Climate, habitat and demography predict dispersal by an endangered bird in a fragmented landscape

Journal of Applied Ecology, Год журнала: 2025, Номер unknown

Опубликована: Март 25, 2025

Abstract Worldwide, biodiversity is threatened by human‐induced habitat degradation and fragmentation. Dispersal, particularly long‐distance dispersal between isolated fragments, key for population connectivity species persistence in the face of environmental change. However, we lack an understanding how fragmentation itself affect process. To identify conditions that promote or constrain connectivity, need to reveal habitat, demographic, climatic drive success distance. This challenging, however, because detecting events wild animals, especially over long distances, notoriously difficult. Here address this Endangered purple‐crowned fairy‐wren, Malurus coronatus , a small cooperatively breeding songbird which individuals can opt delay natal dispersal, are able consistently detect colour‐marked individuals, including distances. Thus, assessment drivers distance achievable. Using data from 17‐year study, analyse probability 796 206 (up 68 km). We show poorer quality associated with more frequent greater Additionally, low density promotes while higher rainfall (which increases food availability several months), during wet season, distance, at high densities. indicates that, when saturated, favourable may allow birds successfully disperse distances required connect fragments. Policy implications . Our findings suggest such require benign conditions, presumably limit its cost. results highlight integrate impacts climate change assessing connectivity. recommend conservation management actions targeted increasing source as important first step promoting fragments via dispersal.

Язык: Английский

Best of both worlds? Helpers in a cooperative fairy-wren assist most to breeding pairs that comprise a potential mate and a relative

Royal Society Open Science, Год журнала: 2023, Номер 10(11)

Опубликована: Ноя. 1, 2023

In cooperative breeders, individuals forego independent reproduction and help others raise offspring. Helping is proposed to be driven by indirect benefits from raising relatives, and/or direct additional recruits or helping itself. We propose that consideration of social context also important, in particular the characteristics breeding pair: may serve lighten workload of—or maintain bonds with—breeders (e.g. kin, potential mates) who turn can offer helpers prolonged nepotism, future mating, production relatives). Here, we test this hypothesis, while controlling for offspring, purple-crowned fairy-wrens ( Malurus coronatus ) exhibiting variation group composition, thus, breeder value. show helper provisioning rates nest were explained breeders assisted, rather than The presence at least one related was a prerequisite help, but provisioned most if assisting relative mate. Neglecting take composition into account would have led misinterpretation our results. A comprehensive understanding evolution hence requires nuanced context.

Язык: Английский