Early evidence of natal-habitat preference: Juvenile loons feed on natal-like lakes after fledging.

ABSTRACT: Many species show natal habitat preference induction (NHPI), a behavior in which young adults select habitats similar to those in which they were raised. However, we know little about how NHPI develops in natural systems. Here, we tested for NHPI in juvenile common loons (Gavia immer) that foraged on lakes in the vicinity of their natal lake after fledging. Juveniles visited lakes similar in pH to their natal lakes, and this significant effect persisted after controlling for spatial autocorrelation. On the other hand, juveniles showed no preference for foraging lakes of similar size to their natal one. When lakes were assigned to discrete classes based on size, depth, visibility, and trophic complexity, both juveniles from large lakes and small lakes preferred to visit large, trophi

SUBMITTER: Hoover BA 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC7863666 | biostudies-literature | 2021 Feb

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature