Correlates and consequences of egg size variation in wild ruddy ducks (Oxyura jamaicensis) / JeffreyTecson Pelayo
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TextPublication details: Saskatoon, SK : University of Saskatchewan, 2001.Description: xi, 101 leaves : 28 cm. illOnline resources: Abstract: Evidence concerning effects of egg size on offspring survival is difficult to interpret because most studies have not controlled confounding influences such as maternal quality which may mask effects of egg size. Thus, I first estimated variation in egg size and then investigated effects of egg size variation on duckling survival in wild Ruddy Ducks (Oxyura jamaicensis). Over two years, I switched 40 complete broods consisting of 244 individually color-marked ducklings of known egg size, body size, and body condition to nests of unrelated foster mothers, and evaluating survival to 31 days of age. Most mortality occurred within the first two weeks after hatching. In 1998, survival probability of experimental ducklings declined with advancing hatch date. In 1999, the body condition index of individuals at hatching was positively related to egg size, and ducklings in better condition had enhanced survival probabilities. In addition, survival increased if ducklings were associated with la
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Thesis(M.Sc.)--University of Saskatchewan, 2001.
Includes bibliographical references.
Evidence concerning effects of egg size on offspring survival is difficult to interpret because most studies have not controlled confounding influences such as maternal quality which may mask effects of egg size. Thus, I first estimated variation in egg size and then investigated effects of egg size variation on duckling survival in wild Ruddy Ducks (Oxyura jamaicensis). Over two years, I switched 40 complete broods consisting of 244 individually color-marked ducklings of known egg size, body size, and body condition to nests of unrelated foster mothers, and evaluating survival to 31 days of age. Most mortality occurred within the first two weeks after hatching. In 1998, survival probability of experimental ducklings declined with advancing hatch date. In 1999, the body condition index of individuals at hatching was positively related to egg size, and ducklings in better condition had enhanced survival probabilities. In addition, survival increased if ducklings were associated with la