Non-breeding niche overlap of three North Atlantic alcid species
Abstract: Although our understanding of the foraging ecology of adult seabirds has been greatly enhanced by the development of biochemical analyses as well as the miniaturization of tracking devices, there remains limited information on important foraging areas during the non-breeding season. Even l...
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| Format: | Article in Journal/Newspaper |
| Language: | unknown |
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Underline Science Inc.
2021
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| Online Access: | https://dx.doi.org/10.48448/50jn-aa06 https://underline.io/lecture/34727-non-breeding-niche-overlap-of-three-north-atlantic-alcid-species |
| Summary: | Abstract: Although our understanding of the foraging ecology of adult seabirds has been greatly enhanced by the development of biochemical analyses as well as the miniaturization of tracking devices, there remains limited information on important foraging areas during the non-breeding season. Even less is known about the spatial and dietary overlap of seabird species during the non-breeding season, which could lead to interspecific competition during low productivity winter conditions. We aimed to quantify spatial niche overlap among Common Murres (Uria aalge), Razorbills (Alca torda), and Atlantic Puffins (Fratercula arctica) outside the breeding season. Using data from geolocators deployed on puffins, razorbills, and murres during July 2019 and 2020 in coastal Newfoundland and retrieved the following summers, we developed kernel density maps throughout the non-breeding period in both years. Seasonal utilization distributions of each alcid species indicate low spatial overlap during most months in the non-breeding period, with exceptions in early fall, and for some puffins that overlapped with razorbills along the North American coast. Our next steps will combine these spatial analyses with exploration of isotopic niche overlap, using bulk and compound-specific stable isotope analysis of feathers grown during different parts of the non-breeding season. Elucidating the overwintering overlap along spatial and isotopic niche axes for these three alcid species increases our understanding of potential interspecific interactions during a formerly understudied phase of the annual cycle, thereby enhancing our ability to predict seabird responses to varying environmental conditions. Authors: Emily Runnells¹, Gail Davoren¹ ¹University of Manitoba |
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