Do nest light conditions affect rejection of parasitic eggs? A test of the light environment hypothesis

0359071 - ÚBO 2012 RIV DE eng J - Journal Article
Honza, Marcel - Procházka, Petr - Morongová, Klára - Čapek, Miroslav - Jelínek, Václav
Do nest light conditions affect rejection of parasitic eggs? A test of the light environment hypothesis.
Ethology. Roč. 117, č. 6 (2011), s. 539-546. ISSN 0179-1613. E-ISSN 1439-0310
R&D Projects: GA AV ČR IAA600930903; GA MŠMT LC06073
Institutional research plan: CEZ:AV0Z60930519
Keywords : Acrocephalus arundinaceus * nest light conditions * egg recognition * Great reed warbler * cuckoo
Subject RIV: EG - Zoology
Impact factor: 2.008, year: 2011

Although many factors affecting host egg-recognition processes have already been evaluated, only a few attempts have been made to test the importance of light conditions in microhabitats of host nests. Here, we examined whether the objectively measured nest light environment affects great reed warbler responses towards real common cuckoo eggs. More specifically, we predicted that parasitic eggs will be rejected with a lower frequency from nests placed in darker conditions than those in lighter conditions. However, we found no effect of the ambient light on egg-rejection behaviour alone, but the photosynthetically active radiation exhibited a positive interactive effect with chromatic contrast between cuckoo and host eggs. Most rejection events were accomplished when cuckoo eggs of poor mimicry were laid in well-lit nests. Our study suggests that this phenomenon may have important implications for the evolution of egg mimicry and host egg discrimination.
Permanent Link: http://hdl.handle.net/11104/0196938