The influence of flea infestation on the reproductive success of barnacle geese (Branta leucopsis) in Kongsfjord, Svalbard.

The aim of this project is to investigate the effect that infestation of nests by fleas (Ceratophyllus vagabundus vagabundus Boheman, 1866) has on the incubation, and hatching and fledging success of barnacle geese on the Lovén islands in Kongsfjord. Nes ts will be mapped and a minimum of 20 nests assigned randomly to two groups. Control nests will be sampled regularly for fleas.). The second group of nests will form the manipulative treatments. Nests will be treated with a commercial insecticide formula ted to treat domestic pests in order to eradicate the flea infestation or reduce it to minimal levels. Eggs will be photographed at each sampling date and the number of blood specks determined. These values will be compared to the numbers of fleas (adult s and juveniles) collected from each nest and the use of egg blood speck counts as a proxy measure for the density of fleas evaluated. Impact of the parasite load will be primarily determined by hatching success but irritation to the host will be assesse d via observation studies of the incubating birds. Final success will be determined, where possible, by assessing the number of juveniles alive at the end of the summer. These data will be collected by the research group of Prof. Loonen who undertake th ese assessments each summer.