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My second PhD chapter is out! We used an #experiment on female kittiwakes to test the role of food/energy status in timing of reproduction
Available free for 50 days: https://authors.elsevier.com/a/1c3Kn,QxXaDAo
#seabirds #ornithology
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Available free for 50 days: https://authors.elsevier.com/a/1c3Kn,QxXaDAo
#seabirds #ornithology
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We food-supplemented half the females with an unlimited supply of fish leading up to laying and measured body mass, hormones, and movement via biologging. We also monitored reproductive behaviours and ultimately timing of laying.
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Before laying, female kittiwakes undergo massive shifts in body mass, activity, energy expenditure and hormones. And more food advances these shifts, instead of adding body fat stores.
In other words, kittiwakes are ‘income’ breeders.
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In other words, kittiwakes are ‘income’ breeders.
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Due to the extra weight, females reduce foraging activity before laying and expend little energy, opting to wait to be fed by males (or us).
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Big thanks to the amazing field team that helped pull off this experiment! @haschraft @Ephotograph @alicesunphoto and Alyssa Piauwasdy (
@TotoRin0)
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@TotoRin0)(5/5)
