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Understanding the complex dynamics of the Flamenco distribution area.

Updated: Jul 12

Alonzo-Parra, D. Garrido-Pérez A. and J. Serrano. 2023. Understanding the complex dynamics of the Flamingo range. https://www.flamencoyucatan.org/

Figure 1 . Flamingos ringed in Yucatán in the period 2000 to 2016 and reported in other countries until 2023, with the Bahamas being the site furthest from Yucatán (1,274 km). The reported data of Flamingos sighted in the Cayman Islands in 2014 and Texas, USA in 2006 are taken from Gálvez X. Migoya R and L. Guerrero. 2016.


A fundamental premise for carrying out conservation actions for a species, such as the Flamingo, is to acquire in-depth knowledge of its geographical distribution area. In simple terms, this area is defined as places where the species can be found frequently, as opposed to transient or occasional locations. Some biologists (Wiens et al., 2010) have raised the interesting idea that, if a group of organisms moves to another and has a significant impact on the genetics of the species, then its location can be considered part of the area of distribution of it.


Determining the range of a species becomes a complex challenge due to multiple factors. In addition to the influence of biological factors, human and meteorological disturbances, the distribution of a species undergoes expansion and contraction processes over time. These changes are shaped by ecological, physiological and historical factors, as well as by the biotic and abiotic conditions that allow their abundance to be maintained or increased (Modified from Maciel-Mata et al., 2015; Modified from Zunino & Zullini, 2003).

In the case of Flamingos born in Yucatán, it is not uncommon for them to be sighted in other countries, such as Florida, USA, where six individuals were recorded after Hurricane Idalia, in the period from September 1 to October 21. 2023. The Flamingos reported had been ringed as chicks 23, 21, 18, 11 and 7 years ago in the Ría Lagartos Biosphere Reserve, Yucatán, Mexico. It is relevant to mention that, according to reports, the presence of these individuals had not been recorded for several years. This raises questions about how long will they stay in Florida? Will they return to Yucatán? Or will they move to other countries?


Fascinating events in relation to this species and the previous questions have been documented through the installation of radio transmitters. An example is a flamingo with a radio transmitter that made a transfer from the Ría Lagartos Biosphere Reserve (RBRL) in Mexico to the Ciénaga de Zapata National Park in Cuba in a single day, traveling 865 km in 12 hours at a speed average 72 km/h. This Flamenco remained in Cuba for 230 days (7.6 months) and then returned to the RBRL in Mexico. The same individual also made another trip in the month of June, leaving the Yum Balam Flora and Fauna Protection Area in Mexico to go to Cuba, where he remained in the Cayo Romano Wetlands for 211 days (7 months) and returned to Mexico , traveling 1,052 km in 12 hours at an average speed of 85 km/h. This suggests the possibility that Flamingos born in Yucatan or Cuba participate in the reproductive processes of the Flamingo colony in both countries, contributing to the genetic pool of the population. Other Flamingos with radio transmitters and rings installed in Yucatán also made trips outside the Yucatán Peninsula, one even reached the Bahamas traveling 1,337 km away, which highlights the interconnection between the areas and the movement capacity of this species.

In this same sense, Gálvez These authors also highlight cases of Flamingos born in Yucatán that were observed incubating in the colony of Río Máximo, Cuba, in 2011.


The Pedro and Elena Hernández Foundation has been working tirelessly since 2017 on installing rings and satellite transmitters in Flamencos, as well as tracking these individuals in Yucatán. Currently, a new program called "FlamencoLab" is being started with the aim of establishing connections with other regions, such as the United States, Cuba, Dominican Republic and Venezuela; among others. This program seeks to optimize our understanding of the distribution area of this species and propose effective measures for its conservation.


Literature cited:

Gálvez X. Migoya R and L. Guerrero. 2016. Physical evidence of the metapopulation structure in the Caribbean Flamingo (Phoenicopterus ruber ruber) from sightings of ringed individuals. http://www.rccb.uh.cu


Maciel-Mata, CA, Manríquez-Morán, N., Octavio Aguilar, P. & Sánchez-Rojas, G. (2015). The distribution area of species: review of the concept. University Act, 25(2), 3-19. doi:10.15174/au.2015.690


Wiens, J. A. (1989). Spatial scaling in ecology. Functional Ecology, 3(4), 385-397.

Zunino, M. & Zullini, A. (2003). Biogeography: the spatial dimension of evolution. Mexico: Economic Culture Fund.













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