Abstracts » Zoology and wildlife conservation

The influence of egg survivorship on the subsequent nest fidelity of female bicolour damselfish

Article Abstract:

Female bicolour damselfish are sensitive to egg loss from nests to the extent that they will leave a favourite nest if brittlestar predators consume all the brood. Brittlestars tend to return to damselfish nests they have discovered, while damselfish normally return to the same nests. Damselfish thus appear to assess and control egg survival probabilities by having monitored the survival rates of previous broods. These fish also choose males in relation to their parenting abilities, prior to egg laying, a strategy which also increases brood survival.

Case studies, Damselfish

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The effect of nestling condition on risk-taking in meadow pipits

Article Abstract:

A new study of meadow pipits investigates the harm to offspring theory which predicts that parents will take greater risks to warm offspring with low body temperature. The study, which used the model of a weasel to compare parent behaviour when a potential threat is present, finds that female pipits will return to the nest before the male in order to brood her young nestlings and maintain their body temperature. It is concluded that the experiment supports the harm to offspring theory.

Observations, Nestlings

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Offspring age and nest defence: test of the feedback hypothesis in the meadow pipit

Article Abstract:

Research is presented concerning the variation in the intensity in nest defence in meadow pitits. The difference in behavior of the male and female nesting meadow pitits when confronted by a predator is discussed.

Bird eggs, Bird nests

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