Oviposition drives hatching order and developmental disparities with brood mates.

ABSTRACT: Birth or hatching order can affect fitness. It has long been assumed that the order in which a bird's egg is laid (its oviposition) and first exposed to incubation relative to other eggs in the nest determines the order in which it hatches and the subsequent effects on development and survival. To my knowledge, this cause of hatching order has not been tested while controlling for laying-order effects on egg composition. Like those of many species, the last-laid eggs in clutches of the Lincoln's sparrow ( Melospiza lincolnii) hatch last and produce nestlings with reduced growth and survival rates. Last-hatched Lincoln's sparrows also develop wider bills that are associated with reduced attractiveness of adult courtship songs. Using wild, free-ranging Lincoln's sparrows, I replaced the firs

SUBMITTER: Sockman KW 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC6303512 | biostudies-literature | 2018 Dec

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature