Multivariate study of lice (Insecta: Psocodea: Phthiraptera) assemblages hosted by hummingbirds (Aves: Trochilidae).

ABSTRACT: Lice were collected from 579 hummingbirds, representing 49 species, in 19 locations in Brazil, Costa Rica, Honduras, Paraguay and Peru, at elevations 0–3000 m above sea level. The following variables were included in an ecological analysis (1) host species' mean body mass, sexual size dimorphism, sexual dichromatism, migratory behaviour and dominance behaviour; (2) mean elevation, mean and predictability of temperature, mean and predictability of precipitation of the host species' geographic area; (3) prevalence and mean abundance of species of lice as measures of infestation. Ordination methods were applied to evaluate data structure. Since the traits are expressed at different scales (nominal, interval and ratio), a principal component analysis based on d-correlations for the traits and

SUBMITTER: Sychra O 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC10941040 | biostudies-literature | 2024 Feb

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature