Date of Award

1-1-1987

Document Type

Dissertation

Degree Name

Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)

Department

Biology

Abstract

The population biology and life history patterns of the Piping Plover (Charadrius melodus Ord), an endangered shorebird, were studied throughout the species' range from 1981-1987. Life history patterns were investigated in southern Manitoba at West Shoal Lake, Lake Manitoba, and Lake Winnipeg (1981-1985); and at Lake of the Woods, Minnesota (1985-1986). Distribution patterns were determined via censusing during the breeding season and winter (1983-1987). In 1985, feather pulp was collected for electrophoretic analyses from 122 fledglings in Saskatchewan, North Dakota, Manitoba, Minnesota, and New Brunswick. Blood was collected from 57 adults in Manitoba and Minnesota to electrophoretically examine brood parentage.Widespread destruction of breeding habitat did not affect high site fidelity among males and females, but provided numerous opportunities to change mates and territories during the between years. Contrary to predictions, return patterns did not differ significantly between the sexes. Sixty-seven winter sightings of marked Piping Plovers showed post-breeding birds from inland populations readily mixed, while little mixing occurred between Atlantic and inland birds. Analysis of 36 presumptive loci (four polymorphic) paralleled other avian studies and indicated little population differentiation had occurred (F$\sb{\rm st}$ =.02). Overall, populations conformed to Hardy-Weinberg predictions. Results of brood parentage were inconclusive due to low resolution of blood.Results of the study illustrate that variability of life history patterns within a species can be as great as differences among species. The study represents an uncommon meshing of theoretical and conservation issues.

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