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Fat Loads and Flightlessness in Wilson's Phalaropes
Publication Type: | Journal Article |
Year of Publication: | 1997 |
Authors: | Jehl, Jr., JR |
Journal: | The Condor |
Volume: | 99 |
Issue: | 2 |
Date Published: | 1997 |
ISBN Number: | 00105422 |
Keywords: | Phalaropus, Phalaropus tricolor, Scolopacidae, South America, Steganopus, Steganopus tricolor |
Abstract: | Fat loads of about 45% of total body mass are maximal for most shorebird migrants. In preparing to fly nonstop from staging areas in North America to South America, some late-staging adult Wilson's Phalaropes (Phalaropus tricolor) amass greater loads (to 54%) and for a brief period become too heavy to fly. This condition is associated with rapid mass gain, but may involve other factors. Despite ostensibly ideal conditions at staging areas, the phalaropes' greatest rate of fat deposition (3.4-3.6% lean body mass· day-1) is only 60-70% of the theoretical maximum. |
URL: | http://www.jstor.org/stable/1369964 |
Short Title: | The Condor |
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