Changes in Egg Size and Clutch Size with Elevation in a Wyoming Population of Mountain Bluebirds

Johnson, L. Scott; Ostlind, Emilene; Brubaker, Jessica L.; Balenger, Susan L.; Johnson, Bonnie G. P.; Golden, Harold

doi:10.1093/condor/108.3.591

Cited by 22 publications

(19 citation statements)

References 32 publications

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“…The results of several studies across either populations (Lu 2005, Lu et al 2008, 2009) or species (Krementz and Handford 1984, Badyaev 1997, Badyaev and Ghalambor 2001) lend support to this hypothesis. However, other investigators have found that species breeding at high altitudes tend to lay larger clutches (Stewart et al 1977, Weathers et al 2002, Johnson et al 2006).…”

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confidence: 93%

“…Selection might also favor larger eggs at high altitudes because young from larger eggs may have survival advantages in harsh environments (Williams 1994, Christians 2002). Although some investigators have found that birds at high altitudes do tend to lay larger eggs (Hamman et al 1989, Milinkovich 1993, Lu 2005, Lu et al 2008), others have reported no such trend (Taigen et al 1980, Johnson et al 2006). One factor potentially contributing to these apparently conflicting results concerning the effects of altitude on clutch and egg sizes could be differences among studies in the altitudinal gradients over which data were collected.…”

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confidence: 99%

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Comparative breeding ecology of two White-bellied Redstart populations at different altitudes

Lü¹,

Yu²,

Liang³

et al. 2010

Journal of Field Ornithology

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Colder, unpredictable climates, and reduced food availability at high altitudes impose strong selective pressures that have driven the evolution of avian life histories. To fully understand this issue, data concerning the comparative demography of populations of the same species over sufficiently large altitudinal gradients are needed. However, few such studies have been conducted. We compared the breeding ecology of two populations of White‐bellied Redstarts (Hodgsonius phaenicuroides), one in the subtropics of southwestern China at an altitude of 1300 m and another in the alpine zone of the Tibetan plateau at an altitude of 4300 m. Relative to their low‐altitude counterparts, the high‐altitude redstarts had a shorter breeding period (55 vs. 94 d), and had significantly smaller clutches (2.7 vs. 3.2 eggs) and larger eggs (5913 vs. 5033 mm3). Redstarts at our high‐altitude site also had longer incubation (16 vs. 11 d) and nestling (16 vs. 12 d) periods than those at the low‐altitude site. The observed patterns are consistent with an adaptive life history strategy, with birds whose reproductive output is constrained in stressful environments such as high altitudes tending to have reduced fecundity, but allocating more energy into each offspring as a buffer to the harsh conditions.

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confidence: 93%

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confidence: 99%

Comparative breeding ecology of two White-bellied Redstart populations at different altitudes

Lü¹,

Yu²,

Liang³

et al. 2010

Journal of Field Ornithology

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“…Among different songbirds, the relationship between elevation and clutch size shows considerable variation, with some reports of larger clutches at high elevations (Carey et al 1982, Camfield 2008), similar clutch sizes in high‐ and low‐elevation habitats (Lu 2007, Bears et al 2009), and smaller clutches at high elevations (Krementz and Handford 1984, Hamann et al 1989, Badyaev 1997, Johnson et al 2006). The mean clutch size for Savannah Sparrows in our study was generally higher than for most low‐elevation populations (Table 3).…”

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confidence: 99%

Demography of an alpine population of Savannah Sparrows

Martin

Camfield

Martin

2009

Journal of Field Ornithology

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Although Savannah Sparrows (Passerculus sandwichensis) have been well studied across their North American range, few data are available for populations that breed in high‐elevation habitats. We collected data over six years on the demography of a population of Savannah Sparrows (P. s. anthinus) breeding in alpine tundra and sub‐alpine meadows in northern British Columbia, Canada. The mean duration of the breeding season at our site was 45.5 d, and pairs produced a maximum of one brood per season. Clutch sizes varied annually (mean = 4.37, range = 3.90 – 4.71 eggs). Nest fate also varied among years (range = 33 – 92%) due to variation in abiotic (weather) and biotic (predators) conditions. Uncorrected return rates of banded birds were 68% for adults and 17% for juveniles (N= 22 and 102, respectively). However, when resighting probability was taken into account, apparent annual survival was 75% for adults and 34% for juveniles. Compared to populations at lower elevations, Savannah Sparrows in our study had shorter breeding seasons, fewer broods per season, larger clutches, and higher adult and juvenile return rates. Our results suggest that Savannah Sparrows that breed in high‐elevation habitats have adopted a low fecundity, high survival life history strategy that enables their persistence in these challenging environments.

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“…Indeed, previous work with bluebirds demonstrates that females in better body condition lay larger eggs (Johnson et al . , Robinson et al . ).…”

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confidence: 99%

“…, Johnson et al . ), experience (Weimerskirch , Thompson & Hale , Sydeman & Emslie ) and nestling rearing abilities (Reid & Boersma , Bolton , Blomqvist et al . , Risch & Rohwer ).…”

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The separate effects of egg size and parental quality on the development of ornamental plumage coloration

Robinson

Siefferman

Bentz

et al. 2014

Ibis

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The fitness‐related consequences of egg size, independent of the influences of parental quality, are poorly understood in altricial birds. Not only can egg size and parental quality influence growth and survival, but each could influence the development of condition‐dependent plumage coloration in offspring. The Eastern Bluebird Sialia sialis is an altricial, multi‐brooded, cavity‐nesting passerine in which juveniles display dichromatic UV‐blue plumage. Previous research suggests that plumage coloration acts as a signal of individual quality among juvenile and adult Eastern Bluebirds. Here, we separate the effects of egg size and parental quality (defined by egg size laid) on nestling growth and plumage ornamentation by exchanging clutches of large eggs with clutches of small eggs. Nestlings were significantly larger immediately post‐hatching when hatched from a large egg, but to maintain a larger size, nestlings needed to have hatched from a large egg and to have been reared by high‐quality parents. Nestlings were brighter when reared by high‐quality parents and this relationship was strongest later in the breeding season. Nestlings exhibited greater UV chroma if hatched early in the season, but UV chroma was not significantly affected by egg size or parental quality. These findings demonstrate varying influences of both egg size and parental quality on offspring growth and plumage ornamentation but suggest that quality of post‐hatching investment is more influential than pre‐hatching investment.

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Changes in Egg Size and Clutch Size with Elevation in a Wyoming Population of Mountain Bluebirds

Cited by 22 publications

References 32 publications

Comparative breeding ecology of two White-bellied Redstart populations at different altitudes

Comparative breeding ecology of two White-bellied Redstart populations at different altitudes

Demography of an alpine population of Savannah Sparrows

The separate effects of egg size and parental quality on the development of ornamental plumage coloration

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