Seasonal migration alters energetic trade‐off optimization and shapes life history

Abstract

AbstractTrade‐offs between current and future reproduction manifest as a set of co‐varying life history and metabolic traits, collectively referred to as ‘pace of life’ (POL). Seasonal migration modulates environmental dynamics and putatively affects POL, however, the mechanisms by which migratory behaviour shapes POL remain unclear. We explored how migratory behaviour interacts with environmental and metabolic dynamics to shape POL. Using an individual‐based model of movement and metabolism, we compared fitness‐optimized trade‐offs among migration strategies. We found annual experienced seasonality modulated by migratory movements and distance between end‐points primarily drove POL differentiation through developmental and migration phenology trade‐offs. Similarly, our analysis of empirically estimated metabolic data from 265 bird species suggested seasonal niche tracking and migration distance interact to drive POL. We show multiple viable life‐history strategies are conducive to a migratory lifestyle. Overall, our findings suggest metabolism mediates complex interactions between behaviour, environment and life history.