Open AccessEffects of Invasive European Fire Ants (Myrmica rubra) on Herring Gull (Larus argentatus) Reproduction
Author(s) -
Luke E. DeFisher,
David N. Bonter
Publication year - 2013
Publication title -
plos one
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.99
H-Index - 332
ISSN - 1932-6203
DOI - 10.1371/journal.pone.0064185
Subject(s) - larus , herring gull , nest (protein structural motif) , biology , predation , fledge , seabird , ecology , reproductive success , herring , zoology , fire ant , fishery , hymenoptera , population , demography , biochemistry , sociology , fish <actinopterygii>
Various invasive ant species have negatively affected reproductive success in birds by disrupting nest site selection, incubation patterns, food supply, and by direct predation on nestlings. Impacts can be particularly severe when non-native ants colonize seabird nesting islands where thousands of birds may nest in high densities on the ground or in burrows or crevices. Here we report on the first documented effects of Myrmica rubra , the European fire ant, on the reproduction of birds in its non-native range. We documented herring gulls ( Larus argentatus ) on Appledore Island, Maine, engaging in more erratic incubation behaviors at nests infested by the ants. Newly-hatched chicks in some nests were swarmed by ants, leading to rapid chick death. Due to high overall rates of chick mortality, survival probabilities did not vary between nests with and without ant activity, however chick growth rates were slower at nests with ants than at ant-free nests. Ant infestation likely leads to longer-term fitness consequences because slower growth rates early in life may ultimately lead to lower post-fledging survival probabilities.