Ectoparasites in lekking Sharp-tailed Grouse, Tympanuchus phasianellus

To investigate the validity of assumptions based on the parasite avoidance model, fifty-two male Sharp-tailed Grouse (Tympanuchus phasianellus) collected in northern Ontario from six separate leks were examined. Ectoparasitic burdens were recorded along with traits (feather damage, hematomas, body condition, body mass) and cues (territorial position, age) which may be used by the female to discriminate among males for their parasite loads. Neither assumption of the transmission avoidance model was met. Little variation in ectoparasite number existed in the breeding population as a whole or within individual leks. None of the traits or cues measured were correlated consistently with ectoparasitic burdens. These results suggest that randomly mating females would, on "average," mate with lightly infested individuals. Therefore, benefit to a discriminating female Sharp-tailed Grouse would be negligible.