Coevolution between the great spotted cuckoo and its host, the magpie. Effect of egg appearance on the evolution of egg discrimination by the host
FP4 — Training and Mobility of Researchers
- Duration
- 1996-02-26 → 1997-02-25
- EU contribution
- —
- Participants
- 2
- Scheme
- RGI
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Project objective
Different mechanisms have been proposed allowing the host a better ability to recognize parasite eggs, (1) the evolution of a low intra-clutch variation in appearance of own eggs and (2) the evolution of a high inter-clutch variation. In this project I propose to test the following predictions: 1) the probability of rejecting model cuckoo eggs by individual magpies should be negatively related to intra-clutch variation 2) a positive relationships between rejection rate and inter-clutch variation of the different populations, and 3) intra-clutch variation of one magpie population should decreased because of sympatry. To do that I will analyse colour photographs of the eggs from ten different magpie populations in relation to i) whether the magpies ejected parasite eggs, and ii) whether intra- and inter- clutch variation were related among population to the level of rejection and parasitism. I will also analyse the same populations of hosts at different times (one century of diference) for an evolutionary change in the appearance of host eggs.
Original text from CORDIS.
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Data: CORDIS, © European Union