Sandvik Halgunset, E.; Mellard, J.

Arctic and Boreal raptor communities will continue to be affected by borealization and other climate change related processes, providing a challenge for ecologists predicting future sates. However, by using community assembly theory and species traits, future communities may be predictable. In this study, we analyzed variation in reproduction traits as a consequence of diet specialization for 29 raptors, 2 skuas and 3 corvids. We assessed and implemented foraging traits for specialists and generalists into predator-prey models from which successful invasion conditions were derived. Specialist raptors produced larger clutch sizes, had a higher proportion of fledged per clutch and also expressed more variation compared to generalist raptors. These results suggest a relationship between diet specialization and reproductive traits which was also observed within phylogenetic orders. Specialist owls (Strigiformes) produced higher clutch sizes with a larger clutch range compared to generalist owls. The same pattern was observed for falcons (Falconiformes). No clear difference in reproduction was observed for specialist and generalist hawks, kites and eagles (Accipitriformes). Corvids expressed clutch sizes similar to that of specialist raptors while having the lowest proportion of fledged per clutch. Differences in foraging traits between specialists and generalists could be distinguished using functional response curves. A predator-prey model parameterized with foraging trait data showed that a generalist can coexist with a resident specialist if it has access to prey unavailable to the resident specialist. Otherwise, the native specialist outcompetes the invading generalist due to foraging efficiency. The combined empirical and theoretical findings in this study show how diet specialization affects both reproduction and the potential invasion success of raptors.