Pattern of covariation between life-history traits of European birds.
A large amount of variation is found in most reproductive traits of birds. Clutch size for instance, can vary from 1 to 15 between species of similar body weight. The adaptive significance of this variation is only poorly understood. According to life-history theory, large clutch size and early onset of reproduction are expected when the chances of survival are low. There is some support for the existence of such a relationship from studies of single species. Here I present evidence that, in European birds, clutch size is increased, and onset of reproduction occurs earlier in life, when the probability of survival is low.
Saether
B E
BE
Game Research Division, Directorate for Nature Management, Trondheim, Norway.
D000222:Adaptation, Physiological; D000818:Animals; D001717:Birds / Q000502:physiology*; D005060:Europe; D014644:Genetic Variation; D011157:Population Dynamics; D012098:Reproduction