Costs, benefits and constraints in the evolution of avian reproductive tactics: a study on the blue tit

Summary, in English

In this study I have investigated the various factors influencing reproductive tactics among breeding blue tits (Parus caeruleus). The study was carried out in a nestbox-breeding population of marked individuals at the Revinge Area, outside Lund, southern Sweden. I have especially investigated the energetic, physiological and temporal factors influencing the reproductive decisions. This included use of various physiological methods such as metabolic measurements of energy expenditure, measurements of immunocompetence using ELISA:s and sexing of nestlings using quantification of DNA-contents using flow cytometry. Three themes were explored: 1/Reproductive effort and costs of reproduction, 2/sex allocation and 3/reproductive timing in a seasonal environment.

• Författare: Erik Svensson
• Avdelning/ar: Evolutionär ekologi; Populationsbiologi, mikro- och makroevolution
• Publiceringsår: 1997
• Språk: Engelska
• Dokumenttyp: Doktorsavhandling
• Ämne: Biological Sciences
• Nyckelord: reproductive timing; selection analysis; natural selection; mate quality; nestlings; sex ratio; DNA-content; flow cytometry; ELISA; BMR; energetics; immunocompetence; immune system; sexual conflict; nestling mortality; thermoregulation; moult; reproductive costs; reproductive effort; Parus caeruleus; blue tit; birds; juvenile survival; laying date; food supply; Animal ecology; Djurekologi
• Status: Published
• Forskningsgrupp: Evolution and Ecology of Phenotypes in Nature
• Handledare: [unknown] [unknown]
• ISBN/ISSN/Övrigt: ISBN: 91-7105-087-6; ISRN: SE-LUNDBDS/NZBE-97/1072
• Försvarsdatum: 6 juni 1997
• Försvarstid: 10:15
• Försvarsplats: N/A
• Opponent: Sievert Rohwer (Prof)