Sexual dimorphism and age-related differences are sources that contribute to morphologic and physiologic variation within animal populations. Measurement of animal performance may indicate whether this variation is functionally relevant. Our study aimed to experimentally test this statement in a captive population of House Sparrows ( Passer domesticus (L., 1758)) by examining age- and sex-related differences in escape response and its relationship to several morphological (tarsus, wing, tail lengths, and body mass) and physiological traits (cell-mediated immunity, natural antibodies, complement activity, hematocrit, and stress response). Escape response from a predator is considered a good variable to measure animal performance, because natural selection clearly favours individuals that avoid predators successfully. Our experimental design also aimed to standardize possible confounding factors affecting escape behaviour under natural conditions. We exposed sparrows to short episodes of high predation risk by simulating the attack of a predator and assumed that the capture order of individuals was related to their escape capacity. The optimal strategy was the immediate escape response for all individuals. We found that first-year males were the best escapers. In support of the hypothesis, juvenile males gathered a better optimum of several morphological and physiological characters that related to capture order.
Law School and the Making of the Student into a Lawyer: Transformation of First Year Law Students in the National University of Singapore