Incubation temperature influences trade-off between structural size and energy reserves in mallard hatchlings

0441937 - ÚBO 2016 RIV US eng J - Journal Article
Koláčková, M. - Prokůpková, L. - Albrecht, Tomáš - Hořák, D.
Incubation temperature influences trade-off between structural size and energy reserves in mallard hatchlings.
Physiological and Biochemical Zoology. Roč. 88, č. 1 (2015), s. 1-10. ISSN 1522-2152. E-ISSN 1537-5293
R&D Projects: GA AV ČR KJB601110803
Institutional support: RVO:68081766
Keywords : body mass * chemical composition * hatching * incubation * parent-offspring interaction * parental investment * phenotype * reproductive success * reptile * survival * temperature effect * trade-off * waterfowl
Subject RIV: EG - Zoology
Impact factor: 2.007, year: 2015

The reproductive success of precocial birds depends on investments in clutch formation and incubation. Egg quality strongly affects the phenotypic traits correlated with survival of the hatchling, but parental ability to maintain incubation temperature can also influence hatchling outcomes. The effect of incubation temperature on hatchling phenotype has been widely studied in reptiles but not in birds. The aim of this study was to explore the effects of egg mass and incubation temperature on the incubation period, hatchability, and hatchling phenotype of the mallard (Anas platyrhynchos). Mallard eggs were incubated under six constant incubation temperatures (ranging from 35.07 to 39.07C). Hatchlings were weighed, and their structural size was measured. Some hatchlings were used for an examination of residual yolk sac mass and basic chemical composition of the yolk-free body. All investigated phenotypic traits except for chemical composition were positively correlated with egg mass. Incubation temperature did not affect hatchling body mass, but increased temperatures led to a decreased yolk-free body mass and structural size of hatchlings and to increased yolk sac mass. Our results suggest that there is a trade-off between the yolk-free body size and energetic reserves in the form of the yolk sac and that this tradeoff is modulated by incubation temperature.
Permanent Link: http://hdl.handle.net/11104/0244859