Environmental conditions experienced upon first breeding modulate costs of early breeding but not age-specific reproductive output in peregrine falcons.

ABSTRACT: Although once considered uncommon, there is growing evidence of widespread senescence in wildlife populations. However, few studies have examined the traits involved, inter-sexual differences, and environmental correlates of age-specific performance in raptors. We studied age-specific reproductive performance and actuarial senescence (decrease in survival probability with age) in a peregrine falcon population monitored for 21 years. We analysed changes with age in the number of offspring produced and incubation start date. We also inspected variation in lifespan and breeding lifespan (number of breeding occasions in a lifetime). In every case, we assessed associations between variations in traits and age, sex, recruitment age, and environmental conditions (cumulative rainfall during breedi

SUBMITTER: Zabala J 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC9512846 | biostudies-literature | 2022 Sep

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature