A revision of Lack's brood reduction hypothesis
Article Abstract:
The predictions of D. Lack's brood reduction hypothesis (BRH) were evaluated. According to the BRH, hatching asynchrony ensures the survival of a few nestlings when food is scarce, and is thus an adaptation to unpredictable food supply. However, other studies showed that last-hatched nestlings in asynchronous broods died more frequently than their counterparts in synchronously hatched broods, contradicting the predictions of the BRH. A new model is proposed wherein the assumptions and predictions of the BRH are modified.
Publication Name: The American Naturalist
Subject: Earth sciences
ISSN: 0003-0147
Year: 1992
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Intraspecific fledging mass variation in the Alcidae, with special reference to the seasonal fledging mass decline
Article Abstract:
A dynamic programing model of fledging in alcidae, based on the advantages and mortality costs in habitats before and after nest departure, suggests the variations in growth with hatch date to be the cause of the seasonal fledging mass decline. When the development of the nestlings is nearly complete, they fledge. As a result the fast-growing and the later-hatched nestlings fledge when they are young.
Publication Name: The American Naturalist
Subject: Earth sciences
ISSN: 0003-0147
Year: 1995
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