Differences in phenology across three trophic levels between two Afrotropical sites separated by four degrees latitude

Author:

Jarrett Crinan123ORCID,Simon Ojodomo Godday4ORCID,Tchana Christian N.356,Pev Thaddeus Apezan4,Meigang Kamkeng Michelle Fany36,Wandji Alain Christel36,Manu Shiiwua A.4,Tchoumbou Mélanie Adèle37,Helm Barbara12,Powell Luke L.2389,Nwaogu Chima J.1410

Affiliation:

1. Swiss Ornithological Institute Bird Migration Unit Sempach Switzerland

2. School of Biodiversity, One Health and Veterinary Medicine, College of Medical, Veterinary and Life Sciences University of Glasgow Glasgow UK

3. Biodiversity Initiative Houghton Michigan USA

4. A.P. Leventis Ornithological Research Institute Jos Nigeria

5. Department of Biology‐Ecology, Faculty of Sciences University of Montpellier Montpellier France

6. Department of Animal Biology and Physiology, Faculty of Sciences University of Yaoundé 1 Yaounde Cameroon

7. Šivickis Laboratory of Parasitology Nature Research Center Vilnius Lithuania

8. CIBIO‐InBIO, Research Centre in Biodiversity and Genetic Resources University of Porto Vairão Portugal

9. BIOPOLIS Program in Genomics, Biodiversity and Land Planning CIBIO Vairão Portugal

10. FitzPatrick Institute of African Ornithology, DST‐NRF Centre of Excellence University of Cape Town Cape Town South Africa

Abstract

AbstractBirds time their life cycle events to favourable windows in environmental conditions. In tropical environments, where photoperiod variation is small, birds show high variability in the timing of life cycle stages, yet these species have been severely underrepresented in phenology research. Here, we investigated temporal patterns in bird life cycles and resource availability in two sites in tropical Africa: Weppa (Nigeria, 7° N) and Elat (Cameroon, 3° N). In these sites we captured common bulbuls (Pycnonotus barbatus), a widespread generalist, and recorded breeding and moult over a 12‐month period. Simultaneously, we surveyed fruiting tree and arthropod abundance. Our aim was to quantify seasonal patterns in moult and breeding in bulbuls at both sites, and link them to fluctuations in local fruit and arthropod abundance and precipitation. Moult was more seasonal than breeding in both sites, and seasonality of both life cycle events was stronger in Nigeria than Cameroon. The peak timing for moult was 1.5 months earlier in Nigeria than Cameroon. Seasonal variation in abundance of fruiting trees and arthropods was different between sites, as were the associations with breeding and moulting. In Nigeria, we found a positive association between moult and arthropod abundance, and a negative one with fruiting tree abundance. In contrast, in Cameroon moult was associated with higher precipitation, while breeding occurred at times with higher fruit abundance. Our results provide evidence that, even in similar habitats separated by four degrees in latitude, seasonal patterns across three trophic levels are variable. Understanding links between environmental conditions and life cycle events can reveal potential vulnerabilities of tropical species, and guide conservation efforts.

Funder

Horizon 2020 Framework Programme

Royal Society of Edinburgh

Publisher

Wiley

Reference47 articles.

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