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Pattern of covariation between life-history traits of European birds

Nature volume 331, pages 616–617 (1988)Cite this article

Abstract

A large amount of variation is found in most reproductive traits of birds1,2. Clutch size for instance, can vary from 1 to 15 between species of similar body weight. The adaptive significance of this variation is only poorly understood3,4. According to life-history theory5,6, large clutch size and early onset of reproduction are expected when the chances of survival are low. There is some support for the existence of such a relationship from studies of single species7–9. Here I present evidence that, in European birds, clutch size is increased, and onset of reproduction occurs earlier in life, when the probability of survival is low.

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  1. Game Research Division, Directorate for Nature Management, Tungasletta 2, N-7004, Trondheim, Norway

    Bernt-Erik Sæther

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Sæther, BE. Pattern of covariation between life-history traits of European birds. Nature 331, 616–617 (1988). https://doi.org/10.1038/331616a0

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