Spatially explicit network analysis reveals multi-species annual cycle movement patterns of sea ducks.

ABSTRACT: Conservation of long-distance migratory species poses unique challenges. Migratory connectivity, that is, the extent to which groupings of individuals at breeding sites are maintained in wintering areas, is frequently used to evaluate population structure and assess use of key habitat areas. However, for species with complex or variable annual cycle movements, this traditional bimodal framework of migratory connectivity may be overly simplistic. Like many other waterfowl, sea ducks often travel to specific pre- and post-breeding sites outside their nesting and wintering areas to prepare for migration by feeding extensively and, in some cases, molting their flight feathers. These additional migrations may play a key role in population structure, but are not included in traditional models of

SUBMITTER: Lamb JS 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC6851985 | biostudies-literature | 2019 Jul

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature