Effects of phylogeny and hatchling maturity on allometric relationships between female body mass and the mass and composition of bird eggs

Author: Deeming, D.C.1

Source: Avian and Poultry Biology Reviews, Volume 18, Number 1, July 2007 , pp. 21-37(17)

Publisher: Science Reviews 2000 Ltd

Key:
Free Content - Free Content
New Content - New Content
Subscribed Content - Subscribed Content
Free Trial Content - Free Trial Content

Abstract:

This review examines the allometric relationships between female body mass and egg mass and components. The intention was to better understand how egg mass is divided between the different components in a wide variety of bird species. Two hundred and fifty-two species from 21 Orders are represented in the data set, which details the female body mass, initial egg mass as well as the masses of the shell, yolk and albumen for each species. Linear regression analysis techniques were used to determine allometric relationships between the egg components and initial egg mass or female body mass. The influence of phylogenetic relatedness was investigated using analysis of covariance and comparative analysis by independent contrasts. The effect of developmental maturity of the hatchlings was investigated using these techniques. Both phylogeny and developmental mode have significant effects on egg composition. This analysis shows that with regard to female body mass, egg composition is influenced by both phylogeny and developmental maturity and that single allometric relationships cannot be reliably applied to all bird species. Variation in egg composition in different bird species may prove to help explain other aspects of avian incubation, such as the evolution of different hatchling maturity or incubation period.

Keywords: bird; female body mass; egg composition; yolk; albumen; shell; mass; phylogeny; developmental maturity

Document Type: Research article

DOI: 10.3184/147020607X245039

Affiliations: 1: Department of Biological Sciences, University of Lincoln, Riseholme Park, Lincoln, LN2 2LG, UK

The full text electronic article is available for purchase. You will be able to download the full text electronic article after payment.

$29.00 plus tax

 

OR

Back to top

Key:
Free Content - Free Content
New Content - New Content
Subscribed Content - Subscribed Content
Free Trial Content - Free Trial Content
Page Help Click here for Page Help
Shopping cart
Tools
Sign in






Need to register?
Sign up here
Text size: A | A | A | A