Mites and birds: diversity, parasitism and coevolution

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Abstract

Ectoparasites play important roles in the lives of birds. Among these parasites, mites offer unique potential because of their extraordinary ecological and evolutionary diversity. However, the basic biology of most mites is poorly understood, and misleading extrapolations are sometimes made from better studied systems involving lice and fleas. Most importantly, not all bird-associated mites are parasitic; indeed, recent research suggests that some might even be beneficial. Here, we summarize what is known about the diversity of bird-mite relationships, and highlight how mites provide an ideal tool for the study of host life histories, sexual selection, immunocompetence and cospeciation.

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Host immunity to ticks.

S K Wikel (1995)

The tick-host-pathogen interface is characterized by complex immunological interactions. Tick feeding induces host immune regulatory and effector pathways involving antibodies, complement, antigen-presenting cells, T lymphocytes, and other bioactive molecules. Acquired resistance impairs tick engorgement, ova production, and viability. Tick countermeasures to host defenses reduce T-lymphocyte proliferation, elaboration of the TH1 cytokines interleukin-2 and interferon-gamma, production of macrophage cytokines interleukin-1 and tumor necrosis factor, and antibody responses. The dynamic balance between acquired resistance and tick modulation of host immunity affects engorgement and pathogen transmission. A thorough understanding of acquired immunity to ticks is essential for rational development of antitick vaccines.