Hourly Laying Patterns of the Pearly-eyed Thrasher (Margarops fuscatus) in Puerto Rico

作者：Arendt Wayne J^*

来源：The Wilson Journal of Ornithology, 2011, 123(3): 624-628.

Temporal aspects of egg deposition are important factors governing avian reproductive success. I report hourly egg-laying patterns of the Pearly-eyed Thrasher (Margarops fitscatus) in the Luquillo Experimental Forest in northeastern Puerto Rico during 1979-2000. Initiatory eggs were laid by early morning (median = 0642 hrs, AST) and almost half of the eggs were laid by 0723 hrs. Many penultimate and eggs completing a clutch, however, were laid later in the morning and some not until mid afternoon (1429 hrs), thus extending egg deposition to 8 hrs. Delayed laying of the last eggs in a clutch may be an adaptive strategy triggering brood reduction to ensure survival of older and more robust siblings during periods of physiological stress and food shortages. Received 20 March 2007. Accepted 21 February 2011.

• 出版日期2011-9
• 单位中国林业科学研究院热带林业研究所