@article{fdi:010062509,
  title = {{R}elationships between nest-cavity and mate selection, reproductive performance and fidelity in the {M}editerranean endemic {Y}elkouan {S}hearwater {P}uffinus yelkouan},
  author = {{B}ourgeois, {K}. and {D}romzee, {S}. and {V}idal, {E}ric},
  editor = {},
  language = {{ENG}},
  abstract = {{N}est and mate choice is important in seabirds, influencing reproductive performance as both nest:site and partner quality varies. {T}he {Y}elkouan {S}hearwater {P}uffinus yelkouan nests mainly in pre-existing cavities and to a lesser extent in cavities it excavates. {W}e have monitored breeding colonies of the {Y}elkouan {S}hearwater on two islands of the {H}yeres archipelago, south-east of {F}rance, for nine years to analyse nest-cavity and mate selection, to evaluate nest-cavity and mate fidelity, and to investigate their relationships with reproductive performance. {Y}elkouan {S}hearwaters selected nest-cavities providing a high degree of concealment and protection. {R}eproductive performance and fidelity to cavity were highest in deep cavities with a winding tunnel and a steep slope around the entrance. {M}ating was assortative for bill and tarsus measurements. {H}igh rates of return to the same cavity (94.7%) and mate (95.5%) were recorded. {F}idelity to nest-cavity was highest when breeding succeeded the previous year (fidelity rate: 97.3% in successful breeders vs. 87.8% in unsuccessful breeders) and was most likely to result in successful breeding the same year (breeding success: 67.5% in faithful breeders vs. 43.8% in movers). {T}he rate of divorce was low (4.5%), did not differ between islands and was not associated with breeding performance. {H}owever, breeding success increased by 22.2 +/- 9.9% after mate change following a divorce or the absence of a previous mate. {S}uch high rates of nest-cavity and mate fidelity could indicate a good population status with breeding habitat, food resource and mates of good quality.},
  keywords = {mate choice ; mate fidelity ; nest fidelity ; nest-site choice ; {P}rocellariiformes ; reproductive performance ; sexual size dimorphism ; {MEDITERRANEE} ; {FRANCE}},
  booktitle = {},
  journal = {{A}cta {O}rnithologica},
  volume = {49},
  numero = {1},
  pages = {9--22},
  ISSN = {0001-6454},
  year = {2014},
  DOI = {10.3161/000164514x682850},
  URL = {https://www.documentation.ird.fr/hor/fdi:010062509},
}