Životní strategie rybáka dlouhoocasého Sterna paradidaea

Mgr. Tereza HROMÁDKOVÁ

Doctoral thesis

Abstract:

This thesis is focused on the life strategy of the Arctic tern (Sterna paradisaea) and covers topics such as breeding biology, antipredation behaviour, human impact, and migration behaviour. The first study uncovers the mystery of the Arctic tern migration and focuses on the ecology of the remarkable journey concerning environmental factors such as wind conditions and food opportunities along the way. The second study compares the reaction of breeding Arctic terns to human disruption at two localities differing in terns experience with humans and discusses the potential habituation abilities of terns to human disturbances. The third study continues with the issue of human disturbance and discusses the correlation between disturbances, not only by humans but also by predators, and behaviour reactions in two Sterna species (the Arctic tern, the Antarctic tern - Sterna vitatta). The last study is focused on the abilities of predator recognition by Arctic terns with respect to various predators. Moreover, the study addresses the question of predator unfamiliarity and its consequences for behavioural response.

Abstract:

This thesis is focused on the life strategy of the Arctic tern (Sterna paradisaea) and covers topics such as breeding biology, antipredation behaviour, human impact, and migration behaviour. The first study uncovers the mystery of the Arctic tern migration and focuses on the ecology of the remarkable journey concerning environmental factors such as wind conditions and food opportunities along the way. The second study compares the reaction of breeding Arctic terns to human disruption at two localities differing in terns experience with humans and discusses the potential habituation abilities of terns to human disturbances. The third study continues with the issue of human disturbance and discusses the correlation between disturbances, not only by humans but also by predators, and behaviour reactions in two Sterna species (the Arctic tern, the Antarctic tern - Sterna vitatta). The last study is focused on the abilities of predator recognition by Arctic terns with respect to various predators. Moreover, the study addresses the question of predator unfamiliarity and its consequences for behavioural response.

Keywords

anthropogenic disturbance, incubation behaviour, antipredation behaviour, Svalbard, geolocator, migration strategy

Language used: English

Date on which the thesis was submitted / produced: 22. 7. 2024

Thesis defence

• Supervisor: RNDr. Petr Veselý, Ph.D.

UNIVERSITY OF SOUTH BOHEMIA IN ČESKÉ BUDĚJOVICE

Faculty of Science

Doctoral programme / field:
Zoology / Zoology