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Leave Earlier or Travel Faster? Optimal Mechanisms for Managing Arrival Time in Migratory Songbirds

Morbey, Yolanda E. LU and Hedenström, Anders LU (2020) In Frontiers in Ecology and Evolution 7.
Abstract

We develop an optimization model with two decision variables to explore optimal migration mechanisms to facilitate optimal breeding timing in migratory songbirds. In the model, fitness is a function of date-dependent mortality, speed-dependent predation risk, and phenological match at arrival. The model determines the optimal combination of departure date for spring migration and migration speed, which can be mediated either by the power requirement for flight (P) or foraging effort at stopover sites (k). Our model predicts that earlier departure for spring migration should be the primary mechanism underlying earlier breeding timing, with a lesser role for faster migration via lower P or higher k. In contrast, longer migration to... (More)

We develop an optimization model with two decision variables to explore optimal migration mechanisms to facilitate optimal breeding timing in migratory songbirds. In the model, fitness is a function of date-dependent mortality, speed-dependent predation risk, and phenological match at arrival. The model determines the optimal combination of departure date for spring migration and migration speed, which can be mediated either by the power requirement for flight (P) or foraging effort at stopover sites (k). Our model predicts that earlier departure for spring migration should be the primary mechanism underlying earlier breeding timing, with a lesser role for faster migration via lower P or higher k. In contrast, longer migration to breeding areas selects for both earlier departure and faster migration. Empirical data on sex-specific migration traits largely conform to model predictions, since males generally migrate earlier than females but not faster than females. In contrast, empirical data on age-specific migration traits show some disagreement with model predictions, thus implicating additional tradeoffs. In partial agreement with the model, a comparative analysis of 25 songbird species showed that populations with longer migrations migrate more quickly, but do not initiate migration earlier. Our model proves to be a useful framework for interpreting migration strategies in animals making costly seasonal migrations.

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type
Contribution to journal
publication status
published
subject
keywords
migration speed, migration timing, optimization model, Passeriformes, phenological adaptation
in
Frontiers in Ecology and Evolution
volume
7
article number
492
publisher
Frontiers Media S. A.
external identifiers
  • scopus:85078268329
ISSN
2296-701X
DOI
10.3389/fevo.2019.00492
language
English
LU publication?
yes
id
9855bfb4-5d48-4d5e-aa09-e928ff50b820
date added to LUP
2020-02-07 14:33:14
date last changed
2022-04-18 20:26:17
@article{9855bfb4-5d48-4d5e-aa09-e928ff50b820,
  abstract     = {{<p>We develop an optimization model with two decision variables to explore optimal migration mechanisms to facilitate optimal breeding timing in migratory songbirds. In the model, fitness is a function of date-dependent mortality, speed-dependent predation risk, and phenological match at arrival. The model determines the optimal combination of departure date for spring migration and migration speed, which can be mediated either by the power requirement for flight (P) or foraging effort at stopover sites (k). Our model predicts that earlier departure for spring migration should be the primary mechanism underlying earlier breeding timing, with a lesser role for faster migration via lower P or higher k. In contrast, longer migration to breeding areas selects for both earlier departure and faster migration. Empirical data on sex-specific migration traits largely conform to model predictions, since males generally migrate earlier than females but not faster than females. In contrast, empirical data on age-specific migration traits show some disagreement with model predictions, thus implicating additional tradeoffs. In partial agreement with the model, a comparative analysis of 25 songbird species showed that populations with longer migrations migrate more quickly, but do not initiate migration earlier. Our model proves to be a useful framework for interpreting migration strategies in animals making costly seasonal migrations.</p>}},
  author       = {{Morbey, Yolanda E. and Hedenström, Anders}},
  issn         = {{2296-701X}},
  keywords     = {{migration speed; migration timing; optimization model; Passeriformes; phenological adaptation}},
  language     = {{eng}},
  publisher    = {{Frontiers Media S. A.}},
  series       = {{Frontiers in Ecology and Evolution}},
  title        = {{Leave Earlier or Travel Faster? Optimal Mechanisms for Managing Arrival Time in Migratory Songbirds}},
  url          = {{http://dx.doi.org/10.3389/fevo.2019.00492}},
  doi          = {{10.3389/fevo.2019.00492}},
  volume       = {{7}},
  year         = {{2020}},
}