AVIS-IBIS

Birds of Indian Subcontinent

Social Interactions in the Santa Cruz Island Scrub Jay

Publication Type:Journal Article
Year of Publication:1980
Authors:Atwood, JL
Journal:The Condor
Volume:82
Issue:4
Date Published:1980
ISBN Number:00105422
Keywords:Aphelocoma, Aphelocoma californica, Aphelocoma coerulescens, Aphelocoma insularis, Corvidae, Florida, Garrulus, Garrulus glandarius
Abstract:I studied social interactions in the genetically isolated Santa Cruz Island Scrub Jay (Aphelocoma coerulescens insularis) over a five-year period. A total of 254 individuals, representing most of the population within my approximately 225-ha study area, were color-banded. This jay resembles known western mainland populations in its breeding biology and the general characteristics of its social system. Pairing is permanently monogamous, and breeders defend established territories throughout the year. This subspecies may include a higher percentage of non-breeding individuals, especially those older than one year of age, than poorly studied western mainland populations. Populations of both the Santa Cruz Island Scrub Jay and Florida Scrub Jay (A. c. coerulescens) appear to saturate suitable nesting habitat. Mortality rates are low, and both populations produce individuals who delay breeding for up to several years. Unlike the ecologically restricted Florida Scrub Jay, the Santa Cruz Island Scrub Jay is ecologically broad, enabling non-breeders to maintain themselves in marginal habitats until such time as breeding space becomes available; cooperative breeding does not occur in insularis. Results of this study indicate that when dispersal from natal territories is ecologically feasible, selection does not favor the evolution of group-breeding behavior. The selective value of non-territorial, "floating" behavior by non-breeding Santa Cruz Island Scrub Jays presumably outweighs any possible benefits that might be derived through kin selection. At least in this species, the theory of habitat-forced cooperative breeding appears to explain most of the currently known range of social interactions.
URL:http://www.jstor.org/stable/1367571
Short Title:The Condor
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