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Clutch Size Effects on Eggshell Thickness in the Peregrine Falcon and European Kestrel
| Publication Type: | Journal Article |
| Year of Publication: | 1990 |
| Authors: | FALK, KNUD, MØLLER, SØREN |
| Journal: | Ornis Scandinavica |
| Volume: | 21 |
| Issue: | 4 |
| Date Published: | 1990 |
| ISBN Number: | 00305693 |
| Keywords: | Falco, Falco peregrinus, Falco tinnunculus, Falconidae, Rhynchodon peregrinus, Tinnunculus |
| Abstract: | Variation in the thickness of eggshells from pre-DDT Greenlandic and European Peregrine Falcons Falco peregrinus tundrius and F. p. peregrinus and European Kestrels Falco tinnunculus was investigated. No difference in shell thickness was found for the two subspecies of Peregrine Falcon. When eggs from the two subspecies were pooled, variation among clutches and among eggs was of the same magnitude (ca. 42% and 49%), whereas variation among measurements within eggs was much smaller (9%). The Kestrel varied more among clutches (52%) than among eggs (30%) and the variation among measurements was 17%. When calculations were carried out for each clutch size separately the variations showed the same tendencies. A significant effect of clutch size on mean shell thickness was found in both species. Peregrines produced eggs with significantly thinner shells when they laid large clutches, whereas Kestrels showed the opposite tendency. The clutch size effect is discussed in relation to procedures for sampling of eggs and fragments to assess shell thinning. In studies of eggshell thinning in Peregrine eggs one should use data from as many nests as practically possible instead of using data on many eggs from a few females. |
| URL: | http://www.jstor.org/stable/3676390 |
| Short Title: | Ornis Scandinavica |
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