6533b822fe1ef96bd127d95c
RESEARCH PRODUCT
A possible link between parasite defence and residual reproduction
Heli SiitariJon E. BrommerHannu PietiäinenPatrik Karellsubject
0106 biological sciencesLeucocytozoonOffspringmedia_common.quotation_subjectZoologyReproductive season010603 evolutionary biology01 natural sciencesNesting BehaviorAnimalsParasite hostingBlood parasitesProtozoan Infections AnimalEcology Evolution Behavior and Systematicsmedia_commonbiologyEcologyReproduction010604 marine biology & hydrobiologyHaematozoaEukaryotaStrigiformesbiology.organism_classificationAnimal Nutritional Physiological PhenomenaFemaleReproductiondescription
Life-history theory centres around trade-offs between current and future reproduction, but we have little understanding of how such trade-offs are mediated. We supplementary fed Ural owls (Strix uralensis) during the nestling period and quantified parents' current and future life-history components as well as their physiological health by monitoring haematocrit, leucocyte profile, intra- and extracellular blood parasites. Feeding led to reduced parental effort but did not improve offspring viability, male parasite defence, or parental survival. Intracellular leucocytozoan infection was reduced in fed females which lasted to the following year's reproductive season (carry-over effect), when fed females also laid larger and earlier clutches. Leucocytozoon infection therefore may mediate the life-history trade-off between current and residual reproduction in this species.
| year | journal | country | edition | language |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2007-10-25 | Journal of Evolutionary Biology |