Influence of snowmelt timing on the diet quality of Pyrenean rock ptarmigan (Lagopus muta pyrenaica): Implications for reproductive success

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dc.contributor.authorGarcía González, Ricardo
dc.contributor.authorAldezabal, Arantza
dc.contributor.authorAmaia Laskurain, Nere
dc.contributor.authorMargalida, Antoni
dc.contributor.authorNovoa, Claude
dc.date.accessioned2016-12-13T12:13:20Z
dc.date.available2016-12-13T12:13:20Z
dc.date.issued2016
dc.description.abstractThe Pyrenean rock ptarmigan (Lagopus muta pyrenaica) is the southernmost subspecies of the species in Europe and is considered threatened as a consequence of changes in landscape, human pressure, climate change, and low genetic diversity. Previous studies have shown a relationship between the date of snowmelt and reproductive success in the Pyrenean ptarmigan. It is well established that birds laying early in the breeding season have higher reproductive success, but the specific mechanism for this relationship is debated. We present an explicative model of the relationship between snowmelt date and breeding success mediated by food quality for grouse in alpine environments. From microhistological analyses of 121 faecal samples collected during three years in the Canigou Massif (Eastern Pyrenees), and the assessment of the chemical composition of the main dietary components, we estimated the potential quality of individual diets. Potential dietary quality was correlated with free-urate faecal N, a proxy of the digestible protein content ingested by ptarmigan, and both were correlated with phenological stage of consumed plants, which in turn depends on snowmelt date. Our findings suggest that the average snowmelt date is subject to a strong interannual variability influencing laying date. In years of early snowmelt, hens benefit from a longer period of high quality food resources potentially leading to a higher breeding success. On the contrary, in years of late snowmelt, hens begin their breeding period in poorer nutrient condition because the peaks of protein content of their main food items are delayed with respect to laying date, hence reducing breeding performance. We discuss the possible mismatch between breeding and snowmelt timing.ca_ES
dc.description.sponsorshipThis study was conducted under the framework of a contract between the Office National de la Chasse et de la Faune Sauvage (France) and Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas (Spain). Additional funds were provided by RTA (Agricultural Technologies and Resources) 2005- 00160-C02-02 and MAM 2484/2002 Spanish projects. LEDDRA project FW7 ENV.2009.2.1.3.2 Desertification process and land degradation (SICAEU) also provided supplementary funds for publication process. AM was supported by a Ramón y Cajal research contract from the Ministry of Economy and Competitiveness (RYC-2012-11867).ca_ES
dc.identifier.doihttps://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0148632
dc.identifier.issn1932-6203
dc.identifier.urihttp://hdl.handle.net/10459.1/58809
dc.language.isoengca_ES
dc.publisherPublic Library of Scienceca_ES
dc.relationinfo:eu-repo/grantAgreement/MEC//RTA2005-00160-C02-02/ES/ca_ES
dc.relation.isformatofReproducció del document publicat a https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0148632ca_ES
dc.relation.ispartofPlos One, 2016, vol. 11, núm. 2, e0148632ca_ES
dc.rightscc-by, (c) García González, Ricardo et al., 2016ca_ES
dc.rights.accessRightsinfo:eu-repo/semantics/openAccessca_ES
dc.rights.urihttp://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/es/*
dc.titleInfluence of snowmelt timing on the diet quality of Pyrenean rock ptarmigan (Lagopus muta pyrenaica): Implications for reproductive successca_ES
dc.typearticleca_ES
dc.type.versionpublishedVersionca_ES
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