Effects of Egg Size and Parental Quality on Early Nestling Growth: An Experiment with the Antarctic Petrel

Limited effects of egg size on chick growth in the chinstrap Penguin Pygoscelis antarctica

“…The existence of a direct association between egg size and hatchling size has also been described in the Magellanic penguin until 10 days after hatching (Reid and Boersma 1990), and this is the most general association found between egg volume and chick size in a large number of studies (Williams 1994;Amundsen 1995;Amundsen et al 1996). Near edging, an e ect of egg size on chick size was not detected, this result being in general agreement with other studies where chick size at¯edging seems independent of egg size (Reid and Boersma 1990;Meathrel et al 1993;Robertson and Cooke 1993;Smith et al 1993;Williams et al 1993; but see Magrath 1992).…”

“…Finally, lack of inter-brood variability in egg size could be responsible for the very small e ect of egg volume on chicks' growth. This seems not to be the case, as the coe cient of variation of egg volume in this species is similar or higher than those observed for other antarctic seabirds (see Amundsen 1995 for Pagodroma nivea and Amundsen et al 1996 for Thalasoica antarctica).…”

“…However, there is little unequivocal evidence to date in support of a positive relationship in birds between egg size and ®tness (Williams 1994; see nevertheless Bolton 1991;Croxall et al 1992;Magrath 1992;Amundsen et al 1996). A bene®t is gained by laying large eggs, as large eggs tend to result in large hatchlings (Grant 1991;Amundsen 1995;Amundsen et al 1996) that experience a faster growth and a higher probability of survival at least during the ®rst days after hatching (Schi erli 1973;Williams 1994;Amundsen 1995). Several studies have also demonstrated egg size to be positively related to parental quality (Amundsen and Stokland 1990;Saether 1990;Croxall et al 1992;Williams 1994; but see Moreno et al 1994).…”

“…Therefore, the apparent e ect of egg size could be due to either random variation in egg size per se, or to parental quality. Recent experimental studies trying to separate the e ects of egg size and parental quality have found an e ect of egg size per se at early nestling ages (Amundsen and Stokland 1990;Reid and Boersma 1990;Magrath 1992;Amundsen 1995;Amundsen et al 1996), and an in¯u-ence of parental quality on growth and survival at later chick ages (Amundsen and Stokland 1990;Reid and Boersma 1990;Bolton 1991;Magrath 1992).…”

Influence of in ovo mercury exposure, lake acidity, and other factors on common loon egg and chick quality in Wisconsin

“…Egg size can vary considerably among females, and large eggs generally produce larger hatchlings than those produced from smaller eggs [29][30][31][32]. This phenomenon has been observed in common loons (K.P.…”