1
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Mott R, Prowse TAA, Jackson MV, Rogers DJ, O'Connor JA, Brookes JD, Cassey P. Measuring habitat quality for waterbirds: A review. Ecol Evol 2023; 13:e9905. [PMID: 37038530 PMCID: PMC10082184 DOI: 10.1002/ece3.9905] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/07/2021] [Revised: 12/30/2022] [Accepted: 02/28/2023] [Indexed: 04/12/2023] Open
Abstract
Quantifying habitat quality is dependent on measuring a site's relative contribution to population growth rate. This is challenging for studies of waterbirds, whose high mobility can decouple demographic rates from local habitat conditions and make sustained monitoring of individuals near-impossible. To overcome these challenges, biologists have used many direct and indirect proxies of waterbird habitat quality. However, consensus on what methods are most appropriate for a given scenario is lacking. We undertook a structured literature review of the methods used to quantify waterbird habitat quality, and provide a synthesis of the context-dependent strengths and limitations of those methods. Our search of the Web of Science and Scopus databases returned a sample of 666 studies, upon which our review was based. The reviewed studies assessed habitat quality by either measuring habitat attributes (e.g., food abundance, water quality, vegetation structure), or measuring attributes of the waterbirds themselves (e.g., demographic parameters, body condition, behavior, distribution). Measuring habitat attributes, although they are only indirectly related to demographic rates, has the advantage of being unaffected by waterbird behavioral stochasticity. Conversely, waterbird-derived measures (e.g., body condition, peck rates) may be more directly related to demographic rates than habitat variables, but may be subject to greater stochastic variation (e.g., behavioral change due to presence of conspecifics). Therefore, caution is needed to ensure that the measured variable does influence waterbird demographic rates. This assumption was usually based on ecological theory rather than empirical evidence. Our review highlighted that there is no single best, universally applicable method to quantify waterbird habitat quality. Individual project specifics (e.g., time frame, spatial scale, funding) will influence the choice of variables measured. Where possible, practitioners should measure variables most directly related to demographic rates. Generally, measuring multiple variables yields a better chance of accurately capturing the relationship between habitat characteristics and demographic rates.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rowan Mott
- School of Biological SciencesThe University of AdelaideAdelaideSouth AustraliaAustralia
| | - Thomas A. A. Prowse
- School of Biological SciencesThe University of AdelaideAdelaideSouth AustraliaAustralia
| | - Micha V. Jackson
- School of Biological SciencesThe University of AdelaideAdelaideSouth AustraliaAustralia
| | - Daniel J. Rogers
- School of Biological SciencesThe University of AdelaideAdelaideSouth AustraliaAustralia
- Department for Environment and WaterAdelaideSouth AustraliaAustralia
| | - Jody A. O'Connor
- Department for Environment and WaterAdelaideSouth AustraliaAustralia
| | - Justin D. Brookes
- School of Biological SciencesThe University of AdelaideAdelaideSouth AustraliaAustralia
| | - Phillip Cassey
- School of Biological SciencesThe University of AdelaideAdelaideSouth AustraliaAustralia
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2
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Gorta SBZ, Callaghan CT, Pedler RD, Read JL, West RS, Kingsford RT. Habitat associations of dryland avian communities during an extended dry period. AUSTRAL ECOL 2022. [DOI: 10.1111/aec.13251] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/06/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Simon B. Z. Gorta
- Centre for Ecosystem Science School of Biological Earth and Environmental Sciences UNSW Sydney Sydney New South Wales Australia
| | - Corey T. Callaghan
- Centre for Ecosystem Science School of Biological Earth and Environmental Sciences UNSW Sydney Sydney New South Wales Australia
| | - Reece D. Pedler
- Centre for Ecosystem Science School of Biological Earth and Environmental Sciences UNSW Sydney Sydney New South Wales Australia
| | - John L. Read
- School of Earth and Environmental Sciences University of Adelaide Adelaide South Australia Australia
| | - Rebecca S. West
- Centre for Ecosystem Science School of Biological Earth and Environmental Sciences UNSW Sydney Sydney New South Wales Australia
| | - Richard T. Kingsford
- Centre for Ecosystem Science School of Biological Earth and Environmental Sciences UNSW Sydney Sydney New South Wales Australia
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3
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Wille M, Grillo V, Ban de Gouvea Pedroso S, Burgess GW, Crawley A, Dickason C, Hansbro PM, Hoque MA, Horwood PF, Kirkland PD, Kung NYH, Lynch SE, Martin S, McArthur M, O’Riley K, Read AJ, Warner S, Hoye BJ, Lisovski S, Leen T, Hurt AC, Butler J, Broz I, Davies KR, Mileto P, Neave MJ, Stevens V, Breed AC, Lam TTY, Holmes EC, Klaassen M, Wong FYK. Australia as a global sink for the genetic diversity of avian influenza A virus. PLoS Pathog 2022; 18:e1010150. [PMID: 35536868 PMCID: PMC9089890 DOI: 10.1371/journal.ppat.1010150] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/30/2021] [Accepted: 03/13/2022] [Indexed: 12/03/2022] Open
Abstract
Most of our understanding of the ecology and evolution of avian influenza A virus (AIV) in wild birds is derived from studies conducted in the northern hemisphere on waterfowl, with a substantial bias towards dabbling ducks. However, relevant environmental conditions and patterns of avian migration and reproduction are substantially different in the southern hemisphere. Through the sequencing and analysis of 333 unique AIV genomes collected from wild birds collected over 15 years we show that Australia is a global sink for AIV diversity and not integrally linked with the Eurasian gene pool. Rather, AIV are infrequently introduced to Australia, followed by decades of isolated circulation and eventual extinction. The number of co-circulating viral lineages varies per subtype. AIV haemagglutinin (HA) subtypes that are rarely identified at duck-centric study sites (H8-12) had more detected introductions and contemporary co-circulating lineages in Australia. Combined with a lack of duck migration beyond the Australian-Papuan region, these findings suggest introductions by long-distance migratory shorebirds. In addition, on the available data we found no evidence of directional or consistent patterns in virus movement across the Australian continent. This feature corresponds to patterns of bird movement, whereby waterfowl have nomadic and erratic rainfall-dependant distributions rather than consistent intra-continental migratory routes. Finally, we detected high levels of virus gene segment reassortment, with a high diversity of AIV genome constellations across years and locations. These data, in addition to those from other studies in Africa and South America, clearly show that patterns of AIV dynamics in the Southern Hemisphere are distinct from those in the temperate north.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michelle Wille
- WHO Collaborating Centre for Reference and Research on Influenza, at the Peter Doherty Institute for Infection and Immunity, Melbourne, Australia
- Sydney Institute for Infectious Diseases, School of Life and Environmental Sciences and School of Medical Sciences, The University of Sydney, Sydney, Australia
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, at the Peter Doherty Institute for Infection and Immunity, The University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Australia
| | | | | | - Graham W. Burgess
- College of Public Health, Medical and Veterinary Sciences, James Cook University, Townsville, Australia
| | | | | | - Philip M. Hansbro
- Centre for Inflammation, Centenary Institute and University of Technology Sydney, School of Life Sciences, Faculty of Science, Sydney, Australia
| | - Md. Ahasanul Hoque
- Chattogram (previously Chittagong) Veterinary and Animal Sciences University, Khulshi, Bangladesh
| | - Paul F. Horwood
- College of Public Health, Medical and Veterinary Sciences, James Cook University, Townsville, Australia
| | - Peter D. Kirkland
- NSW Department of Primary Industries, Elizabeth Macarthur Agricultural Institute, Menangle, Australia
| | - Nina Yu-Hsin Kung
- Animal Biosecurity & Welfare, Biosecurity Queensland, Department of Agriculture and Fisheries, Health Food Science Precinct, Coopers Plains, Australia
| | - Stacey E. Lynch
- Agriculture Victoria Research, AgriBio Centre for AgriBioscience, Bundoora, Australia
| | - Sue Martin
- Department of Primary Industries, Parks, Water and Environment, Hobart, Australia
| | - Michaela McArthur
- Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development, Kensington, Australia
| | - Kim O’Riley
- Agriculture Victoria Research, AgriBio Centre for AgriBioscience, Bundoora, Australia
| | - Andrew J. Read
- NSW Department of Primary Industries, Elizabeth Macarthur Agricultural Institute, Menangle, Australia
| | - Simone Warner
- Agriculture Victoria Research, AgriBio Centre for AgriBioscience, Bundoora, Australia
| | - Bethany J. Hoye
- Centre for Integrative Ecology, Deakin University, Geelong, Australia
| | - Simeon Lisovski
- Centre for Integrative Ecology, Deakin University, Geelong, Australia
| | - Trent Leen
- Geelong Field & Game, Geelong, Australia
- Wetlands Environmental Taskforce, Field & Game Australia, Seymour, Australia
| | - Aeron C. Hurt
- WHO Collaborating Centre for Reference and Research on Influenza, at the Peter Doherty Institute for Infection and Immunity, Melbourne, Australia
| | - Jeff Butler
- Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation (CSIRO), Australian Centre for Disease Preparedness, Geelong, Australia
| | - Ivano Broz
- Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation (CSIRO), Australian Centre for Disease Preparedness, Geelong, Australia
| | - Kelly R. Davies
- Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation (CSIRO), Australian Centre for Disease Preparedness, Geelong, Australia
| | - Patrick Mileto
- Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation (CSIRO), Australian Centre for Disease Preparedness, Geelong, Australia
| | - Matthew J. Neave
- Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation (CSIRO), Australian Centre for Disease Preparedness, Geelong, Australia
| | - Vicky Stevens
- Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation (CSIRO), Australian Centre for Disease Preparedness, Geelong, Australia
| | - Andrew C. Breed
- Department of Agriculture, Water and the Environment, Canberra, Australia
- University of Queensland, St. Lucia, Australia
| | - Tommy T. Y. Lam
- State Key Laboratory of Emerging Infectious Diseases, School of Public Health, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, PR China
| | - Edward C. Holmes
- Sydney Institute for Infectious Diseases, School of Life and Environmental Sciences and School of Medical Sciences, The University of Sydney, Sydney, Australia
| | - Marcel Klaassen
- Centre for Integrative Ecology, Deakin University, Geelong, Australia
| | - Frank Y. K. Wong
- Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation (CSIRO), Australian Centre for Disease Preparedness, Geelong, Australia
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4
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Cherriman SC, Fleming PA, Shephard JM, Olsen PD. Climate influences productivity but not breeding density of wedge‐tailed eagles
Aquila audax
in arid and mesic Western Australia. AUSTRAL ECOL 2021. [DOI: 10.1111/aec.13106] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Simon C. Cherriman
- Centre for Climate‐Impacted Terrestrial Ecosystems Harry Butler Institute Murdoch University Murdoch, Perth Western Australia 6150Australia
- iNSiGHT Ornithology Parkerville Western AustraliaAustralia
| | - Patricia A. Fleming
- Centre for Climate‐Impacted Terrestrial Ecosystems Harry Butler Institute Murdoch University Murdoch, Perth Western Australia 6150Australia
| | - Jill M. Shephard
- Centre for Climate‐Impacted Terrestrial Ecosystems Harry Butler Institute Murdoch University Murdoch, Perth Western Australia 6150Australia
| | - Penny D. Olsen
- Division of Ecology and Evolution The Australian National University Acton Australian Capital Territory Australia
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5
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Teitelbaum CS, Altizer S, Hall RJ. Movement rules determine nomadic species' responses to resource supplementation and degradation. J Anim Ecol 2020; 89:2644-2656. [PMID: 32783225 DOI: 10.1111/1365-2656.13318] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/20/2019] [Accepted: 07/27/2020] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
In environments that vary unpredictably, many animals are nomadic, moving in an irregular pattern that differs from year to year. Exploring the mechanisms of nomadic movement is needed to understand how animals survive in highly variable environments, and to predict behavioural and population responses to environmental change. We developed a network model to identify plausible mechanisms of nomadic animal movement by comparing the performance of multiple movement rules along a continuum from nomadism to residency. Using simulations and analytical results, we explored how different types of habitat modifications (that augment or decrease resource availability) might affect the abundance and movement rates of animals following each of these rules. Movement rules for which departure from patches depended on resource availability and/or competition performed almost equally well and better than residency or uninformed movement under most conditions, even though animals using each rule moved at substantially different rates. Habitat modifications that stabilized resources, either by resource supplementation or degradation, eroded the benefits of informed nomadic movements, particularly for movements based on resource availability alone. These results suggest that simple movement rules can explain nomadic animal movements and determine species' responses to environmental change. In particular, landscape stabilization and supplementation might be useful strategies for promoting populations of resident animals, but would be less beneficial for managing highly mobile species, many of which are threatened by habitat disruption and changes in climate.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Sonia Altizer
- Odum School of Ecology, University of Georgia, Athens, GA, USA
| | - Richard J Hall
- Odum School of Ecology, University of Georgia, Athens, GA, USA.,Department of Infectious Diseases, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Georgia, Athens, GA, USA
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6
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Weston MA, Clarke K, Maguire GS, Sumner J. Morphological and molecular evidence of population divergence in a widespread shorebird across its southern mainland Australian distribution. CONSERV GENET 2020. [DOI: 10.1007/s10592-020-01286-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/24/2022]
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7
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Partial migration in a subtropical wading bird in the southeastern United States. Ecosphere 2020. [DOI: 10.1002/ecs2.3054] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/07/2022] Open
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8
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Grecian WJ, Williams HJ, Votier SC, Bearhop S, Cleasby IR, Grémillet D, Hamer KC, Le Nuz M, Lescroël A, Newton J, Patrick SC, Phillips RA, Wakefield ED, Bodey TW. Individual Spatial Consistency and Dietary Flexibility in the Migratory Behavior of Northern Gannets Wintering in the Northeast Atlantic. Front Ecol Evol 2019. [DOI: 10.3389/fevo.2019.00214] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
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9
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Robart AR, Morado MI, Watts HE. Declining food availability, corticosterone, and migratory response in a nomadic, irruptive migrant. Horm Behav 2019; 110:56-67. [PMID: 30802442 DOI: 10.1016/j.yhbeh.2019.02.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/19/2018] [Revised: 01/10/2019] [Accepted: 02/08/2019] [Indexed: 11/24/2022]
Abstract
While obligate migrants time their movements to respond to predictable changes in the environment, facultative migration is characterized by more variable movements that are driven by unpredictable changes in resource availability. The proximate cues that trigger facultative migrations and the endocrine mechanisms involved in these responses remain poorly understood, though corticosterone may be a key mediator of facultative migration due to its effects on activity and metabolic processes. We conducted experiments in the fall and spring to examine the response of pine siskins (Spinus pinus), a facultative migrant, to a two-stage food restriction. Our goals were to examine whether declining food availability stimulated behavioral and/or physiological changes consistent with a migratory response, whether anticipatory behavioral and physiological adjustments occurred when birds were initially presented with changing food availability, and if observed changes corresponded to changes in circulating corticosterone levels. We found no evidence of preparatory physiological changes for migration, but food-restricted birds in the spring had increased daytime activity indicative of a migratory response. Corticosterone increased at each stage of the restriction and the change in corticosterone corresponded to the magnitude of decline in body condition. Increased corticosterone was also correlated with larger increases in activity during the initial stage of food restriction, but only during the spring, when birds also displayed higher levels of initial body condition. These results suggest that initial energetic state and corticosterone response may interact to determine an individual's behavioral and physiological response to declining food availability and ultimately the facultative migratory response.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ashley R Robart
- School of Biological Sciences, Washington State University, Pullman, WA 99164, United States of America; Department of Biology, Loyola Marymount University, Los Angeles, CA 90045, United States of America.
| | - Melissa I Morado
- Department of Biology, Loyola Marymount University, Los Angeles, CA 90045, United States of America
| | - Heather E Watts
- School of Biological Sciences, Washington State University, Pullman, WA 99164, United States of America; Center for Reproductive Biology, Washington State University, Pullman, WA 99164, United States of America; Department of Biology, Loyola Marymount University, Los Angeles, CA 90045, United States of America
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10
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Teitelbaum CS, Mueller T. Beyond Migration: Causes and Consequences of Nomadic Animal Movements. Trends Ecol Evol 2019; 34:569-581. [PMID: 30885413 DOI: 10.1016/j.tree.2019.02.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 67] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/19/2018] [Revised: 02/08/2019] [Accepted: 02/12/2019] [Indexed: 11/18/2022]
Abstract
Recent advances in animal tracking reveal that many species display irregular movements that do not fall into classical categories of movement patterns such as range residency or migration. Here, we develop a unifying framework that distinguishes these nomadic movements based on their patterns, drivers, and mechanisms. Though they occur in diverse taxa and geographic regions, nomadic movements are united by both their underlying environmental drivers, mainly environmental stochasticity, and the resulting irregular, far-ranging movement patterns. The framework further classifies types of nomadic movements, including full, seasonal, phase, irruptive, and partial nomadism. Nomadic movements can have unique effects on populations, communities, and ecosystems, most notably providing intermittent disturbances and novel introductions of propagules.
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Affiliation(s)
- Claire S Teitelbaum
- Odum School of Ecology, University of Georgia, 140 E Green St., Athens, GA 30602, USA. https://twitter.com/@cs_teitelbaum
| | - Thomas Mueller
- Department of Biological Sciences, Goethe-University Frankfurt and Senckenberg Biodiversity and Climate Research Centre (SBiK-F), Senckenberganlage 25, 60325 Frankfurt, Germany. https://twitter.com/@secnkenberg
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11
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Pedler RD, Ribot RFH, Bennett ATD. Long-distance flights and high-risk breeding by nomadic waterbirds on desert salt lakes. CONSERVATION BIOLOGY : THE JOURNAL OF THE SOCIETY FOR CONSERVATION BIOLOGY 2018; 32:216-228. [PMID: 28981964 DOI: 10.1111/cobi.13007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/06/2016] [Accepted: 06/08/2017] [Indexed: 06/07/2023]
Abstract
Understanding and conserving mobile species presents complex challenges, especially for animals in stochastic or changing environments. Nomadic waterbirds must locate temporary water in arid biomes where rainfall is highly unpredictable in space and time. To achieve this they need to travel over vast spatial scales and time arrival to exploit pulses in food resources. How they achieve this is an enduring mystery. We investigated these challenges in the colonial-nesting Banded Stilt (Cladorhynchus leucocephalus), a nomadic shorebird of conservation concern. Hitherto, Banded Stilts were hypothesized to have only 1-2 chances to breed during their long lifetime, when flooding rain fills desert salt lakes, triggering mass-hatching of brine shrimp. Over 6 years, we satellite tagged 57 individuals, conducted 21 aerial surveys to detect nesting colonies on 14 Australian desert salt lakes, and analyzed 3 decades of Landsat and MODIS satellite imagery to quantify salt-lake flood frequency and extent. Within days of distant inland rainfall, Banded Stilts flew 1,000-2,000 km to reach flooded salt lakes. On arrival, females laid over half their body weight in eggs. We detected nesting episodes across the species' range at 7 times the frequency reported during the previous 80 years. Nesting colonies of thousands formed following minor floods, yet most were subsequently abandoned when the water rapidly evaporated prior to egg hatching. Satellite imagery revealed twice as many flood events sufficient for breeding-colony initiation as recorded colonies, suggesting that nesting at remote sites has been underdetected. Individuals took risk on uncertain breeding opportunities by responding to frequent minor flood events between infrequent extensive flooding, exemplifying the extreme adaptability and trade-offs of species exploiting unstable environments. The conservation challenges of nest predation by overabundant native gulls and anthropogenic modifications to salt lakes filling frequencies require investigation, as do the physiological and navigational mechanisms that enable such extreme strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Reece D Pedler
- Centre for Integrative Ecology, School of Life and Environmental Sciences, Deakin University, 75 Pigdons Road, Waurn Ponds, Victoria 3216, Australia
| | - Raoul F H Ribot
- Centre for Integrative Ecology, School of Life and Environmental Sciences, Deakin University, 75 Pigdons Road, Waurn Ponds, Victoria 3216, Australia
| | - Andrew T D Bennett
- Centre for Integrative Ecology, School of Life and Environmental Sciences, Deakin University, 75 Pigdons Road, Waurn Ponds, Victoria 3216, Australia
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12
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Watts HE, Cornelius JM, Fudickar AM, Pérez J, Ramenofsky M. Understanding variation in migratory movements: A mechanistic approach. Gen Comp Endocrinol 2018; 256:112-122. [PMID: 28756245 DOI: 10.1016/j.ygcen.2017.07.027] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/01/2017] [Revised: 07/20/2017] [Accepted: 07/25/2017] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
Spatial and temporal fluctuations in resource availability have led to the evolution of varied migration patterns. In order to appropriately time movements in relation to resources, environmental cues are used to provide proximate information for timing and the endocrine system serves to integrate these external cues and behavioral and physiological responses. Yet, the regulatory mechanisms underlying migratory timing have rarely been compared across a broad range of migratory patterns. First, we offer an updated nomenclature of migration using a mechanistic perspective to clarify terminology describing migratory types in relation to ecology, behavior and endocrinology. We divide migratory patterns into three types: obligate, nomadic, and fugitive. Obligate migration is characterized by regular and directed annual movements between locations, most commonly for breeding and overwintering, where resources are predictable and sufficient. Nomadic migrations occur less predictably than do obligate migrations as animals make use of potentially rich but ephemeral resources that occur unpredictably in space or time. Fugitive migrations move animals away from an area in response to severe disruption of environmental conditions and occur as part of an emergency life history stage. We also consider partially migratory populations, which include a mix of sedentary and migratory individuals; the movement patterns of partial migrants are expected to fall into one of the three types above. For these various forms of migration, we review our understanding of the environmental cues and endocrine mechanisms that underlie the expression of a migratory state. Several common hormonal mechanisms exist across the varied migratory forms, but there are also important areas where further investigations are needed in order to gain broad insight into the origin of movements and the diversity of migratory patterns. We propose that taking a comparative approach across the migratory types that considers endocrine mechanisms will advance a new understanding of migration biology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Heather E Watts
- Department of Biology, Loyola Marymount University, Los Angeles, CA 90045, USA; School of Biological Sciences, Washington State University, Pullman, WA 99164, USA.
| | | | - Adam M Fudickar
- Environmental Resilience Institute, Indiana University, Bloomington, IN 47405, USA
| | - Jonathan Pérez
- Department of Neurobiology, Physiology & Behavior, University of California, Davis, CA 95616, USA
| | - Marilyn Ramenofsky
- Department of Neurobiology, Physiology & Behavior, University of California, Davis, CA 95616, USA
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13
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McEvoy JF, Ribot RFH, Wingfield JC, Bennett ATD. Heavy rainfall triggers increased nocturnal flight in desert populations of the Pacific black duck (Anas superciliosa). Sci Rep 2017; 7:17557. [PMID: 29242630 PMCID: PMC5730603 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-017-17859-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/06/2017] [Accepted: 11/29/2017] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Understanding of avian nocturnal flight comes mainly from northern hemisphere species in seasonal temperate ecosystems where nocturnal flight is often precisely timed and entrained by annual photoperiod. Here we investigate patterns of nocturnal flight in waterbirds of Australian desert ecosystems that fly considerable distances to find temporary water bodies formed from rainfall which is highly unpredictable seasonally and spatially, and when there is sufficient water, they then breed. How they perform these feats of navigation and physiology remain poorly known. Using GPS tracking of 38 satellite tagged Pacific black ducks (Anas superciliosa) in two contrasting ecosystems, before and after heavy rainfall we revealed a key role for facultative nocturnal flight in the movement ecology of this species. After large rainfall events, birds rapidly increased nocturnal flight activity in the arid aseasonal ecosystem, but not in the mesic seasonal one. Nocturnal flights occurred throughout the night in both ecosystems. Long range flights (>50 km in 2 hours) occurred almost exclusively at night; at night the distance flown was higher than during the day, birds visited more locations, and the locations were more widely dispersed. Our work reveals that heavy rainfall triggers increased nocturnal flight activity in desert populations of waterbirds.
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Affiliation(s)
- J F McEvoy
- Smithsonian Conservation Biology Institute, 1500 Remount Road, Front Royal, VA, 22630, USA.
- Centre for Integrative Ecology, Deakin University, Locked Bag 20000, Geelong, VIC 3220, Australia.
| | - R F H Ribot
- Centre for Integrative Ecology, Deakin University, Locked Bag 20000, Geelong, VIC 3220, Australia
| | - J C Wingfield
- Department of Neurobiology, Physiology and Behaviour, University of California One Shields Avenue, Davis, California, 95616, USA
| | - A T D Bennett
- Centre for Integrative Ecology, Deakin University, Locked Bag 20000, Geelong, VIC 3220, Australia
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14
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Cote J, Bocedi G, Debeffe L, Chudzińska ME, Weigang HC, Dytham C, Gonzalez G, Matthysen E, Travis J, Baguette M, Hewison AJM. Behavioural synchronization of large-scale animal movements - disperse alone, but migrate together? Biol Rev Camb Philos Soc 2016; 92:1275-1296. [DOI: 10.1111/brv.12279] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/18/2015] [Revised: 03/23/2016] [Accepted: 04/06/2016] [Indexed: 01/10/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Julien Cote
- ENFA and UMR 5174 EDB (Laboratoire Évolution & Diversité Biologique), CNRS; Université Toulouse III - Paul Sabatier; Toulouse cedex 9 F-31062 France
| | - Greta Bocedi
- Institute of Biological and Environmental Sciences; University of Aberdeen; Aberdeen AB24 2TZ UK
| | - Lucie Debeffe
- CEFS, INRA; Université de Toulouse; Castanet Tolosan 31320 France
- Department of Biology; University of Saskatchewan; Saskatoon SK S7N 5E2 Canada
| | | | - Helene C. Weigang
- Department of Mathematics and Statistics; University of Helsinki; P.O. Box 68 Helsinki 00014 Finland
| | - Calvin Dytham
- Department of Biology; University of York; York YO10 5DD UK
| | - Georges Gonzalez
- CEFS, INRA; Université de Toulouse; Castanet Tolosan 31320 France
| | - Erik Matthysen
- Department of Biology; University of Antwerp; Antwerp B-2610 Belgium
| | - Justin Travis
- Institute of Biological and Environmental Sciences; University of Aberdeen; Aberdeen AB24 2TZ UK
| | - Michel Baguette
- Station d'Ecologie Théorique et Experimentale; CNRS UMR 5321; Moulis 09200 France
- Institut De Systématique, Evolution et Biodiversité, UMR 7205; Muséum National d'Histoire Naturelle; Paris cedex 5 FR-75005 France
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15
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Davenport LC, Goodenough KS, Haugaasen T. Birds of Two Oceans? Trans-Andean and Divergent Migration of Black Skimmers (Rynchops niger cinerascens) from the Peruvian Amazon. PLoS One 2016; 11:e0144994. [PMID: 26760301 PMCID: PMC4719220 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0144994] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/25/2015] [Accepted: 11/25/2015] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Seasonal flooding compels some birds that breed in aquatic habitats in Amazonia to undertake annual migrations, yet we know little about how the complex landscape of the Amazon region is used seasonally by these species. The possibility of trans-Andes migration for Amazonian breeding birds has largely been discounted given the high geographic barrier posed by the Andean Cordillera and the desert habitat along much of the Pacific Coast. Here we demonstrate a trans-Andes route for Black Skimmers (Rynchops niger cinerascens) breeding on the Manu River (in the lowlands of Manu National Park, Perú), as well as divergent movement patterns both regionally and across the continent. Of eight skimmers tracked with satellite telemetry, three provided data on their outbound migrations, with two crossing the high Peruvian Andes to the Pacific. A third traveled over 1800 km to the southeast before transmissions ended in eastern Paraguay. One of the two trans-Andean migrants demonstrated a full round-trip migration back to its tagging location after traveling down the Pacific Coast from latitude 9° South to latitude 37° S, spending the austral summer in the Gulf of Arauco, Chile. This is the first documentation of a trans-Andes migration observed for any bird breeding in lowland Amazonia. To our knowledge, this research also documents the first example of a tropical-breeding waterbird migrating out of the tropics to spend the non-breeding season in the temperate summer, this being the reverse pattern with respect to seasonality for austral migrants in general.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lisa C. Davenport
- Florida Museum of Natural History, Department of Natural History, University of Florida, Gainesville, Florida, United States of America
- Center for Tropical Conservation, Duke University, Durham, North Carolina, United States of America
- * E-mail:
| | - Katharine S. Goodenough
- Oklahoma Biological Survey, University of Oklahoma, Norman, Oklahoma, United States of America
| | - Torbjørn Haugaasen
- Department of Ecology, Norwegian University of Life Sciences, Ås, Norway
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Holyoak M, Heath SK. The integration of climate change, spatial dynamics, and habitat fragmentation: A conceptual overview. Integr Zool 2015; 11:40-59. [PMID: 26458303 DOI: 10.1111/1749-4877.12167] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
A growing number of studies have looked at how climate change alters the effects of habitat fragmentation and degradation on both single and multiple species; some raise concern that biodiversity loss and its effects will be exacerbated. The published literature on spatial dynamics (such as dispersal and metapopulation dynamics), habitat fragmentation and climate change requires synthesis and a conceptual framework to simplify thinking. We propose a framework that integrates how climate change affects spatial population dynamics and the effects of habitat fragmentation in terms of: (i) habitat quality, quantity and distribution; (ii) habitat connectivity; and (iii) the dynamics of habitat itself. We use the framework to categorize existing autecological studies and investigate how each is affected by anthropogenic climate change. It is clear that a changing climate produces changes in the geographic distribution of climatic conditions, and the amount and quality of habitat. The most thorough published studies show how such changes impact metapopulation persistence, source-sink dynamics, changes in species' geographic range and community composition. Climate-related changes in movement behavior and quantity, quality and distribution of habitat have also produced empirical changes in habitat connectivity for some species. An underexplored area is how habitat dynamics that are driven by climatic processes will affect species that live in dynamic habitats. We end our discussion by suggesting ways to improve current attempts to integrate climate change, spatial population dynamics and habitat fragmentation effects, and suggest distinct areas of study that might provide opportunities for more fully integrative work.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marcel Holyoak
- Department of Environmental Science and Policy, University of California, 1 Shields Avenue, Davis CA 95616, USA
| | - Sacha K Heath
- Department of Environmental Science and Policy, University of California, 1 Shields Avenue, Davis CA 95616, USA.,Graduate Group in Ecology, University of California, 1 Shields Avenue, Davis CA 95616, USA
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McEvoy JF, Roshier DA, Ribot RFH, Bennett ATD. Proximate cues to phases of movement in a highly dispersive waterfowl, Anas superciliosa. MOVEMENT ECOLOGY 2015; 3:21. [PMID: 26331024 PMCID: PMC4556217 DOI: 10.1186/s40462-015-0048-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/20/2015] [Accepted: 06/25/2015] [Indexed: 05/22/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Waterfowl can exploit distant ephemeral wetlands in arid environments and provide valuable insights into the response of birds to rapid environmental change, and behavioural flexibility of avian movements. Currently much of our understanding of behavioural flexibility of avian movement comes from studies of migration in seasonally predictable biomes in the northern hemisphere. We used GPS transmitters to track 20 Pacific black duck (Anas superciliosa) in arid central Australia. We exploited La Niña conditions that brought extensive flooding, so allowing a rare opportunity to investigate how weather and other environmental factors predict initiation of long distance movement toward freshly flooded habitats. We employed behavioural change point analysis to identify three phases of movement: sedentary, exploratory and long distance oriented movement. We then used random forest models to determine the ability of meteorological and remote sensed landscape variables to predict initiation of these phases. RESULTS We found that initiation of exploratory movement phases is influenced by fluctuations in local weather conditions and accumulated rainfall in the landscape. Initiation of long distance movement phases was found to be highly individualistic with minor influence from local weather conditions. CONCLUSIONS Our study reveals how individuals utilise local conditions to respond to changes in resource distribution at broad scales. Our findings suggest that individual movement decisions of dispersive birds are informed by the integration of multiple weather cues operating at different temporal and spatial scales.
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Affiliation(s)
- John F. McEvoy
- />Centre for Integrative Ecology, Deakin University, Locked Bag 20000, Geelong, VIC 3220 Australia
- />Zoology, School of Environmental and Rural Science, University of New England, Armidale, NSW 2351 Australia
| | - David A. Roshier
- />Australian Wildlife Conservancy, PO Box 6621, Halifax Street, Adelaide, SA 5000 Australia
| | - Raoul F. H. Ribot
- />Centre for Integrative Ecology, Deakin University, Locked Bag 20000, Geelong, VIC 3220 Australia
| | - Andy T. D. Bennett
- />Centre for Integrative Ecology, Deakin University, Locked Bag 20000, Geelong, VIC 3220 Australia
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