Cold spell en route delays spring arrival and decreases apparent survival in a long-distance migratory songbird.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Adjusting the timing of annual events to gradual changes in environmental conditions is necessary for population viability. However, adaptations to weather extremes are poorly documented in migratory species. Due to their vast seasonal movements, long-distance migrants face unique challenges in responding to changes as they rely on an endogenous circannual rhythm to cue the timing of their migration. Furthermore, the exact mechanisms that explain how environmental factors shape the migration schedules of long-distance migrants are often unknown.

Results

Here we show that long-distance migrating semi-collared flycatchers Ficedula semitorquata delayed the last phase of their spring migration and the population suffered low return rates to breeding sites while enduri

SUBMITTER: Briedis M 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC5381016 | biostudies-literature | 2017 Apr

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature