The roles of temperature, nest predators and information parasites for geographical variation in egg covering behaviour of...

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Please use this identifier to cite or link to this item: http://hdl.handle.net/11703/120531
Title: The roles of temperature, nest predators and information parasites for geographical variation in egg covering behaviour of tits (Paridae)
Authors: Loukola, Olli J.
Adamik, Peter
Senar, Juan Carlos
Contributors: Consorci del Museu de Ciències Naturals de Barcelona
Issue Date: 5-Mar-2020
Keywords: Birds nests
Great tit
Blue tit
Birds
Passeriformes
Reproduction
Access to document: http://hdl.handle.net/2072/373956
Citation: Journal of Biogeography, 2020;00:1–12
Extent: 12 p.
Abstract: Aim Nest building is widespread among animals. Nests may provide receptacles for eggs, developing offspring and the parents, and protect them from adverse environmental conditions. Nests may also indicate the quality of the territory and its owner and can be considered as an extended phenotype of its builder(s). Nests may, thus, function as a sexual and social signal. Here, we examined ecological and abiotic factors—temperature, nest predation and interspecific information utilization—shaping geographical variation in a specific nest structure—hair and feather cover of eggs—and its function as an extended phenotype before incubation in great (Parus major) and blue tits (Cyanistes caeruleus) across Europe. We also tested whether egg covering is associated with reproductive success of great tits. Location Fourteen different study sites and 28 populations across Europe. Taxon Parus major, Cyanistes caeruleus. Methods We recorded clutch coverage estimates and collected egg covering nest material from the tit nests. We also measured nest specific breeding parameters and phenotypic measurements on adults. We tested whether mean spring temperatures, nest predation rates and flycatcher (Ficedula spp) densities in the study areas explain the large‐scale geographical variation of clutch coverage and reproductive success of tits. Results The degree of egg coverage of great tits increased with lower mean spring temperature, higher nest predation rate and higher flycatcher density. We did not find egg covering of blue tits to be associated with any of the ecological or abiotic factors. Moreover, egg covering of great tits was not associated with reproductive success in our cross‐sectional data, yet a rigorous assessment of fitness effects would require long‐term data. Main conclusions Our findings suggest that, in great tits, egg covering may simultaneously provide thermal insulation against cold temperatures during egg‐laying in spring and also represent a counter‐adaptation to reduce information parasitism by flycatchers and nest predation. Hence, geographical variation in interspecific interactions, and consequently in co‐evolutionary processes, may affect the evolution of nest characteristics besides environmental conditions.
Terms of use: CC-BY
Appears in Collections:Ecologia Evolutiva i de la Conducta / Articles

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