title: Migratory connectivity and effects of winter temperatures on migratory behaviour of the European robin Erithacus rubecula: a continent-wide analysis.
abstract: Many partially migratory species show phenotypically divergent populations in terms of migratory behaviour, with climate hypothesized to be a major driver of such variability through its differential effects on sedentary and migratory individuals. Based on long-term (1947-2011) bird ringing data, we analysed phenotypic differentiation of migratory behaviour among populations of the European robin Erithacus rubecula across Europe. We showed that clusters of populations sharing breeding and wintering ranges varied from partial (British Isles and Western Europe, NW cluster) to completely migratory (Scandinavia and north-eastern Europe, NE cluster). Distance migrated by birds of the NE (but not of the NW) cluster decreased through time because of a north-eastwards shift in the wintering grounds. Moreover, when winter temperatures in the breeding areas were cold, individuals from the NE cluster also migrated longer distances, while those of the NW cluster moved over shorter distances. Climatic conditions may therefore affect migratory behaviour of robins, although large geographical variation in response to climate seems to exist.
authors.affiliation: Department of Earth and Environmental Sciences (DISAT), University of Milano Bicocca, piazza della Scienza 1, 20126, Milano, Italy.
authors.forename: Roberto
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Ambrosini
authors.affiliation: Department of Evolutionary Ecology, Museo Nacional de Ciencias Naturales, CSIC, Calle José Gutiérrez Abascal 2, E-28006, Madrid, Spain.
authors.forename: José Javier
authors.initials: JJ
authors.lastname: Cuervo
authors.affiliation: EURING Data Bank, Beckingham, DN10 4PF, Notts, UK.
authors.forename: Chris
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: du Feu
authors.affiliation: Max-Planck-Institute for Ornithology, Max-Planck-Institute for Ornithology, Am Obstberg 1, D-78315, Radolfzell, Germany.
authors.forename: Wolfgang
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Fiedler
authors.affiliation: Department of Earth and Environmental Sciences (DISAT), University of Milano Bicocca, piazza della Scienza 1, 20126, Milano, Italy.
authors.forename: Federica
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Musitelli
authors.affiliation: Department of Biosciences, University of Milano, via Celoria 26, 20133, Milano, Italy.
authors.forename: Diego
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Rubolini
authors.affiliation: Department of Biotechnology and Biosciences, University of Milano Bicocca, piazza della Scienza 2, 20126, Milano, Italy.
authors.forename: Beatrice
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Sicurella
authors.affiliation: ISPRA, Via Cà Fornacetta 9, 40064, Ozzano dell'Emilia (BO), Italy.
authors.forename: Fernando
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Spina
authors.affiliation: Department of Biosciences, University of Milano, via Celoria 26, 20133, Milano, Italy.
authors.forename: Nicola
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Saino
authors.affiliation: Laboratoire d'Ecologie, Systématique et Evolution, CNRS UMR 8079, Université Paris-Sud, Bâtiment 362, F-91405 Orsay Cedex, France.
authors.forename: Anders Pape
authors.initials: AP
authors.lastname: Møller
mesh_terms: D025041:Animal Migration / Q000502:physiology*; D000818:Animals; D002980:Climate; D005060:Europe; D012621:Seasons; D020308:Songbirds / Q000502:physiology*; D013696:Temperature
keywords: Erithacus rubecula; European robin; climate change; mortality; partial migration; phenotypic differentiation