WOOD DUCK EGGSHELL MEMBRANES PREDICT DUCKLING NUMBERS

Authors
DAVIS JB KAMINSKI RM STEPHENS SE
Citation
Jb. Davis et al., WOOD DUCK EGGSHELL MEMBRANES PREDICT DUCKLING NUMBERS, Wildlife Society bulletin, 26(2), 1998, pp. 299-301
Citations number
17
Categorie Soggetti
Ecology,Zoology
Journal title
Wildlife Society bulletin → ACNP
ISSN journal
00917648
Volume
26
Issue
2
Year of publication
1998
Pages
299 - 301
Database
ISI
SICI code
0091-7648(1998)26:2<299:WDEMPD>2.0.ZU;2-B
Abstract
The inner layer of avian eggshells is composed of 2 membranes; 1 of th ese becomes exposed after hatch and enables estimation of number of yo ung. We counted number of wood duck (Aix sponsa) eggshell membranes to estimate number of hatched ducklings. Number of membranes counted wit hin 24 hours after hatch was a reliable predictor (R-2 = 0.91) of duck lings produced.