Functional connections between bird eggshell stiffness and nest characteristics through risk of egg collision in nests.

ABSTRACT: Eggs and nests are two critical traits for the ecological success of birds. Their functional interactions, however, remain unclear. Here, we examined the functional connections between egg stiffness and nest attachment, site and structure for 1350 avian species. We revealed high eggshell stiffness for eggs in nests with a pensile attachment, located on non-tree vegetation or having a domed shape, suggesting that birds produce stiffer eggs in response to higher egg-collision risk in unstable or enclosed nests. Interdependence models suggested that the evolution of eggshell stiffness was more likely to be driven by than drive that of nest characters. Our results implied a trade-off between investment in competing for established nesting niches and producing stiff eggs to explore novel niches

SUBMITTER: Hung CM 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC9315002 | biostudies-literature | 2022 Jun

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature