Migratory connectivity and effects of winter temperatures on migratory behaviour of the European robin Erithacus rubecula: a continent‐wide analysis

Abstract

Many partially migratory species show phenotypically divergent populations in terms of migratory behaviour, with climate hypothesized to be a major driver of such variability through its differential effects on sedentary and migratory individuals. Based on long-term (1947-2011) bird ringing data, we analysed phenotypic differentiation of migratory behaviour among populations of the European robin Erithacus rubecula across Europe. We showed that clusters of populations sharing breeding and wintering ranges varied from partial (British Isles and Western Europe, NW cluster) to completely migratory (Scandinavia and north-eastern Europe, NE cluster). Distance migrated by birds of the NE (but not of the NW) cluster decreased through time because of a north-eastwards shift in the wintering grounds. Moreover, when winter temperatures in the breeding areas were cold, individuals from the NE cluster also migrated longer distances, while those of the NW cluster moved over shorter distances. Climatic conditions may therefore affect migratory behaviour of robins, although large geographical variation in response to climate seems to exist.

Natal origins and timing of migration of two passerine species through the southern Alps: inferences from multiple stable isotopes (δ2H,δ13C,δ15N,δ34S) and ringing data

“…Our results indicate that many individuals ringed in western Russia were recaptured in the Italian Alps, and the low variability of d 2 H f for this species supports this origin (Bowen & Revenaugh 2003, Bowen et al 2005. For Robins, a corridor that connects the southern Baltic region with the central Alps clearly emerges, again showing how autumnal movement orientates on a main south-western route (Ambrosini et al 2016, Collar 2017. The passage takes place according to a clear trend in which individuals were of increasingly northern origin with advancing migratory season; however, the overwhelming majority were assigned to a central European area and only a few came from the Alps or Scandinavia.…”

Quantifying the strength of migratory connectivity

“…Populations with strong migratory connectivity may be adapted to local environments and at greater risk from localized threats, while populations with weak migratory connectivity may be adapted to environments that occur across a larger geographic area and be more buffered from localized threats (Ambrosini et al., ; Cresswell, ). Therefore, the strength of migratory connectivity is a demographic metric, like age ratios, fertility rates, and genetic relatedness (e.g., F st ; Meirmans & Hedrick, ), with profound consequences for populations and species.…”

Plasticity and cross‐tolerance to heterogeneous environments: divergent stress responses co‐evolved in an African fruit fly

“…Chief among them perhaps are concerns surrounding the increased incidence of extreme weather events (e.g. cold snaps, heat waves) (Gunderson et al, 2016;Williams et al, 2016), or atypical seasons (warming winters) (Ambrosini et al, 2016;Shepherd, 2016;Uelmen et al, 2016), the relative importance of changing means vs. extremes (Camacho et al, 2015;Sheldon & Dillon, 2016) and their implications for estimating population dynamics of insect pest species, disease vectors or those of conservation concern (Walther et al, 2002;Williams et al, 2015;Boggs, 2016). Increased mean temperature and variability thereof affect insects' life history and demography (Khaliq et al, 2014;Colinet et al, 2015) and thus population dynamics and biogeography (Hoffmann et al, 2003;Lobo, 2016;Torossian et al, 2016).…”