title: Reproductive Dynamics of Sterna hirundinacea Lesson, 1831 in Ilha dos Cardos, Santa Catarina, Brazil.
abstract: In this work, we intend to describe the reproductive dynamics of Sterna hirundinacea in an island from South Brazil. We studied the reproductive biology of this species in its natural environment and provide data on their growth, survival, and reproductive success in Ilha dos Cardos, Santa Catarina, South Brazil. Samplings were carried out daily on the island throughout the reproductive seasons of 2003, 2005, and 2006 and the different stages of development of the chicks were characterized according to age, length of the beak, and plumage characteristics. We provide a basic equation Lm = 167.91 (1 - e (-0.062t-(-0.23))) to determine the approximate age of individuals using their body mass. The main cause of chick mortality on the island was natural (63.17% in 2003, 81.41% in 2005, and 79.96% in 2006), whereas predation contributed to mortality in a proportion of 38.83% in 2003, 18.59% in 2005, and 20.04% in 2006. The absence in the area of the chicks' main predator, Kelp gull (Larus dominicanus), the large number of chicks that reached the final stages of development, and their reproductive success demonstrate that Ilha dos Cardos is an important breeding site for the species in southern Brazil.
authors: Universidade Federal de São Carlos, CP 676, 13565-905 São Carlos, SP, Brazil.
authors: Hélio Augusto Alves
authors: HA
authors: Fracasso
authors: Centro de Ensino em Ciências Tecnológicas da Terra e do Mar, UNIVALI, CP 360, 88301-970, Itajaí, SC, Brazil.
authors: Joaquim Olinto
authors: JO
authors: Branco
authors: Setor de Biodiversidade e Ecologia, Instituto de Ciências Biológicas e da Saúde, Universidade Federal de Alagoas, Praça Afranio Jorge, s/n, Prado, 57010-020 Maceió, AL, Brazil.
authors: Márcio Amorim
authors: MA
authors: Efe
authors: Azorean Biodiversity Group (CITA-A) and Platform for Enhancing Ecological Research & Sustainability (PEERS), Departamento de Ciências Agrárias, Universidade dos Açores, Rua Capitão João D'Ávila, 9700-042 Angra do Heroísmo, Portugal.
authors: João Pedro
authors: 0000-0003-4531-6685
authors: JP
authors: Barreiros