Native parasitic nest fly impacts fitness of an island endemic host: a potential conservation concern and short-term solution

HAYES, C.; HAYES, T.; MCCLURE, C; QUIROGA, M.; THROSTROM, R.; ANDERSON, D.

ANIMAL CONSERVATION

WILEY-BLACKWELL PUBLISHING, INC

Lugar: Londres; Año: 2019

1367-9430

Parasitic nest flies (Philornis spp.) are a driving force threatening the extinction of bird species endemic toNeotropical islands such as the Galápagos, where introduced Philornis downsi negatively impactsreproductive success of naïve avian hosts. Elsewhere in the Neotropics, such as in the Caribbean regionwhere Philornis nest flies are native, effects of Philornis on host productivity are poorly known. Wemanipulated parasitism by the native Hispaniolan nest fly Philornis pici on a critically endangeredendemic host, Ridgway?s hawk (Buteo ridgwayi), to study the impact of nest fly myiasis on hawk breeding success with the goal of providing a management option for endangered species until broad-scale solutions can be found. Our treatment protocol was enough to reduce P. pici abundance by 89% and increase probability of fledging by 179% for treated nestlings. Our results indicate that parasitism by nest flies decreases survival and fledging success of nestling Ridgway?s hawks and is a possible factor in the decline of the species. To our knowledge, this work represents the first quantitative evidence of nest fly impact on survival or productivity in a non-passerine host.