Individual specialization in the foraging and feeding strategies of seabirds: a review

Ceia, Filipe R.; Ramos, Jaime A.

doi:10.1007/s00227-015-2735-4

Cited by 132 publications

(123 citation statements)

References 119 publications

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“…These results are coherent with the prediction that some generalist or opportunistic species are composed of ecologically heterogeneous individuals that repeatedly differ in behaviour and use of different subsets of available resources (Bolnick et al 2002, Bearhop et al 2004, Bell et al 2009). Individual specialization is known to be widespread across a diverse set of taxa (Bolnick et al 2003, Bell et al 2009, Ceia & Ramos 2015, including different seabird species and other marine predators (e.g. Vander Zanden et al 2010, Votier et al 2010, Masello et al 2013, Ceia & Ramos 2015, Tyson et al 2015, Towner et al 2016, Yurkowski et al 2016.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Individual specialization is known to be widespread across a diverse set of taxa (Bolnick et al 2003, Bell et al 2009, Ceia & Ramos 2015, including different seabird species and other marine predators (e.g. Vander Zanden et al 2010, Votier et al 2010, Masello et al 2013, Ceia & Ramos 2015, Tyson et al 2015, Towner et al 2016, Yurkowski et al 2016. In general, individual specialization may have a strong impact on ecological processes and population dynamics, and there is evidence that this mechanism may reduce intra-specific competition among individuals, increase individual foraging efficiency and improve breeding success (Pierotti & Annett 1991, Bolnick et al 2003, Woo et al 2008, Araújo et al 2011.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Although this simplification can be useful to provide an overview of population-level feeding preferences or population dynamics (Ramos et al 2011, Payo-Payo et al 2015, taking into account the individual component within populations is essential for a better understanding of the main ecological mechanisms related to the success of winning species (Grémillet et al 1999, Cardador et al 2012, Chapple et al 2012, Liebl & Martin 2014, Ceia & Ramos 2015, Potier et al 2015 Individual specialization occurs when some individuals within a population utilize only a subset of the resources that the population uses as a whole. This may be expressed via an animal's diet, patterns of movement or other specific behaviour (Bolnick et al 2003, Matich et al 2011, Ceia & Ramos 2015. Individual specialization may vary between populations and across species, which may further enhance ecological consequences at the individual level (Bolnick et al 2003, Araújo et al 2011.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…This gull is also considered a pest within urban, agricultural and coastal areas (Vidal et al 1998). Based on previous information (Ceia et al 2014, Tyson et al 2015, Ceia & Ramos 2015, we hypothesized that yellow-legged gulls present a significant level of individual differences in habitat use. Specifically, we predicted that individuals within the population would show niche segregation with respect to habitat use.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Shifting individual habitat specialization of a successful predator living in anthropogenic landscapes

Navarro¹,

Grémillet²,

Ramírez³

et al. 2017

Mar. Ecol. Prog. Ser.

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Population expansions of successful species have gained importance as a major conservation and management concern. The success of these 'winners' is widely attributed to their high adaptability and behavioural plasticity, which allow them to efficiently use opportunities provided by human-modified habitats. However, most of these studies consider conspecifics as ecological equivalents, without considering the individual components within populations. This is critical for a better understanding of the main ecological mechanisms related to the success of winning species. Here, we investigated the spatial ecology of the opportunistic yellow-legged gull Larus michahellis, a clear example of a winning species in southern Europe, to examine its degree of individual specialization in habitat use. To test for such individual strategies, we applied specialization metrics to spatial data obtained from 18 yellow-legged gulls that were GPS-tracked simultaneously during the breeding season. The results revealed that population-level generalism in habitat use in the yellow-legged gull arises through varying levels of individual specialization, and individual spatial segregation within each habitat. Importantly, we found that the combination of individual specialization and individual spatial segregation may reduce intra-specific competition, with these 2 important mechanisms driving the success of this winning species.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

See 2 more Smart Citations

Shifting individual habitat specialization of a successful predator living in anthropogenic landscapes

Navarro¹,

Grémillet²,

Ramírez³

et al. 2017

Mar. Ecol. Prog. Ser.

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

show abstract

“…Intraspecific variability in foraging behavior is widespread across a variety of taxonomic groups, even among individuals within the same demographic group (Bolnick et al 2003;Araújo et al 2011;Ceia and Ramos 2015). This variability may arise as a result of intrinsic factors such as individual differences in physiology, morphology, or behavior (Killen et al 2011;Patrick and Weimerskirch 2014;Hoskins et al 2015), or from external factors such as prey and habitat availability (Svanbäck and Bolnick 2005;Kernaléguen et al 2015;Newsome et al 2015;Rosenblatt et al 2015).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Foraging strategies of a generalist marine predator inhabiting a dynamic environment

et al. 2016

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reflect changes in prey availability. Deep-diving sea lions traveled shorter distances and spent a greater proportion of time at the rookery than sea lions using the other two strategies, which may have energetic and reproductive implications. These results highlight the importance of an individual-based approach in describing the foraging behavior of female California sea lions and understanding how they respond to the seasonal and annual changes in prey availability that characterize the California Current System.

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Seasonal and circadian patterns of herring gull (Larus smithsoniansus) movements reveal temporal shifts in industry and coastal island interaction

Gutowsky,

Baak,

Craik

et al. 2023

Ecol Sol and Evidence

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Anthropogenic food subsidies attract opportunistic generalists like gulls in high densities, which may lead to negative impacts on human communities and local ecosystems. Managing impacts requires understanding why gulls use particular natural or industrial sites at different times of day or phases of the breeding cycle. Use of natural and human‐influenced habitats likely varies temporally as gulls alter schedules and site selection to match the predictability of different resources as they vary through space and time relative to patterns in human activities (seasonal industries, the work week, working hours) and natural rhythms (daylight, tide cycles), while gull resource requirements and restrictions to movement also shift with changing reproductive demands. We quantified seasonal and circadian patterns in American herring gull (Larus smithsoniansus) interactions with anthropogenic and natural sites throughout breeding using GPS data from 15 gulls tracked over 3 years from two colonies. We examined the weekly probability of gull occurrence at distinct destinations (e.g. breeding colony, islands, offshore, fish processing plants), and how occurrence varied with time of day, weekday/weekend, tide phase and colony, using GLMMs with a binomial response for destination‐specific occurrence. Probability at the colony varied predictably through the breeding season (highest attendance from dusk to dawn, during incubation and early chick rearing), providing confidence in the modelling approach for detecting temporal patterns in behaviour. Gulls visited other islands mostly outside incubation and early chick rearing, and from dusk through the night, likely roosting. Occurrence offshore where interaction with fishing vessels is possible was highest from dusk to dawn, and differed among colonies, but was the most likely destination during incubation and early chick rearing. Occurrence at fish plants gradually increased until after fledging when attendance was highest from Aug‐Oct coincident with the peak of Atlantic herring (Clupea harengus) processing and was more likely during the weekdays, during working hours, and during low and flood tide. Gulls in southwest Nova Scotia, Canada, have the behavioural flexibility to adapt to both natural rhythms and human schedules when beneficial, enabling them to thrive in a region where industry and natural resources are abundant. These findings can provide information to guide when and where to test different subsidy management strategies locally, while also considering potential increased pressures on island ecosystems. We emphasise that management outcomes of reductions of food subsidies for opportunistic species depend on multiple factors, including availability of alternative food sources and timing of use.

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Individual specialization in the foraging and feeding strategies of seabirds: a review

Cited by 132 publications

References 119 publications

Shifting individual habitat specialization of a successful predator living in anthropogenic landscapes

Shifting individual habitat specialization of a successful predator living in anthropogenic landscapes

Foraging strategies of a generalist marine predator inhabiting a dynamic environment

Seasonal and circadian patterns of herring gull (Larus smithsoniansus) movements reveal temporal shifts in industry and coastal island interaction

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