Intra- and inter-individual variation in reproductive effort in captive breeding zebra finches (Taeniopygia guttata)
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| Authors: | Williams, TD |
| Year: | 1996 |
| Journal: | Canadian Journal of Zoology-Revue Canadienne de Zoologie 74: 85-91 |
| Title: | Intra- and inter-individual variation in reproductive effort in captive breeding zebra finches (Taeniopygia guttata) |
| Abstract: | Intraspecific variation in egg size, clutch size, and timing of laying was studied in captive-breeding zebra finches (Taeniopygia guttata) maintained under conditions of constant temperature, humidity, photoperiod (14 h light : 10 h dark), and ad libitum food supply. Individual variation was marked in the experimental population: egg size 0.915-1.342 g, clutch size 2-7 eggs, and laying interval 4-13 days; however, within individual females egg size (r = 0.742) and clutch size (r = 0.588) were highly repeatable between first and second clutches. Body condition explained only 8% of egg size variation, and clutch size and laying interval were independent of body condition. Clutch size was negatively related to laying interval: females laying later relative to pairing laid smaller clutches (b = -0.175 eggs/day). Body mass of breeding females decreased by 1.57 g (9% of initial mass) during laying of first clutches; mass loss was positively related to initial body condition (R(2) = 27.8%) and total clutch mass (R(2) = 7.6%). Mass loss was lower (0.47 g) during laying of second or replacement clutches than during laying of first clutches. Individual variation in reproductive effort in captive-breeding zebra finches is very similar to that in free-living avian populations. Laboratory studies on captive-breeding species can provide a valuable approach for the study of proximate physiological mechanisms underlying intraspecific variation in reproduction. |
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