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Can settlement in natal-like habitat explain maladaptive habitat selection?
Walter H Piper1, Michael W Palmer, Nathan Banfield
1School of Earth and Environmental Sciences, Chapman University, Orange, CA 92866, USA. wpiper@chapman.edu
Proceedings. Biological Sciences
|June 28, 2013
Summary
Young common loons (Gavia immer) exhibit natal habitat preference induction (NHPI), settling in familiar habitats rather than the highest quality ones. This behavior may explain why animals sometimes choose seemingly suboptimal breeding spaces.
Area of Science:
- Ecology and Behavioral Biology
- Animal Behavior
- Habitat Selection
Background:
- The ideal free model predicts habitat selection based on resource availability and conspecific density.
- Previous research suggested animals use conspecific cues to find optimal habitats.
- However, animals often fail to occupy demonstrably high-quality habitats, indicating unknown settlement mechanisms.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the role of natal habitat preference induction (NHPI) in territory settlement in common loons (Gavia immer).
- To determine if NHPI influences habitat choice in both male and female common loons.
- To explore NHPI as an explanation for apparently maladaptive habitat settlement patterns.
Main Methods:
- Observational study of territory settlement in male and female common loons.
- Assessment of habitat quality and conspecific density in selected territories.
- Analysis of the correlation between natal habitat characteristics and settlement patterns.
Main Results:
- Natal habitat preference induction (NHPI) was identified as a significant predictor of territory settlement in common loons.
- Both male and female loons showed a preference for settling in breeding spaces similar to their natal habitat.
- Settlement based on NHPI did not necessarily correspond to habitats offering the highest reproductive success.
Conclusions:
- NHPI is a crucial factor influencing habitat selection in common loons, overriding optimal habitat choice based on quality.
- This phenomenon demonstrates that animals may prioritize familiarity over maximizing reproductive success when selecting breeding sites.
- NHPI could be a widespread mechanism explaining non-optimal habitat settlement across various species.
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