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Rapid colonization of Ecuador by the tropical mockingbird (mimus gilvus)

Abstract:

Some species benefit from anthropogenic ecosystem disturbance expanding their distribution ranges rapidly into altered areas. Given the current availability of anthropogenic landscapes in the Neotropic, it is important to document cases of species' range extensions to better understand the factors that influence their distribution. In this manuscript, we document the colonization process of the Tropical Mockingbird (Mimus gilvus) in Ecuador since its arrival from Colombia in 1996, and analyze its range expansion to predict its future distribution based on a potential distribution climate model. Data collected indicate that the species has expanded 300 km southwards since first recorded in Ecuador. Given the availability of suitable climate conditions and the availability of disturbed land, it is expected that M. gilvus will continue its current range expansion southwards, occupying most Ecuador, mainly along inter-Andean valleys.