Maternal effects on offspring Igs and egg size in relation to natural and experimentally improved food supply



: Karell P, Kontiainen P, Pietiainen H, Siitari H, Brommer JE

Publisher: WILEY-BLACKWELL

: 2008

Functional Ecology

FUNCTIONAL ECOLOGY

: FUNCT ECOL

: 22

: 4

: 682

: 690

: 9

: 0269-8463

DOI: https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1365-2435.2008.01425.x


6. We conclude that maternal body condition and maternal Igs, as well as hatchling Igs and egg size are limited by food resources during egg production. Hatchlings rely on maternally derived Igs and, hence, our results suggest that mothers with high levels of Igs passively transfer higher Igs levels to their eggs instead of active manipulation of Igs levels in eggs. Ural owl egg size appears to be highly sensitive to short-term changes in food abundance, with important consequences for nestling growth.



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