Burrow ambient temperature influences Helice crab activity and availability for migratory Red-crowned cranes Grus japonensis.

ABSTRACT: For migratory birds that specialize on particular benthic macroinvertebrate species, the timing of migration is critical since prey availability may be temporally limited and a function of local ambient temperature. Hence, variation in local ambient temperature can influence the diet composition of migrant birds, and, consequently, they may be constrained by which stopover and wintering sites they are able to utilize during periods of colder temperatures. Here, we use fecal analysis, observer-based population counts, digital video recordings, and temperature data to test five predictions regarding the influence of local ambient temperature on the activity and availability of mudflat crabs-a key prey resource at three staging/wintering sites in eastern China, for migratory Red-crowned crane

SUBMITTER: Li D 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC7593175 | biostudies-literature | 2020 Oct

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature