Causes and consequences of post-growth age-dependent differences in small intestine size in a migratory sandpiper (Calidris mauri, Western Sandpiper)

Summary 1Calidris mauri Cabanis (Western Sandpiper) exhibits a pronounced post-growth age-dependent difference in small intestine size during southward migration, such that the later-migrating juveniles have larger small intestines than do the adults. Potential causes and consequences of this age-dependent difference are examined. 2Premigrant juveniles of full structural size had small intestines that were 10% longer than those of the premigrant adults, even though the juveniles had not attained asymptotic body mass. The elongated small intestines of premigrant juveniles appear to be growth-related. 3Adults and juveniles exhibited parallel increases in intestinal length (7·0%) and circumference (9·5%) in association with the initiation of migration; these effects are consistent with migratory hyperphagia. 4Refuelling juveniles had small intestines that were 8·5% longer than those of the refuelling adults. Retaining an enlarged small intestine during migration confers increased digestive capacity to the juveniles, which may be under selection to minimize stopover duration. 5Refuelling juveniles had a higher prevalence of cestode infection than refuelling adults in one of two years, and the length-corrected mass of the small intestine was 9·7% heavier in infected individuals. Cestode infection may be an important determinant of migration-related mortality for juveniles, by compromising their health and increasing stopover duration.