The effect of selective logging on the community of chewing lice and feather mites associated birds in Sabah, Malaysia

Abstract

Selective logging is degrading tropical rainforests worldwide at high rates altering its microclimate and structure. Hence, changes in the assemblages of some taxa have been recorded after selective logging. This is the first study assessing the effect of selective logging on the community composition, species richness and interaction networks of chewing lice and feather mites associated with birds. The current study was conducted in Sabah, North Borneo, which is part of the Sundaland biodiversity hotspot region. Surprisingly, significant differences were found just in the chewing louse-bird and feather mite-bird interactions networks. Chewing louse-bird interactions were more stable in primary than in logged as happened in the case of feather mites. This study revealed that changes in the interaction networks are possible even when the community composition, abundance and species richness persisted after logging. The consequences of logging on host and therefore parasite survival and the resulting consequences in the whole interaction network is an area that requires further research.