Question

Explain brood parasitism with the help of an example.

Answer 1

Parasitism is the practice of living as a parasite. The parasites rely on others for their growth and development. The word brood is related to the birds and their young ones at one hatching

Complete answer: Brood parasitism is mainly observed in birds. Some birds do not build a nest in the breeding season. They rely on other birds to hatch and care for their young ones. In the process, the female parasite bird lays eggs in the nest of the host bird when the male counterpart diverts the host birds. The other bird incubates the young ones of the parasite bird. An example of brood parasitism is shown by the cuckoo. The female cuckoo lays its eggs in the crows’ nest. The young ones of the cuckoo bird resemble the young ones of the crow. The brood parasites manipulate the behaviour of the host bird so that the host bird can raise the young ones of the parasite bird.

Brood parasitism is also observed in some species of insects like the cuckoo bees. The cuckoo bees lay eggs in the brood chambers of the solitary bees. The young of the cuckoo bees eat the pollen store of the brood chambers. Sometimes the young ones of the cuckoo bees eat the eggs of the host species. Thus, the young ones of the brood parasites kill the host’s egg cells for their development.

Note: The strategy of brood parasitism is seen in birds, fish, and insects. It is interesting to notice that the host does not show rejection to the parasite’s young ones. The eggs of the brood parasite mimic the eggs of the host.