Why do eggs fail? Causes of hatching failure in threatened populations and consequences for conservation

• Published in: Animal conservation 2021-08, Vol.24 (4), p.540-551
• Main Authors: Assersohn, K., Marshall, A. F., Morland, F., Brekke, P., Hemmings, N.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Avian; bird breeding; Birds; captive‐breeding; Conservation; conservation management; development; Eggs; embryo mortality; Endangered & extinct species; Failure; fertility; hatchability; Hatching; Populations; Reproductive failure; reproductive success; Survival; Threatened species; Wildlife conservation
• ISSN: 1367-9430; 1469-1795
• DOI: 10.1111/acv.12674

Reproductive failure is ubiquitous. However, research on the mechanisms underpinning reproductive failure is still lacking in most species. This gap in our understanding has particularly strong repercussions for threatened species and it hinders our ability to establish effective interventions to improve survival. In this review, we focus on why eggs fail to hatch – one of the most critical and understudied aspects of bird reproduction. We identify the main drivers of hatching failure in threatened populations of birds and the key mechanisms that cause failure at different stages of development inside the egg. We then discuss the importance of management interventions aimed at reducing hatching failure in species of conservation concern. Our review highlights the need for a better understanding of the mechanistic basis of hatching failure in non‐model bird species and identifies the methodological tools necessary to achieve this. Abbreviated summary for graphical TOC: Reproductive failure is ubiquitous, but our understanding of the underlying mechanisms is limited. Here, we review current knowledge on why bird eggs fail to hatch. We identify the main drivers of failure in threatened birds, discuss the importance of management interventions, and highlight the need for a better understanding of the mechanistic basis of hatching failure in non‐model birds. Finally, we identify the methodological tools necessary to achieve a better understanding of hatching failure, and provide open access resources to facilitate this.