An Experimental Analysis of Small Clutch Size in Tropical House Wrens

Bruce E. Young

doi:10.2307/2265623

Comparison of Avian Communities between Wet and Semiarid Habitats of Eastern Australia

Wildlife Research ◽

10.1071/wr9740107 ◽

1974 ◽

Vol 1 (2) ◽

pp. 107 ◽

Cited By ~ 17

Author(s):

J Kikkawa

Keyword(s):

Species Diversity ◽

Clutch Size ◽

Bird Species ◽

Forest Birds ◽

Subtropical Region ◽

Species Association ◽

Eastern Australia ◽

The Stability ◽

Bird Species Diversity ◽

Small Clutch

The composition of bird species in three distinct habitats of subtropical eastern Australia was examined in terms of the degree of species association, niche occupation and clutch size. In spite of low species diversity in the wet formations, the birds of this habitat tended to show characteristics of tropical forest birds. These included stronger association of species, relative abundance of treenesting frugivores and small clutch size. In contrast, the semiarid formations supported a greater diversity of bird species with somewhat loose species association, a large representation of graminivores, and a larger mean clutch size with greater variation. At least in the subtropical region of eastern Australia, the bird species diversity does not appear to be related to the stability of environment.

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Parasite infestation and predation in Darwin's small ground finch: contrasting two elevational habitats between islands

Journal of Tropical Ecology ◽

10.1017/s0266467409990678 ◽

2010 ◽

Vol 26 (3) ◽

pp. 285-292 ◽

Cited By ~ 25

Author(s):

Jody A. O'Connor ◽

Rachael Y. Dudaniec ◽

Sonia Kleindorfer

Keyword(s):

Clutch Size ◽

Resource Availability ◽

Nest Predation ◽

Life History Strategies ◽

Opposite Pattern ◽

Bird Populations ◽

Parasite Intensity ◽

Large Clutch ◽

Parasite Infestation ◽

Small Clutch

Abstract:Contrasting ecological conditions may affect the distribution, abundance and impact of parasites and predators throughout the ranges of hosts and prey. Such patterns are evident on the archipelagos of Hawaii and the Galapagos, which vary in their distribution and abundance of avian parasites within and across islands. Previous research has documented higher intensity of parasitic fly larvae (Philornis downsi) in nests of Darwin's finches on elevated islands of the Galapagos. Here we examine P. downsi intensity and predation in 71 nests of Darwin's small ground finch (Geospiza fuliginosa) on Floreana Island. We found significant differences in parasite intensity, nest predation and clutch size between the lowland (0–100 m) and highland (300–400 m) habitats. Lowland finch nests had few P. downsi parasites (mean of 8 per nest), high nest predation (44% of nests) and large clutch size (3.4). Highland finch nests showed the opposite pattern, with many P. downsi parasites (40 per nest), low nest predation (17%) and small clutch size (2.5). This study suggests that the impacts of an introduced parasite are limited by its niche requirements and resource availability within and across islands. Our findings also imply that the vulnerability of bird populations to introduced parasites and predators is linked with variation in life history strategies across habitats.

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The shape of eggs in different-sized clutches of the house wren (Troglodytes aedon)

Canadian Journal of Zoology ◽

10.1139/z01-099 ◽

2001 ◽

Vol 79 (8) ◽

pp. 1527-1531 ◽

Cited By ~ 7

Author(s):

L Scott Johnson ◽

Jennifer E Leyhe ◽

Caryn Werner

Keyword(s):

Clutch Size ◽

Large Set ◽

Troglodytes Aedon ◽

House Wren ◽

House Wrens ◽

Female Body Size ◽

Tree Cavities ◽

Cavity Nesting ◽

Egg Shape ◽

Specific Variation

The substantial inter- and intra-specific variation that occurs in the shape of birds' eggs remains largely unexplained. Several researchers have hypothesized that selection will favour a shape that results in the most compact fit of eggs under the incubating parent. Mathematical modeling has suggested that optimal egg shape depends on the number of eggs laid. We tested predictions of one previously published model by comparing the shape of eggs in clutches of 4, 5, 6, 7, and 8 eggs in a Wyoming, U.S.A., population of the house wren (Troglodytes aedon), a small, cavity-nesting songbird whose eggs vary considerably in shape. Contrary to predictions of the model, the typical shapes of eggs from different-sized clutches were very similar. Moreover, slight differences in shape detected were not in directions predicted by the model. There may be less selection on house wrens to adjust egg shape to clutch size because they lay eggs that are small relative to female body size, because eggs are placed in a deep spherical cup that conforms to the shape of the female's abdomen and because nests are to some degree insulated, being located in tree cavities. Full evaluation of the model will require comparisons of egg shape and clutch size in a large set of species that differ in natural-history characteristics such as egg size, nest shape, and nest placement.

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Small Clutch Size in a Mediterranean Endemic Lacertid (Podarcis milensis)

Copeia ◽

10.1643/0045-8511(2000)000[0610:scsiam]2.0.co;2 ◽

2000 ◽

Vol 2000 (2) ◽

pp. 610-614 ◽

Cited By ~ 7

Author(s):

C. Adamopoulou ◽

E. D. Valakos

Keyword(s):

Clutch Size ◽

Small Clutch

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Variation in incubation length and hatching asynchrony in Eastern Kingbirds: Weather eclipses female effects

The Auk ◽

10.1093/ornithology/ukab031 ◽

2021 ◽

Author(s):

Samantha M Gillette ◽

Amanda L Klehr ◽

Michael T Murphy

Keyword(s):

New York ◽

Clutch Size ◽

Egg Laying ◽

Hatching Asynchrony ◽

Ambient Temperatures ◽

Temperature And Precipitation ◽

Incubation Periods ◽

Tyrannus Tyrannus ◽

Eastern Kingbird ◽

Small Clutch

Abstract Incubation length and hatching asynchrony are integral elements of the evolved reproductive strategies of birds. We examined intra- and interpopulation variation in both traits for Eastern Kingbird (Tyrannus tyrannus) populations from New York (NY), Kansas (KS), and Oregon (OR) and found that both incubation length and hatching asynchrony were not repeatable among females, after controlling for a repeatable trait, clutch size. Instead, incubation length and clutch size were influenced by ambient temperature and precipitation. Incubation length exhibited the same median (15 days) and range (13–17 days) at all sites. Model selection results indicated that incubation periods for the smallest and largest clutches were longer in NY than KS when rain was frequent throughout incubation, in replacement nests, and likely when ambient temperatures were low during egg-laying. Full hatching usually required 2 days (but up to 3), with synchronous hatching associated with small clutch sizes, short incubation periods, frequent rain during the egg-laying period, and low ambient temperatures during the first half of incubation. Nestling starvation was uncommon (5–9% of nestlings monitored) and not associated with greater hatching asynchrony. These results indicate that while clutch size, a repeatable female trait, contributed to variation in incubation length and hatching asynchrony in Eastern Kingbirds, weather was a greater source of variation, especially for incubation length.

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