First description of the micro-habitat selection pattern of the island endemic Juan Fernandez Tit-tyrant

Soto, Gerardo E.; Vergara, Pablo M.; Hahn, Ingo J; Pérez-Hernández, Christian G; Lizama, Marlene E; Baumeister, Julia; Pizarro, Jaime

Abstract

The level of specialization of endemic island birds to their native habitats could contribute importantly to increase their extinction risk. We used abundance obtained from mist-netting and radio telemetry data from one individual to determine the micro-habitat use pattern of Juan Fernandez Tit-tyrants (Anairetes fernandezianus) within native forest. The tracked male tit-tyrant established its home range exclusively in core native forest areas. Regression models of abundance and Resource Utilization Functions showed strong micro-habitat preferences of tit-tyrants. The abundance and utilization probabilities of tit-tyrants declined with distance to exotic shrub and increased with distance to human created gaps. Natural heterogeneity in micro-habitat conditions also affected the micro-habitat selection pattern, with use probabilities and abundance increasing with proximity to the humid sites dominated by Gunnera peltata. These findings demonstrate that tit-tyrants do not use native forest sites at random. Therefore, the conservation and recovery of the declining tit-tyrant population could be improved by incorporating such micro-habitat preferences in habitat management programs.

Más información

Título según WOS: First description of the micro-habitat selection pattern of the island endemic Juan Fernandez Tit-tyrant
Título según SCIELO: First description of the micro-habitat selection pattern of the island endemic Juan Fernandez Tit-tyrant
Título de la Revista: Gayana (Concepción) - International Journal of Biodiversity, Oceanology and Conservation
Volumen: 77
Número: 1
Editorial: Facultad de Ciencias Naturales y Oceanográficas. , Universidad de Concepción
Fecha de publicación: 2013
Página de inicio: 1
Página final: 9
Idioma: English
DOI:

10.4067/S0717-65382013000100001

Notas: ISI, SCIELO