Philopatry
Philopatry (literally "father love," meaning probably " patriotism "), the breeding site fidelity , is a zoological term of art in various classes of animals, particularly in birds, some mammals, such as whales or seals , as well as in some reptiles, such as sea turtles applied becomes. It is to be understood as repeated breeding in the same place, or at least spatially very close places (English site fidelity) or the attempt of the offspring to settle at the place of growth or at least in close proximity to it (English natal philopatry).
Philopatric behavior is extremely different among the different species, and in many species the sexes behave differently in relation to the breeding location. Behavioral differences can also exist within the same species. In general it can be said that the intensity of philopathy is less pronounced in single-breeding migratory songbirds than in resident birds or colony breeders. Colony-breeding seabirds such as gulls , alks or penguins show particularly intensely developed philopatric behavior .
Philosophy offers the advantage that an individual adapted to a certain section of a habitat can make optimal use of it; at the same time, this behavior increases the risk of inbreeding , which in the long term has negative effects in most populations. Apparently, there are mechanisms that minimize inbreeding even in seabird colonies. Out of 244 pairings of the yellow- browed penguin, only 7 inbred cases were found.
literature
- Einhard Bezzel and Roland Prinzinger: Ornithology . Eugen Ulmer, Stuttgart 1990. 2nd edition. ISBN 3-8001-2597-8