Plasticity versus repeatability in seabird migratory behaviour |
| |
Authors: | Petra Quillfeldt Christian C Voigt Juan F Masello |
| |
Institution: | 1. Max-Planck-Institut für Ornithologie, Vogelwarte Radolfzell, Schlossallee 2, 78315, Radolfzell, Germany 2. Evolutionary Ecology Research Group, Leibniz Institute for Zoo and Wildlife Research, Berlin, Germany
|
| |
Abstract: | Pelagic seabird populations can use several discrete wintering areas, but it is unknown if individuals use the same wintering
area year after year. This would have consequences for their population genetic structure and conservation. We here study
the faithfulness of individuals to a moulting area within and among years in a small pelagic seabird, the Thin-billed prion,
which moult their primary feathers during the early part of the non-breeding period. According to stable carbon isotope ratios
(δ13C) of these feathers, 90% of Thin-billed prions moult in Antarctic and 10% in South American waters. Repeated samples from
individuals in 2 or 3 years indicated that several birds changed between Antarctic and South American moulting areas or vice
versa. However, individuals moulting in an area in one year were more likely to do so again. Four out of five adults maintained
highly conserved δ13C over the extended moulting period. One bird, however, had systematic changes in δ13C indicating latitudinal movements between the two areas during moult. Thus, the present data show that this seabird species
has a highly flexible migratory strategy, not only at the population level, but also at the individual level, enabling these
seabirds to exploit a highly unpredictable environment. |
| |
Keywords: | |
本文献已被 SpringerLink 等数据库收录! |
|