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On the genetical basis of the laying‐date in an island population of blue tits
Author(s) -
Blondel Jacques,
Perret Philippe,
Maistre Marie
Publication year - 1990
Publication title -
journal of evolutionary biology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.289
H-Index - 128
eISSN - 1420-9101
pISSN - 1010-061X
DOI - 10.1046/j.1420-9101.1990.3050469.x
Subject(s) - biology , mainland , population , adaptation (eye) , zoology , reproduction , ecology , natural population growth , demography , neuroscience , sociology
Abstract There are striking differences in life‐history traits associated with reproduction, between an insular population of the blue‐tit and one on the nearby mainland. In order to test the extent to which these differences are genetic, two samples of birds, one from Corsica and one from mainland southern France, were hand‐raised. These birds bred subsequently in aviaries at Montpellier during three consecutive years, at the same date and in the same way as did the natural populations from which they came. It is concluded that the difference in laying‐date between the two samples has a genetic basis. The adaptation to each particular set of environmental conditions is discussed.