Evidence of Adaptations and Counter-Adaptations Before the Parasite Lays Its Egg: The Frontline of the Arms Race

Abstract

Brood parasitism has become one of the most flourishing areas of research in evolutionary ecology and one of the best model systems for investigating coevolution. This subject has undergone remarkable advances during the last two decades, but has not been covered by any book in the 21st century. This book offers a comprehensive and up-to-date overview of the fascinating field of avian brood parasitism. The topics covered include conspecific brood parasitism; evolution and phylogenetic history of avian brood parasites; parasitic behaviour used by brood parasites; adaptations and counter-adaptations of brood parasites and their hosts at every stage of the breeding cycle (before laying, egg, chick and fledgling stages); factors affecting the evolution of host defences and parasitic attacks; the role of phenotypic plasticity in host defences; mechanisms driving egg recognition and rejection; evolution of nest sharing or nest killing by brood parasite chicks; begging behaviour in parasitized nests and food delivery by host adults; and recognition of conspecifics by juvenile brood parasites. This volume provides a comprehensive reference resource for readers and researchers with an interest in birds, behaviour and evolution, as well as a source of hypotheses and predictions for future investigations into this dynamic subject. Brood parasitism in birds: a coevolutionary point of view -- Factors affecting the rates of coevolution between obligate avian brood parasites and their hosts -- Evolution of avian brood parasitism and phylogenetic history of brood parasites -- A taxonomic review of obligate and facultative interspecific avian brood parasitism -- Conspecific brood parasitism among birds: The effects of phylogeny, mode of reproduction and geographic distribution -- Why do birds lay eggs in conspecifics' nests?- Evolution and maintenance of egg rejection by hosts as adaptation against conspecific brood parasites -- an individual-based model -- Interspecific avian brood parasitism as a model system for exploring ecological and evolutionary questions related to habitat selection -- The Brown-headed Cowbird: a model species for testing novel research questions in animal ecology, evolution and behavior -- Cuckoos as indicators of biodiversity -- Hippocampus and Spatial Memory in Brood Parasitic Cowbirds -- Brood parasitism and cooperative breeding: seeking an evolutionary link -- Host Resource Partitioning Among Sympatric Molothrine Generalist Brood Parasites -- High diversity of brood parasites in China and coevolution between cuckoos and their hosts -- Brood parasites as predators: farming and mafia strategies -- Cuckoo-host coevolutionary interactions across all breeding stages: unusual ecological setting of a cavity-nesting host -- Evidence of adaptations and counter-adaptations before the parasite lays its egg: the frontline of the arms race -- Parasitic behaviour of interspecific brood parasitic females -- Egg color polymorphism in brood parasites and their hosts: Adaptation and evolution -- Adaptations of brood parasitic eggs -- Implications of Nest Sanitation in the Evolution of Egg Rejection -- Egg characteristics affecting egg rejection -- Anti-brood parasite defences: the role of individual and social learning -- Cognitive Decision Rules for Egg Rejection -- Phenotypic plasticity in egg rejection: evidence and evolutionary consequences -- The evolution of nest sharing and nest mate killing strategies in brood parasites -- Begging behaviour, food delivery and food acquisition in nests with brood parasitic nestlings -- Begging call mimicry by brood parasite nestlings: Adaptation, manipulation and development -- Host defences against brood parasite nestlings: theoretical expectations and empirical evidence -- Parasite adaptations during the nestling and fledgling stages.