Stenning, Martyn (1996) Hatching Asynchrony, Brood Reduction and other Rapidly Reproducing Hypotheses. Trends in Ecology and Evolution, 11 (6). ISSN 0169-5347

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Abstract

Hatching Asynchrony (extended hatching period) is apparently ubiquitous among altricial birds, and may represent a striking example of adaptive family planning. Research has focussed on evaluating various benefits to resulting brood loss. Current conclusions fall into three main categories: that hatching asynchrony is (1) an adaptation to food availability, (2) a means of saving time, ultimately to increase lifetime reproductive success, or (3) a maladaptation. Almost every new study develops a new explanation or qualifies an old one. Either most of them are wrong, or hatching asynchrony is an example of convergent evolution in a behavioural trait serving many functions.

Item Type:	Article
Depositing User:	Martyn Stenning
Date Deposited:	21 Feb 2012 09:59
Last Modified:	10 Jul 2013 11:54
URI:	http://sro.sussex.ac.uk/id/eprint/37439

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