Population specific annual cycles and migration strategies in a leap-frog migrant

• DOI: 10.1007/s00265-021-03116-y
• Publication Date: 2021-12-28T03:02:22Z
• Authors: Linus Hedh; Juliana Dänhardt; Anders Hedenström
• Keywords: Animal ecology; Annual cycle; Plover; Charadrius; Bird migration

Abstract A common migratory pattern in birds is that northerly breeding populations migrate to more southerly non-breeding sites compared ( leap-frog migration ). Not only do experience differences distances, but also different environmental conditions, which may vary spatiotemporally within their annual cycles, creating distinctive selective pressures and strategies. Information about such adaptations important understand drivers evolution of patterns. We use light-level geolocators citizen science data on regional spring arrivals compare two ringed plover Charadrius hiaticula at latitudes. (1) describe characterize the cycles (2) test predictions regarding speed timing migration. The northern population (NBP) wintered Africa southern (SBP) mainly Europe. were shifted temporally so NBP was always later all stages. SBP spent than twice as long time area, there no difference winter. general. Spring lower autumn both populations, NBP. found a larger variation arrival times across years SBP. This suggests complex interaction specific onset, length season, proximity area shape cycle Significance statement Migration distance, climate, resulting composition are expected influence strategies birds. Testing theories behaviours challenging, intraspecific comparisons over full still rare. Here we spatiotemporal distributions latitudinally separated plovers using geolocators. long-term first dates slower temperate, short-distance population, an Arctic, long-distance population. season behaviours.