Intraspecific Variation in Functional Traits of Birds in the Context of Ecological release
Brynn Fricke and Mia Keriazes, College of Agriculture and Life Sciences
PI
Our work is supervised by Dr. Scott K. Robinson and Orlando Acevedo-Charry, with collaboration from Dr. Miguel A. Acevedo.
Research Focus
Birds have a great ability to disperse, and along with their rich datasets, they are a great group for studying the concept of ecological release, specifically focusing on intraspecific variation in functional traits. This project hypothesizes that birds on islands, where predation and competition pressures are often reduced, will exhibit broader ranges and possibly shifts in functional trait values compared to their mainland counterparts. By comparing these traits we hope to contribute to the wider theory of ecological release, offering insights that could aid in conservation.
Responsibilities
Our project responsibilities involve measuring the functional traits of various bird species, within the genera Euphonia (Chlorophonia), Coereba, and Coccyzus, using specimens at the Florida Museum of Natural History (FLMNH). As this project is with the USP, we aim to present in Spring 2025.