The relative contribution of individual quality and changing climate as drivers of lifetime reproductive success in a short-lived avian species.

ABSTRACT: Animal populations are influenced strongly by fluctuations in weather conditions, but long-term fitness costs are rarely explored, especially in short-lived avian species. We evaluated the relative contributions of individual characteristics and environmental conditions to lifetime reproductive success (LRS) of female tree swallows (Tachycineta bicolor) from two populations breeding in contrasting environments and geographies, Saskatchewan and British Columbia, Canada. Female swallows achieved higher LRS by breeding early in the season and producing more fledglings. Other measures of female quality had virtually no influence on LRS. Genetic factors did not predict LRS, as there was no correlation between life-history components for sister pairs nor between mothers and their daughters. Inst

SUBMITTER: Berzins LL 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC7666198 | biostudies-literature | 2020 Nov

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature