Maternaler einfluss auf die befleckung der eierschale: Folgen für kryptische getarnte eier

Translated title of the contribution: Maternal influence on eggshell maculation: Implications for cryptic camouflaged eggs

Camille Duval*, Phillip Cassey, P. George Lovell, Ivan Mikšík, S. James Reynolds, Karen A. Spencer

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

12 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

Egg camouflage may explain the adaptive significance of avian eggshell pigmentation in ground-nesting species. Eggshell maculation (spots) is predominantly due to protoporphyrin, but both biliverdin (antioxidant) and protoporphyrin (pro-oxidant) may be present in spotted eggshells. Because of their role in oxidative stress, the deposition of eggshell pigments might be condition-dependent. However, because of the fitness benefits of eggshell coloration, cryptic eggshell appearance should be strongly conserved in ground-nesting species regardless of female condition and eggshell pigment concentrations. We investigated whether Japanese quails (Coturnix coturnix japonica) maintained eggshell maculation under food restriction. We quantified eggshell maculation (i.e., percentage of spot coverage) using digital photography, and both protoporphyrin and biliverdin concentrations of eggs laid by females either on a food-restricted or an ad libitum diet. Females on a high quality diet, which are known to decrease the deposition of eggshell protoporphyrin, decreased eggshell maculation compared with food-restricted females that maintained it. For the first time, we propose an experimental study which suggests that eggshell maculation depends on female body condition and that manipulating eggshell maculation may be the strategy used by females to potentially optimize egg camouflage.

Translated title of the contributionMaternal influence on eggshell maculation: Implications for cryptic camouflaged eggs
Original languageGerman
Pages (from-to)303-310
Number of pages8
JournalJournal of Ornithology
Volume157
Issue number1
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 20 Aug 2015

Keywords

  • Body condition
  • Camouflage
  • Coturnix coturnix japonica
  • Eggshell maculation
  • Protoporphyrin

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