Dwarf mistletoes in forest canopies

D{arfistletoes t{/1!rlrorrdn spp.) afe pafrsitic flou ering pLrnts fbund throushout much of r.!tcrn North Arrrcr'rca on rrrcnr bers of rhe Pi nacere.Her\'! infec t io n b) the se parusite s aftects bionrss dislibLrtion on indi vidual (rccs.and I c cc $ itlrin ibrc sl canopie\.l\{ost d!\'rff nlisrletoe\ induce the fbrmation oi $irchcs brooms on inicclcd hosl!, and thcsc broonrs can signiilcantly .Llter the structufe of fi)rest c.rnopies as \aell.Con\crscl,,-.lbrcsr cnnopy srruclure gread!affecis horizontal and lertical sprcad of d$.L|f mistletoes.D$'arf mistletoes inrerlrcr wilh olhcr organis s that also inhahit forest canopies.such n\ birds.mrnmals.insecl\.and fungi.The prircipal intefactior is lhc misd.ro.s scr\ing as a tood source ibr lhese orgarris'n\.but bifds and mammals also use !lirches brlxnns rs nesring and liraging sites.Another interaclion is long rangc dis\cnrinaljon ot d\'rarf nri nlctoc \ccds b) rnjrral lcclors.prjmarily birds rnd \quir|els.