Mistletoes as parasites and seed-dispersing birds as disease vectors: current understanding, challenges and opportunities

摘要

Most mistletoes are vector-borne parasites whose vectors are their avian seed-dispersers (Martinez del Rio et al., 1996). In most vector-borne parasites and diseases, the vector maintains a parasitic or, at best, a commensal relationship with the parasite (Price, 1980). Misdetoes are unique among vector-borne parasites because they maintain a mutualistic interaction with their vectors (Martinez del Rio et al., 1996; Fig. 7.1). Birds obtain nutrients, energy and, in die desert, water from misdetoes (Walsberg, 1975; Reid, 1991). In turn, misdetoes receive directed movement of their propagules into safe germination sites (Reid, 1991).