Parental behaviour and family proximity as key to gosling survival in Greylag Geese (Anser anser).

ABSTRACT: Reproductive success in monogamous species is generally affected by both behavioural and hormonal fine-tuning between pair partners. Vigilance, defence and brooding of offspring are among the main parental investments, and often the sexes adopt different roles. In the present study, we investigate how sex differences in parental behaviour and family proximity in the socially monogamous Greylag Goose (Anser anser) affect gosling survival. During the reproductive season in spring 2013, we recorded the behaviour of 18 pairs with offspring and gosling survival in a semi-tame, long-term monitored, and individually marked flock of Greylag Geese in Grünau, Austria. We found that behavioural role differentiation between the parents varied with developmental phase, and thus with gosling age.

SUBMITTER: Szipl G 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC6476843 | biostudies-literature | 2019

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature