Colony size affects nestling immune function: a cross-fostering experiment in a colonial waterbird.

ABSTRACT: Elevated transmission rate of pathogens and parasites is considered one of the major costs of sociality in birds. However, greater risk of infection in colonial birds might be compensated by specific immune adaptations. Here, we predicted that nestlings raised in larger colonies should invest more in their immune function. To test this hypothesis, we manipulated colony size and conduced cross-fostering experiment in a colonial waterbird, the common tern Sterna hirundo. Establishment of different size colonies under uniform environmental conditions was induced by providing large and small patches of attractive nesting area for terns (floating rafts). Then, pairs of clutches were swapped between large and small tern colonies, and skin-swelling response to phytohaemagglutinin (PHA) was assess

SUBMITTER: Minias P 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC6571091 | biostudies-literature | 2019 Jun

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature