Dissertation Research: Winter Habitat Segregation in a Neotropical Migrant Bird: Implications for Year-round Population Dynamics

9423591福尔摩斯这项博士研究项目结合了种群生物学和行为生态学的各个方面，研究了一只新热带鸟类迁徙(Setophaga Ruticilla)在其越冬场地上栖息地分布的模式和机制及其对种群的影响。初步数据表明，雌性在不同的、可能不太受欢迎的栖息地被发现，在那里，它们的越冬持久性(存活率)显著低于雄性，在冬季减轻的体重比在更合适的栖息地的雄性要低得多。这项研究的具体目的是测试社会优势是否是产生这种栖息地占用模式的机制，并确定是否会对生理条件和生存造成影响。这项研究的结果将有助于了解新热带候鸟的种群生物学，了解其数量下降的可能原因，并进一步对制定合理的保护策略至关重要。

9423591 HOLMES This doctoral research project integrates aspects of population biology and behavioral ecology to examine the patterns and mechanisms of habitat distribution and their population consequences of a Neotropical avian migrant (Setophaga ruticilla) on its wintering grounds. Preliminary data suggest that females are found in distinct and perhaps less preferable habitats, where they experience significantly lower overwinter persistence (survival) and lose more weight over winter than do males in more suitable habitat. The specific objectives of this research are to test whether social dominance is the mechanism producing this pattern of habitat occupancy, and to determine if there are consequences to physiological condition and survival. Results of this research will contribute to understanding the population biology of Neotropical migrant birds, the possible causes of their declining abundances, and furthermore, is essential to the development of sound conservation strategies.