Variation in the Timing of Breeding and Molt of the Lapland Longspur (Calcarius lapponicus) in Alaska, with Relation to Differences in Latitude

The synchrony of events in the annual breeding and molt cycles of Lapland longspur is less marked on Amchitka than at more northern areas, indicating flexibility in this adaptation to life. Breeding activities peak about 15 days later at Amchitka than at Cape Thompson. The molting period is prolonge...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:BioScience
Main Authors: Williamson, F. S. L., Emison, W. B.
Format: Text
Language:English
Published: Oxford University Press 1971
Subjects:
Online Access:http://bioscience.oxfordjournals.org/cgi/content/short/21/12/701
https://doi.org/10.2307/1295752
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Summary:The synchrony of events in the annual breeding and molt cycles of Lapland longspur is less marked on Amchitka than at more northern areas, indicating flexibility in this adaptation to life. Breeding activities peak about 15 days later at Amchitka than at Cape Thompson. The molting period is prolonged in the Amchitka population but individual molts require about 50 to 60 days, as in northern areas.