Relationship of canopy arthropod prey to distribution and life history of the Hawaii akepa

Author:

Fretz, James Scott

Title:

Relationship of canopy arthropod prey to distribution and life history of the Hawaii akepa

Year:

2000

Volume:

Ph.D.

Pages:

xi, 186 leaves, bound

Subject:

Hawaii Akepa Birds food Ohia-lehua Loxops coccineus

Summary:

This study investigates the role of food for the Hawaii akepa (Loxops coccineus coccineus), a Hawaiian honeycreeper (Drepanidinae) endemic to the island of Hawaii. One objective was to document niche relationships of the Hawaii akepa within a guild of insectivorous forest birds. The Hawaii akepa niche is primarily the upper perimeter canopy of ohia-lehua (Metrosideros polymorpha) trees. The second objective was to determine whether peak food availability coincides with the nestling stage in akepa. It was found that the time of peak food coincides with the independence of the young well after fledging. The timing of breeding in akepa may thus be an adaptation that emphasizes juvenile survival. The third objective was to investigate patterns of food availability for one such distributional anomaly by comparing food at a site of extremely low akepa abundance with a site where a stable population exists. No evidence of direct depletion of food was found at the site of akepa rarity.

Date:

2000

Collection:

Monographs