Effects of invasive European fire ants (Myrmica rubra) on herring gull (Larus argentatus) reproduction.
Various invasive ant species have negatively affected reproductive success in birds by disrupting nest site selection, incubation patterns, food supply, and by direct predation on nestlings. Impacts can be particularly severe when non-native ants colonize seabird nesting islands where thousands of b...
| Main Authors: | , |
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
| Published: |
Public Library of Science (PLoS)
2013-01-01
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| Series: | PLoS ONE |
| Online Access: | http://europepmc.org/articles/PMC3656849?pdf=render |
| _version_ | 1818863574941958144 |
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| author | Luke E DeFisher David N Bonter |
| author_facet | Luke E DeFisher David N Bonter |
| author_sort | Luke E DeFisher |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Various invasive ant species have negatively affected reproductive success in birds by disrupting nest site selection, incubation patterns, food supply, and by direct predation on nestlings. Impacts can be particularly severe when non-native ants colonize seabird nesting islands where thousands of birds may nest in high densities on the ground or in burrows or crevices. Here we report on the first documented effects of Myrmica rubra, the European fire ant, on the reproduction of birds in its non-native range. We documented herring gulls (Larus argentatus) on Appledore Island, Maine, engaging in more erratic incubation behaviors at nests infested by the ants. Newly-hatched chicks in some nests were swarmed by ants, leading to rapid chick death. Due to high overall rates of chick mortality, survival probabilities did not vary between nests with and without ant activity, however chick growth rates were slower at nests with ants than at ant-free nests. Ant infestation likely leads to longer-term fitness consequences because slower growth rates early in life may ultimately lead to lower post-fledging survival probabilities. |
| first_indexed | 2024-12-19T10:17:56Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-1d605c606e5d4c2d8f15ffa51ebcb874 |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 1932-6203 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-12-19T10:17:56Z |
| publishDate | 2013-01-01 |
| publisher | Public Library of Science (PLoS) |
| record_format | Article |
| series | PLoS ONE |
| spelling | doaj.art-1d605c606e5d4c2d8f15ffa51ebcb8742022-12-21T20:26:10ZengPublic Library of Science (PLoS)PLoS ONE1932-62032013-01-0185e6418510.1371/journal.pone.0064185Effects of invasive European fire ants (Myrmica rubra) on herring gull (Larus argentatus) reproduction.Luke E DeFisherDavid N BonterVarious invasive ant species have negatively affected reproductive success in birds by disrupting nest site selection, incubation patterns, food supply, and by direct predation on nestlings. Impacts can be particularly severe when non-native ants colonize seabird nesting islands where thousands of birds may nest in high densities on the ground or in burrows or crevices. Here we report on the first documented effects of Myrmica rubra, the European fire ant, on the reproduction of birds in its non-native range. We documented herring gulls (Larus argentatus) on Appledore Island, Maine, engaging in more erratic incubation behaviors at nests infested by the ants. Newly-hatched chicks in some nests were swarmed by ants, leading to rapid chick death. Due to high overall rates of chick mortality, survival probabilities did not vary between nests with and without ant activity, however chick growth rates were slower at nests with ants than at ant-free nests. Ant infestation likely leads to longer-term fitness consequences because slower growth rates early in life may ultimately lead to lower post-fledging survival probabilities.http://europepmc.org/articles/PMC3656849?pdf=render |
| spellingShingle | Luke E DeFisher David N Bonter Effects of invasive European fire ants (Myrmica rubra) on herring gull (Larus argentatus) reproduction. PLoS ONE |
| title | Effects of invasive European fire ants (Myrmica rubra) on herring gull (Larus argentatus) reproduction. |
| title_full | Effects of invasive European fire ants (Myrmica rubra) on herring gull (Larus argentatus) reproduction. |
| title_fullStr | Effects of invasive European fire ants (Myrmica rubra) on herring gull (Larus argentatus) reproduction. |
| title_full_unstemmed | Effects of invasive European fire ants (Myrmica rubra) on herring gull (Larus argentatus) reproduction. |
| title_short | Effects of invasive European fire ants (Myrmica rubra) on herring gull (Larus argentatus) reproduction. |
| title_sort | effects of invasive european fire ants myrmica rubra on herring gull larus argentatus reproduction |
| url | http://europepmc.org/articles/PMC3656849?pdf=render |
| work_keys_str_mv | AT lukeedefisher effectsofinvasiveeuropeanfireantsmyrmicarubraonherringgulllarusargentatusreproduction AT davidnbonter effectsofinvasiveeuropeanfireantsmyrmicarubraonherringgulllarusargentatusreproduction |