High egg rejection rate in a Chinese population of grey-backed thrush (Turdus hortulorum)

Zoological Research

Anders Møller¹  Wei Liang²  Can-Chao Yang²  Long-Wu Wang³ 

[1] Ecologie Systématique Evolution, Université Paris-Sud, CNRS, AgroParisTech, Université Paris-Saclay, F-91405 Orsay Cedex, France;Ministry of Education Key Laboratory for Ecology of Tropical Islands, College of Life Sciences, Hainan Normal University, Haikou Hainan 571158, China;State Forestry Administration of China Key Laboratory for Biodiversity Conservation in Mountainous Areas of Southwest Karst, School of Life Sciences, Guizhou Normal University, Guiyang Guizhou 550001, China;

关键词: Artificial parasitism;    Conspecific brood parasitism;    Egg recognition;    Interspecific brood parasitism;   

DOI  :  10.24272/j.issn.2095-8137.2019.039

来源: DOAJ

【 摘 要 】

Several previous studies have indicated that nest sanitation behavior is a general adaptation in altricial birds, with egg recognition capacity evolving as a specific response to interspecific brood parasitism (IBP). However, a recent study suggested an alternative hypothesis, concluding that conspecific brood parasitism (CBP) selects for egg rejection in thrushes, with IBP as a by-product. In the present study, we used a spectrophotometer to quantify egg coloration and egg mimicry and performed artificial parasitism experiments in the grey-backed thrush (Turdus hortulorum). We showed that individuals of this species rejected 100% of 12 foreign eggs, without IBP or CBP detected. In a review of previous studies, we also discuss possible explanations for the high egg rejection rate in the grey-backed thrush and suggest areas for future study.

【 授权许可】

Unknown