Presence of Breeding Birds Improves Body Condition for a Crocodilian Nest Protector.

ABSTRACT: Ecological associations where one species enhances habitat for another nearby species (facilitations) shape fundamental community dynamics and can promote niche expansion, thereby influencing how and where species persist and coexist. For the many breeding birds facing high nest-predation pressure, enemy-free space can be gained by nesting near more formidable animals for physical protection. While the benefits to protected species seem well documented, very few studies have explored whether and how protector species are affected by nest protection associations. Long-legged wading birds (Pelecaniformes and Ciconiiformes) actively choose nesting sites above resident American alligators (Alligator mississippiensis), apparently to take advantage of the protection from mammalian nest predators

SUBMITTER: Nell LA 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC4775066 | biostudies-literature | 2016

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature