Map of Clay Lick Distribution in South America by Alan Lee
The reason came to Alan as he was scratching his skin on the Brazilian layover from South Africa to Peru. On the Brazilian coast, his skin allergy to salt would flair up. By the time Alan got to Tambopata, his research location, his skin was balmy again.
He connected. Tambopata is far from the Atlantic Ocean to the east. The Andes block the Pacific Ocean from the west. The net result is that there is little to no salt in the air. That explained his balmy skin. Could it also explain his map?
No salt in the air means no salt in the rain, nor the soil, nor the fruits. No salt in the fruits means diminished salt availability for fruit eaters, such as macaw. Salt is essential for several biochemical processes. Too little potassium for example, and you will cramp up right away. So macaw needs salt. But in Tambopata, they can’t get enough of it. So they head to the clay lick.
Elsewhere? There is plenty of salt in the air because the Atlantic Ocean is closer. The salt is incorporated by the waters, soils, and fruits, and there is no need to attend clay licks.
So thanks to the absence of salts we get to see stunning Blue and Yellow macaws at the clay licks. And thanks to Alan’s allergy we get to know why.
As usual here is the link to the paper.
By Kurt Holle
