White Tern (Gygis alba)

Niethammer, Kenneth R.; Patrick, Laura B.

doi:10.2173/bna.371

Cited by 6 publications

(2 citation statements)

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“…Low reproductive success rates, as those found in this study, are not uncommon among White Tern populations (Dorward 1963, Diamond & Prŷs‐Jones 1986, Niethammer & Patrick‐Castilaw 1998). Nevertheless, without information on aspects such as the breeding frequency, age of first breeding and adult and immature survival, it is not possible to judge whether these low success rates are sustainable.…”

Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 72%

Does interference competition explain why White Terns of Aride Island, Seychelles, breed predominantly when marine productivity is lower?

Catry

Ramos

Sampson

et al. 2009

Ibis

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White Terns Gygis alba breed throughout the year on Aride Island but show a marked preference to nest during the northwest monsoon (November–March), when interspecific competition and also marine productivity are considered to be lower. In this study we investigated and compared breeding and foraging parameters of White Terns between the northwest and southeast (May–September) monsoons to assess whether interspecific competition affected foraging activity and explained the timing of breeding of White Terns. Goatfish (Mullidae) dominated the diet of White Terns and no significant differences were found in diet composition between the northwest and southeast monsoons. Similar diets and patterns of food provisioning of White Terns between the two monsoons do not support the hypothesis of strong exploitation competition during the southeast monsoon. On the other hand, foraging behaviour and frequency of capture attempts of White Terns differed between the two monsoons. The percentages of multi‐species flocks with White Terns and of large flocks with more than 25 noddies Anous and terns Onychoprion were significantly higher during the southeast monsoon. Moreover, capture attempt frequencies of White Terns foraging in multi‐species flocks were lower than those of solitary individuals, and both solitary and flocking White Terns had significantly lower capture attempt frequencies during the southeast monsoon in comparison with the northwest monsoon. These results suggest that interference competition depresses foraging activity of flock‐foraging White Terns, particularly during the southeast monsoon, which could potentially explain why White Terns breed preferentially during the northwest monsoon. However, and despite avoiding interference competition, White Terns nesting during the northwest monsoon did not show higher breeding success than those nesting during the southeast monsoon. Other hypotheses that might explain the preference of White Terns for breeding during the northwest monsoon, such as avoidance of agonistic interactions with Lesser Noddies Anous tenuirostris at nest sites, should also be investigated.

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Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 72%

Does interference competition explain why White Terns of Aride Island, Seychelles, breed predominantly when marine productivity is lower?

Catry

Ramos

Sampson

et al. 2009

Ibis

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“…We found that HY tern begging increased linearly with time of day, such that the frequency of begging increased consistently throughout the day and peaked at the end of the day. It is unlikely that much if any feeding occurs overnight because roseate terns fish by sight (but see Niethammer & Patrick, ). Only on the most well‐lit full moon nights would it be feasible for roseate terns to successfully fish during the night hours.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Begging behavior as an honest signal of need and parent–offspring association during the postfledging dependency period

Davis

Karpanty

Spendelow

et al. 2019

Ecology and Evolution

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Honest signaling mechanisms can function to appropriate care to hungry offspring and avoid misdirected care of unrelated offspring. Begging, the behavior by which offspring solicit food and parental care, may be an honest signaling mechanism for need, as well as association of parents and offspring. Roseate terns ( Sterna dougallii ) exhibit prolonged parental care during the postbreeding staging period, offering an ideal system in which to study begging as an honest signaling mechanism. We conducted focal sampling during two premigratory staging seasons (2014 and 2015) at Cape Cod National Seashore, Massachusetts, USA to determine whether postfledging tern begging behavior was an honest signal for need and parent–offspring association. Based on honest signaling theory, we expected begging behavior to be highest during times of high perceived need, and we expected to see a decrease in begging behavior as young terns became increasingly independent of the care‐giving parent. Also, we predicted that young terns would be more likely to beg at parents than nonparents. We found that young roseate terns begged at their parents more often than nonparents; however, they did not always beg at parents. Model predictions of begging probability showed a linear relationship between begging and time of day and date of season, such that begging increased with time of day and decreased with date of season, respectively. Our results provide evidence for honest parent–offspring interactions and are inconsistent with parent–offspring conflict theory but suggest that begging may play a complex role in postfledging parent–offspring interactions. OPEN RESEARCH BADGES This article has been awarded Open Data, Open materials Badges. All materials and data are publicly accessible via the Open Science Framework at https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.2656718 .

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Effects of Size and Migratory Behavior on the Evolution of Wing Molt in Terns (Sternae): A Phylogenetic-Comparative Study

Bridge

Voelker

Thompson

et al. 2007

The Auk

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Approximately 60% of the 45 species of terns (Sternae) have an unusual form of wing molt in which a variable number of inner primaries and outer secondaries are replaced two or three times in a single year—a process that has been called “repeated molt.” Although several hypotheses have been proposed for the maintenance of repeated molt, few data exist regarding potential selective forces that may have favored the evolution of this molt strategy, and there are no explanations for the high degree of interspecific variation in the extent of repeated molt. Preliminary investigations indicated that large terns tended to have less repeated molt than small terns and that the presence of repeated molt appeared to be associated with migratory behavior. We examined these initial findings by combining data from the literature, from examinations of museum specimens, and from a recent molecular phylogeny of the terns to perform phylogenetic-comparative tests. First, we used independent contrasts to verify that the association between large terns and less repeated molt was significant and not a result of shared ancestry. Second, we used tests for binary character association to evaluate the apparent link between repeated molt and migratory behavior. The results of these tests, along with reconstructions of ancestral states, led to a potential explanation for the origin of repeated molt, in which a tropical, sedentary ancestor gave rise to several lineages that spread to temperate areas and adopted a migratory life history. With this shift to a more seasonal regime came shortened breeding periods and perhaps more time for molt, which could have led to modifications of the ancestral molting strategy and the origin of repeated molt. Efectos del Tamaño y del Comportamiento Migratorio en la Evolución de la Muda del Ala en los Gaviotines (Sternae): Un Estudio Filogenético Comparativo

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White Tern (Gygis alba)

Cited by 6 publications

References 0 publications

Does interference competition explain why White Terns of Aride Island, Seychelles, breed predominantly when marine productivity is lower?

Does interference competition explain why White Terns of Aride Island, Seychelles, breed predominantly when marine productivity is lower?

Begging behavior as an honest signal of need and parent–offspring association during the postfledging dependency period

Effects of Size and Migratory Behavior on the Evolution of Wing Molt in Terns (Sternae): A Phylogenetic-Comparative Study

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