Dataset Information

Generational shift in spring staging site use by a long-distance migratory bird.

ABSTRACT: In response to environmental change, species have been observed altering their migratory behaviours. Few studies, however, have been able to determine whether these alterations resulted from inherited, plastic or flexible changes. Here, we present a unique observation of a rapid population-level shift in migratory routes-over 300 km from Spain to Portugal-by continental black-tailed godwits Limosa limosa limosa This shift did not result from adult godwits changing staging sites, as adult site use was highly consistent. Rather, the shift resulted from young godwits predominantly using Portugal over Spain. We found no differences in reproductive success or survival among individuals using either staging site, indicating that the shift resulted from developmental plasticity rather than natural selection. Our results therefore suggest that new migratory routes can develop within a generation and that young individuals may be the agents of such rapid changes.

SUBMITTER: Verhoeven MA

PROVIDER: S-EPMC5830661 | biostudies-literature | 2018 Feb

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature

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Generational shift in spring staging site use by a long-distance migratory bird.

Verhoeven Mo A MA Loonstra A H Jelle AHJ Hooijmeijer Jos C E W JCEW Masero Jose A JA Piersma Theunis T Senner Nathan R NR

Biology letters 20180201 2

In response to environmental change, species have been observed altering their migratory behaviours. Few studies, however, have been able to determine whether these alterations resulted from inherited, plastic or flexible changes. Here, we present a unique observation of a rapid population-level shift in migratory routes-over 300 km from Spain to Portugal-by continental black-tailed godwits <i>Limosa limosa limosa</i> This shift did not result from adult godwits changing staging sites, as adult ...[more]

PMID: 29445041

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Dataset Information

Generational shift in spring staging site use by a long-distance migratory bird.

Publications

Generational shift in spring staging site use by a long-distance migratory bird.

Similar Datasets

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