Sex-specific reproductive benefits of early arrival to the breeding colony in a seabird

Ismar-Rebitz, Stefanie M. H.; Daniel, Claire; Stephenson, Brent M.; Raubenheimer, David; Millar, Craig D.; Hauber, Márk E.

doi:10.1676/1559-4491-132.1.29

Cited by 1 publication

(1 citation statement)

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“…That environmental variables differentially influence the breeding propensity of birds in different breeding states (i.e., non-breeder, failed breeder or successful breeder) suggests some degree of spatio-temporal variation in habitat use between these groups at particular points in the annual cycle. Earlier time of arrival is linked to increased rates of breeding success in Australasian gannets Morus serrator [ 73 ], and previous studies of Manx shearwaters breeding on Skomer Island report that an earlier breeding phenology increases breeding success [ 49 ]. Consequently, it may be that successful breeders arrive earlier at the colony to initiate breeding and experience different environmental conditions during this time.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Demographic profiles and environmental drivers of variation relate to individual breeding state in a long-lived trans-oceanic migratory seabird, the Manx shearwater

et al. 2021

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Understanding the points in a species breeding cycle when they are most vulnerable to environmental fluctuations is key to understanding interannual demography and guiding effective conservation and management. Seabirds represent one of the most threatened groups of birds in the world, and climate change and severe weather is a prominent and increasing threat to this group. We used a multi-state capture-recapture model to examine how the demographic rates of a long-lived trans-oceanic migrant seabird, the Manx shearwater Puffinus puffinus, are influenced by environmental conditions experienced at different stages of the annual breeding cycle and whether these relationships vary with an individual’s breeding state in the previous year (i.e., successful breeder, failed breeder and non-breeder). Our results imply that populations of Manx shearwaters are comprised of individuals with different demographic profiles, whereby more successful reproduction is associated with higher rates of survival and breeding propensity. However, we found that all birds experienced the same negative relationship between rates of survival and wind force during the breeding season, indicating a cost of reproduction (or central place constraint for non-breeders) during years with severe weather conditions. We also found that environmental effects differentially influence the breeding propensity of individuals in different breeding states. This suggests individual spatio-temporal variation in habitat use during the annual cycle, such that climate change could alter the frequency that individuals with different demographic profiles breed thereby driving a complex and less predictable population response. More broadly, our study highlights the importance of considering individual-level factors when examining population demography and predicting how species may respond to climate change.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%