Galapagos mockingbird ectoparasites
Nesomimus melanotis, chatham mockingbird © Vince Smith
Pediculus humanus, a parasite of Galapagos mockingbirds
This two year project is looking at the co-evolution and biogeography of the lice and mites found on Galapagos mockingbirds.
Populations of Galapagos mockingbirds have dropped dramatically since they were first described by Charles Darwin in 1835.
As parasites are directly affected by the number of mockingbirds, genetic data obtained from this research will help measures to conserve and reintroduce mockingbird populations.