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Tests Of Three Hypotheses Of Hatching Asynchrony In The Common Tern, Patricia B. Bollinger, Eric K. Bollinger, Richard A. Malecki
Tests Of Three Hypotheses Of Hatching Asynchrony In The Common Tern, Patricia B. Bollinger, Eric K. Bollinger, Richard A. Malecki
Eric K. Bollinger
We examined three hypotheses concerning hatching asynchrony in the Common Tern (Sterna hirundo). Survival of third-hatching "C-chicks" was significantly lower than that of "A-" and "B-chicks" in broods of three. In 2 yr when conditions did not appear favorable, survival was significantly higher in manipulated broods in which chicks hatched synchronously (73%) than in nonmanipulated broods (56%). Chicks in synchronous broods grew significantly faster than C-chicks and at a rate similar to A- and B-chicks. These results were inconsistent with the brood-reduction hypothesis, which predicts that hatching asynchrony will maximize brood success under conditions of food limitation. Chicks hatching from …