Publication Type: | Journal Article |
Year of Publication: | 2001 |
Authors: | Herrando, S, Brotons, L |
Journal: | Bird Study |
Volume: | 48 |
Issue: | 2 |
Date Published: | 2001 |
ISBN Number: | 0006-3657 |
Keywords: | Curruca, Curruca melanocephala, Sylvia, Sylvia melanocephala, Sylviidae |
Abstract: | The effects of post-fire changes in vegetation and habitat quality on the developmental stability of individual birds have not been assessed to date. Here we compare fluctuating asymmetry in tail feathers of Sardinian Warblers Sylvia melanocephala inhabiting two shrubby zones, the first burned in both 1982 and 1994 and the second only in 1982. Juveniles with unmoulted rectrices showed significantly higher levels of tail feather asymmetry in the zone burned in 1994. This result is consistent with the hypothesis that recently burned shrublands offer lower quality habitats for this species. Because feather asymmetry was positively and significantly related to the abundance of low shrubs up to 50 cm tall, we suggest that juvenile assessment of habitat quality is primarily based on the structure of the shrub layer.The effects of post-fire changes in vegetation and habitat quality on the developmental stability of individual birds have not been assessed to date. Here we compare fluctuating asymmetry in tail feathers of Sardinian Warblers Sylvia melanocephala inhabiting two shrubby zones, the first burned in both 1982 and 1994 and the second only in 1982. Juveniles with unmoulted rectrices showed significantly higher levels of tail feather asymmetry in the zone burned in 1994. This result is consistent with the hypothesis that recently burned shrublands offer lower quality habitats for this species. Because feather asymmetry was positively and significantly related to the abundance of low shrubs up to 50 cm tall, we suggest that juvenile assessment of habitat quality is primarily based on the structure of the shrub layer. |
URL: | http://www.tandfonline.com/doi/abs/10.1080/00063650109461216 |
Short Title: | Bird Study |
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