Wading bird foraging ecology in a disturbed mangrove estuary in northwest Ecuador : commercial shrimp ponds vs. natural mangrove mudflats

Authors

Michael David Cheek, Florida International University

Document Type

Thesis

Degree

Master of Science (MS)

Major/Program

Biology

First Advisor's Name

Thomas Philippi

First Advisor's Committee Title

Committee Chair

Second Advisor's Name

Jerome Lorenz

Third Advisor's Name

Joel Trexler

Fourth Advisor's Name

Peter Frederick

Date of Defense

10-27-2006

Abstract

I compared wading bird foraging ecology in commercial shrimp ponds and natural mangrove mudflats in the Muisne River Estuary in northwest Ecuador. I estimated foraging habitat suitability by observing the foraging efficiency, diet, and behavior of great (Ardea alba) and snowy (Egretta thula) egrets, censusing birds, and measuring prey availability (i.e. prey density, standing crop, water depth, and diversity). Great egrets had greater foraging efficiency in shrimp ponds, while snowy egret foraging efficiency was greater on mudflats. Over 85% of prey items in snowy egret boluses were from shrimp ponds. Mean density, standing crop, length, and mass of prey items was significantly greater in shrimp ponds, but availability was limited by water depth and diversity. Great and snowy egrets utilized shrimp ponds as their primary foraging grounds, while all other diurnal wading bird species foraged primarily on mudflats, where the diversity of wading birds and their prey was greatest.

Identifier

FI14060157

Recommended Citation

Cheek, Michael David, "Wading bird foraging ecology in a disturbed mangrove estuary in northwest Ecuador : commercial shrimp ponds vs. natural mangrove mudflats" (2006). FIU Electronic Theses and Dissertations. 2125.
https://digitalcommons.fiu.edu/etd/2125