This book reviews comprehensively incubation effects on embryonic development in birds and reptiles presents the first ever synthesis of data from these two vertebrate classes. The is three parts. deals with structure, shape function eggs. second examines four main parameters process incubation: temperature, water relations, respiratory gas exchange, turning. third section early methods used to investigate manipulate embryo. Further chapters deal aestivation, megapodes oviparity....

This is the first scientific review of all factors affecting incubation in avian nests. These range from nest construction, egg characteristics and patterns embryonic development. There an extensive section describing behaviour parents embryos, there are chapters reviewing brood patch physiology various determining environment, including microbiology. Another provides giving detailed descriptions examples unusual aspects incubation, whilst final consideration ecological, energetic fitness...

Abstract: The reproductive biology of dinosaurs is great interest, particularly in light the many fossil eggs assigned to this group. ultrastructural characteristics dinosaur eggshells are examined order calculate water vapour conductance, which indicates nesting environment. Data were mainly derived from literature but new values also presented. Allometric analyses carried out on a variety shell parameters against predicted egg mass, and comparison was made with allometric equations for...

Abstract Aim The laying of eggs and the building a nest structure to accommodate them are two defining characteristics members class Aves. Nest structures vary considerably across avian taxa for many species completed can have important consequences both parents their offspring. While expected adaptively in response environmental conditions, large‐scale spatial variation has been largely overlooked. Here, we examine effects latitudinal spring temperatures on characteristics, including...

Capsule For nest construction by Blue Tits, but not Great first‐egg date (FED) and air temperature significantly affected the mass of as a whole some its component parts.

Recent studies are documenting the extent to which mass and construction of bird nests varies between individuals locations. In Blue Tit ( Cyanistes caeruleus) Great Parus major), temperatures experienced by females during nest inversely related mass. Moreover, Mainwaring et al. Journal Biogeography, 2012) showed that constructed at high latitude heavier better insulated than built conspecifics in south. Although mean spring temperature was used as a proxy for study, it remains untested...

Incubation of alligator eggs at 30°C produces 100% females, 33°C males; temperatures in between produce varying sex ratios. Wild nests Alligator mississippiensis show similar effects and the populations are biased towards females. The incidence patterns temperature dependent determination (TSD) other crocodilians reviewed. Temperature also affects hatchling size pigmentation patterns, post-hatching growth rates thermoregulation by juvenile crocodilians. significance sensitive periods defined...

A pterosaur fossil that includes a small, soft-shelled egg indicates reproductive strategy like of crocodilians.

Nest humidity is a function of how water vapour retained within the nest. Previous analysis suggested that in general, nest was largely unaffected by ambient but there no consideration type involved. This study examined data collected from literature to test hypothesis relationship between and Data for pressure egg (P E ), N ) air A were 48 examples nests 44 species bird range Orders. Initial mass conductance eggshell also recorded each species. Analysis showed birds on scrape are able raise...

Abstract Nest construction is taxonomically widespread, yet our understanding of adaptive intraspecific variation in nest design remains poor. characteristics are expected to vary adaptively response predictable spring temperatures over large spatial scales, such largely overlooked, particularly amongst open‐cup‐nesting birds. Here, we systematically examined the effects latitudinal and precipitation on morphology, volume, composition, insulatory properties Common Blackbirds’ Turdus merula...

The lining material is a key element of bird nests, serving primarily as insulation for the adult, eggs, and/or chicks, but collection such has an energetic cost. Our study investigated nest-building effort four species tit (Paridae) in English wood by quantifying use colored wool-like artificial nest from 2000 to 2010. We recorded distances that birds carried source each indirect measure cost collecting individual birds. Birds did not always nearest their nest, and some collected two, three...

Bird nests represent an extended phenotype of individuals expressed during reproduction and so exhibit variability in composition, structure function. Descriptions based on qualitative observations suggest that there is interspecific variation size composition but are very few species which this has been confirmed. For these species, data the amounts different materials indicate nest construction behaviour plastic affected by a variety factors, such as prevailing temperature, geographic...

Turning eggs during incubation is essential for good hatchability. In the present paper additional effects on development of chorioallantois, absorption albumen and growth embryo are recorded. The ability an unturned egg to hatch was not affected by weight, shell porosity or water loss incubation. chorioallantois spread around inner surface membrane degree residual its hatch. Unturned hatched later than which were turned throughout

Abstract 1. The physiological effects of egg turning during incubation are described. 2. There was a critical period for turning, from days 3 to 7 incubation, which affected hatchability, embryo growth and utilisation extra‐embryonic fluids. 3. Failure turn eggs retarded formation allantoic amniotic fluids, restricted alumen uptake the embryo, but only after day 12 incubation.

Abstract The outcome of post‐copulatory sexual selection is determined by a complex set interactions between the primary reproductive traits two or more males and their with female. Recently, number studies have shown both females express phenotypic plasticity in response to thermal environment experienced during ontogeny. However, how these affects dynamics sperm competition remains largely unknown. Here, we demonstrate testes size, size developmental temperature bruchid beetle...