Egg viability as a constraint on hatching synchrony at high ambient temperatures

Citation
Sh. Stoleson et Sr. Beissinger, Egg viability as a constraint on hatching synchrony at high ambient temperatures, J ANIM ECOL, 68(5), 1999, pp. 951-962
Citations number
73
Categorie Soggetti
Animal Sciences
Journal title
JOURNAL OF ANIMAL ECOLOGY
ISSN journal
00218790 → ACNP
Volume
68
Issue
5
Year of publication
1999
Pages
951 - 962
Database
ISI
SICI code
0021-8790(199909)68:5<951:EVAACO>2.0.ZU;2-V
Abstract
1. We tested experimentally the effects of exposure to high ambient tempera tures, for periods of 1-9 days, on the viability of eggs of the green-rumpe d parrotlet. 2. The hatchability of 534 newly laid parrotlet eggs declined after exposur e of 3 or more days. 3. The probability of hatching was not significantly affected by the durati on or proportion of time exposed to temperatures below physiological zero o r above normal incubation range. 4. Incubation periods were negatively correlated with exposure time, sugges ting some embryo development occurred prior to incubation. 5. Results presented here corroborate similar studies of temperate zone bir ds, and suggest that the decline in egg viability may be particularly extre me in hot climates, such as tropical lowlands. 6. We suggest that the relationship between ambient temperature and egg via bility could contribute to both seasonal and latitudinal trends in clutch s ize, hatching success and hatching asynchrony.