Do harlequin Mediterranean environments function as source sink for Blue Tits (Parus caeruleus L.)?

Abstract

We investigate whether a mosaic of habitats of different quality functions as a source-sink system for the Blue Tit Parus caeruleus L. Breeding parameters, especially laying date, clutch size and breeding success have been studied in relation to the food supply in three habitats: two habitats, one rich and one poor, next to each other on the mainland (southern France) and one poor habitat on the island of Corsica. Food resources are more abundant and are available earlier in the season in the rich habitat than in both the mainland and the island poor habitats. The timing of breeding is nicely timed on the food peak of abundance in the rich mainland habitat and in the poor insular one but tits are mistimed in the poor mainland habitat because they start to breed too early in relation to food availability. Such patterns strongly suggest that the rich mainland habitat where birds produce many fledglings functions as a source from which birds emigrate in the poor habitat which functions as a sink. These birds which are genetically programmed to breed in the source habitat become mistimed in the sink. Tits on Corsica which are isolated from any mainland population have adjusted their breeding traits on the local patterns of food availability and abundance. This hypothesis is supported by the existence of a strong genetic component of laying date which has been experimentally proved.