Marine moult migration of the freshwater Scaly-sided Merganser Mergus squamatusrevealed by stable isotopes and geolocators

Solovyeva, D., Newton, J. , Hobson, K., Fox, J. W., Afanasyev, V., Fox, A. D. and Daunt, F. (2014) Marine moult migration of the freshwater Scaly-sided Merganser Mergus squamatusrevealed by stable isotopes and geolocators. IBIS, 156(2), pp. 466-471. (doi: 10.1111/ibi.12133)

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Abstract

Scaly-sided Mergansers Mergus squamatus breed on freshwater rivers in far eastern Russia, Korea and China, wintering in similar habitats in China and Korea, but nothing was known of their moulting habitat. To investigate the moult strategies of this species, we combined wing feather stable isotope ratios (males and females) with geolocator data (nesting females) to establish major habitat types (freshwater, brackish or saltwater) used by both sexes during wing moult. Although most Scaly-sided Mergansers of both sexes probably moult on freshwater, some males and non-breeding and failed breeding females appeared to undertake moult migration to brackish and marine waters. Given the previous lack of any surveys of coastal or estuarine waters for this species during the moult period, these findings suggest important survey needs for the effective conservation of the species during the flightless moult period.

Item Type:Articles
Status:Published
Refereed:Yes
Glasgow Author(s) Enlighten ID:Newton, Dr Jason
Authors: Solovyeva, D., Newton, J., Hobson, K., Fox, J. W., Afanasyev, V., Fox, A. D., and Daunt, F.
College/School:College of Science and Engineering > Scottish Universities Environmental Research Centre
Journal Name:IBIS
Publisher:Wiley-Blackwell Publishing Ltd.
ISSN:0019-1019
ISSN (Online):1474-919X
Published Online:17 March 2014

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