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A Model For Evaluating Time Constraints On Short-Term Reproductive Success In Altricial Birds1, Larry Clark
A Model For Evaluating Time Constraints On Short-Term Reproductive Success In Altricial Birds1, Larry Clark
Larry Clark
We develop a simple single dimension model incorporating the time and energy commitments of breeding altricial birds in an effort to understand the evolutionary constraints on parental care. We chose time as the dimension of preference, because it is a naturally bounded constraint, e.g., length of day or breeding season. The utility of the model was evaluated by comparing simulations of time allocation of various breeding scenarios for the European starling (Sturnus vulgaris) to field data. The structure of the model may prove useful in determining the evolutionary constraints on parental care imposed by the developmental pattern of chicks.
Effect Of Biologically Active Plants Used As Netst Material And The Derived Benefit To Starling Nestlings, Larry Clark, J. R. Mason
Effect Of Biologically Active Plants Used As Netst Material And The Derived Benefit To Starling Nestlings, Larry Clark, J. R. Mason
Larry Clark
The European starling Sturnus vulgaris preferentially incorporates fresh sprigs of particular plant species for use as nesting material. Chemicals found in these plants may act to reduce pathogen and ectoparasite populations normally found in nest environments. The present experiments were performed to test this Nest Protection Hypothesis. In the fild, we experimentally determined that wild carrot Daucus carota, a plant species preferred as nest material, effectively reduced the number of hematophagous mites found within nests relative to control nests without green vegetation. Chicks from nests containing wild carrot had higher levels of blood hemoglobin than chicks from control nests. However, …