Ecological traps : evidence of a fitness cost in a cavity-nesting bird

© 2021. The Author(s)..

Habitat quality has direct effects on the evolutionary fitness of breeding organisms, which is why it is believed that animals tend to have an evolved preference for the best possible habitats. However, some animals may mistakenly choose to reproduce in habitats that decrease their fitness, resulting in 'ecological traps'. In this study, we tested whether great tits (Parus major) attracted to areas affected by outbreaks of the great web-spinning sawfly (Acantholyda posticalis) had fitness detriments characteristic of ecological traps. Sawfly larvae consume pine needles, which decreases resource availability for birds co-habiting the forest. Using artificial nesting sites, we found that great tits inhabiting areas of sawfly outbreaks had similar clutch sizes as tits breeding in healthy forest patches; however, the fledgling number was significantly lower, and fledgling condition was worse in the damaged forests. While moth larvae are the most important food for bird nestlings, the forest patches damaged by sawflies had lower larval biomass. Although most ecological traps occur in environments altered by humans, this study shows that pest insects can lower habitat quality, forming ecological traps. Our results indicate that attracting cavity-nesting birds should be done with caution because it may negatively impact birds' nutritional status and reproductive fitness.

Medienart:

E-Artikel

Erscheinungsjahr:

2021

Erschienen:

2021

Enthalten in:

Zur Gesamtaufnahme - volume:196

Enthalten in:

Oecologia - 196(2021), 3 vom: 29. Juli, Seite 735-745

Sprache:

Englisch

Beteiligte Personen:

Krams, Ronalds [VerfasserIn]
Krama, Tatjana [VerfasserIn]
Brūmelis, Guntis [VerfasserIn]
Elferts, Didzis [VerfasserIn]
Strode, Linda [VerfasserIn]
Dauškane, Iluta [VerfasserIn]
Luoto, Severi [VerfasserIn]
Šmits, Agnis [VerfasserIn]
Krams, Indrikis A [VerfasserIn]

Links:

Volltext

Themen:

Behavioral ecology
Cavity-nesting birds
Ecological traps
Fitness cost
Great tits
Journal Article
Resources

Anmerkungen:

Date Completed 22.07.2021

Date Revised 12.11.2021

published: Print-Electronic

Citation Status MEDLINE

doi:

10.1007/s00442-021-04969-w

funding:

Förderinstitution / Projekttitel:

PPN (Katalog-ID):

NLM32702920X