AVIS-IBIS

Birds of Indian Subcontinent

An Experimental Study of Co-Evolution between the Cuckoo, Cuculus canorus, and its Hosts. II. Host Egg Markings, Chick Discrimination and General Discussion

Publication Type:Journal Article
Year of Publication:1989
Authors:Davies, NB, M. Brooke, deL
Journal:Journal of Animal Ecology
Volume:58
Issue:1
Date Published:1989
ISBN Number:00218790
Keywords:Anthus, Anthus pratensis, Cuculidae, Cuculus, Cuculus canorus, Emberiza, Emberiza godlewskii, Emberiza schoeniclus, Emberizidae, Fringilla, Fringilla coelebs, Fringillidae, Motacilla, Motacilla alba, Motacillidae, Prunella, Prunella modularis, Prunellidae
Abstract:(1) There was no difference in the distinctiveness of egg markings between species that have interacted strongly with cuckoos and species that have not, nor in intra-clutch variation, nor in inter-clutch variation within a species. In Iceland, where they are isolated from cuckoos, the eggs of meadow pipits and pied/white wagtails showed no differences in intra-clutch variation, nor inter-clutch variation, from those in parasitized populations in Britain. Thus there was no evidence that host egg patterns evolve in response to cuckoos. (2) None of the four species tested discriminated against an odd chick (another species) in their nest (chaffinch, reed warbler, reed bunting, dunnock). Hosts therefore evolve discrimination against odd eggs but not against odd chicks. (3) The variation in rejection of unlike eggs among different species of suitable cuckoo hosts is not related to the current costs or benefits of rejecting cuckoo eggs. We suggest that the variation represents snap shots in evolutionary time of different stages of a continuing arms race between the cuckoo and its hosts.
URL:http://www.jstor.org/stable/4996
Short Title:Journal of Animal Ecology
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