title: Modelled drift patterns of fish larvae link coastal morphology to seabird colony distribution.
abstract: Colonial breeding is an evolutionary puzzle, as the benefits of breeding in high densities are still not fully explained. Although the dynamics of existing colonies are increasingly understood, few studies have addressed the initial formation of colonies, and empirical tests are rare. Using a high-resolution larval drift model, we here document that the distribution of seabird colonies along the Norwegian coast can be explained by variations in the availability and predictability of fish larvae. The modelled variability in concentration of fish larvae is, in turn, predicted by the topography of the continental shelf and coastline. The advection of fish larvae along the coast translates small-scale topographic characteristics into a macroecological pattern, viz. the spatial distribution of top-predator breeding sites. Our findings provide empirical corroboration of the hypothesis that seabird colonies are founded in locations that minimize travel distances between breeding and foraging locations, thereby enabling optimal foraging by central-place foragers.
authors.affiliation: Centre for Biodiversity Dynamics, Department of Biology, Norwegian University of Science and Technology, 7491 Trondheim, Norway.
authors.forename: Hanno
authors.identifier: 0000-0002-5889-1606
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Sandvik
authors.affiliation: Department of Natural Sciences, Tromsø University Museum, PO Box 6050 Langnes, 9037 Tromsø, Norway.
authors.forename: Robert T
authors.initials: RT
authors.lastname: Barrett
authors.affiliation: Centre for Biodiversity Dynamics, Department of Biology, Norwegian University of Science and Technology, 7491 Trondheim, Norway.|Norwegian Institute for Nature Research, FRAM-High North Research Centre for Climate and the Environment, 9296 Tromsø, Norway.
authors.forename: Kjell Einar
authors.initials: KE
authors.lastname: Erikstad
authors.affiliation: Institute of Marine Research and Hjort Centre for Marine Ecosystem Dynamics, PO Box 1870 Nordnes, 5817 Bergen, Norway.
authors.forename: Mari S
authors.initials: MS
authors.lastname: Myksvoll
authors.affiliation: Institute of Marine Research and Hjort Centre for Marine Ecosystem Dynamics, PO Box 1870 Nordnes, 5817 Bergen, Norway.
authors.forename: Frode
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Vikebø
authors.affiliation: Norwegian Institute for Nature Research, FRAM-High North Research Centre for Climate and the Environment, 9296 Tromsø, Norway.|Department of Arctic and Marine Biology, University of Tromsø, PO Box 6050 Langnes, 9037 Tromsø, Norway.
authors.forename: Nigel G
authors.initials: NG
authors.lastname: Yoccoz
authors.affiliation: Norwegian Institute for Nature Research, PO Box 5685 Sluppen, 7485 Trondheim, Norway.
authors.forename: Tycho
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Anker-Nilssen
authors.affiliation: Norwegian Institute for Nature Research, PO Box 5685 Sluppen, 7485 Trondheim, Norway.
authors.forename: Svein-Håkon
authors.initials: SH
authors.lastname: Lorentsen
authors.affiliation: Norwegian Institute for Nature Research, FRAM-High North Research Centre for Climate and the Environment, 9296 Tromsø, Norway.
authors.forename: Tone K
authors.initials: TK
authors.lastname: Reiertsen
authors.affiliation: Institute of Marine Research and Hjort Centre for Marine Ecosystem Dynamics, PO Box 1870 Nordnes, 5817 Bergen, Norway.
authors.forename: Jofrid
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Skarðhamar
authors.affiliation: Institute of Marine Research and Hjort Centre for Marine Ecosystem Dynamics, PO Box 1870 Nordnes, 5817 Bergen, Norway.
authors.forename: Mette
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Skern-Mauritzen
authors.affiliation: Norwegian Institute for Nature Research, FRAM-High North Research Centre for Climate and the Environment, 9296 Tromsø, Norway.
authors.forename: Geir Helge
authors.initials: GH
authors.lastname: Systad
mesh_terms: D025041:Animal Migration / Q000502:physiology*; D000818:Animals; D046091:Charadriiformes / Q000502:physiology*; D003198:Computer Simulation; D017753:Ecosystem; D005399:Fishes / Q000502:physiology*; D005843:Geography; D007814:Larva / Q000502:physiology; D008954:Models, Biological; D009664:Norway