Phenology of two interdependent traits in migratory birds in response to climate change.

ABSTRACT: In migratory birds, arrival date and hatching date are two key phenological markers that have responded to global warming. A body of knowledge exists relating these traits to evolutionary pressures. In this study, we formalize this knowledge into general mathematical assumptions, and use them in an ecoevolutionary model. In contrast to previous models, this study novelty accounts for both traits-arrival date and hatching date-and the interdependence between them, revealing when one, the other or both will respond to climate. For all models sharing the assumptions, the following phenological responses will occur. First, if the nestling-prey peak is late enough, hatching is synchronous with, and arrival date evolves independently of, prey phenology. Second, when resource availability constra

SUBMITTER: Kristensen NP 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC4424651 | biostudies-literature | 2015 May

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature