Older can be better: physiological costs of paternal investment in the Florida scrub-jay |
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Authors: | Travis E Wilcoxen Raoul K Boughton Stephan J Schoech |
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Institution: | (1) Department of Biology, University of Memphis, Memphis, TN 38152, USA;(2) Avian Ecology Lab, Archbold Biological Station, Venus, FL 33960, USA |
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Abstract: | In species that undergo actuarial senescence, the value of current reproduction is predicted to increase relative to the value
of future reproduction with age, as the probability of survival to another reproductive event is reduced. Therefore, life
history theory predicts that aging animals should increase their investment in reproduction. However, an increase in reproductive
investment may carry significant costs to the breeding individuals. We recorded provisioning rates of Florida scrub-jay male
breeders, followed by their immediate capture to assess body condition and collect blood for an in vitro test of immunocompetence
and an assay of baseline corticosterone for a measure of stress. Older males provisioned offspring and brooding mates at the
highest rates. There was no evidence of any physiological deficits in males with high provisioning rates, independent of age.
It appears that birds that survive to old age are high quality birds that maintain good physiological condition, which complements
the value of experience and permits maximal investment in offspring. |
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