AVIS-IBIS

Birds of Indian Subcontinent

A Model for Evaluating Time Constraints on Short-Term Reproductive Success in Altricial Birds

Publication Type:Journal Article
Year of Publication:1988
Authors:Clark, L, Ricklefs, RE
Journal:American Zoologist
Volume:28
Issue:3
Date Published:1988
ISBN Number:00031569
Keywords:Sturnidae, Sturnus, Sturnus vulgaris
Abstract:We develop a simple single dimension model incorporating the time and energy commitments of breeding altricial birds in an effort to understand the evolutionary constraints on parental care. We chose time as the dimension of preference, because it is a naturally bounded constraint, e.g., length of day or breeding season. The utility of the model was evaluated by comparing simulations of time allocation of various breeding scenarios for the European starling (Sturnus vulgaris) to field data. The structure of the model may prove useful in determining the evolutionary constraints on parental care imposed by the developmental pattern of chicks.
URL:http://www.jstor.org/stable/3883384
Short Title:American Zoologist
Scratchpads developed and conceived by (alphabetical): Ed Baker, Katherine Bouton Alice Heaton Dimitris Koureas, Laurence Livermore, Dave Roberts, Simon Rycroft, Ben Scott, Vince Smith