Selection on Fledging Mass in the Collared Flycatcher and the Great Tit

The selection on residual mass (relative to body size) at fledging was investigated in the Collared Flycatcher Ficedula albicollis and the Great Tit Parus major. Directional selection for high fledging mass was evident in 6 of 7 yr in Collared Flycatchers but only in 1 of 5 yr in Great Tits. Three d...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Ecology (Durham) 1992-02, Vol.73 (1), p.336-343
Main Authors: Lindén, Mats, Gustafsson, Lars, Pärt, Thomas
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Average linear density
Aves
Biological and medical sciences
Birds
Body size
Breeding
Directional selection
Evolution
Ficedula albicollis
Flycatchers
Fundamental and applied biological sciences. Psychology
Hatching
Phenotypic traits
Stabilizing selection
Vertebrates: general zoology, morphology, phylogeny, systematics, cytogenetics, geographical distribution
Weight
Young animals
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Summary:The selection on residual mass (relative to body size) at fledging was investigated in the Collared Flycatcher Ficedula albicollis and the Great Tit Parus major. Directional selection for high fledging mass was evident in 6 of 7 yr in Collared Flycatchers but only in 1 of 5 yr in Great Tits. Three different methods of demonstrating and testing stabiilizing selection are compared. Stabilizing selection on relative mass occurred in both species, but the frequency with which this was established depended on which method was used. None of the methods seemed to be universally reliable, and the problem of defining and testing stabilizing selection is discussed. In Collared Flycatchers mass seemed to be most important for juvenile survival. Also in Great Tits mass was important, but in addition other traits (e.g., hatching date) strongly influenced juvenile survival in this species. This possible difference between the two species is suggested to relate to differences in their territory establishment.
ISSN:0012-9658
1939-9170
DOI:10.2307/1938745