The Pair-Formation Displays of the Western Grebe

Nuechterlein, Gary L.; Storer, Robert W.

doi:10.2307/1367437

Cited by 36 publications

(26 citation statements)

References 12 publications

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“…At any point in time, between 20 and 200 grebes were present in the observable range of the cameras, typically within 8 50 to 150 m from the cameras. Rushing grebes began showing pre-rushing behaviors 3-8 seconds before rushing initiation (Nuechterlein and Storer, 1982). Both cameras were manually 10 repositioned, zoomed, and focused on grebes expected to begin rushing.…”

Section: Field Recordings 24mentioning

confidence: 99%

“…The wings of each bird are held still behind the body, and likely do not contribute to weight support. Rushing displays typically cover between 5-20 m and can last up to seven 14 seconds (Nuechterlein and Storer, 1982). Although obviously a representation of strength and stamina, the qualities of rushing associated with female choice have yet to be identified.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Western and Clark's grebes use novel strategies for running on water

Clifton

Hedrick

Biewener

2015

Journal of Experimental Biology

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Few vertebrates run on water. The largest animals to accomplish this feat are western and Clark's grebes (Aechmophorus occidentalis and Aechmophorus clarkii). These birds use water running to secure a mate during a display called rushing. Grebes weigh an order of magnitude more than the next largest water runners, basilisk lizards (Basilicus basiliscus), and therefore face a greater challenge to support their body weight. How do these birds produce the hydrodynamic forces necessary to overcome gravity and sustain rushing? We present the first quantitative study of water running by grebes. High-speed video recordings elucidate the hindlimb movements of grebes rushing in the wild. We complement these findings with laboratory experiments using physical models and a preserved grebe foot to estimate how slapping the water surface contributes to weight support. Our results indicate that grebes use three novel tactics to successfully run on water. First, rushing grebes use exceptionally high stride rates, reaching 10 Hz. Second, grebe foot size and high water impact speed allow grebes to generate up to 30–55% of the required weight support through water slap alone. Finally, flattened foot bones reduce downward drag, permitting grebes to retract each foot from the water laterally. Together, these mechanisms outline a water-running strategy qualitatively different from that of the only previously studied water runner, the basilisk lizard. The hydrodynamic specializations of rushing grebes could inform the design of biomimetic appendages. Furthermore, the mechanisms underlying this impressive display demonstrate that evolution can dramatically alter performance under sexual selection.

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Section: Field Recordings 24mentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Western and Clark's grebes use novel strategies for running on water

Clifton

Hedrick

Biewener

2015

Journal of Experimental Biology

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“…Striking examples are found in a wide range of behavioural contexts, including synchronous flashing in fireflies (Buck 1938(Buck , 1988, movements of schooling fish (Pitcher & Parrish 1993), waving of the major claw by male fiddler crabs, Uca annulipes (Backwell et al 1999), courtship displays of western grebes, Aechmophorus occidentalis (Nuechterlein & Storer 1982) and vocalizations of male long-tailed manakins, Chiroxiphia linearis (Trainer & McDonald 1993).…”

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confidence: 99%

Synchrony, social behaviour and alliance affiliation in Indian Ocean bottlenose dolphins, Tursiops aduncus

2006

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Here we report that synchronous surfacing in male bottlenose dolphins is associated with alliance membership and that synchrony between members of cooperating alliances is more common during social behaviour than during nonsocial behaviour, especially during bouts of 'intense' social behaviour (e.g. mounting, displays, chasing) with female consorts. Alliances of three males varied in the degree to which all members participated in synchrony, possibly reflecting differences in alliance unity and the extent to which alliances consort with females. The lack of a discontinuity between the elaborate displays that males perform around females and the synchronous surfacing of alliance members reported here suggest that synchrony is an adaptive signal. If so, we have a remarkable convergence in the use of synchrony as an alliance signal in humans and bottlenose dolphins. However, whether an adaptive signal or a correlate of proximity, synchrony will be a useful tool in the study of delphinid social relationships.

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“…More often, however, adults divided the brood and thereby may have reduced the competitive interactions among siblings. Although parents were often separated during the day, they communicated with each other principally through hen-flicker calls, described by LaBastille (1974) for the similar Atitlan Grebe (Podilymbus gigas), and duets (Nuechterlein and Storer 1982).…”

Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Hatching asynchrony and food allocation within broods of Pied-billed Grebes, Podilymbus podiceps

Forbes¹,

Ankney²

1987

Can. J. Zool.

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FORBES, M. R. L., and ANKNEY, C. D. 1987. Hatching asynchrony and food allocation within broods of Pied-billed Grebes, Podilymbuspodiceps. Can. J. Zool. 65: 2872-2877. Broods of Pied-billed Grebes, Podilymbus podiceps, breeding near Minnedosa, Manitoba (55'16' N, 99'50' W), in the summer of 1984, hatched from five to eight eggs over 3-7 days. We found a negative correlation (partial r = -0.56, df = 1 1, p < 0.05) between the length of the hatching interval and the number of chicks surviving to 35 days of age, after controlling for clutch size. The mean number of sibling aggressions ( i = 1.6, n = 20, 2 SE = 0.4) was higher during foraging bouts with below-average rates of food delivery by parents, as opposed to bouts (.i = 0.5 aggressions, n = 18, 2 SE = 0.2) with above-average rates. Also, larger chicks initiated and won more disputes over positions near adults (Fisher's exact test, p < 0.05, n = 40) than did their smaller sibs. Thus, size hierarchies among siblings influenced food allocation within Pied-billed Grebe broods. Food distribution, however, was nonrandom for 12 of 18 foraging bouts in which there were no apparent size differences between attendant chicks. Signals of hunger status from begging chicks, and parental regulation of which chicks maintained positions near them, also affected food allocation among siblings. Finally, handling times of prey, captured by adults and fed to chicks, depended on brood age (partial r = -0.21, df = 183, p < 0.05) after controlling for prey size. For Pied-billed Grebes, noticeable size hierarchies among chicks remained throughout most of brood development and may have been advantageous during times of low food availability, or may have enabled parents to forage more effectively on a wide range of prey types and sizes. FORBES, M. R. L., et ANKNEY, C. D. 1987. Hatching asynchrony and food allocation within broods of Pied-billed Grebes, Podilymbus podiceps. Can. J. Zool. 65 : 2872-2877. Des portCes de Grkbes a bec bigarrC, Podilymbuspodiceps, des environs de Minnedosa au Manitoba (55'16' N, 99'50' W) ont donne cinq a huit oeufs eclos en 3-7 jours durant 1' CtC 1984. Aprks avoir apporte les corrections nkcessaires pour compenser lenombre d'oeufs par portee, il ressort une correlation negative (r partiel = -0,56, dl = 11, p < 0,05) entre la longueur de l'intervalle d'Cclosion et le nombre de petits qui survivent jusqu'a 1'8ge de 35 jours. Le nombre moyen d'agressions au sein d'une portie (i = 1,6, n = 20, 2 E.T. = 0,4) est plus ClevC lorsque les parents apportent une quantite de nourriture infkrieure a la moyenne que lorsque cette quantitC est superieure a la moyenne (i = 0,5, n = 18,2 E.T. = 0,2). De plus, les oisillons de grande taille initient et gagnent plus de disputes pour maintenir une position favorable pres des parents (test exact de Fisher, p < 0,05, n = 40) que ne le font les oisillons de la mime portCe qui sont de plus petite taille. Ainsi, une hierarchic basCe sur la taille influence la distribution de la nourriture chez les oisillons de la portee. Cependant, ...

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The Pair-Formation Displays of the Western Grebe

Cited by 36 publications

References 12 publications

Western and Clark's grebes use novel strategies for running on water

Western and Clark's grebes use novel strategies for running on water

Synchrony, social behaviour and alliance affiliation in Indian Ocean bottlenose dolphins, Tursiops aduncus

Hatching asynchrony and food allocation within broods of Pied-billed Grebes, Podilymbus podiceps

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