scholarly journals Breeding season length predicts duet coordination and consistency in Neotropical wrens (Troglodytidae)

2020 ◽  
Vol 287 (1941) ◽  
pp. 20202482
Author(s):  
Emily L. Keenan ◽  
Karan J. Odom ◽  
Marcelo Araya-Salas ◽  
Kyle G. Horton ◽  
Matthew Strimas-Mackey ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Clutch Size ◽  
Breeding Season ◽  
Vegetation Density ◽  
Season Length ◽  
Evolutionary Patterns ◽  
Breeding Behaviour ◽  
Breeding Seasons ◽  
Vocal Duets

Many animals produce coordinated signals, but few are more striking than the elaborate male–female vocal duets produced by some tropical songbirds. Yet, little is known about the factors driving the extreme levels of vocal coordination between mated pairs in these taxa. We examined evolutionary patterns of duet coordination and their potential evolutionary drivers in Neotropical wrens (Troglodytidae), a songbird family well known for highly coordinated duets. Across 23 wren species, we show that the degree of coordination and precision with which pairs combine their songs into duets varies by species. This includes some species that alternate their song phrases with exceptional coordination to produce rapidly alternating duets that are highly consistent across renditions. These highly coordinated, consistent duets evolved independently in multiple wren species. Duet coordination and consistency are greatest in species with especially long breeding seasons, but neither duet coordination nor consistency are correlated with clutch size, conspecific abundance or vegetation density. These results suggest that tightly coordinated duets play an important role in mediating breeding behaviour, possibly by signalling commitment or coalition of the pair to mates and other conspecifics.

scholarly journals How Many Baskets? Clutch Sizes That Maximize Annual Fecundity of Multiple-Brooded Birds

The Auk ◽  
2001 ◽  
Vol 118 (4) ◽  
pp. 973-982 ◽  
Author(s):  
George L. Farnsworth ◽  
Theodore R. Simons ◽  
J. Brawn
Keyword(s):  
Clutch Size ◽  
Breeding Season ◽  
Nest Predation ◽  
Reproductive Effort ◽  
Nest Survival ◽  
Survival Rates ◽  
Season Length ◽  
Deterministic Models ◽  
Cavity Nesting ◽  
Theoretical Issues

Abstract We developed deterministic models on the basis of nest survival rates and renesting behavior capable of predicting annual fecundity in birds. The models calculate probabilities of fledging from one to four nests within a discrete breeding season. We used those models to address theoretical issues related to clutch size. In general, birds require at least one day to lay an egg, and many species delay incubation until their entire clutch is laid. Because it takes longer to complete a larger clutch, and fewer such clutches can fit into a limited breeding season, there exists a clutch size for which annual fecundity is maximized. We asked, for a given amount of reproductive effort (i.e. a set number of eggs), does the age-old maxim “don't put all your eggs in one basket” apply? If so, in how many “baskets” should a nesting bird place its eggs? The answer depends on both likelihood of nest predation and length of the breeding season. Those results are consistent with the observed increase in clutch size with latitude (shorter breeding season length) and larger clutch sizes characteristic of cavity-nesting species (with higher nest survival rates). The models also predict that the size of replacement clutches should decrease as the breeding season progresses, and that intraseasonal decline in clutch size should be more pronounced when the breeding season is short.

Reproductive variation corresponding to breeding season length in three tropical frog species

2009 ◽  
Vol 25 (6) ◽  
pp. 583-592 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jennifer A. Sheridan
Keyword(s):  
Clutch Size ◽  
Breeding Season ◽  
Common Species ◽  
The Other ◽  
Female Size ◽  
Season Length ◽  
Widespread Species ◽  
Frog Species ◽  
Polypedates Leucomystax ◽  
Central Thailand

Abstract:Several South-East Asian anuran species can breed year-round near the equator (due to abundant rainfall in all months in Singapore, for example) but are limited to a 6-mo breeding season in other areas (including central Thailand). In order to investigate the extent to which such differences in breeding season length are associated with differences in reproductive measures such as clutch size, reproduction of three common species, Polypedates leucomystax, Microhyla heymonsi and Hylarana erythraea, was compared in Singapore and Thailand over a 2-y period. All three species produce nearly twice as many eggs per clutch in seasonal environments compared with aseasonal environments, although annual fecundity may be similar in both environments. In Polypedates leucomystax, increased clutch size and volume are associated with larger female size, but in the other two species female size is unchanged with respect to latitude. In H. erythraea, the increased clutch size in Thailand was observed early in the breeding season; later clutches were not significantly different between sites. Collectively, these data suggest that these widespread species have adapted to shortened breeding season length by increasing clutch size.

scholarly journals Breeding biology of Long-tailed Cinclodes Cinclodes pabsti Sick, 1969 (Passeriformes: Furnariidae)

2021 ◽  
Vol 61 ◽  
pp. e20216184
Author(s):  
Jairo José Zocche ◽  
Fernando Carvalho ◽  
Ariovaldo Pereira Cruz-Neto
Keyword(s):  
Life History ◽  
Clutch Size ◽  
Breeding Season ◽  
Nearest Neighbor ◽  
Geographic Location ◽  
The Body ◽  
Breeding Biology ◽  
Southern Brazil ◽  
Substrate Type ◽  
Breeding Seasons

Cinclodes pabsti is an endemic passerine restricted to the highland areas in southern Brazil. The aim of this study was to provide information on its breeding biology. The nesting cavities along road cuts were monitored from May 2008 to March 2011. The survey was carried out monthly from May to July 2008, February to July 2009, 2010 (non-breeding season), weekly from August 2008 to January 2009, 2010 (breeding season), and on a 2 to 4-days basis from August 2010 to January 2011. The geographic location, physical characteristics, and soil/substrate type in which the nesting cavities were situated were recorded. The total number of cavities used in the three breeding seasons was 136, resulting in 295 nests. The distance of a nest to its nearest neighbor ranged from 24-2,368 m, with a higher number of nests (n = 34; 59.7%) in the distance interval of 24-500 m. There was a greater usage of cavities located in Inceptisols, and the distances of nesting cavity entrances to the ground and to the top of road cuts were 1.6 ± 0.9 m and 0.8 ± 0.62 m, respectively. The breeding season lasted 148 days from mid-August to early January. Clutch size (n = 256) varied from 2 to 3 eggs, and the eggs (n = 155) had a total length of 27.2 ± 1.3 mm, breadth of 20.9 ± 0.8 mm, and mass of 6.2 ± 0.7 g. The incubation phase lasted 17.3 ± 0.8 days and the nestling phase for 18.3 ± 1.5 days. The body mass of the chicks was 6.0 ± 1.0 g just after hatching and reached a maximum of 59.6 ± 2.4 g at 16 days of age. Our results can contribute to filling the gaps in knowledge of C. pabsti ecology, because its habitat is under high anthropic pressures and the information on its life history is yet limited.

The Reproductive Rates of Australian Passerines

1987 ◽  
Vol 14 (3) ◽  
pp. 319 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yoram Yom-Tov
Keyword(s):  
Body Weight ◽  
Clutch Size ◽  
Breeding Season ◽  
North African ◽  
Significant Difference ◽  
Altricial Birds ◽  
Reproductive Rates ◽  
Breeding Seasons ◽  
Australian Passerines ◽  
Early Claim

The relationships between body weight, clutch size, length of breeding season, breeding frequency, incubation and nestling periods were studied in the Australian passerines. The means of the above factors as well as allometric equations were calculated for all Australian passerines and separately for the four major families (Maluridae, Meliphagidae, Muscicapidae and Ploceidae) and six zones of distribution (all Australia; Bassian; Torresian; Torresian and Bassian; Irian; Eyrean). The mean clutch size of Australian passerines is significantly smaller than that of North African passerines. This is because the old invaders to Australia (e.g. the Meliphagidae, Maluridae and Muscicapidae) have significantly smaller clutches than the new invaders (e.g. Ploceidae and Corvidae). A significant difference in clutch size was found between the Irian and Eyrean zones, supporting an early claim by Kikkawa. Negative correlations were found between body weight and clutch size, length of breeding season and breeding frequency. These indicate that small passerines in Australia tend to have larger clutches and longer breeding seasons and to breed more frequently than larger species. Body weight is positively correlated with both incubation and nestling period, as found for other altricial birds. There are no significant differences in incubation length between the zones, but there are differences among the families. The ecological implications and the possible reasons for the above correlations and differences between the groups are discussed.

scholarly journals Multiple nesting attempts and long breeding seasons of Mimus gilvus (Aves: Mimidae) in southeastern Brazil

2019 ◽  
Vol 36 ◽  
pp. 1-8 ◽  
Author(s):  
Rodrigo Morais ◽  
Luiz Carlos Araújo ◽  
Gleidson Ramos Silva ◽  
Charles Duca
Keyword(s):  
Life History ◽  
Clutch Size ◽  
Plant Species ◽  
Breeding Season ◽  
Good Choice ◽  
Southeastern Brazil ◽  
Breeding Period ◽  
Breeding Parameters ◽  
The Mean ◽  
Breeding Seasons

This study describes aspects of the life history of the Tropical MockingbirdMimusgilvus(Vieillot, 1808), including the breeding period, clutch size, nestlings and a list of plants used for nesting. Nests were monitored in an area of Restinga (sand-coastal plain) habitat in a protected area in southeastern Brazil. The data from 181 nests during five breeding seasons (2010-2014) showed that the Tropical Mockingbird has a long breeding season (26.1 ± 2.6 weeks) with up to two peaks of active nests from August to March. The breeding pairs made up to four nesting attempts in the same breeding season. The mean (± SD) clutch size was 2.4 ± 0.6 eggs (n = 169). The mean (± SD) incubation period was 14 ± 0.6 days, and the nestling remained in the nest for 14.5 ± 2.2 days. The nests were built on thirty plant species, andProtiumicicariba(DC.) Marchand. was the plant species most commonly used for nesting. The breeding parameters of the Tropical Mockingbird are similar to those of other Mimidae species. The knowledge gained from this study makes the Tropical Mockingbird a good choice for future studies, particularly for testing ecological and evolutionary hypotheses regarding life history attributes, habitat selection and parental investment.

scholarly journals It’s time to mate: population-level plasticity of wild boar reproductive timing and synchrony in a changing environment

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Rudy Brogi ◽  
Enrico Merli ◽  
Stefano Grignolio ◽  
Roberta Chirichella ◽  
Elisa Bottero ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Wild Boar ◽  
Breeding Season ◽  
Environmental Changes ◽  
Reproductive Traits ◽  
Population Level ◽  
Reproductive Phenology ◽  
Reproductive Timing ◽  
Season Length ◽  
Reproductive Patterns ◽  
Breeding Seasons

Abstract On a population-level, individual plasticity in reproductive phenology can provoke either anticipations or delays in the average reproductive timing in response to environmental changes. However, a rigid reliance on photoperiodism can constraint such plastic responses in populations inhabiting temperate latitudes. The regulation of breeding season length may represent a further tool for populations facing changing environments. Nonetheless, this skill was reported only for equatorial, non-photoperiodic populations. Our goal was to evaluate whether species living in temperate regions and relying on photoperiodism to trigger their reproduction may also be able to regulate breeding season length. During 10 years, we collected 2,500 female reproductive traits of a mammal model species (wild boar Sus scrofa) and applied a novel analytical approach to reproductive patterns in order to observe population-level variations of reproductive timing and synchrony under different weather and resources availability conditions. Under favorable conditions, breeding seasons were anticipated and population synchrony increased (i.e., shorter breeding seasons). Conversely, poor conditions induced delayed and less synchronous (i.e., longer) breeding seasons. The potential to regulate breeding season length depending on environmental conditions may entail a high resilience of the population reproductive patterns against environmental changes, as highlighted by the fact that almost all mature females were reproductive every year.

Reproduction and Social Organization of the Black-Capped Donacobius (Donacobius atricapillus) in Southeastern Peru

The Auk ◽  
1984 ◽  
Vol 101 (4) ◽  
pp. 804-811 ◽  
Author(s):  
Richard A. Kiltie ◽  
John W. Fitzpatrick
Keyword(s):  
Social Organization ◽  
Clutch Size ◽  
Breeding Season ◽  
Group Size ◽  
Cooperative Breeding ◽  
Oxbow Lake ◽  
Small Family ◽  
Group Breeding ◽  
Short Period ◽  
Breeding Seasons

Abstract A color-banded population of Black-capped Donacobius (Donacobius atricapillus) on a Peruvian oxbow lake was studied during one breeding season and censused for 3 yr thereafter. Eighteen territories along a marshy shoreline were occupied by groups of 2-4 donacobius. Each group contained a mated pair and 0-2 helpers, apparently offspring produced during 1-2 preceding breeding seasons. Helpers participated in nest surveillance, territorial displays, and feeding nestlings. Displays occurred at territory boundaries and consisted of loud duetting by the pair or group. Breeding coincided with the rainy months, October through April, and peaked in November-January. Clutch size was always two. Egg and nestling periods each lasted 17-18 days. No correlation was demonstrable between group size and overall fledging success. Trios, however, accounted for all cases in which both young successfully fledged, whereas pairs never fledged more than one young. Annual survivorship of breeding adults averaged 71%. Cooperative breeding in donacobius is associated with limited opportunities for acquiring breeding territories, as in many other cooperative breeders. The relatively short period during which young serve as helpers (and the resulting small family sizes), however, suggests that at other times or places breeding territories are more readily available to young.

scholarly journals Evidence for use of both capital and income breeding strategies in the mangrove tree crab, Aratus pisonii

2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Jade Carver ◽  
Morgan Meidell ◽  
Zachary J. Cannizzo ◽  
Blaine D. Griffen
Keyword(s):  
Breeding Season ◽  
Breeding Strategy ◽  
Reproductive Period ◽  
Breeding Strategies ◽  
Mangrove Tree ◽  
Income Breeding ◽  
Aratus Pisonii ◽  
Breeding Seasons ◽  
And Storage ◽  
Capital And Income Breeding

AbstractTwo common strategies organisms use to finance reproduction are capital breeding (using energy stored prior to reproduction) and income breeding (using energy gathered during the reproductive period). Understanding which of these two strategies a species uses can help in predicting its population dynamics and how it will respond to environmental change. Brachyuran crabs have historically been considered capital breeders as a group, but recent evidence has challenged this assumption. Here, we focus on the mangrove tree crab, Aratus pisonii, and examine its breeding strategy on the Atlantic Florida coast. We collected crabs during and after their breeding season (March–October) and dissected them to discern how energy was stored and utilized for reproduction. We found patterns of reproduction and energy storage that are consistent with both the use of stored energy (capital) and energy acquired (income) during the breeding season. We also found that energy acquisition and storage patterns that supported reproduction were influenced by unequal tidal patterns associated with the syzygy tide inequality cycle. Contrary to previous assumptions for crabs, we suggest that species of crab that produce multiple clutches of eggs during long breeding seasons (many tropical and subtropical species) may commonly use income breeding strategies.

scholarly journals Increased summer food supply decreases non-breeding movement in black-legged kittiwakes

2020 ◽  
Vol 16 (1) ◽  
pp. 20190725 ◽  
Author(s):  
Shannon Whelan ◽  
Scott A. Hatch ◽  
David B. Irons ◽  
Alyson McKnight ◽  
Kyle H. Elliott
Keyword(s):  
Breeding Season ◽  
Food Supply ◽  
Light Level ◽  
Food Supplementation ◽  
Reproductive Phenology ◽  
Rissa Tridactyla ◽  
Breeding Behaviour ◽  
Unlimited Supply ◽  
Migration Phenology ◽  
Carry Over

Individual condition at one stage of the annual cycle is expected to influence behaviour during subsequent stages, yet experimental evidence of food-mediated carry-over effects is scarce. We used a food supplementation experiment to test the effects of food supply during the breeding season on migration phenology and non-breeding behaviour. We provided an unlimited supply of fish to black-legged kittiwakes ( Rissa tridactyla ) during their breeding season on Middleton Island, Alaska, monitored reproductive phenology and breeding success, and used light-level geolocation to observe non-breeding behaviour. Among successful breeders, fed kittiwakes departed the colony earlier than unfed controls. Fed kittiwakes travelled less than controls during the breeding season, contracting their non-breeding range. Our results demonstrate that food supply during the breeding season affects non-breeding phenology, movement and distribution, providing a potential behavioural mechanism underlying observed survival costs of reproduction.

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