Trait-mediated trophic cascade creates enemy-free space for nesting hummingbirds
Loading...
Authors
Greeney, Harold F.
Meneses, M. Rocio
Hamilton, Chris E.
Lichter-Marck, Eli
Mannan, R. William
Snyder, Noel
Snyder, Helen
Wethington, Susan M.
Dyer, Lee A.
Issue Date
2015
Type
Article
Language
Keywords
Alternative Title
Abstract
The indirect effects of predators on nonadjacent trophic levels, mediated through traits of intervening species, are collectively known as trait-mediated trophic cascades. Although birds are important predators in terrestrial ecosystems, clear examples of trait-mediated indirect effects involving bird predators have almost never been documented. Such indirect effects are important for structuring ecological communities and are likely to be negatively impacted by habitat fragmentation, climate change, and other factors that reduce abundance of top predators. We demonstrate that hummingbirds in Arizona realize increased breeding success when nesting in association with hawks. An enemy-free nesting space is created when jays, an important source of mortality for hummingbird nests, alter their foraging behavior in the presence of their hawk predators.
Description
Citation
Greeney, H. F., Meneses, M. R., Hamilton, C. E., Lichter-Marck, E., Mannan, R. W., Snyder, N., … Dyer, L. A. (2015). Trait-mediated trophic cascade creates enemy-free space for nesting hummingbirds. Science Advances, 1(8), e1500310. doi:10.1126/sciadv.1500310
Publisher
Journal
Volume
Issue
PubMed ID
ISSN
2375-2548