abstract: In the non-reproductive period, six species of brood parasites (4 cuckoos, 2 viduines) observed in Rhodesia and in the Kalahari were found to inhabit other areas than their hosts, being either nomadic or migratory in habit. They are hence exposed to different environmental conditions.Histological examination of the gonads revealed a distinctly earlier maturation in the parasites than in their hosts. The parasites have thus developed a "waiting period" with fully developed gonads in order to synchronise their egg-laying period with that of their hosts. Parasites and hosts probably react to different environmental stimuli for the development of gonads.Altogether, host synchronisation seems to be distinctly different in African and European brood parasites. The reasons for these differences are discussed.
authors.affiliation: Zoologisches Institut der Technischen Universität Braunschweig, Braunschweig, Deutschland.
authors.forename: Klaus
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Immelmann