Nest site selection by the fourspine stickleback, Apeltes quadracus (Mitchill)

1983 ◽  
Vol 61 (7) ◽  
pp. 1443-1447 ◽  
Author(s):  
Simon C. Courtenay ◽  
Miles H. A. Keenleyside
Keyword(s):  
Site Selection ◽  
Aquatic Vegetation ◽  
Nest Site ◽  
Vegetation Type ◽  
Attachment Site ◽  
Nest Site Selection ◽  
Vegetation Types ◽  
Nest Location ◽  
Apeltes Quadracus ◽  
Fourspine Stickleback

The fourspine stickleback, Apeltes quadracus (Mitchill), is commonly associated with aquatic vegetation on its intertidal breeding grounds, and male Apeltes build nests in the vegetation. We hypothesized that vegetation morphology is a proximate cue in Apeltes nest site selection, and that males nesting in preferred vegetation types are more successful than others in attracting females and acquiring clutches of eggs. In a laboratory experiment, one common vegetation type was rejected as a nest attachment site, but no clear preference was demonstrated among three other common and morphologically distinct types. Nests collected from these four vegetation types in the field showed that males nesting in the less preferred type had acquired fewer clutches and fewer eggs than males nesting in two of the other three types. There were no significant differences in the mean numbers of clutches or eggs acquired by males nesting in these other three types. We suggest that within fairly broad limits Apeltes is a generalist in nest site selection, and that a short breeding season in the highly variable intertidal environment may put a premium on temporal features of breeding rather than on nest location.

Nest-site selection in the barn swallow, Hirundo rustica: What predicts seasonal reproductive success?

2006 ◽  
Vol 84 (11) ◽  
pp. 1533-1539 ◽  
Author(s):  
Rebecca Jo Safran
Keyword(s):  
Reproductive Success ◽  
Site Selection ◽  
Nest Site ◽  
Individual Characteristics ◽  
Nest Site Selection ◽  
Hirundo Rustica ◽  
Barn Swallow ◽  
Nest Location ◽  
Nest Sites ◽  
Site Characteristics

Despite hundreds of studies, we know very little about the causes and fitness-related consequences of nest-site selection. For example, it is not typically known whether the rarely reported fitness consequences of site selection are the result of nest, individual, or nest-site variables or combinations of these factors. Reuse of previously constructed nest sites is a prevalent behavior in many animals and offers the opportunity to experimentally tease apart whether seasonal reproductive success is a function of nest, individual, or nest-site characteristics. I used observational and experimental data to test three hypotheses related to these factors in association with barn swallow ( Hirundo rustica L., 1758) nest reuse. While both nest and individual characteristics explain variation in seasonal reproductive success, nest location per se is not an important factor defining the outcome of nest-site selection. Whereas traits related to habitat and individual characteristics are likely confounded in correlational studies, my experiments demonstrate a causal relationship between seasonal reproductive success and aspects of the nest and individual, the latter explaining more variation in the model than nest characteristics. Knowledge of the relative roles of individual, nest, and nest-site attributes are important for understanding the causes and consequences of habitat selection behavior.

Influence of nest location and yolkless eggs on the hatching success of leatherback turtle clutches in French Guiana

2006 ◽  
Vol 84 (6) ◽  
pp. 908-915 ◽  
Author(s):  
Stéphane Caut ◽  
Elodie Guirlet ◽  
Pascal Jouquet ◽  
Marc Girondot
Keyword(s):  
Site Selection ◽  
Egg Production ◽  
French Guiana ◽  
Nest Site ◽  
Hatching Success ◽  
Predation Rate ◽  
Nest Site Selection ◽  
Leatherback Turtles ◽  
Nest Location ◽  
Leatherback Turtle

The hatching success of leatherback turtles, Dermochelys coriacea (Vandelli, 1761), is influenced by heterogeneously distributed ecological factors. However, the hatching success according to nest-site selection has rarely been studied and little is known about the role of nest-site selection and infertile (yolkless) egg production on the predation rate and development of fertile eggs in leatherback turtle nests laid in French Guiana. A field study of 99 leatherback turtle nests was conducted to quantify the relationships between hatching success and (i) the nest-site selection (i.e., vegetation line, sea tide line) and (ii) the infertile eggs, especially their state after incubation (i.e., hydrated or dehydrated) and their effects on predation rate. We found that hatching success on this beach was very low (38.2%). This study illustrates that nest-site selection influences the predation rate and the dehydration of yolkless eggs, while the production of yolkless eggs by leatherback turtles has consequences on nest success. The proportion of yolkless eggs in the clutch, as well as their status at the end of incubation (hydrated or not, preyed upon), correlates with predation rate, development of yolked eggs, and hatching success. There was a significant relationship between nest location (relative to high tide line and vegetation line) and both the predation rates of eggs and the percentage of dehydrated yolkless eggs within a clutch. The production of yolkless eggs was related to hatching success and supports the hypothesis that yolkless eggs have a positive effect on the future of the clutch.

Nest-site selection and the factors influencing hatching success and offspring phenotype in a nocturnal skink

2017 ◽  
Vol 38 (3) ◽  
pp. 363-369 ◽  
Author(s):  
David G. Chapple ◽  
Susan N. Keall ◽  
Charles H. Daugherty ◽  
Kelly M. Hare
Keyword(s):  
Site Selection ◽  
Nest Site ◽  
Hatching Success ◽  
Incubation Temperature ◽  
Nest Site Selection ◽  
Nest Location ◽  
Nesting Sites ◽  
Nest Site Choice ◽  
Incubation Temperatures ◽  
The Impact

Nest-site selection in ectothermic animals influences hatching success and offspring phenotype, and it is predicted that females should choose nesting sites that maximise their reproductive fitness, ultimately through the reproductive success of their offspring. We completed nest-site choice experiments on a nocturnal lizard, the egg-laying skink (Oligosoma suteri), to determine whether eggs (and subsequent hatchlings) from cooler nests do better at cooler incubation temperatures, and conversely if those laid in warmer nests perform better at warmer incubation temperatures. We provided a simple nest-choice experiment, with oviposition-retreat sites available in either a hot or a cool sector of the enclosure; in the wild females nest under objects. Female O. suteri laid eggs both during the day and night, and nested more in the hot than cool sector. Eggs from each clutch were split across three egg incubation temperatures (18°C, 22°C, 26°C) to decouple the impact of initial nest-site choice from the subsequent incubation temperature regime. Whether eggs were initially laid in the hot or cool sector was not related to hatching success, offspring phenotype or offspring locomotor performance. We conclude that offspring phenotype and performance is primarily influenced by the temperature during incubation, rather than the initial thermal environment of the nest location. Thus, female O. suteri may select warmer nesting sites to ensure higher incubation temperature and enhanced offspring fitness.

Nest-site selection of the long-nosed bandicoot (Perameles nasuta) in a postfire environment

2015 ◽  
Vol 63 (5) ◽  
pp. 324 ◽  
Author(s):  
Christopher I. MacGregor ◽  
Ross B. Cunningham ◽  
David B. Lindenmayer
Keyword(s):  
Site Selection ◽  
Nest Site ◽  
Fire Effects ◽  
Nest Site Selection ◽  
Nest Size ◽  
Nest Location ◽  
Nest Sites ◽  
Species Survival ◽  
Frequency Of Use ◽  
Burnt Areas

Access to nest sites is critical to species survival and habitat suitability for most faunal species worldwide. We report on nest-site selection and use by the long-nosed bandicoot (Perameles nasuta) following a wildfire in late 2003. Thirty-eight bandicoots were tracked to 213 nests. The number of nests, frequency of nest use, nest range, nest size and nest site microhabitat in burnt and unburnt habitat were analysed. The mean number of nests used in burnt areas was 5.9, not significantly different from the number used in non-burnt areas (5.3). However, there were significant fire effects on nest location and frequency of use. Six months after the wildfire, 60% of nests in burnt forest and woodland habitat were in patches of unburnt microhabitat. These nests were significantly larger and were used more frequently than nests located in burnt microhabitat. After fire, P. nasuta typically uses nests under dense grasses and midstorey in unburnt microhabitat in burnt areas. However, the species will also nest in open areas and respond to fire-affected areas by constructing smaller nests. When conducting prescribed fires, the practice of ‘burning out’ should be minimised and patchiness at a microhabitat level be a desired outcome for bandicoot management.

VIEWING HABITAT THROUGH ANOTHER LENS: BIRD NEST-SITE SELECTION AND PRODUCTIVITY ACROSS A BEACH THERMAL LANDSCAPE

2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Lauren Schaale ◽  
◽  
Joseph Baxley ◽  
Narcisa Pricope ◽  
Raymond M. Danner
Keyword(s):  
Site Selection ◽  
Nest Site ◽  
Nest Site Selection ◽  
Bird Nest

scholarly journals Nest site selection and breeding ecology of the Ferruginous Duck (Aythya nyroca) in Algeria

2021 ◽  
Vol 26 ◽  
pp. e01524
Author(s):  
Karim Loucif ◽  
Mohamed Cherif Maazi ◽  
Moussa Houhamdi ◽  
Haroun Chenchouni
Keyword(s):  
Site Selection ◽  
Nest Site ◽  
Nest Site Selection ◽  
Breeding Ecology

scholarly journals Territory and Nest-Site Selection of Cerulean Warblers in Eastern Ontario

The Auk ◽  
2001 ◽  
Vol 118 (3) ◽  
pp. 727-735 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jason Jones ◽  
Raleigh J. Robertson
Keyword(s):  
Site Selection ◽  
Nest Site ◽  
Deciduous Forest ◽  
Spatial Scales ◽  
Nest Site Selection ◽  
Population Characteristics ◽  
Dendroica Cerulea ◽  
Large Trees ◽  
Eastern Ontario ◽  
Cerulean Warblers

Abstract We examined habitat selection by breeding Cerulean Warblers (Dendroica cerulea) at three spatial scales in eastern Ontario over three years (1997–1999). Territories were characterized by well-spaced large trees, with high canopies and dense foliage cover at heights between 12–18 m. Nesting habitat additionally was characterized by dense foliage cover above 18 m. The results of our nest-patch (0.04 ha circle around nest) and nest-site (0.01 ha circle) analyses indicate that male Cerulean Warblers may take active roles in nest-site selection when selecting territories. We conclude from our nest-patch and nest-site selection analyses that territories likely contain multiple nest patches and sites and that male Cerulean Warblers may defend areas with multiple nest patches or sites, which may attract females to settle with them. Whether or not Cerulean Warbler females use nest-site availability as a mate- or territory-choice cue remains unknown. We also tested the validity of a commonly made assumption that a random sampling of habitat by researchers is representative of the habitat actually available to birds and found that, in our study area, the assumption was invalid. Taken together, our results point toward the need to maintain sizeable stands of mature, deciduous forest to ensure the persistence of Cerulean Warblers in eastern Ontario. Population characteristics such as lower minimum area requirements and a resilience to habitat disturbance may make that an easier job in eastern Ontario than elsewhere in this species' breeding range.

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