Movements of Mountain Plovers within and between breeding season

Thumbnail Image
Date
2007-08-01
Authors
Dinsmore, Stephen
Major Professor
Advisor
Committee Member
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Authors
Person
Dinsmore, Stephen
Department Chair
Person
Skrade, Paul
Associate Professor
Research Projects
Organizational Units
Organizational Unit
Natural Resource Ecology and Management
The Department of Natural Resource Ecology and Management is dedicated to the understanding, effective management, and sustainable use of our renewable natural resources through the land-grant missions of teaching, research, and extension.
Journal Issue
Is Version Of
Versions
Series
Department
Natural Resource Ecology and Management
Abstract

The Mountain Plover breeds on Black-tailed Prairie Dog (Cynomys ludovicianus) colonies in Phillips Co., Montana. They have an unusual mating system that raises questions about sex-specific movements within and between breeding seasons as they relate to nest fate. We studied nesting ploversfrom 1995 - 2006, determined the fate of >1300 nests, and examined movements of plovers that nested in successive years. A total of 48 plovers moved within years and another 166 moved between years. Within years, mean distance moved was 5.35 km (SD = 9.86) for females and 7.08 km (SD = 12.69) for males and did not differ (t = -0.53, P = 0.60). Between years, mean distance moved was 4.54 km (SD = 8.53) for females and 2.13 km (SD = 5.05) for males and differed (t = -3.07, P < 0.01). By fate, unsuccessful nesters moved farther than successful nesters the next breeding season (t = 2.92, P < 0.01). These results provide insight into the relationship between nest fate and fidelity and relate these to gender in a species with unusual parental roles.

Comments
Description
Keywords
Citation
DOI
Source
Copyright