Developmental stage affects eggshell‐breaking strength in two ground‐nesting birds: the partridge (<i>Alectoris rufa</i>) and the quail (<i>Coturnix japonica</i>)

Castilla, Aurora M.; Herrel, Anthony; Díaz, Guillém; Francesch, A.

doi:10.1002/jez.400

Cited by 18 publications

(26 citation statements)

References 37 publications

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…However, because both variables are correlated to some degree (Castilla et al, 2007(Castilla et al, , 2009b, we compared our data with examples from other studies, irrespective of the measurements taken. Precocial species showed decreases as follows: Coturnix japonica (7%, Kreitzer, 1972;or 19-33%, Castilla et al, 2007), Anas platyrhynchos (15-22%, Bennett, 1995), Colinus virginianus (17%, Bennett, 1995, Alectoris rufa (24%, Castilla et al, 2007). However, differences of 3-5 days in incubation time in the same species resulted in differences in the proportion of eggshell reduction during development of 14% and 7% for C. japonica (Castilla et al, 2007) and A. platyrhynchos (Bennett, 1995), respectively.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Precocial species showed decreases as follows: Coturnix japonica (7%, Kreitzer, 1972;or 19-33%, Castilla et al, 2007), Anas platyrhynchos (15-22%, Bennett, 1995), Colinus virginianus (17%, Bennett, 1995, Alectoris rufa (24%, Castilla et al, 2007). However, differences of 3-5 days in incubation time in the same species resulted in differences in the proportion of eggshell reduction during development of 14% and 7% for C. japonica (Castilla et al, 2007) and A. platyrhynchos (Bennett, 1995), respectively. Thus, incubation time is an important factor to consider when trying to explain the observed differences in the overall percentage of shell thickness reduction across and within species.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Despite the considerable body of research devoted to eggshell characteristics, either in poultry science (Hunton, 1995;Carnarius et al, 1996) or in wild birds Davis, 2004, 2005;Castilla et al, 2007Castilla et al, , 2009b, the effect of developmental stage on eggshell thickness or strength remains unknown for most wild species. Since developing embryos utilize calcium from the eggshell, developmental stage can be expected to cause eggshell thinning (Vanderstoep and Richards, 1970;Bunck et al, 1985;Bennett, 1995;Castilla et al, 2007;Karlsson and Lilja, 2008).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Since developing embryos utilize calcium from the eggshell, developmental stage can be expected to cause eggshell thinning (Vanderstoep and Richards, 1970;Bunck et al, 1985;Bennett, 1995;Castilla et al, 2007;Karlsson and Lilja, 2008). Additionally, eggshell thickness appears to be influenced by many factors including genetics, egg colour and size, the time the eggs spend in the uterus, female characteristics (condition, age, stress, health status), and the diet of the females (Kennedy and Vevers, 1973;Nys et al, 1991;Francesch et al, 1997;Ciftci et al, 2003;Boersma et al, 2004;Riczu et al, 2004;Castilla et al, 2007Castilla et al, , 2009bBirchard and Deeming, 2010).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

See 4 more Smart Citations

The effect of developmental stage on eggshell thickness variation in endangered falcons

Castilla

Herrel²,

Robles

et al. 2010

Zoology

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

See 3 more Smart Citations

The effect of developmental stage on eggshell thickness variation in endangered falcons

Castilla

Herrel²,

Robles

et al. 2010

Zoology

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Determinants of eggshell strength in endangered raptors

et al. 2009

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We compared eggshell strength in a group of falcon taxa including the peregrine falcon (Falco peregrinus peregrinus), the red shaheen falcon (F. peregrinus babylonicus), the saker falcon (F. cherrug), the gyr falcon (F. rusticolus) and some interspecific and intraspecific hybrids. Our results showed that smaller falcons (<1,000 g) of the peregrine group have eggshells that are significantly softer (x=13.3 N) and thinner (x=0.26 mm) (n=107 eggs) than larger falcons (>1,000 g) of the gyr-saker group (x=20.8 N and 0.39 mm, respectively, n=81 eggs). We found a significant positive correlation between egg hardness and eggshell thickness. Linear mixed models showed that clutches from heavier females consisted of larger and harder eggs with thicker shells and thicker egg membranes. Eggs produced by older females and eggs laid later in the laying sequence were relatively smaller and softer and had relatively thin egg membranes and eggshells. Individual females, irrespective of their age, contributed significantly to the observed variation in egg strength. Egg size and hardness of hybrid eggs were similar to that of the pure species suggesting that hybridization does not affect eggshell hardness or thickness. Our study provides quantitative evidence of several factors, other than levels of contamination, which may affect eggshell thickness and hardness in falcons.

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Increase in membrane thickness during development compensates for eggshell thinning due to calcium uptake by the embryo in falcons

Castilla

Dongen²,

Herrel

et al. 2009

Naturwissenschaften

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We compared membrane thickness of fully developed eggs with those of non-developed eggs in different endangered falcon taxa. To our knowledge, membrane thickness variation during development has never been examined before in falcons or any other wild bird. Yet, the egg membrane constitutes an important protective barrier for the developing embryo. Because eggshell thinning is a general process that occurs during bird development, caused by calcium uptake by the embryo, eggs are expected to be less protected and vulnerable to breakage near the end of development. Thus, egg membranes could play an important protective role in the later stages of development by getting relatively thicker. We used linear mixed models to explore the variation in membrane thickness (n = 378 eggs) in relation to developmental stage, taxon, female age, mass and identity (73 females), egg-laying sequence (105 clutches) and the study zone. Our results are consistent with the prediction that egg membranes are thicker in fully developed eggs than in non-developed eggs, suggesting that the increase in membrane thickness during development may compensate for eggshell thinning. In addition, our data shown that thicker membranes are associated with larger, heavier and relatively wider eggs, as well as with eggs that had thinner eggshells. Egg-laying sequence, female age and the study zone did not explain the observed variation of membrane thickness in the falcon taxa studied. As we provide quantitative data on membrane thickness variation during development in falcons not subjected to contamination or food limitation (i.e. bred under captive conditions), our data may be used as a reference for studies on eggs from natural populations. Considering the large variation in membrane thickness and the multiple factors affecting on it and its importance in the protection of the embryo, we encourage other researchers to include measurements on membranes in studies exploring eggshell thickness variation.

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Developmental stage affects eggshell‐breaking strength in two ground‐nesting birds: the partridge (Alectoris rufa) and the quail (Coturnix japonica)

Cited by 18 publications

References 37 publications

The effect of developmental stage on eggshell thickness variation in endangered falcons

The effect of developmental stage on eggshell thickness variation in endangered falcons

Determinants of eggshell strength in endangered raptors

Increase in membrane thickness during development compensates for eggshell thinning due to calcium uptake by the embryo in falcons

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