Abstract
Predation by golden plovers Pluvialis apricaria (L.) on lumbricids was studied on a hayfield in Iceland in early June 1977 by means of stomach analyses and formalin sampling. Lumbricids, Allolobophora caliginosa (Sav.) and Lumbricus rubellus Hoffm., constituted about 90% (fresh wt) of food remains in stomachs. The plovers had taken relatively more A. caliginosa than L. rubellus and a relatively larger portion of medium-sized (by biovolume) than smaller and larger lumbricids. Thus the predation provided a selective advantage to L. rubellus over A. caliginosa and to the smallest and largest over the medium-sized individuals. The results are discussed in terms of degree of pigmentation (cryptic colouration), burrowing behaviour, activity, and density of the lumbricids. It is suggested that the selective effects of predation may vary considerably from one year to another.
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