Book chapter
Methods for Specimen-based Studies of Avian Symbionts 1
The Extended Specimen: Emerging Frontiers in Collections-based Ornithological Research, pp 157-184
2017
Abstract
The collection of avian voucher specimens has long played an important role in studying the basic biology, ecology, and evolution of birds. However, symbionts (such as parasites and pathogens) of avian hosts have been largely neglected by ornithologists and are largely underrepresented in most major museum collections. Museum-oriented research expeditions to collect bird specimens capture a diversity of metadata, but the proper collection of symbionts for optimal use in downstream research projects remains uncommon. In this chapter, we provide methods for the comprehensive sampling of a diverse suite of symbionts from avian hosts, including blood parasites (haematozoans), microbial symbionts (bacteria and viruses), ectoparasites (arthropods), and endoparasites (helminths), while attempting to illustrate the research avenues opened by collecting such samples. Our objective is to encourage a view of birds as ecosystems in and of themselves, and to empower field ornithologists, particularly those participating in the collection of voucher specimens, to sample the plethora of micro- and macroorganisms that live in and on avian hosts. By collecting these additional specimens, ornithologists will not only unlock new aspects of avian biology, but also will expand the scientific community’s ability to address ecological and evolutionary questions, while aiding in the discovery of new biodiversity and maximizing the utility of the “extended” avian specimen.
This chapter outlines the general workflow, methods, and standards for comprehensive sampling and proper preservation of avian symbionts that we consider to be optimal for a variety of modern and traditional downstream biological research applications. It aims to optimize knowledge about each avian host and its symbionts, collected and prepared as traditional museum specimens, by broadly sampling four major symbiont categories: blood parasites, microbial symbionts, ectoparasites and endoparasites. Studies of microbial symbionts in wildlife are in their relative infancy, and methods for sampling bacterial, fungal, and viral symbionts of birds are still being developed and improved. Specimen-based studies of avian symbionts are particularly useful for studying cophylogenetic history and macroevolutionary patterns in avian hosts and parasites, as well as spatiotemporal relationships between birds and their environments. The chapter provides a useful resource for avian collectors and field researchers, helping us edge closer to a more complete sampling of each avian "ecosystem".
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Details
- Title
- Methods for Specimen-based Studies of Avian Symbionts 1
- Creators
- Holly L. LutzVasyl V. TkachJason D. Weckstein
- Contributors
- Michael S. Webster (Editor)
- Publication Details
- The Extended Specimen: Emerging Frontiers in Collections-based Ornithological Research, pp 157-184
- Publisher
- Routledge
- Edition
- 1
- Resource Type
- Book chapter
- Language
- English
- Academic Unit
- Biodiversity, Earth, and Environmental Science (BEES)
- Other Identifier
- 991019170154704721