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Título
Habitat selection and diet of Western Capercaillie
Autor
Facultad/Centro
Área de conocimiento
Datos de la obra
Ibis, 2012, vol. 154, issue 2
Editor
BOU
Fecha
2012-05-25
Abstract
Ecological features and conservation requirements of populations at the latitudinal limits
of a species’ geographical range frequently differ from those in other parts of the range.
Identifying such differences is key to implementing effective conservation strategies for
threatened range-edge populations especially, in the context of rapid global warming, at
the lower-latitude range edge. We studied habitat selection and diet of the endangered
Cantabrian Capercaillie Tetrao urogallus cantabricus in a recently discovered population
at the southernmost edge of the sub-species’ range. This is the only Western Capercaillie
population in the Mediterranean biogeographical region. We combined non-systematic
surveys based on questionnaires, reports and field sampling with data from radiotracking
to assess habitat selection. Diet was surveyed by micro-histological methods from droppings
collected in the new population, which inhabits Pyrenean Oak Quercus pyrenaica
forests and Scots Pine Pinus sylvestris plantations, and in two Cantabrian populations
inhabiting Eurosiberian forests. Capercaillie preferred large (> 500 ha) and medium-sized
(100–500 ha) Pyrenean Oak forest fragments and large Scots Pine plantations. Forest
fragments smaller than 100 ha and non-forested habitats were always avoided. Diet differed
markedly between Mediterranean and Eurosiberian populations. Bilberry Vaccinium
myrtillus is common in the diet of most Capercaillie populations but was scarce in the
study area and so was rare in the diet of the new population. Instead, Rockrose Halimium
lasianthum was described for the first time as a major food resource for the Capercaillie
and was consumed in autumn and winter. Pine needles were also heavily consumed in
winter. We document for the first time the strong preference of Capercaillie for Pyrenean
Oak forests and a moderately high consumption of the leaves, buds and acorns of this
tree species throughout the year. Habitat selection and diet of this Mediterranean
population differ from those of the core Cantabrian and other populations. Our results
suggest a wider environmental tolerance (phenotypic plasticity) in the species than previously
recognized. We advocate specific protection for this unique range-edge Capercaillie
population and its Pyrenean Oak forest habitat
Materia
Palabras clave
Cambios climáticos
Halimium
Urogallo Cantábrico
Distribución periférica
Poblaciones periféricas
Melojares
Halimium
Urogallo Cantábrico
Distribución periférica
Poblaciones periféricas
Melojares
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