Specialization on bamboo by Neotropical birds

COCKLE K; ARETA JI

THE CONDOR

COOPER ORNITHOLOGICAL SOC

Año: 2013 vol. 115 p. 217 - 220

0010-5422

Ornithologists have long marveled at the many species of neotropicalforest birds found in close association with woodybamboos (Poaceae: Bambuseae). Over 400 species of woodybamboos occur in the neotropics, a total second only to southeastAsia, which has nearly 1000 species (Bystriakova et al.2003, 2004). Woody bamboos may grow in the open with acompact shrubby aspect, clamber up trees into the forest canopy,stand erect and self-supported up to 30 m tall, arch overand extend outward, or form dense tangles that carpet theground, providing a diverse array of microhabitats (McClure1966, Judziewicz et al. 1999). Their clonal reproductionallows many of them to colonize disturbed areas quickly,forming stands large enough to hold one or more territoriesof specialist birds (Kratter 1997, Judziewicz et al. 1999, Gagnonand Platt 2008). The synchronous seed production ofmany bamboos provides abundant and nutritious food forgranivores, while bamboos? fast growth, often hollow stems,and dense tangled habit support diverse arthropod communitiesthat provide food for insectivores (Janzen 1976, Reidet al. 2004, Lebbin 2007). However, specialization by birds onwoody bamboos is hindered by dramatic changes in resourceavailability over time and space. Most neotropical woodybamboos grow vegetatively for 30?40 years, then flower synchronouslyover large areas and die (Judziewicz et al. 1999).It has long been a mystery how so many species of neotropicalbirds specialize on such a fluctuating resource, and, more recently,concerns have been raised about how to conserve thesespecies and their interaction relationships in the face of widespreaddeforestation.