Macroparasites of introduced parakeets in Italy: a possible role for parasite-mediated competition

Mori, Emiliano and Ancillotto, Leonardo and Groombridge, Jim J. and Howard, Theresa and Smith, Vincent and Menchetti, Mattia (2015) Macroparasites of introduced parakeets in Italy: a possible role for parasite-mediated competition. Parasitology Research, 114 (9). pp. 3277-3281. ISSN 0932-0113. (doi:https://doi.org/10.1007/s00436-015-4548-2) (The full text of this publication is not currently available from this repository. You may be able to access a copy if URLs are provided)

Abstract

Alien species are considered a cause of biodiversity loss throughout the world. An important but often overlooked form of competition with native species is the parasite-mediated one. Introduced species may bring their own parasites from their native ranges (spillover) or get native parasites from native species, thus increasing the parasites’ spread and transmission risk (spillback). Thus, a complete knowledge of parasites hosted by introduced species is important to assess and to possibly prevent impacts. Ring-necked and monk parakeets have been introduced in many European countries, where they established a number of alien reproductive populations. We sampled 21 ring-necked parakeets and 7 monk parakeets from Italy and identified 35 arthropod ectoparasites belonging to five species. Amongst those, one species was native to India (Neopsittaconirmus lybartota), where alien populations of ring-necked parakeet may have been originated, and one species from South America (Paragoniocotes fulvofasciatus), which is typically found of the monk parakeet in its native range. The other three species of arthropod parasites were native to Italy and commonly found on native species, suggesting the possibility of spillback processes.

Item Type:	Article
Uncontrolled keywords:	Alien species . Monk parakeet . Ring-necked parakeet . Ectoparasites . Spillover . Spillback
Subjects:	Q Science > QH Natural history Q Science > QH Natural history > QH541 Ecology Q Science > QH Natural history > QH75 Conservation (Biology) Q Science > QL Zoology
Divisions:	Faculties > Social Sciences > School of Anthropology and Conservation > DICE (Durrell Institute of Conservation and Ecology)
Depositing User:	Jim Groombridge
Date Deposited:	01 Jun 2015 11:02 UTC
Last Modified:	11 Nov 2015 15:42 UTC
Resource URI:	https://kar.kent.ac.uk/id/eprint/48698 (The current URI for this page, for reference purposes)