MIGRATION OF ANIMALS,
movement of all or part of species from one place to another in response to change in climate and several environmental factors called migration of animals.
Many animals migrate and return to their home(where they are born)for breeding.
In fact, bird migration is probably the biological phenomenon that has attracted the most interest among non-scientists, and has one of the longest traditions of scientific investigation in biology (Berthold 2001)
Who Migrates?
Migrating animals are found in all major branches of the animal kingdom. They include taxa as diverse as fish, crustaceans, amphibians, reptiles, insects, mammals and slime moulds (Bowlin et al. 2010).
FISH MIGRATION
Fish live in constant habitat but many other fishes who migrate from fresh water to sea or vice versa and travel long distance.Certain species of tuna, such as the bluefin tuna, are known for their extensive migrations across the oceans.Fish migrations are driven by a variety of reasons, primarily related to survival, reproduction, and access to resources. These migrations are crucial for maintaining fish populations and the health of aquatic ecosystems.
- Fish often migrate in search of food. This type of migration, known as foraging migration, occurs when fish move to areas with abundant food resources. For example, Atlantic cod migrate between spawning and feeding grounds, moving to colder waters rich in prey during certain seasons. These migrations are crucial for maintaining the energy levels necessary for growth, reproduction, and survival.
Some fish migrate to avoid predators, particularly during vulnerable life stages, such as when they are young or during spawning.
- Fish often migrate in response to changing environmental conditions like temperature and salinity. Eels, for example, migrate from freshwater rivers to the ocean when they are ready to spawn.
CRUSTACEANS MIGRATION
Crustaceans, which include crabs, lobsters, shrimp, and other related species, exhibit some fascinating migration behaviors. While they may not travel as far as some terrestrial or avian species, their migrations are often driven by the need to reproduce, find food, or escape environmental stressors.
E.g Christmas Island Red Crabs
One of the most famous crustacean migrations, millions of red crabs migrate from the island’s forests to the coast each year to breed.The migration is so significant that roads and paths are often closed to protect the crabs as they move in large numbers
AMPHIBEAN MIGRATION.
Amphibian migrations are remarkable journeys that play a crucial role in the life cycles of these animals. Amphibians, such as frogs, toads, salamanders, and newts, often migrate to specific breeding sites, usually ponds, lakes, or wetlands, where they can lay their eggs.
Each spring, common toads embark on a journey to their ancestral breeding ponds. These toads often travel long distances, sometimes up to several kilometers, from their hibernation sites to the ponds where they breed. This migration typically occurs on rainy nights, as the moist conditions help prevent desiccation.
BIRDS MIGRATION
Birds are adapted in their body structures and physiology to life in the air.Their feathered wings and tails,bones,lungs and air sacs and their metabolic abilities all contribute to this amazing facility.
Many bird species migrate to access food resources that vary with the seasons. In temperate regions, food can become scarce during the winter, prompting birds to migrate to areas where food is more abundant.
Birds often migrate to specific breeding grounds where conditions are ideal for raising their young.
The length of daylight affects birds’ behavior and physiology, influencing their migration patterns. Longer daylight hours in the breeding season stimulate reproductive activities, while shorter days trigger migration.
Arctic Tern (Sterna paradisaea),Monarch Butterfly (Danaus plexippus),Barn Swallow (Hirundo rustica),Swainson’s Hawk (Buteo swainsoni),Bar-tailed Godwit (Limosa lapponica) are the examples of migratory birds.
MAMMALS MIGRATION
Mass migrations are some of the most spectacular events in the natural world. Animals travel in their thousands on foot or on the wing to follow food available in different seasons, to find water, or reach the best places to breed.
the most visible animal migration is the journey of Africa's wildebeest herds, which travel annually by the millions in search of greener pastures. Known as the Great Migration, millions of wildebeests suddenly start migrating at the same time each year, moving from the southern part of Tanzania's Serengeti Desert up and around to Masai Mara in Kenya, then back again.
What Triggers Migration?
Hormones are known to play a role in controlling migration. Bird migration is thought to depend on gonadal condition in spring, but not in fall. In many insects, changes in the activity of juvenile hormone are responsible for transitions between migratory and reproductive life stages, and the gregarious swarms of locusts are under the influence of the hormone serotonin. The connections between day length, annual reproductive cycle and migration are now well established in birds, fishes, and other migrants.
CONCLUTION
Animal migration is a remarkable natural phenomenon that highlights the resilience, adaptability, and intricate connections within ecosystems. Whether traversing vast distances across continents,Understanding and protecting animal migration not only safeguards biodiversity but also ensures that future generations can witness the awe-inspiring spectacles of nature’s great travelers.
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