Long-term dynamics of trematode infections in common birds that use farmlands as their feeding habitats

• Main Authors: Sitko, Jiljí, Heneberg, Petr
• Format: Article in Journal/Newspaper
• Language: unknown
• Published: figshare 2021
• Subjects: Ecology; FOS Biological sciences; Vanellus vanellus
• Online Access: https://dx.doi.org/10.6084/m9.figshare.c.5546815.v1; https://springernature.figshare.com/collections/Long-term_dynamics_of_trematode_infections_in_common_birds_that_use_farmlands_as_their_feeding_habitats/5546815/1

Abstract Background The biodiversity of farmland habitats is witnessing unprecedented change, mostly in declines and simplification of assemblages that were established during centuries of the use of traditional agricultural techniques. In Central Europe, conspicuous changes are evident in populations of common farmland birds, in strong contrast to forest birds in the same region. However, there is a lack of information on longitudinal changes in trematodes that are associated with common farmland birds, despite the fact that diversity of trematodes is directly linked to the preservation of long-established food webs and habitat use adaptations of their hosts. Methods We analyzed the population trends of trematodes for the period 1963–2020 in six bird species that use Central European farmlands as their predominant feeding habitats. Namely, we examined Falco tinnunculus, Vanellus vanellus, winter populations of Buteo buteo, Ciconia ciconia, extravilan population of Pica pica, and Asio otus, all originating from the Czech Republic. Results We observed dramatic population losses of all trematode species in C. ciconia and V. vanellus; the changes were less prominent in the other examined hosts. Importantly, the declines in prevalence and intensity of infection affected all previously dominant species. These included Tylodelphys excavata and Chaunocephalus ferox in C. ciconia, Lyperosomum petiolatum in P. pica, Strigea strigis in A. otus, Neodiplostomum attenuatum and Strigea falconis in B. buteo (χ2 test P