Optimizing Nest Survival and Female Survival: Consequences of Nest Site Selection for Canada Geese

Miller, David A. W.; Grand, James B.; Fondell, Thomas F.; Anthony, Richard

doi:10.1650/0010-5422(2007)109[769:onsafs]2.0.co;2

Cited by 25 publications

(18 citation statements)

References 2 publications

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“…Selection of nest areas peaked at intermediate shrub heights similar to the head height of an incubating female houbara (measured from taxidermist-mounted decoys in non-alert position as 23-27 cm, n ¼ 4; but 5-10 cm taller when the neck is extended in upright alert posture), which suggests that females favor less exposed (more concealing) places that still provide good visibility, possibly to improve early detection of approaching danger. This way females can vacate the nest, slipping away rapidly but surreptitiously, before a potential predator arrives at the site (as frequently seen from nest cameras; Supplemental Material Video S2), simultaneously ensuring their own safety (Yang et al 2003, Miller et al 2007, Magaña et al 2010 and improving the daily survival of the nests (e.g., Lloyd 2004). Furthermore, nests placed in areas with taller shrubs had greater nest survival, indicating that taller shrubs did not compromise visual security, at least within the range of shrub heights at which nests were placed.…”

Section: The Role Of Vegetation Structurementioning

confidence: 99%

“…Because the needs for concealment and a clear view for visual security (i.e. the ability of the incubating bird to observe potential danger at a large enough distance to allow it to escape) may conflict (Camp et al 2013), birds may potentially trade off these requirements when selecting a nest site (Götmark et al 1995, Lloyd 2004, Miller et al 2007, Magaña et al 2010.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Consistent nest-site selection across habitats increases fitness in Asian Houbara

Guilherme

Burnside

Collar

et al. 2018

The Auk

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Section: The Role Of Vegetation Structurementioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Consistent nest-site selection across habitats increases fitness in Asian Houbara

Guilherme

Burnside

Collar

et al. 2018

The Auk

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“…In fact, the most convincing cases of sympatric speciation in animals are related to divergence in oviposition preferences (Sorenson et al 2003;Coyne and Orr 2004;Machado 2005;Rønsted et al 2005;Althoff et al 2006). Oviposition preference is often presumed adaptive for good reason; it can dramatically affect individual fitness via both fecundity (Resetarits 1996) and adult survival (Scheirs et al 2000;Spencer 2002;Miller et al 2007). Many ecological studies, however, presume oviposition preference is adaptive without explicitly testing for a relationship between oviposition behaviors and fitness (Arlt and Pärt 2007).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Divergent oviposition preferences of sister species are not driven by nest survival: the evidence for neutrality

Ruskin

Hodgman²,

Etterson³

et al. 2015

Behav Ecol Sociobiol

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Both adaptive and neutral trait evolution can contribute to divergence, but the relative contributions of the two remain unclear. Oviposition preference, a trait that has been demonstrated to contribute to divergence among populations, is often presumed to be an adaptive trait. Few studies explicitly test this assumption, however, and several researchers have demonstrated non-adaptive oviposition preferences in wildlife populations. In this study, we test whether adaptive divergence can explain current differences in the oviposition preferences of two sister species. In 2012 and 2013, we conducted a demographic study of sympatrically breeding populations of two sparrow species (Ammodramus caudacutus and Ammodramus nelsoni) and measured vegetation characteristics at nest and non-nest points. We found evidence for oviposition preference in both species and significant differences between the species' preferences. The vegetation characteristics that vary between species did not predict nest survival or offspring production, however. Our results provide an example of oviposition preference at a population level that appears non-adaptive as measured by productivity. We discuss other mechanisms by which oviposition preference can be adaptive, and make a case for the role of neutral evolution in shaping the oviposition preferences of these species. If divergence in oviposition preference is at least periodically neutral, as we hypothesize, such differences could provide fodder for future adaptation or reproductive isolation among populations.

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“…While many studies have conWrmed that nest microhabitat diVers from random (Martin 1998), habitat preferences seldom match actual nest predation risk (reviewed by Chalfoun and Martin 2007). This apparent paradox has been attributed in part to the highly variable nature of nest predation in space and time (Filliater et al 1994), but it has also been explained by a trade-oV between clutch and adult safety, where concealed nests may be less often detected by predators, but be more risky for parents by hindering escape (Götmark et al 1995;Wiebe and Martin 1998;Spencer 2002;Amat and Masero 2004;Miller et al 2007), helping to explain the diversity of nest sites selected (Öst et al 2008a). …”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Age-specific nest-site preference and success in eiders

Öst

Steele

2009

Oecologia

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Variation in nest concealment is puzzling given the expected strong selection for safe nest sites. Selecting a concealed nest may decrease the risk of clutch predation but hinder parents from escaping predators, providing a possible solution to this paradox. Because the relative value of current versus future reproduction may vary with breeder age or state, nest concealment may also vary as a function of these attributes. We tested four predictions of the female and clutch safety trade-off hypothesis in eiders (Somateria mollissima): (1) nest concealment is negatively related to escape possibilities, (2) our capture rate of females is higher in covered nests, (3) egg predation is higher in open nests, and (4) overall nest success is unrelated to nest habitat. We also analysed nest microhabitat preferences and nest success relative to breeder age and body condition, controlling for nest spatial centrality. As expected, nest concealment and potential escape angle were negatively related, and capture by us, indicating female predation vulnerability, increased with nest cover. Clutch size was smaller in open nests, suggesting higher partial clutch predation, while it was larger among experienced and good-condition breeders. The probability of successful hatching was unrelated to nest habitat, positively associated with breeder experience, and negatively associated with hatching date. Experienced females selected more concealed and centrally located nests without sacrificing potential escape angles. The age-specific spatial distribution of nests on islands was unrelated to nest initiation dates, indicating no apparent competition. The age-specific preference of eiders for concealed nests may reflect declining reproductive value with age or confidence in surviving despite selecting a concealed nest. The apparently positive relationship between female age and survival and fecundity in eiders refutes the former alternative. Individual improvement in choosing safe nest sites, coupled with differential survival of individuals performing well, most likely explains age-specific nest-site preference and success.

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Optimizing Nest Survival and Female Survival: Consequences of Nest Site Selection for Canada Geese

Cited by 25 publications

References 2 publications

Consistent nest-site selection across habitats increases fitness in Asian Houbara

Consistent nest-site selection across habitats increases fitness in Asian Houbara

Divergent oviposition preferences of sister species are not driven by nest survival: the evidence for neutrality

Age-specific nest-site preference and success in eiders

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