Title:

Prey Size Selection of Insular Lizards by Two Sympatric Predatory Bird Species

Subtitle:

Selekcja na wielkość zdobyczy sympatrycznie występujących srokosza i pustułki ; Selection of lizard size by predatory birds

Creator:

Padilla, David P ; Nogales, Manuel ; Marrero, Patricia

Contributor:

Museum and Institute of Zoology, Polish Academy of Sciences

Publisher:

Museum and Institute of Zoology, Polish Academy of Sciences ; Natura Optima Dux Foundation

Place of publishing:

Warsaw

Date issued/created:

2007

Description:

pg(s) 167–172

Type of object:

Journal/Article

Subject and Keywords:

Kestrel ; Falco tinnunculus ; Southern Grey Shrike ; Lantus meridionalis ; Tenerife Lizard ; Gallotia galloti ; feeding ecology ; prey selection ; Canary Islands ; pustułka zwyczajna ; pustułka ; sokół pustułka ; dzierzba śródziemnomorska

Abstract:

Size-related selection of insular lizards by two sympatric predatory bird species (Southern Grey Shrike and Eurasian Kestrel) was studied in an arid insular environment. The endemic lizard genus Gallotia was a key resource in the diet of both predators, constituting more than 50% of the total biomass. Shrikes captured smaller lizards than kestrels during all seasons (mean snout - vent length (SVL): 7.4 ±1.9 vs. 9.4 ± 2.1 cm respectively), presenting a sequential use of lizard sizes and avoiding potential competition. On the other hand, shrikes and kestrels showed the same seasonal variation pattern, capturing the largest lizards during their breeding periods (spring). Considering lizard availability, shrikes displayed less selective predation than kestrels in all seasons. Shrikes positively selected the medium lizard size (SVL: 5–10 cm) during the nestling period, but negatively selected the small lizard size (SVL: < 5 cm) in autumn and winter, probably due to an explosion of juvenile lizards. Lastly, kestrels appeared to be more selective, negatively choosing the small lizard size but positively selecting the largest ones all the year round (SVL: > 10 cm).

Relation:

Acta Ornithologica

Volume:

42

Issue:

2

Start page:

167

End page:

172

Resource type:

Text

Detailed Resource Type:

Journal

Format:

text/xml

Resource Identifier:

10.3161/068.042.0211

Source:

MiIZ PAN, call no. P.257 ; MiIZ PAN, call no. P.4568 ; click here to follow the link

Language:

eng

Language of abstract:

eng ; pol

Rights:

Rights Reserved - Free Access

Terms of use:

Copyright-protected material. May be used within the limits of statutory user freedoms

Digitizing institution:

Museum and Institute of Zoology of the Polish Academy of Sciences

Original in:

Library of the Museum and Institute of Zoology of the Polish Academy of Sciences

Access:

Open