Viewing animal migration through a social lens

Aikens, Ellen O.; Bontekoe, Iris D.; Blumenstiel, Lara; Schlicksupp, Anna; Flack, Andrea

doi:10.1016/j.tree.2022.06.008

Cited by 47 publications

(38 citation statements)

References 102 publications

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“…We therefore propose that migratory orientation responses to coastal and habitat cues could be both inherited and mediated or triggered by magnetic information during the long-distance phase of migration, similarly to energetic and stopover decisions (86,87). Given that geomagnetic and celestial cues are fairly stable within migratory periods, we speculate that inherited compass information is typically primary, at least among long-distance nocturnally-migrating birds (6,16), though the degrees to which other environmental and social cues refine and modulate this programme remain to be clarified (4,88,89).…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 97%

“…Myriads of migrating animals undertake seasonal journeys across regional to cross-continentalscales (1,2). For many migratory populations, seasonal routes are primarily mediated culturally, i.e., by collective and social cues (3,4). However, many long-distance migrants such as butterflies, sea turtles and night-migratory songbirds, migrate largely independently (5)(6)(7).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Gauge-and-compass migration: inherited magnetic headings and signposts can adapt to changing geomagnetic landscapes

McLaren

Schmaljohann²,

Blasius³

2022

Preprint

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For many migratory species, inexperienced (naïve) individuals reach remote non-breeding areas independently using inherited headings and geomagnetic compass cues. naïve migrants are also proposed to detour regions with unfavourable habitat or currents using inherited geomagnetic signposts to trigger changes in migratory headings. However, it remains unexplored whether migration based on inherited geomagnetic traits (headings and/or signposts) is viable at population levels, particularly in regions with strong spatial geomagnetic gradients or long-term geomagnetic changes. To address this unknown, we developed a migration model incorporating spatiotemporal geomagnetic data (1900-2015) and an evolutionary algorithm, accounting for trans-generational changes in inherited geomagnetic traits through population mixing and natal dispersal. Using this model, we assessed songbird migration from a highly unstable geomagnetic region (East-arctic North America and Greenland) via Europe to Africa. Model-evolved geomagnetic-based migration was (i) consistently successful over the 116-year period, (ii) up to twice as successful when geomagnetic-signposted compared with non-signposted migration, and (iii) consistent with records of detoured trans-Atlantic songbird migration in the wild. Our study supports the long-term viability of geomagnetic migratory headings, the benefit of inherited geomagnetic signposts, and illustrates how migratory orientation programs can mediate evolution of routes, in response to global environmental change.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 97%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Gauge-and-compass migration: inherited magnetic headings and signposts can adapt to changing geomagnetic landscapes

McLaren

Schmaljohann²,

Blasius³

2022

Preprint

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“…Because sperm whales echolocate to find prey, long-distance acoustic information on the foraging behavior of conspecifics might further direct this search, similar to the "mobile sensory networks" formed by echolocating bats (51). Social learning of foraging and movement strategies could also play a role (52,53), as sperm whales are highly-social animals (30).…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Acoustic evidence for seasonal resource-tracking migration by a top predator of the deep sea

Oestreich¹,

Benoit‐Bird²,

Abrahms³

et al. 2023

Preprint

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The strategies that animals employ to track resources through space and time are central to their ecology and ability to adapt to environmental variation. These spatiotemporal movement patterns also reflect underlying ecosystem phenology. In ecosystems influenced by seasonal variation in solar angle, the fitness of many diverse taxa depends on seasonal movements to track resources along latitudinal or elevational gradients. Deep pelagic ecosystems, where sunlight is extremely limited or entirely absent, represent Earth’s largest habitable space and yet ecosystem phenology and effective animal movement strategies in this system are unknown. Here, we combine long-term passive acoustic monitoring data with movement simulations to test a suite of movement strategies for foraging predators in the deep pelagic. Using automated methods applied to more than seven years of acoustic data in the Central California Current System (CCCS), we find evidence for seasonal, latitudinal migratory movements in a deep pelagic top predator, the sperm whale (Physeter macrocephalus). Our analyses reveal seasonal and interannual variability in the presence of foraging whales in the CCCS. Importantly, while these highly-mobile predators of the deep are often described as nomadic, integration of population-level acoustic observations with simulations of individual-level movement instead provides first evidence that this sperm whale population undertakes a seasonal resource-tracking migration. These findings improve understanding of the drivers and flexibility of long-distance movements in this cryptic predator inhabiting a difficult-to-observe ecosystem. More broadly, these migratory movement patterns indicate previously unknown environmental seasonality at depth, thus shedding light on the shrouded phenology of deep pelagic ecosystems.

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“…Energy status can play a key role in the decision to migrate [ 13 , 14 ], and future research could expand on previous work by explicitly linking temporally variable prey landscapes and energy status to migration. Another emerging direction in studies of migration is how social cues and interactions may affect migration [ 115 ]. In many cases, migration can be a collective decision and migrating as a group can assist in navigation, conserve energy through schooling behaviors, and provide safety in numbers from predators [ 6 , 116 , 117 ].…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Primed and cued: long-term acoustic telemetry links interannual and seasonal variations in freshwater flows to the spawning migrations of Common Snook in the Florida Everglades

et al. 2022

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Background Spawning migrations are a widespread phenomenon among fishes, often occurring in response to environmental conditions prompting movement into reproductive habitats (migratory cues). However, for many species, individual fish may choose not to migrate, and research suggests that conditions preceding the spawning season (migratory primers) may influence this decision. Few studies have provided empirical descriptions of these prior conditions, partly due to a lack of long-term data allowing for robust multi-year comparisons. To investigate how primers and cues interact to shape the spawning migrations of coastal fishes, we use acoustic telemetry data from Common Snook (Centropomus undecimalis) in Everglades National Park, Florida, USA. A contingent of Snook migrate between rivers and coastal spawning sites, varying annually in both the proportion of the population that migrates and the timing of migration within the spawning season. However, the specific environmental factors that serve as migratory primers and cues remain unknown. Methods We used eight years of acoustic telemetry data (2012–2019) from 173 tagged Common Snook to investigate how primers and cues influence migratory patterns at different temporal scales. We hypothesize that (1) interannual differences in hydrologic conditions preceding the spawning season contribute to the number of individuals migrating each year, and (2) specific environmental cues trigger the timing of migrations during the spawning season. We used GLMMs to model both the annual and seasonal migratory response in relation to flow characteristics (water level, rate of change in water level), other hydrologic/abiotic conditions (temperature, salinity), fish size, and phenological cues independent of riverine conditions (photoperiod, lunar cycle). Results We found that the extent of minimum marsh water level prior to migration and fish size influence the proportion of Snook migrating each year, and that high river water level and daily rates of change serve as primary cues triggering migration timing. Conclusion Our findings illustrate how spawning migrations are shaped by environmental factors acting at different temporal scales and emphasize the importance of long-term movement data in understanding these patterns. Research providing mechanistic descriptions of conditions that promote migration and reproduction can help inform management decisions aimed at conserving ecologically and economically important species.

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Viewing animal migration through a social lens

Cited by 47 publications

References 102 publications

Gauge-and-compass migration: inherited magnetic headings and signposts can adapt to changing geomagnetic landscapes

Gauge-and-compass migration: inherited magnetic headings and signposts can adapt to changing geomagnetic landscapes

Acoustic evidence for seasonal resource-tracking migration by a top predator of the deep sea

Primed and cued: long-term acoustic telemetry links interannual and seasonal variations in freshwater flows to the spawning migrations of Common Snook in the Florida Everglades

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