Optimal clutch size and conspecific brood parasitism

Article Abstract:

Research based on a graphical model of clutch size indicates that the trade-offs a brood parasite encounters when allocating eggs to her own nest or to nests of other conspecific females can lead to a reduction in the parasite's own clutch size. When parasitism is costly to hosts, it cuts the value of their eggs and should therefore favour a reduction in their clutch size. Clutch-size comparisons indicate that hosts do adjust their clutch sizes in response to parasitism.

Birds, Bird eggs, Bird nests

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An obligate brood parasite trapped in the intraspecific arms race of its hosts

Article Abstract:

The mismatches in adaptation of interacting species, an obligate brood parasitic duck and each of its two main hosts are shown to be best explained by the evolutionary dynamics within the host species. The apparent arms race between species seems instead to be an incidental by-product of within-species conflict, with little recourse for evolutionary response by the parasite.

United States, Science & research, Poultry and eggs, not elsewhere classified, Other Poultry Production, Ducks, Research, Parasites, Species, Species (Biology)

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