This project studies the dispersive capacity and aspects of population dynamics of the Torrent duck, a threatened species. The specific objectives include:
- Determine the dispersive capacity, the incubation switching rate between mates and, long term, the longevity and population genetics of the Torrent duck, along mountainous rapids in northeastern Patagonia, Argentina.
- Individually identify breeding pairs, as well as floaters (individuals wandering in search of their own territory).
- Determine whether breeding pairs exhibit site-fidelity for their breeding territories.
- Study the replacement rate of reproductive individuals.
- Study the dispersive capacity of juveniles and floaters of the species.
- Develop an estimate of population size for the species within northwestern Patagonia, Argentina.
- Study the population dynamics and genetic isolation of subpopulations from different river basins.
- Determine whether abandonment of breeding territories is due to selection of new sites or the death of on or more of the breeding pair. ($3,520)