Recruiting age influences male and female survival and population persistence in a long-lived tropical seabird

摘要: Variation in the age at first reproduction may have important implications for growth and dynamics of populations, but these potential impacts remain virtually unexplored. By using 26 years data from a marked colony blue-footed boobies Sula nebouxii (Milne-Edwards), we tested whether survival early recruits is lower comparison to late recruits, investigate how different recruiting ages contribute persistence population. In addition, simulated changes recruitment estimated their impact on population fitness. Our analyses 1310 capture–recapture histories revealed that younger males females initiated within 6 life, were mean annual probabilities. Survival did not differ between sexes was similar females. Each additional year male female delayed start meant an increase roughly 2 % rates. Male 2–5 old contributed same rate (λ) regardless particular age, contribution started decline years. According our simulations, delaying beyond 5 case females, males, would negatively affect this booby Therefore, suggest there selection against 5–6 old. This study adds nascent empirical literature long-term fitness consequences variation long-lived species, provides insights into evolution trade-offs demographic perspective.