| Abstract: | We report nest and chick survival and colony-site dynamics of the Least Tern (Sternula antillarum). These results are the first for the Caribbean and were derived with likelihood-based approaches from 4640 nests and 44 chicks fitted with transmitters monitored in 52 colonies at St. Croix, U.S. Virgin Islands, 2003-2006. managed colonies excluded, overall daily nest survival (??SE) was 0.92 ?? 0.03 (period survival = 0.18). Daily nest survival of managed colonies (fenced) was significantly higher (0.97 ?? 0.02; period survival = 0.51). Variation in nest survival was best explained by a negative linear trend in daily survival, influenced by year, rain, large colony size, and nesting habitat. Daily nest-survival rates at sandy beaches (0.94 ?? 0.02), offshore cays (0.93 ?? 0.005), and saltflats (0.91 ?? 0.02) did not differ significantly. The period survival of chicks was 0.30 ?? 0.11. Estimated fledglings per nest attempt were 0.06. Demographic assessments suggested that higher reproductive rates are required for maintenance (?? > 1). managed colonies could meet nest-survival thresholds, but complementary measures are needed to increase chick survival. Our findings suggest that management should target sites harboring large colonies because they had higher nest success and higher probability of use in subsequent seasons. The colonies‘ site dynamics suggested that immigration from other populations is plausible. This possibility relaxes breedingproductivity thresholds and advocates for coordinated conservation among populations on neighboring islands. Estimates of age-specific survival and connectivity are needed for the status of the species to be assessed appropriately and conservation priorities set. ?? The Cooper Ornithological Society 2010. |
| Genre: | Article |
| ProdID: | 70034011 |
| Citation Author: | Lombard, C. D.; Collazo, J. A.; McNair, D. B. |
| Citation Contributing Office: | |
| Citation Datum: | |
| Citation Day: | |
| Citation Edition: | |
| Citation Editor: | |
| Citation End Page: | 64 |
| Citation Issue: | 1 |
| Citation Keywords: | |
| Citation Language: | English |
| Citation Larger Work Title: | Condor |
| Citation LatN: | |
| Citation LatS: | |
| Citation LonE: | |
| Citation LonW: | |
| Citation Month: | |
| Citation No Pagination: | |
| Citation Number Of Pages: | 9 |
| Citation Online Only Flag: | |
| Citation Phsyical Description: | |
| Citation Projection: | |
| Citation Public Comments: | |
| Citation Publisher: | |
| Citation Series: | |
| Citation Series Code: | |
| Citation Series Number: | |
| Citation Search Results Text: | Nest and chick survival and colony-site dynamics of least terns in the U.S. Virgin Islands; 2010; Article; Journal; Condor; Lombard, C. D.; Collazo, J. A.; McNair, D. B. |
| Citation Start Page: | 56 |
| Citation Volume: | 112 |
| Citation Year: | 2010 |
| Type: | citation/reference |
| Text: | Nest and chick survival and colony-site dynamics of least terns in the U.S. Virgin Islands; 2010; Article; Journal; Condor; Lombard, C. D.; Collazo, J. A.; McNair, D. B. |
| URL (THUMBNAIL): | http://pubs.er.usgs.gov/thumbnails/outside_thumb.jpg |
| URL (DIGITAL OBJECT IDENTIFIER): | http://dx.doi.org/10.1525/cond.2010.090042 |
| Date Other: | Fri, 1 Jan 2010 00:00 -0600 |
| Publisher: | |
