Chapter 1-5 Notes: Cuckoo Parasitism and Host Arms Race

A set of QUESTION_AND_ANSWER flashcards covering brood parasitism, cuckoo and host adaptations, chick mimicry, parental investment, and suggested readings/viewing from Chapters 1-5 notes.

What is the central idea of the arms race between cuckoos and their hosts in brood parasitism?

An ongoing coevolutionary struggle where cuckoos develop adaptations to exploit host nests and hosts develop counter-adaptations to prevent cuckoo parasitism.

What is egg mimicry in cuckoos?

Cuckoos mimic the patterns of host eggs to avoid detection and increase the chances their eggs are incubated.

How many host species does the common cuckoo lay eggs for in Europe?

Eight different host species.

What does plasticity in cuckoo egg mimicry mean?

The ability of cuckoos to adjust their egg mimicry to match the eggs of different host species depending on the nest they parasitize.

Which host group exerts strong selection on cuckoo egg mimicry and why?

Brambling hosts, because they are very good at detecting cuckoo eggs, driving strong selection for accurate mimicry.

Which host shows weaker detection of cuckoo eggs and thus weaker selection on mimicry?

Dunnock.

What might trigger future changes in cuckoo egg mimicry?

If hosts become better at rejecting cuckoo eggs, cuckoos may evolve counter adaptations to improve mimicry.

At what stage are most cuckoo eggs rejected by hosts?

At the egg stage, when hosts notice the egg is not theirs.

How do some cuckoo chicks avoid being rejected by parents after hatching?

By mimicking the calls/cheeps of host chicks to beg for food.

What is the special password method used by fairy wrens to detect parasitism?

Fairy wren mothers teach their chicks a password while still in the egg so parents can recognize their own chicks after hatching.

Why is the password-teaching behavior by fairy wrens potentially risky?

Because talking to eggs during incubation could increase predation risk on the eggs.

What kinds of mimicry do cuckoo chicks exhibit toward host nestlings?

Color, patterning, and gape placement (mouth gapes) to resemble host chicks.

Which cuckoo species has the lowest chick-mimicry accuracy but is least host-specific?

Horsefield Bronze Cuckoo.

Do adult cuckoos look similar to their own chicks or to their host species?

Adults look similar to other cuckoos, but their chicks can resemble their hosts more closely.

What NZ host is associated with the shining cuckoo, and what is its Australian counterpart called?

NZ host: grey warbler (rero rero). Australian counterpart: shining bronze cuckoo, with a different host warbler in Australia but similar parasitism behavior.

What is a central cost of brood parasitism for hosts?

Raising another parent's offspring wastes energy and reduces resources for their own offspring.

What is the overarching theme connecting the notes on cuckoos and hosts?

A coevolutionary arms race between cuckoo adaptations and host counter-adaptations.

What additional resources are suggested for further reading or viewing?

Chapters 11–12 of Rubenstein and Alcock (or Rubenstein edition) on parental care, a David Attenborough cuckoo video, and a Moodle cuckoo-versus-host quiz.