Spring phenology does not affect timing of reproduction in the great tit (Parus major)

Schaper, Sonja V.; Rueda, Carolina; Sharp, Peter J.; Dawson, Alistair; Visser, Marcel E.. 2011 Spring phenology does not affect timing of reproduction in the great tit (Parus major). Journal of Experimental Biology, 214. 3664-3671. 10.1242/jeb.059543

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Abstract/Summary

Many seasonal breeders adjust the timing of reproduction in response to year-to-year variations in supplementary environmental cues, amongst which ambient temperature is thought to be most influential. However, it is possible that for species such as the great tit (Parus major L.), phenological cues from sprouting vegetation and the consequent abundance of invertebrate prey, although dependent on temperature, may provide supplementary environmental cues per se. This hypothesis was investigated in breeding pairs of great tits kept in outdoor aviaries. In spring, experimental pairs were provided with access to leafing birch branches and caterpillars as a visual food cue, while control pairs were provided with non-leafing branches. Observations were made on the onset of laying, and on concentrations of plasma luteinizing hormone (LH) at regular intervals to monitor changes in reproductive function. The onset of egg laying was not advanced by the presence of leafing branches and caterpillars. LH concentrations increased during the course of the study, but phenological cues did not affect plasma LH levels in both females and males. Early spring vegetation, such as the leafing of birch branches and the appearance of caterpillar prey, do not appear to play a significant role in fine-tuning the onset of egg-laying in great tits.

Item Type:	Publication - Article
Digital Object Identifier (DOI):	10.1242/jeb.059543
Programmes:	CEH Topics & Objectives 2009 - 2012 > Biodiversity > BD Topic 2 - Ecological Processes in the Environment > BD - 2.4 - Estimate the impact of the main drivers and pressures on biodiversity ...
UKCEH and CEH Sections/Science Areas:	Watt
ISSN:	0022-0949
Additional Information. Not used in RCUK Gateway to Research.:	Please click on http://jeb.biologists.org/ to access the published version
Additional Keywords:	seasonal timing, laying date, Parus major, phenology, supplementary cues, luteinizing hormone
NORA Subject Terms:	Zoology Ecology and Environment
Date made live:	21 Nov 2011 12:21 +0 (UTC)
URI:	https://nora.nerc.ac.uk/id/eprint/15935

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