Resistance of wild African ungulates to foraging by red-billed oxpeckers (Buphagus erythrorhynchus): Evidence that this behaviour modulates a potentially parasitic interaction

Field observations of the interactions between red-billed oxpeckers (Buphagus erythrorhynchus) and wild ungulates in Nakuru National Park, Kenya, revealed that specific hosts frequently attempted to manipulate oxpecker foraging. This involved a repertoire of behaviour collectively referred to as res...

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Detalles Bibliográficos
Autores principales: Bishop, A.L., Bishop, Richard P.
Formato: Journal Article
Lenguaje:Inglés
Publicado: Wiley 2014
Acceso en línea:https://hdl.handle.net/10568/35043
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author Bishop, A.L.
Bishop, Richard P.
author_browse Bishop, A.L.
Bishop, Richard P.
author_facet Bishop, A.L.
Bishop, Richard P.
author_sort Bishop, A.L.
collection Repository of Agricultural Research Outputs (CGSpace)
description Field observations of the interactions between red-billed oxpeckers (Buphagus erythrorhynchus) and wild ungulates in Nakuru National Park, Kenya, revealed that specific hosts frequently attempted to manipulate oxpecker foraging. This involved a repertoire of behaviour collectively referred to as resistance behaviour, and often resulted in the oxpeckers either changing their position on the host's body or departing. Cape buffalo (Syncerus caffer), the most frequently used host, performed little resistance behaviour. Waterbuck (Kobus ellipsiprymnus) were also popular oxpecker hosts, but frequently exhibited vigorous resistance behaviour. Impala (Aepyceros melampus), the third most widely used host species, also utilized resistance behaviours, but allowed a greater proportion of oxpeckers to forage without disturbance. The suite of resistance behaviours employed by waterbuck, impala and also the consequences for oxpecker foraging, differed significantly. Our data suggest that the oxpecker-ungulate interactions in the field are more complex than previously realized with resistance behaviour regularly employed by selected mammalian host species.
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spelling CGSpace350432023-09-12T14:36:20Z Resistance of wild African ungulates to foraging by red-billed oxpeckers (Buphagus erythrorhynchus): Evidence that this behaviour modulates a potentially parasitic interaction Bishop, A.L. Bishop, Richard P. Field observations of the interactions between red-billed oxpeckers (Buphagus erythrorhynchus) and wild ungulates in Nakuru National Park, Kenya, revealed that specific hosts frequently attempted to manipulate oxpecker foraging. This involved a repertoire of behaviour collectively referred to as resistance behaviour, and often resulted in the oxpeckers either changing their position on the host's body or departing. Cape buffalo (Syncerus caffer), the most frequently used host, performed little resistance behaviour. Waterbuck (Kobus ellipsiprymnus) were also popular oxpecker hosts, but frequently exhibited vigorous resistance behaviour. Impala (Aepyceros melampus), the third most widely used host species, also utilized resistance behaviours, but allowed a greater proportion of oxpeckers to forage without disturbance. The suite of resistance behaviours employed by waterbuck, impala and also the consequences for oxpecker foraging, differed significantly. Our data suggest that the oxpecker-ungulate interactions in the field are more complex than previously realized with resistance behaviour regularly employed by selected mammalian host species. 2014-03 2014-02-26T16:50:54Z 2014-02-26T16:50:54Z Journal Article https://hdl.handle.net/10568/35043 en Open Access Wiley Bishop, A.L. and Bishop, R.P. 2014. Resistance of wild African ungulates to foraging by red-billed oxpeckers (Buphagus erythrorhynchus): Evidence that this behaviour modulates a potentially parasitic interaction. African Journal of Ecology 52(1):103-110
spellingShingle Bishop, A.L.
Bishop, Richard P.
Resistance of wild African ungulates to foraging by red-billed oxpeckers (Buphagus erythrorhynchus): Evidence that this behaviour modulates a potentially parasitic interaction
title Resistance of wild African ungulates to foraging by red-billed oxpeckers (Buphagus erythrorhynchus): Evidence that this behaviour modulates a potentially parasitic interaction
title_full Resistance of wild African ungulates to foraging by red-billed oxpeckers (Buphagus erythrorhynchus): Evidence that this behaviour modulates a potentially parasitic interaction
title_fullStr Resistance of wild African ungulates to foraging by red-billed oxpeckers (Buphagus erythrorhynchus): Evidence that this behaviour modulates a potentially parasitic interaction
title_full_unstemmed Resistance of wild African ungulates to foraging by red-billed oxpeckers (Buphagus erythrorhynchus): Evidence that this behaviour modulates a potentially parasitic interaction
title_short Resistance of wild African ungulates to foraging by red-billed oxpeckers (Buphagus erythrorhynchus): Evidence that this behaviour modulates a potentially parasitic interaction
title_sort resistance of wild african ungulates to foraging by red billed oxpeckers buphagus erythrorhynchus evidence that this behaviour modulates a potentially parasitic interaction
url https://hdl.handle.net/10568/35043
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