Ecomorphological patterns in the Blackcap<i>Sylvia atricapilla</i>: insular versus mainland populations

Andrade, Pedro; Rodrigues, Pedro Henrique; Lopes, Ricardo J.; Ramos, Jaime A.; Cunha, Regina Tristão da; Gonçalves, David

doi:10.1080/00063657.2015.1077780

Cited by 8 publications

(3 citation statements)

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“…The results on the Azores Snipe contrast with observations in other bird species in the same archipelago, which show morphological signs of a sedentary lifestyle when compared with their continental counterparts (Gonc ßalves et al 2011, Rando et al 2013, Alcover et al 2015, Andrade et al 2015, Martins et al 2016). This apparent low level of morphological differentiation between the Azores sedentary and the migratory Snipe from the continent could be explained by a recent colonization event or by recurrent recruitment of Snipe during winter in the Azores if these birds stay there and breed.…”

Section: Discussioncontrasting

confidence: 68%

“…The Azores Eurasian Blackcap Sylvia atricapilla gularis is larger and tends to have more rounded wings than its continental conspecifics (Andrade et al . ).…”

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confidence: 97%

“…The Azores Common Blackbird Turdus merula azorensis do not show differences in body size, but their wings are more rounded and their legs are also longer than continental Common Blackbirds T. m. merula; they also show a tendency to possess longer and narrower bills (Martins et al 2016). The Azores Eurasian Blackcap Sylvia atricapilla gularis is larger and tends to have more rounded wings than its continental conspecifics (Andrade et al 2015).…”

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confidence: 98%

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Mixed patterns of morphological adaptation to insularity in an aerial displaying bird, the Common Snipe Gallinago gallinago

Rodrigues

Andrade

Rodrigues

et al. 2018

Ibis

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On islands, colonizing birds may evolve behavioural and morphological adaptations to the new environment, often resulting in changes in body size and reduction or even total loss of flight. These island populations have therefore been used to test hypotheses related to adaptations for flight. However, in certain species in which flight is used not only in foraging and migration but also in mating displays, disentangling the effects of natural and social selection is difficult. Thus, sedentary populations of species that perform aerial displays (such as the Common Snipe Gallinago gallinago that breed in the Azores archipelago) may offer an opportunity to separate the effects of natural and social selection on morphology. If insular Common Snipe respond to the characteristic ecological context of oceanic islands, we expect them to differ from migratory conspecifics in body size and by having relatively smaller and more rounded wings. On the other hand, if social selection exerts a more powerful force over the morphology of this species, we expect that sedentary and migratory birds will not differ in flight‐related characters. We tested these hypotheses by comparing morphological characters measured on live Common Snipe captured in the Azores during the breeding season with those measured on migratory specimens hunted during autumn/winter in mainland Portugal. Sedentary Azorean birds were smaller and had relatively shorter tails but did not show the tendency for insular birds to possess more rounded wings as described in other taxa, including in the Azores. Bergman's rule might explain the difference in body size and shorter tails may be responsible for behavioural differences between populations. The lack of difference in wing shape might be explained by the need of the Common Snipe to perform aerial displays during courtship, suggesting an effect of social selection on the migratory strategy of this species.

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Section: Discussioncontrasting

confidence: 68%

“…The Azores Eurasian Blackcap Sylvia atricapilla gularis is larger and tends to have more rounded wings than its continental conspecifics (Andrade et al . ).…”

mentioning

confidence: 97%

mentioning

confidence: 98%

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