Causes and consequences of spatial variation in sex ratios in a declining bird species.

ABSTRACT: Male-biased sex ratios occur in many bird species, particularly in those with small or declining populations, but the causes of these skews and their consequences for local population demography are rarely known. Within-species variation in sex ratios can help to identify the demographic and behavioural processes associated with such biases. Small populations may be more likely to have skewed sex ratios if sex differences in survival, recruitment or dispersal vary with local abundance. Analyses of species with highly variable local abundances can help to identify these mechanisms and the implications for spatial variation in demography. Many migratory bird species are currently undergoing rapid and severe declines in abundance in parts of their breeding ranges and thus have sufficient spat

SUBMITTER: Morrison CA 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC5006867 | biostudies-literature | 2016 Sep

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature