Journal article
Molt patterns, age criteria, and molt-breeding dynamics in American Samoan landbirds
The Wilson journal of ornithology, v 128(1), pp 56-69
01 Mar 2016
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Abstract
We examined 135 specimens and analyzed 1,735 captures of indigenous American Samoan landbirds, of nine target species in seven families, to document molt patterns, assess the extent of molt-breeding overlap, and present criteria to determine age. Preformative molts varied from absent to complete, and there was no confirmed evidence for prealternate molts. Molt strategies, age-determination criteria, and remigial replacement sequences were largely consistent with those of other temperate and tropical bird species within the same families. Suspended and/or arrested molts were recorded in seven species and staffelmauser or stepwise molt in two species, including the first report in a passerine. Our data suggest that staffelmauser and suspension of molt in passerines may share a common underlying mechanism. Despite broad overlap of breeding and molting seasons at the population level, we observed little evidence of molt-breeding overlap at the individual level. We suggest that molt and accompanying restoration processes may take precedence over breeding, as indicated by well-defined molting seasons despite apparent year-round or bi-modal breeding in some of our species. Tropical landbird species appear to be capable of suspending molt to breed when environmental conditions shift to facilitate successful reproduction.
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Details
- Title
- Molt patterns, age criteria, and molt-breeding dynamics in American Samoan landbirds
- Creators
- Peter Pyle - The Institute for Bird PopulationsKeegan Tranquillo - P.O. Box 181, Virginville, PA 19564, USAKimiko Kayano - American Samoa GovernmentNicole Arcilla - Drexel University
- Publication Details
- The Wilson journal of ornithology, v 128(1), pp 56-69
- Publisher
- The Wilson Ornithological Society
- Number of pages
- 14
- Resource Type
- Journal article
- Language
- English
- Academic Unit
- Biodiversity, Earth, and Environmental Science (BEES)
- Web of Science ID
- WOS:000375242000005
- Scopus ID
- 2-s2.0-84966526076
- Other Identifier
- 991021883114904721
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- Web of Science research areas
- Ornithology