scholarly journals No Evidence for Effects of Breeding Density and Male Removal on Extrapair Paternity in the Pied Flycatcher

The Auk ◽  
2001 ◽  
Vol 118 (1) ◽  
pp. 147-155 ◽  
Author(s):  
Osmo Rätti ◽  
Arne Lundberg ◽  
Håkan Tegelström ◽  
Rauno V. Alatalo
Keyword(s):  
Social Relationships ◽  
Bird Species ◽  
Ecological Factors ◽  
Egg Laying ◽  
Pied Flycatcher ◽  
Breeding Density ◽  
Fertile Period ◽  
Extrapair Paternity ◽  
Mating Patterns ◽  
The Cost

Abstract Molecular methods have brought new insight to the study of mating patterns. Extrapair fertilizations (EPF) have proven to be widespread among bird species irrespective of social relationships. Ecological factors, such as breeding density and synchrony, have been suggested as contributors to variation in EPF rates. Absence of a male during the female fertile period may also increase the probability of EPFs. In this study, we examined experimentally whether breeding density and male absence before egg-laying influence the EPF rate in Pied Flycatchers (Ficedula hypoleuca). DNA fingerprinting revealed that 4.4% (10/225) of nestlings were the result of EPFs and 7.0% (3/43) of broods included at least one offspring sired by a male other than that attending the nest. We did not find any evidence of higher EPF rate with higher breeding density as stated by the density hypothesis. Contrary to expectation, EPFs were more frequent, though not quite statistically significantly, at low breeding density: all three EPF nests were found in low-breeding-density areas. There was no evidence that EPF rate was affected by a 4 h male removal. In all cases of EPF, an old female was mated with a yearling male, which suggests that older females mated with browner yearling males may have adjusted their initial mate choice through EPCs to acquire indirect genetic benefits. Pied Flycatcher females may be constrained to accept a mate of lower than preferred quality, especially at low breeding density, due to the cost of searching for alternative males.

Timing of breeding in subarctic passerines in relation to food availability

2000 ◽  
Vol 78 (1) ◽  
pp. 67-78 ◽  
Author(s):  
Tapio Eeva ◽  
Simo Veistola ◽  
Esa Lehikoinen
Keyword(s):  
Food Availability ◽  
Bird Species ◽  
Weather Conditions ◽  
Early Summer ◽  
Egg Laying ◽  
Pied Flycatcher ◽  
Food Sources ◽  
Laying Date ◽  
Timing Of Breeding ◽  
Nestling Period

We studied timing of breeding in four species of hole-nesting passerines, the Siberian tit (Poecile cinctus), great tit (Parus major), pied flycatcher (Ficedula hypoleuca), and redstart (Phoenicurus phoenicurus), and the abundance of the arthropods in their diet (ground-dwelling spiders, winged insects, foliage-feeding lepidopteran and hymenopteran larvae) in Finnish Lapland for 6-12 years. Densities of the invertebrate groups varied considerably, both seasonally and annually. All the bird species started to breed in early summer, when weather conditions were often poor. At the beginning of the breeding season all species relied on ground-dwelling spiders, whose abundances peaked early and were less variable over the years than those of insects. Abundances and timing of emergence of caterpillars in birch and pine canopies (the major food sources for foliage-gleaners) were highly variable, but each year their abundances peaked in July or August, after the nestling period of the birds. This contrasts with reported cases in deciduous forests at midlatitudes and shows that at our site the birds did not time their nestling period ultimately to coincide with peak food availability. Mean clutch sizes declined seasonally in the tit species and the pied flycatcher but not in the redstart. The number of fledglings did not depend on laying date, except in the Siberian tit, for which dependence of fledgling number on laying date varied among years. Although early broods were not more productive (i.e., greater number of fledglings) than later ones, early breeding is ultimately a necessity for recruitment because of the short subarctic summer. Birds cannot delay breeding in the north because late breeding would shorten the time available for moulting, food-hoarding, and preparation for migration or wintering. Our results show that at the time of egg laying, passerines may receive proximate cues to allow them to predict food conditions during the nestling period. Still, exact prediction of food availability during later phases of nesting is constrained by an inherent discrepancy between warm-blooded birds and poikilothermic invertebrates: once a bird has started egg laying, the subsequent phases follow nearly automatically on certain calendar dates, whereas the development of the arthropods depends on the rate of temperature increase.

Intraspecific Variation in Extra-Pair Copulation and Mate Defence in Common Guillemots Uria Aalge

Behaviour ◽  
1988 ◽  
Vol 107 (3-4) ◽  
pp. 157-185 ◽  
Author(s):  
B.J. Hatchwell
Keyword(s):  
Male Partner ◽  
Relative Number ◽  
Selective Advantage ◽  
Egg Laying ◽  
Energetic Cost ◽  
Breeding Density ◽  
Fertile Period ◽  
Mixed Reproductive Strategy ◽  
Copulation Behaviour ◽  
Number Of Males

Extra-pair copulation (EPC) in common guillemots was frequent during the pre-laying period. Although guillemots are essentially monogamous, males adopted a mixed reproductive strategy (MRS) by attempting to obtain forced extra-pair copulations (FEPC) during the female's fertile period, which was estimated to start 25 days prior to laying. Males spent more time at the colony than females and exhibited highly synchronized cycles of attendance during the pre-laying period in order to defend their partner against EPC attempts. By doing so they probably incurred some energetic cost. Pair copulation started as soon as the adults returned to the colony (4-5 months before the start of egg-laying), when it probably serves a pair-bonding function. From about 25 days before egg-laying (day -25) the PC rate increased, peaking at about day -12. It was estimated that guillemots copulated 22 times in the three weeks prior to egg-laying. The FEPC rate increased towards egg-laying and was more closely correlated with date than with the relative number of males present, although the number of males involved in each FEPC attempt increased towards laying. During the fertile period, 10% of all observed copulation attempts were FEPCs. However, the success rate (the proportion achieving cloacal contact) of FEPCs was much lower (6%) than that of PCs (74%). Females also employed an MRS, occasionally soliciting or co-operating in unforced extra-pair copulations (UEPCs) when their male partner was absent from the colony. UEPCs were much more successful (95%) than FEPCs, but also less frequent. The effect of breeding density on copulation behaviour was examined. FEPCs were more frequent at high breeding densities than at low density. The probability of obtaining FEPC insemination for males with two or more neighbours was about ten times that of males with no neighbours. Similarly, the risk of cuckoldry increased with density. increased with density. Three hypotheses were considered concerning the effect of density on the PC rate: the 'dilution' hypothesis predicted a higher PC rate at high density, and the 'disguise' and 'interference' hypotheses predicted a lower PC rate at high breeding density. The PC rate decreased with increasing density as a result of disruption of PCs by neighbouring males attempting to obtain FEPCs, a result consistent with the 'interference' hypothesis. The reproductive success of males obtaining EPCs, cuckolded males, and non-EPC/non-cuckold males was examined, and a selective advantage of 10% estimated for successful EPC males over cuckolds.

scholarly journals No relationship between female emergence time from the roosting place and extrapair paternity

2014 ◽  
Vol 25 (3) ◽  
pp. 650-659 ◽  
Author(s):  
Lotte Schlicht ◽  
Mihai Valcu ◽  
Peter Loës ◽  
Alexander Girg ◽  
Bart Kempenaers
Keyword(s):  
Bird Species ◽  
Parus Major ◽  
Early Morning ◽  
Potential Effect ◽  
Egg Laying ◽  
Emergence Time ◽  
Cyanistes Caeruleus ◽  
Extrapair Paternity ◽  
Nest Box ◽  
Breeding Seasons

Abstract In several bird species, the period around dawn seems important for extrapair behavior. For example, a study on great tits (Parus major) showed that females that emerged earlier from their roosting place during the peak of their fertile period were more likely to have extrapair young in their brood. We investigated the potential effect of female emergence times on extrapair behavior in the blue tit (Cyanistes caeruleus). First, we tested the relationship between natural female emergence times from the nest-box and the presence or frequency of extrapair offspring in the brood, using 4 years of data. Females progressively emerged earlier from the nest-box as egg laying approached, with the earliest emergence 2 days before the start of laying. However, we found no relationship between female emergence time and the occurrence of extrapair young in the brood. Secondly, in 2 breeding seasons, we experimentally advanced female emergence times by supplying the roosting females with additional light in the early morning. Although the experiment had inconsistent effects on the occurrence of extrapair young in the brood, we found no evidence that female emergence time during peak fertility is directly linked to extrapair paternity. Interestingly, females exposed to artificial light were more likely to return to breed in the next year.

Elevated nest predation risk promotes offspring size variation in birds with prolonged parental care.

2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Gretchen F. Wagner ◽  
Emeline Mourocq ◽  
Michael Griesser
Keyword(s):  
Predation Risk ◽  
Reproductive Cycle ◽  
Perceived Risk ◽  
Nest Predation ◽  
Bird Species ◽  
Size Variation ◽  
Egg Laying ◽  
Offspring Size ◽  
Natural Predation ◽  
Risk Spreading

Predation of offspring is the main cause of reproductive failure in many species, and the mere fear of offspring predation shapes reproductive strategies. Yet, natural predation risk is ubiquitously variable and can be unpredictable. Consequently, the perceived prospect of predation early in a reproductive cycle may not reflect the actual risk to ensuing offspring. An increased variance in investment across offspring has been linked to breeding in unpredictable environments in several taxa, but has so far been overlooked as a maternal response to temporal variation in predation risk. Here, we experimentally increased the perceived risk of nest predation prior to egg-laying in seven bird species. Species with prolonged parent-offspring associations increased their intra-brood variation in egg, and subsequently offspring, size. High risk to offspring early in a reproductive cycle can favour a risk-spreading strategy particularly in species with the greatest opportunity to even out offspring quality after fledging.

Probiotics in the diets of laying quails

2020 ◽  
pp. 60-66
Author(s):  
O. Merzlyakova ◽  
V. Rogachyev ◽  
V. Chegodaev
Keyword(s):  
Bacillus Subtilis ◽  
Bacillus Licheniformis ◽  
Egg Production ◽  
Positive Impact ◽  
Hematological Parameters ◽  
Economic Effect ◽  
Egg Laying ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Egg Mass ◽  
The Cost

The efficiency of introducing probiotics based on strains of Bacillus subtilis, Bacillus licheniformis and their consortium in the amount of 150 g/t of feed into the diets of laying quails has been studied. The experiment lasting 182 days has been carried out on four groups of quails with 30 heads in each. The quails have been housed in the broiler battery in compliance with the required microclimate conditions. Quails of all groups have been received the main diet (compound feed) developed taking into account their age and physiological characteristics. The quails of the 1st, 2nd and 3rd experimental groups in addition to the main diet received probiotics (150 g/t compound feed) based on strains Bacillus subtilis, Bacillus licheniformis and their consortium, respectively. It has been found that feeding the laying quails of the consortium of strains Bacillus subtilis and Bacillus licheniformis had the most significant positive impact on their productive performance, it allowed to increase egg production by 7,81 %, egg laying intensity by 5,0 %, egg mass yield by 9,77 %, while reducing feed expenditures for 10 eggs by 13,35 %. The yield of hatching eggs has been increased by 7,03 %, hatchability of chickens from laid and fertilized eggs by 8,33 and 8,35 %, brooding waste decreased by 21,74 %. Hematological parameters of quails during the whole experiment were within the physiological norm. The economic effect calculated on the basis of data on the cost of compound feed, probiotics and the cost of sold eggs of quail laying was 14,56 % in the 3rd experimental group (in relation to the control group).

Effects of breeding density, synchrony, and experience on extrapair paternity in tree swallows

1994 ◽  
Vol 5 (2) ◽  
pp. 123-129 ◽  
Author(s):  
Peter O. Dunn ◽  
Linda A. Whittingham ◽  
Jan T. Lifjeld ◽  
Raleigh J. Robertson ◽  
Peter T. Boag
Keyword(s):  
Breeding Density ◽  
Tree Swallows ◽  
Extrapair Paternity

Time-Energy Budgets During Reproduction and the Evolution of Single Parenting in the Superb Lyrebird

1986 ◽  
Vol 34 (3) ◽  
pp. 351 ◽  
Author(s):  
A Lill
Keyword(s):  
Growth Rate ◽  
Brood Size ◽  
Slow Growth ◽  
Bird Species ◽  
Egg Laying ◽  
Energy Budgets ◽  
Brood Care ◽  
Single Parenting ◽  
Slow Growth Rate ◽  
Small Brood

Estimated expenditures on brood-care by unassisted female superb lyrebirds, obtained through time-energy budgeting, were compared with published values for other bird species. With the exception of nestbuilding, estimated daily expenditures were relatively low, due mainly to the small brood size and low level of parental attentiveness. It is suggested that the traits which reduce daily brood-care expenditures, particularly the small brood size and extremely slow growth rate, may have evolved as adaptations which enabled deserted females operating close to maximal capacity to cope with single-parenting. Male parental involvement could probably increase the growth rate of the young, but not brood size; moreover, egg- laying was sufficiently asynchronous to afford multiple mating opportunities to parentally emancipated males. However, the slow growth rate of the young results in relatively large overall brood-care expenditures for females. Investments by males of up to 50% of daylight hours and 45% of BMR on singing at the height of the mating season were comparable with those of partially emancipated, polygynous males of other species. They probably reflect the high level of competition to control good display areas and to advertise status and quality to widely spaced females.

scholarly journals Duration of colonial bird species egg incubation

2018 ◽  
Vol 7 (1) ◽  
pp. 58-64
Author(s):  
Yuri Gennadievich Lamekhov
Keyword(s):  
Ordinal Number ◽  
Bird Species ◽  
Early Ontogeny ◽  
Egg Laying ◽  
Early Ontogenesis ◽  
Time Interval ◽  
Egg Incubation ◽  
Colonial Bird ◽  
Incubation Duration ◽  
Colonial Settlement

The paper deals with one of the aspects of bird early ontogenesis biology - egg incubation duration, which was defined as the time interval between egg laying and hatching from it. The oomorphological parameters are determined taking into account the ordinal number of the laid eggs. Parameters of early ontogeny of birds are studied on the example of colonially nesting species: blackberry toadstool ( Podiceps nigricollis C.L. Brehm.) and lake gull ( Larus ridibundus L.). Within the colonial settlement of these species, the biological center and the periphery of the colony were isolated. When studying the parameters of early ontogeny of birds and oomorphological characteristics, the same number of eggs was taken into account. During field and laboratory studies it was found that the incubation of eggs lasts longer in eggs from the nests of the biological center of the colony. The first eggs are incubated longer. These features clearly manifested in the early ontogeny of the gull. The increase in the egg incubation duration occurs against the background of an increase in their mass and a decrease in the concentration of lysozyme in the protein shell of the egg. Egg incubation duration is one of the results of embryonalization as a way of evolution of ontogeny. The manifestation of the results of embryogenesis was revealed for the first eggs in the nests of the biological center of the colony. Embryonalization leads to an increase in egg incubation duration as well as to a decrease in the intensity of elimination in early ontogenesis, which affects the number of individuals breeding in the colony and, accordingly, the structure of the colonial settlement of birds.

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