Data from Benedict et al. 2020 Human presence outweighs non-anthropogenic factors as a driver of avian nest parasite loads, Journal of Ornithology

Abstract: Human presence and landscape change
can alter many aspects of ecological communities and can interact with natural
factors to change host-parasite dynamics. In the study reported here we tested
whether an anthropogenic factor, urbanization, affected the abundance and size
of hematophagous ectoparasites (Swallow Bugs: Oeciacus vicarius) found in the nests of Cliff
Swallows (Petrochelidon pyrrhonota). We also examined how Swallow
Bug infestations might be affected by multiple non-anthropogenic biotic and
abiotic factors, including season, nest mass, nest colony size, the history of
colony occupation, and the presence of other parasitic and non-parasitic
arthropods in Cliff Swallow nests. Our sample included 73 nests collected from
18 Cliff Swallow colonies in Northern Colorado, USA. Results indicated that Swallow
Bug loads were most strongly predicted by human land use and density, with
urban colonies having much heavier infestations than rural colonies. Swallow
Bugs were more numerous in colonies that were known to have been recently
occupied by Cliff Swallows, and in nests that contained high numbers of other
parasitic arthropods, including fleas and ticks. Swallow Bug population size
did not vary with season, nest mass, or nest colony size, and none of our
measured factors predicted Swallow Bug body length. Results suggest that cities
may exacerbate harmful effects of avian ectoparasites by promoting large
population sizes, and that these effects may be compounded by the presence of
multiple parasitic species in heavily infested nests.

Data: Excel file including two tabs. One contains data on nest characteristics, the other contains swallow bug measurements.