the first record of Myrsidea from the passerine family Bombycillidae. All 7 birds examined in Costa Rica in 2010 were parasitized with M. povedai. Mean abundance was 11.6, with intensity range 4-27 lice per bird.

Parasites with wide host spectra provide opportunities to study the ecological parameters of speciation, as well as the process of the evolution of host specificity. The speciose and cosmopolitan louse genus Menacanthus comprises both multi-host and specialised species, allowing exploration of the ecological and historical factors affecting the evolution of parasites using a comparative approach. We used phylogenetic analysis to reconstruct evolutionary relationships in 14 species of Menacanthus based on the sequences of one mitochondrial and one nuclear gene. The results allowed us to validate species identification based on morphology, as well as to explore host distribution by assumed generalist and specialist species. Our analyses confirmed a narrow host use for several species, however in some cases, the supposed host specialists had a wider host spectrum than anticipated. In one case a host generalist (Menacanthus eurysternus) was clustered terminally on a clade almost exclusively containing host specialists. Such a clade topology indicates that the process of host specialisation may not be irreversible in parasite evolution. Finally, we compared patterns of population genetic structure, geographic distribution and host spectra between two selected species, M. eurysternus and Menacanthus camelinus, using haplotype networks. Menacanthus camelinus showed limited geographical distribution in combination with monoxenous host use, whereas M. eurysternus showed a global distribution and lack of host specificity. It is suggested that frequent host switching maintains gene flow between M. eurysternus populations on unrelated hosts in local populations. However, gene flow between geographically distant localities was restricted, suggesting that geography rather than host-specificity is the main factor defining the global genetic diversity of M. eurysternus.

Two new species of the feather mite family Gabucinidae (Acari: Astigmata) are described from birds of the family Troglodytidae (Passeriformes) from Central America: Piciformobia cinnycerthiae sp. nov. from Cinnycerthia unirufa (Lafresnaye) in Ecuador, and P. henicorhinae sp. nov. from Henicorhina leucosticte (Cabanis) in Costa Rica. These are the first records of mites of the genus Piciformobia Gaud et Atyeo, 1975 from passerine hosts. A renewed diagnosis of the genus Piciformobia and key to all known species are provided.

Brood parasitism represents a unique mode of avian reproduction that requires a number of adaptations. For example, to reduce chances of puncture ejection of their eggs by small hosts, brood parasites may have been selected for laying eggs of unusually great structural strength. However, great structural strength of eggshells should hinder hatching. The goals of our study were to establish if chicks of the Common Cuckoo Cuculus canorus have more difficulty with hatching out of their strong eggs than chicks of species with eggs of similar size, and whether they possess any mechanisms facilitating hatching. To achieve these goals, we compared hatching pattern and selected body characteristics of chicks of the Common Cuckoo with those of another altricial species with eggs of a similar size, the Great Reed Warbler Acrocephalus arundinaceus. Although the rate of pecking was similar in the two species, the Common Cuckoo chicks started pecking earlier in relation to their emergence and consequently required more time and a greater cumulative number of pecks for breaking open their eggs than did young Great Reed Warblers. The two species also differed with respect to the pattern of opening their shells; in contrast to the warbler chicks, which enlarged the original pip circularly, the cuckoo chicks opened the egg by systematically creating a long narrow slit until they emerged. Finally, our study of hatched young revealed several differences; the Cuckoo hatchlings were significantly heavier, had a longer forearm, and their egg tooth was located significantly farther from the tip of the beak. The edge used for cutting through the shell was also significantly longer than that of hatchling Great Reed Warblers. To conclude, our data suggest that hatching is more difficult for a Cuckoo than for a Great Reed Warbler and that Cuckoos possess several mechanisms to overcome the problems of hatching from a structurally strong egg.

This paper presents the first record of three chewing lice species of the genus Myrsidea collected from one emberizid and two thraupid hosts in Mato Grosso do Sul, Brazil. Morphological characters of M. seminuda are added for the last redescription of this species and a new key to males of 'bonariensis species group' is presented.

Thirteen species of chewing lice (Insecta: Phthiraptera) were found on 46 wild passerines of 10 species in Cuc PhuongNational Park in northern Vietnam. Three new species of the genera Myrsidea and Brueelia are described; they and theirtype hosts are: Myrsidea annae ex Schoeniparus rufogularis (Mandelli, 1873), Brueelia hrabali ex Macronous gularis (Horsfield, 1822) and Brueelia neodaumae ex Zoothera dauma (Latham, 1790). First records of chewing lice from Seril- ophus lunatus (Gould, 1834), Stachyris nigriceps Blyth, 1844, Niltava davidi La Touche, 1907 and Alcippe morrisonia Swinhoe, 1863, and a new host record for Menacanthus nogoma Uchida, 1926 are also included.

Two new genera and nine new species of the feather mite subamily Pterodectinae (Proctophyllodidae) are described from passerines and woodpeckers in Vietnam: Dolichodectes furcilobus sp. n. from Copsychus malabaricus (Scopoli) (Muscicapidae), Montesauria abroscopi sp. n. from Abroscopus superciliaris (Blyth) (Cettiidae), M. macronoi sp. n. from Macronous gularis (Horsfield) (Timaliidae), M. pellornei sp. n. from Pellorneum ruficeps Swainson (Pellorneidae), M. phylloscopi sp. n. from Phylloscopus ricketti (Slater) (Phylloscopidae), M. seicerci sp. n. from Seicercus valentini (Hartert) (Phylloscopidae), Picipterodectes sasiae gen. n., sp. n. from Sasia ochracea Hodgson (Picidae), Proterothrix alcippeae sp. n. from Alcippe rufogularis (Mandelli) (Pellorneidae), and Vireodectes erporni gen. n., sp. n. from Erpornis zantholeuca (Blyth) (Vireonidae). The new genera Picipterodectes gen. n. and Vireodectes gen. n. belong to the Proterothrix generic group uniting archaic genera in the tribe Pterodectini. Brief comments on the current state of systematics of the genera Dolichodectes Park and Atyeo, 1971, Montesauria Oudemans, 1905 and Proterothrix Gaud, 1968 are provided. A new species group macronoi is established in the genus Montesauria.

A total of 12 chigger species (Acariformes: Trombiculidae) occurred on 7 bird species in Vietnam. Two new species, namely Neoschoengastia vietnamensis sp. nov. and Hypogastia stekolnikovi sp. nov. are described, figured and compared with similar species placed in relevant genera using differential diagnoses of related species. Figures and diagnosis of Leptotrombidium taiyuanense Tian and Wen, 1984 are added. Odontacarus audy (Radford, 1946), Leptotrombidium allosetum Wang, Liao and Lin, 1981, L. taiyuanense, Leptotrombidium hanseni Traub and Lakshana, 1966, Leptotrombidium kunshui Wen and Xiang, 1984, Leptotrombidium paradux Vercammen-Grandjean and Langston, 1976, Leptotrombidium turdicola Vercammen-Grandjean and Langston, 1976, Neotrombicula elegans Schluger, 1966 and Neoschoengastia longitar-salis Schluger and Belskaya, 1966 were recorded in Vietnam for the first time.

Amazonian birds were caught and examined for the presence of ectoparasites in the Allpahuayo Mishana National Reserve near Iquitos, Peru, from 13 to 16 August 2011. A total of 40 birds representing 16 species were examined. Two birds (5%) were infested with 2 larvae of Amblyomma varium Koch, 1844, and one nymph of A. calcaratum Neumann, 1899. The 2 larvae of A. varium were infected with Rickettsia bellii. This is the first report of R. bellii in A. varium and also the first record of this rickettsia in Peru. In addition, an immature A. calcaratum is reported from Peru for the first time.

In total, 142 birds, mostly passerines, belonging to 42 species were examined for the presence of ticks in 3 locations in Mato Grosso do Sul Brazil during 2006. Seven birds (5%) were infested with 4 nymphs of Amblyomma calcaratum (Ramphocelus carbo, 3 infested/12 examined) and 5 larvae of Amblyomma sp. (Furnarius rufus, 2/5; Turdus leucomelas, 1/6; and Paroaria capitata, 1/8). All 4 nymphs of A. calcaratum tested by polymerase chain reaction targeting rickettsial genes gltA and ompA and by amplicon sequencing were found to be infected with a Rickettsia sp. strain NOD, a Rickettsia parkeri-like agent. A. calcaratum infected with a rickettsial bacterium was found for the first time.

A total of 170 wild birds from Senegal, belonging to 48 species and 9 orders, were searched for lice in 2005 and 2007. Chewing lice were found on 58 birds of 18 species and 5 orders (Columbiformes, Cuculiformes, Coraciiformes, Galliformes and Passeriformes). Twenty-two species of chewing lice of 13 genera were determined. Other nine samples of chewing lice that represent a new host-parasite association were determined at generic level only, because only one sex or nymph of these lice were found. Our records represent the first louse records from passerines Camaroptera brachyura (Cisticolidae), Chalcomitra senegalensis (Nectariniidae), Corvinella corvina (Laniidae), Laniarius barbarus (Malaconotidae), Prinia erythroptera (Cisticolidae) and Turdus pelios (Turdidae). Descriptions and illustrations are given for Brueelia chalcomitrae Najer et Sychra sp. nov. ex Chalcomitra senegalensis (Nectariniidae), Brueelia priniae Najer et Sychra sp. nov. ex Prinia subflava (Cisticolidae), and Philopteroides terpsiphoni Najer et Sychra sp. nov. ex Terpsiphone viridis (Monarchidae).

Four new species of the feather mite subfamily Pterodectinae (Proctophyllodidae) are described from passerine birds examined in Senegal: Dolichodectes gymnoris sp. nov. from the Russet-browed Bush-sparrow Gymnoris dentata (Sundevall, 1850) (Passeridae), Montesauria plocei sp. nov. from the Village Weaver Ploceus cucullatus (Muller, 1776) (Ploceidae), M. zosteropis sp. nov. from the African Yellow White-eye Zosterops senegalensis Bonaparte, 1850 (Zosteropidae), and Proterothrix terpsiphone sp. nov. from the African Paradise-flycatcher Terpsiphone viridis (Muller, 1776) (Monarchidae). Brief notes on systematics and host associations of the pterodectine genera Dolichodectes Park et Atyeo, 1971, Montesauria Oudemans, 1905, and Proterothrix Gaud, 1968 are also given.