Author: Pike, Thomas W.

Source: Avian Biology Research, Volume 4, Number 4, December 2011 , pp. 231-236(6)

Publisher: Science Reviews 2000 Ltd

Abstract:

Egg recognition allows birds to reduce the costs of heterospecific or conspecific nest parasitism, by allowing them to reject foreign eggs or abandon parasitised clutches. However, the precise phenotypic characteristics of eggs that are recognised and compared are not well understood. Using Japanese quail (Coturnix japonica), which exhibit extremely high between-female and low within-female variation in egg colour, maculation patterns and shape, I show that females can learn to recognise the salient characteristics of eggs from a given clutch (not necessarily their own) and can use this learned template to discriminate against foreign eggs with a high probability when the eggs are phenotypically distinct. Specifically, female quail appear to use both maculation pattern and, to a lesser extent, egg shape to make these decisions. These findings are discussed with respect to cognitive mechanisms of egg recognition.

Keywords: EGG RECOGNITION; MACULATION; PHENOTYPIC VARIATION; AVIAN VISUAL MODEL; JAPANESE QUAIL

Document Type: Research article

DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3184/175815511X13228268534598

Publication date: 2011-12-01

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• Avian Biology Research, formerly Avian & Poultry Biology Reviews, has adopted a new and exciting vision for publication of ornithological research in the 21st Century.

  This vision is based on two main concepts. First, the topics published by the journal will cover all aspects of ornithology. This will provide a forum for scientists to publish their work in a journal that will have a broad appeal. Second, the scope of the journal will expand to include reports of original research, letters, perspectives, news, diary and book reviews in addition to reviews. By considering a wide range of research fields for publication, Avian Biology Research provides a forum for people working in every field of ornithology.

  Editor-in-Chief: Charles Deeming, University of Lincoln, UK; US Editors: Robert Etches, Crystal Biosciences, USA: Mary Ann Ottinger, University of Maryland, USA

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