Ecologic Aspects of Lipid Deposition in Some Postbreeding Arctic Birds
Johnston DW. 1964. Ecologic Aspects of Lipid Deposition in Some Postbreeding Arctic Birds. Ecology. 45(4):848-852
A series of 112 arctic birds representing five species (golden plover, western sandpiper, arctic tern, redpoll, and Lapland longspur) was taken near Cape Thompson, Alaska, for lipid studies. The birds were collected in 1960 during the postbreeding and autumnal premigratory period of late summer. Relevant data on life history, distribution, migration, and molt are presented. Extractions of body lipids revealed that there was no significant increase in lipid deposits in any of the species except a few adult western sandpipers. Possible correlations among lipid levels, timing of migration, and migratory paths are discussed.
- Type
- Journal Article
- Authors
- Johnston, David
- Units
- ARCN , BELA , CAKR , GAAR , KOVA , NOAT
- Keywords
- Arctic, Birds, Cape Thompson, fat deposits, Migration, Passerines, Physiology, Shorebirds