Host age and host selection byTrichogramma nubilale

Selection byTrichogramma nubilale (Ertle & Davis) for different aged egg masses ofOstrinia nubilalis (Hübner) was examined by separating components of parasitism. FemaleT. nubilale were exposed to egg masses of 2 different ages (freshly laid egg masses versus 1, 2, 3 or 4 day old egg masses), and the age of the initial egg mass inspected, number and percent of eggs and egg masses parasitized, and the emergence rate of pharate parasitoids was recorded. When there was a large difference in age between young and old egg masses, ♀♀ inspected initially more young egg masses (>2 days difference), parasitized a greater percent of young egg masses (>2 days difference), and parasitized more eggs/parasitized egg mass in young egg masses (>3 days difference) than old egg masses. Females did not discriminate between host age when hosts were similar in age. Successful emergence of parasitoids was greater from younger eggs than older eggs, although emergence was better from one-day-old eggs than from fresh eggs. These results imply that when the hosts were sufficiently different in age, ♀♀ were attracted to younger egg masses more than older egg masses, and they tended to remain ovipositing for longer periods of time on younger egg masses than older egg masses. Moreover, ♀♀ appeared to prefer to oviposit in hosts in which their young are more likely to complete development.      

Egg sac damage and previous egg sac production influence truncated parental investment in the wolf spider,Pardosa milvina

Life history theory predicts that iteroparous animals adaptively partition reproductive effort between current and future reproduction. When rearing costs of current offspring exceed the potential benefits, parental care should be terminated and deferred toward future reproduction. We tested two related predictions that follow from life history theory: (a) parents should be sensitive to offspring viability and withhold parental care if offspring survival probability drops and future reproductive opportunities are likely, and (b) parents should be less sensitive to offspring survival probability when future reproduction is unlikely and maximize parental care late in life. The wolf spider, Pardosa milvina, demonstrates extensive parental care; however, they may also abandon or cannibalize their egg sacs. We tested the effects of egg sac damage and production of a previous egg sac on egg sac abandonment and cannibalism decisions. Among four egg sac groups (1st egg sac intact, 1st egg sac damaged, 2nd egg sac intact, 2nd egg sac damaged), we daily monitored egg sac abandonment and cannibalism and measured differences in egg sac searching, protection, and grooming among removed and damaged egg sacs (N = 116 with 1st egg sac and 88 with 2nd egg sac). Females with first egg sacs abandoned and cannibalized damaged egg sacs significantly more compared to unmanipulated egg sacs; however, females with second egg sacs were insensitive to egg sac damage. Females also spent significantly more time protecting second egg sacs compared to first egg sacs and groomed damaged egg sacs significantly more than undamaged. These results support the general predictions of life history theory that indicate that abandonment and cannibalism should decrease with diminished future reproductive potential and that parents should be less sensitive to indicators of offspring survival probability late in life.     

Cryoprotective and contraceptive properties of egg yolk as an additive in rooster sperm diluents

The addition of chicken egg yolk to semen extenders is thought to reduce the fertilizing potential of rooster spermatozoa - but not (or at least not as much) that of other avian species. The aim of the present study was to determine whether quail egg yolk, a novel extender additive, provides advantages over chicken egg yolk in the cryopreservation of rooster spermatozoa. Experiments were also performed to determine whether the harmful effect of egg yolk occurs during cryopreservation or during fertilization after artificial insemination. Heterospermic rooster semen samples were divided into aliquots and cooled in a polyvinylpyrrolidone-based medium containing 15% chicken egg yolk, 15% quail egg yolk or no egg yolk at all. The viability of spermatozoa of cooled samples (5 °C) without egg yolk were less viable (P < 0.01) than those of samples containing either type of egg yolk. The same aliquots were then cryopreserved for 15 days. Thawed spermatozoa preserved without egg yolk showed lower motility (P < 0.001) and viability (P < 0.001) than those in samples diluted with either type of egg yolk extender. No eggs were fertilized when hens were inseminated with semen that had been diluted with chicken egg yolk. The fertilization rate was only slightly higher when sperm diluted with quail egg yolk was used (1.5%). The best results were obtained when no egg yolk was used (13.8%). These results show that the addition of egg yolk of either type protects rooster sperm cells against cold shock and during freezing and thawing, but exerts a contraceptive effect in the genital tract of the hen.     

Egg size,fertility, hatchability,and chick survivability in captive California condors (Gymnogyps californianus)

California condors are one of the most endangered species native to the mainland United States and are subject of intense effort regarding captive breeding and reintroduction. We analyzed 20 years of California condor egg records from the wild and from three captive propagation facilities for fertility, hatchability, and chick survivability, along with changes in egg size due to multiple clutching. Overall annual mean percent of fertile eggs was 80.2%, hatchability was 87.3%, and chick survivability to ≥60 days was 95.5%. One egg-laying site had a significantly lower fertility rate (P ≤ 0.0001) than the other sites, which was probably due to pair incompatibility rather than any physiological factors. Egg volume of the first egg was significantly greater than both the second (t=6.73, P=0.0001) and third egg (t=6.62, P ≤ 0.0001) of the season, while the second egg had a significantly greater volume (t=3.20, P=0.0084) than the third egg. Chicks from the second egg (t=3.24, P=0.029) and third egg (t=7.94, P=0.0014) of the season were significantly smaller than chicks from the first egg of the season. The decrease in egg measures and chick hatch weight due to multiple clutching did not affect hatchability or chick survivability. There were significant positive relationships (P<0.0001) between fresh egg weight and chick hatch weight and between egg volume and chick hatch weight, as well as between fresh egg weight and egg volume. In spite of the decrease in fresh egg weight, egg volume and chick hatch weights, due to egg removal to stimulate double and sometimes triple clutching, the captive propagation program has been successful in producing birds for the restoration of this species. Zoo Biol 23:489–500, 2004. © 2004 Wiley-Liss, Inc.     

Influence of egg predation and physical disturbance on lake trout Salvelinus namaycush egg mortality and implications for life-history theory

The influence of egg predators and physical disturbance on lake trout Salvelinus namaycush egg mortality was investigated in situ in Lake Michigan where recruitment is below detectable levels and egg predator abundance is high. Comparisons were made with Lake Champlain where recruitment is low and egg predator abundance is also low and with Parry Sound (Lake Huron) where recruitment is moderate and egg predators are in low abundance. A multi-density egg seeding method (100 to 5000 eggs m⁻²) was used to quantify the effect of physical disturbance and egg predation on egg loss. Wind fetch was used as an index of physical disturbance and comparisons across all locations and egg densities suggested that at sites with high wind fetch (>5 km), physical disturbance may be a greater source of egg loss than predation. When analyses were limited to those sites having a wind fetch of <5 km, the percentage of eggs recovered was found to be linearly related to predator density. The strength of this relationship was based largely on egg recovery at 500 and 1000 eggs m⁻² because recovery at lower (100, 250 eggs m⁻²) and very high (5000 eggs m⁻²) densities was not significantly related to predator density. The reason for this is probably that at low egg densities, crayfish Orconectes spp., the major egg predator at most sites, had difficulty finding and consuming eggs and at high egg densities they became satiated. Egg loss was directly related to wind fetch for Lake Michigan and on average six-fold greater than for Parry Sound suggesting that without corresponding changes in fecundity and age structure, lake trout populations in large lakes like Lake Michigan are inherently less productive than those from enclosed inland waters.     

Avian eggshell thickness in relation to egg morphometrics,embryonic development,and mercury contamination

Eggshell thickness is important for physiological, ecological, and ecotoxicological studies on birds; however, empirical eggshell thickness measurements for many species and regions are limited. We measured eggshell thickness at the equator and the egg poles for 12 avian species and related eggshell thickness to egg morphometrics, embryonic development, egg status, and mercury contamination. Within an egg, eggshells were approximately 5.1% thicker at the equator than the sharp pole of the egg, although this difference varied among species (0.6%–9.8%). Within Forster's tern (Sterna forsteri), where eggshell thickness was measured at 5 equally spaced positions along the longitude of the egg, eggshell thickness changed more rapidly near the sharp pole of the egg compared to near the blunt pole of the egg. Within species, eggshell thickness was related to egg width and egg volume for six of the 12 species but was not related to egg length for any species. Among species, mean eggshell thickness was strongly related to species mean egg width, egg length, egg volume, and bird body mass, although species mean body mass was the strongest predictor of species mean eggshell thickness. Using three species (American avocet [Recurvirostra americana], black‐necked stilt [Himantopus mexicanus], and Forster's tern), whose nests were carefully monitored, eggshell thickness (including the eggshell membrane) did not differ among viable, naturally abandoned, dead, or failed‐to‐hatch eggs; was not related to total mercury concentrations of the egg content; and did not decrease with embryonic age. Our study also provides a review of all existing eggshell thickness data for these 12 species.     

Net genetic and temporary epistatic or maternal environmental responses to selection for egg production in chickens

The difference between progeny from selected and unselected parents (T) was experimentally partitioned into net genetic change (G_A), temporary favorable epistatic combinations (G_EP) and egg-transmitted maternal environment (M) in two strains of Leghorns selected over 14 years for early pure-strain egg production. Differences among progeny from selected sires and dams, selected sires only, selected dams only, unselected sires and dams and the parental generation were equated to expected G_A, G_EP and M responses for each trait. Total response was 3.3% for early egg number, 3.7% for total egg number, 0.5% for egg weight, 3.8% for early egg mass and 4.2% for total egg mass. Among progeny that survived the test period and were judged to be normal, total response was 2.6% for total number of eggs, 3.0% for early egg mass and 3.1% for total egg mass. The percentage of T attributed to G_A was 9% for early egg number, 24% for total egg number, 43% for early egg mass and 47% for total egg mass; but 52% for total egg number, 98% for early egg mass and 71% for total egg mass of normal survivors. Temporary maternal selection responses (M) were (1) positive for number of eggs and egg masses, (2) greater for all progeny than for normal survivors, and (3) increased with progeny age. The results suggest that M was caused by reduced egg-transmitted disease. Epistatic selection response was positive for earlier sexual maturity and for number of eggs, but negative for egg weight and thus was small for egg masses. Temporary epistatic and maternal responses can explain overestimation of additive genetic response from offspring-parent regression or from replicated single-generation selection and apparent superiority of mass selection over family or combined selection.     

Egg discrimination in the Australian reed warbler (Acrocephalus australis): rejection response toward model and conspecific eggs depending on timing and mode of artificial parasitism

In a coevolutionary arms race between an interspecific broodparasite and its host species, both are expected to evolveadaptations and counteradaptations. We studied egg discriminationin the Australian warbler (Acrocephalus australis). This speciesis currently not significantly parasitized by the seven speciesof cuckoo for which it is a suitable host. However, experimentalbrood parasitism in the warbler revealed a fine tuned egg discriminationresponse towards non-mimetic and conspecific eggs, the firstsuch evidence in an Australian passerine: (1) non-mimetic eggswere significantly more often rejected than conspecific eggs;(2) only non-mimetic dummy eggs were rejected selectively,whereas rejection of conspecific eggs entailed a rejectioncost; (3) replacement of a host's egg with a conspecific eggduring egg laying resulted in a significantly higher rejectionrate than after the day of clutch completion; (4) by contrast,rejection rate after addition of a conspecific egg was independentof nest stage; (5) conspecific eggs introduced into a clutchduring the egg laying period led to a significantly highernest desertion rate and a lower egg ejection rate than afterthe day of clutch completion; and (6) addition of a conspecificegg led to egg ejection while egg replacement with a conspecificegg led to nest desertion. The fact that this species respondsdifferentially toward different modes of artificial parasitismsuggests that its egg discrimination has evolved to minimizethe costs of rejection and parasitism. The ability to rejecthighly mimetic conspecific eggs may explain the current paucityof brood parasitism in this species. The significance of thisfor brood parasite-host coevolution is discussed.     

Predation and oviposition by predatory Stethorus japonicus, Oligota kashmirica benefica, and Scolothrips takahashii in egg patches of various spider mite species

Predation and oviposition by three predacious insects [ Scolothrips takahashii Priesner (Thysanoptera: Thripidae), Stethorus japonicus H. Kamiya (Coleoptera: Coccinellidae), and Oligota kashmirica benefica Naomi (Coleoptera: Staphylinidae)] were examined using egg patches of three spider mite species [ Amphitetranychus viennensis (Zacher), Tetranychus urticae Koch, and Panonychus mori Yokoyama (all Acari: Tetranychidae)] that are pest species on Japanese pear [ Pyrus serotina Rehder (Rosaceae)]. Scolothrips takahashii females consumed more prey and laid more eggs in A. viennensis and T. urticae egg patches than in P. mori egg patches. Females also left P. mori egg patches sooner than they left other egg patches even at high prey density. Predation and oviposition of S. takahashii in a prey patch were greatly enhanced by the complicated webs produced by A. viennensis . Stethorus japonicus females consumed significantly more prey and laid more eggs in A. viennensis egg patches than in P. mori egg patches, with intermediate values in T. urticae egg patches, reflecting the quality of each spider mite species as prey. Oligota kashmirica benefica females consumed more prey and laid more eggs in A. viennensis and T. urticae egg patches than in P. mori egg patches, particularly at high prey density. However, predation and oviposition by O. kashmirica benefica increased greatly with increasing prey density, even in P. mori egg patches, indicating that prey density was the most important factor in predation and oviposition by this species. These results are discussed in relation to the potential effect of each predator on the suppression of different spider mite species on Japanese pear.     

Hormonal Control of Egg Dumping and Guarding in the Lace Bug, Gargaphia solani (Hemiptera: Tingidae)

This study examines the effect of juvenile hormone (JH) or a similarly acting juvenoid on the expression of maternal egg guarding and its life history alternative, egg dumping, in the lace bug, Gargaphia solani Heidemann. JH manipulations were indirect: methoprene, a synthetic JH analog, and precocene II, an allatocidal phytochemical commonly used to reduce JH synthesis, were applied exogenously to test the hypothesis that high JH titers promote egg production and egg dumping behavior, while low titers terminate egg production and initiate maternal care. As predicted, egg dumpers treated with precocene II ignored dumping opportunities and became egg guarders. Similarly, egg guarders that were treated with methoprene became gravid within 2 days and abandoned their eggs to become egg dumpers. These manipulations suggest that hormones can trigger the expression of both egg dumping and egg guarding in G. solani even when environmental conditions are inappropriate.     

Two forms of egg defence in a chrysomelid beetle: egg clumping and excrement cover

Abstract.

• 1 Field experiments demonstrated that the faecal covering that female Microrhopala vittata (Fabr.) (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae) place over their egg masses significantly reduces egg mortality.
• 2 The bottom egg in the egg mass, which lies against the leaf of the host plant, suffers significantly higher mortality than the other eggs in the egg mass.
• 3 The parasite Chrysonotomyia sp. (Hymenoptera: Eulophidae) generally parasitizes only the bottom egg in the egg mass, while predators rarely penetrate the faecal covering.
• 4 No significant relationship was found between mortality and the number of egg masses per leaf.
• 5 By placing eggs in masses, females may ensure that at least the upper eggs in any egg mass are effectively protected against virtually all natural enemies likely to pose a threat.

     

Cryoprotective and contraceptive properties of egg yolk as an additive in rooster sperm diluents

The addition of chicken egg yolk to semen extenders is thought to reduce the fertilizing potential of rooster spermatozoa - but not (or at least not as much) that of other avian species. The aim of the present study was to determine whether quail egg yolk, a novel extender additive, provides advantages over chicken egg yolk in the cryopreservation of rooster spermatozoa. Experiments were also performed to determine whether the harmful effect of egg yolk occurs during cryopreservation or during fertilization after artificial insemination. Heterospermic rooster semen samples were divided into aliquots and cooled in a polyvinylpyrrolidone-based medium containing 15% chicken egg yolk, 15% quail egg yolk or no egg yolk at all. The viability of spermatozoa of cooled samples (5 °C) without egg yolk were less viable (P < 0.01) than those of samples containing either type of egg yolk. The same aliquots were then cryopreserved for 15 days. Thawed spermatozoa preserved without egg yolk showed lower motility (P < 0.001) and viability (P < 0.001) than those in samples diluted with either type of egg yolk extender. No eggs were fertilized when hens were inseminated with semen that had been diluted with chicken egg yolk. The fertilization rate was only slightly higher when sperm diluted with quail egg yolk was used (1.5%). The best results were obtained when no egg yolk was used (13.8%). These results show that the addition of egg yolk of either type protects rooster sperm cells against cold shock and during freezing and thawing, but exerts a contraceptive effect in the genital tract of the hen.     

Caddisfly egg mass morphology mediates egg predation: potential costs to individuals and populations

相似文献   

The effect of egg size and habitat on starling nestling growth and survival

In spite of the fact that hatchling size and energy reserves in birds are affected by egg size, many studies have failed to find an effect of egg size on offspring fitness. One possibility is that this is because they have been performed in areas with high food availability and that effects of egg size on offspring fitness are most apparent in areas of low food availability. To investigate this, egg size,␣offspring mass and survival of European starlings (Sturnus vulgaris) were measured in an agricultural landscape with a low but variable amount of pasture, the preferred foraging habitat of parent starlings. Offspring mass was related to egg size, but egg size explained a declining proportion of the variation in nestling mean mass as nestlings grew older. Offspring survival during the early, but not during the late nestling period was related to egg size. Throughout the nestling␣period, survival was related to the mass of the nestlings. It is suggested that the effect of egg size on␣offspring survival is through the effect of egg size on offspring mass, this effect declining as offspring grow older. Offspring survival during the early part of the nestling period was related to egg size when availability of pasture was low, but not when it was high. However, the interaction was not significant. Selection for␣larger egg size is discussed in relation to the structuring␣of starling populations into sources and sinks. Received: 22 September 1997 / Accepted: 22 January 1998     

Egg load dynamics and the risk of egg and time limitation experienced by an aphid parasitoid in the field

Insect parasitoids and herbivores must balance the risk of egg limitation and time limitation in order to maximize reproductive success. Egg and time limitation are mediated by oviposition and egg maturation rates as well as by starvation risk and other determinants of adult lifespan. Here, we assessed egg load and nutritional state in the soybean aphid parasitoid Binodoxys communis under field conditions to estimate its risk of becoming either egg‐ or time‐limited. The majority of female B. communis showed no signs of egg limitation. Experimental field manipulations of B. communis females suggested that an average of 4–8 eggs were matured per hour over the course of a day. Regardless, egg loads remained constant over the course of the day at approximately 80 eggs, suggesting that egg maturation compensates for oviposition. This is the first case of such “egg load buffering” documented for a parasitoid in the field. Despite this buffering, egg loads dropped slightly with increasing host (aphid) density. This suggests that egg limitation could occur at very high host densities as experienced in outbreak years in some locations in the Midwestern USA. Biochemical analyses of sugar profiles showed that parasitoids fed upon sugar in the field at a remarkably high rate. Time limitation through starvation thus seems to be very low and aphid honeydew is most likely a source of dietary sugar for these parasitoids. This latter supposition is supported by the fact that body sugar levels increase with host (aphid) density. Together, these results suggest that fecundity of B. communis benefits from both dynamic egg maturation strategies and sugar‐feeding.     

Beneficial Effects of Simulated Gastro-Intestinal Digests of Fried Egg and Its Fractions on Blood Pressure,Plasma Lipids and Oxidative Stress in Spontaneously Hypertensive Rats

Background

We have previously characterized several antihypertensive peptides in simulated digests of cooked eggs and showed blood pressure lowering property of fried whole egg digest. However, the long-term effects of this hydrolysate and its fractions on blood pressure are not known. Therefore, the objectives of the study were to determine the effects of long term administration of fried whole egg hydrolysate and its fractions (i.e. egg white and egg yolk) on regulation of blood pressure and associated factors in cardiovascular disease such as plasma lipid profile and tissue oxidative stress.

Methods and Results

We used spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHR), an animal model of essential hypertension. Hydrolysates of fried egg and its fractions were prepared by simulated gastro-intestinal digestion with pepsin and pancreatin. 16–17 week old male SHRs were orally administered fried whole egg hydrolysate, non-hydrolyzed fried whole egg, egg white hydrolysate or egg yolk hydrolysates (either defatted, or not) daily for 18 days. Blood pressure (BP) and heart rate were monitored by telemetry. Animals were sacrificed at the end of the treatment for vascular function studies and evaluating plasma lipid profile and tissue oxidative stress. BP was reduced by feeding fried whole egg hydrolysate but not by the non-hydrolyzed product suggesting a critical role for in vitro digestion in releasing anti-hypertensive peptides. Egg white hydrolysate and defatted egg yolk hydrolysate (but not egg yolk hydrolysate) also had similar effects. Reduction in BP was accompanied by the restoration of nitric oxide (NO) dependent vasorelaxation and reduction of plasma angiotensin II. Fried whole egg hydrolysate also reduced plasma levels of triglyceride although it was increased by the non-hydrolyzed sample. Additionally the hydrolyzed preparations attenuated tissue oxidative stress.

Conclusion

Our results demonstrate that fried egg hydrolysates exert anti-hypertensive effects, improve plasma lipid profile and attenuate tissue oxidative stress in vivo.     

Trypanosomatidae: isoleucine requirement and threonine deaminase in species with and without endosymbionts

Abomasal and duodenal concentrations of Haemonchus contortus eggs were measured in four lambs fitted with permanent abomasal and duodenal cannulas and infected with 25,000 Haemonchus contortus larvae. During the period of maximal egg laying, i.e., when the abomasal H. contortus egg concentration was above 2000 eggs/ml, the animals received cimetidine (20 mg/kg) intravenously or pentagastrin (5 μg·kg^?1·h^?1) for 90 min and the changes in abomasal and duodenal egg concentrations were followed for 2.5 hr. Pentagastrin infusion reduced the abomasal and duodenal pH significantly and in less than 15 min decreased the abomasal and duodenal egg concentrations which represented only 21.4 and 12.0% of the control values at the end (90 min) of infusion. During pentagastrin infusion, both the abomasal (r = 0.56, P ? 0.01) and the duodenal (r = 0.72, P ? 0.01) egg concentrations correlated positively with the corresponding pH values. After cimetidine injection, the abomasal and duodenal pH had increased 150 min later to, respectively, pH 6.16 and 6.27. During the first 30 min for an abomasal pH lower than 4.5–5.0, egg production increased by 106%; then the abomasal and duodenal egg concentrations decreased progressively, representing, respectively, only 39.3 and 16.4% of the control values 120 min later. It is concluded that the level of egg laying of adult H. contortus was related to the abomasal acidity, the maximal egg production occurring when the abomasal pH was between pH 4 and 4.5.     

Parent–offspring conflict and selection on egg size in turtles

The trade‐off between offspring size and number can present a conflict between parents and their offspring. Because egg size is constrained by clutch size, the optimal egg size for offspring fitness may not always be equivalent to that which maximizes parental fitness. We evaluated selection on egg size in three turtle species (Apalone mutica, Chelydra serpentina and Chrysemys picta) to determine if optimal egg sizes differ between offspring and their mothers. Although hatching success was generally greater for larger eggs, the strength and form of selection varied. In most cases, the egg size that maximized offspring fitness was greater than that which maximized maternal fitness. Consistent with optimality theory, mean egg sizes in the populations were more similar to the egg sizes that maximized maternal fitness, rather than offspring fitness. These results provide evidence that selection has maximized maternal fitness to achieve an optimal balance between egg size and number.     

Long-term effects of prey-availability, partnering and temperature on overall egg capsule output of 'New Zealand flatworms', Arthurdendyus triangulates

Arthurdendyus triangulatus is an invasive terrestrial flatworm that preys on earthworms. To assess A. triangulatus egg capsule production, flatworms were maintained in ventilated polypropylene tubs (7.5 L) kept in controlled environment (CE) chambers or outdoors in the ground. Controlled environment chambers were maintained at 8°C or 14°C, flatworms kept singly or paired within tubs and offered Eisenia fetida according to a weight equalling one‐eighth or one‐half of the mean flatworm weight, or left unfed. The tubs were a successful method for keeping flatworms, with some surviving for over one year. The greatest number of egg capsules produced by an individual A. triangulatus was nine over a 16 week period for a flatworm kept at 14°C and fed at the one‐half regime (0.56 egg capsules flatworm^‐1 week^‐1). Although the effects of treatments varied with CE chambers, there was some evidence from flatworms kept outdoors, that feeding affected egg capsule output, with those flatworms fed at the one‐half regime tending to produce more egg capsules (P= 0.057). Flatworms at the one‐eighth regime or that were unfed produced progressively lighter egg capsules and substantially declined in weight themselves. Nevertheless, even unfed flatworms continued to produce egg capsules for 18 weeks. The lightest egg capsule weighed 8 mg, whilst the heaviest was 180 mg. In the CE chambers at 14°C, there was evidence for two different reproductive/survival strategies. Some flatworms produced cumulatively more egg capsules the longer they survived, whereas others lived longer but produced fewer egg capsules. Flatworms kept without a partner still produced egg capsules up to 35 weeks later. Egg capsules contained a mean of 4.14 (CE chambers) or 4.62 (outdoors) juveniles, with a maximum of 11. Overall, juveniles were 45% of the weight of egg capsules, although larger egg capsules had more juveniles, which comprised a greater proportion of the egg capsule. The conversion of earthworm prey to egg capsule production was estimated at 13%.     

Cuckoos versus reed warblers: Adaptations and counteradaptations

At study sites in Cambridgeshire, England, the percentage of reed warbler, Acrocephalus scirpaceus, nests parasitized by cuckoos, Cuculus canorus, in 2 years was 22·5% and 9·1%. The warblers rejected cuckoo eggs at 19% of parasitized nests. Parasitized clutches suffered less predation than unparasitized clutches, suggesting that the cuckoo itself was the major predator, plundering nests too advanced for parasitism so that the hosts would re-lay. The cuckoos laid a mimetic egg, parasitized nests in the afternoons during the host laying period, usually removed one host egg, laid a remarkably small egg and laid very quickly. Nests were experimentally parasitized with model eggs to study the significance of this procedure. Experiments showed that host discrimination selects for: (1) egg mimicry by cuckoos (poorer matching model eggs were more likely to be rejected); (2) parasitism during the laying period (mimetic eggs put in nests before host laying began were rejected); (3) afternoon laying (mimetic eggs were less likely to be accepted in the early morning than in the afternoon, when hosts were more often absent from the nest); (4) a small egg (large eggs, typical of non-parasitic cuckoos, were more likely to be rejected); (5) rapid laying (a stuffed cuckoo on the nest stimulated increased rejection of model eggs), and (6) sets a limit to host egg removal by cuckoos (if more than one or two are removed desertion may occur). Mimicry may also be selected for because it reduced the chance that second cuckoos can discriminate the first cuckoo's egg from the host's clutch. Predation did not select for mimicry; nests with a non-mimetic egg did not suffer greater predation than those with a mimetic egg. Host rejection of model eggs did not depend on: (1) stage of parasitism once host egg laying had begun (nevertheless cuckoos were more likely to lay early in the host laying period probably to increase the chance the cuckoo chick hatched); (2) removal of a host egg (however, this reduced the incidence of unhatched eggs so cuckoos may remove a host egg so as not to exceed the host incubation limit). There were two costs of rejection, an ‘ejection’ cost (own eggs ejected as well as the cuckoo egg) and, with mimetic eggs, a ‘recognition’ cost (own eggs ejected instead of the cuckoo egg). Reed warblers did not discriminate against unlike chicks (another species) and did not favour either a cuckoo chick or their own chicks when these were placed in two nests side by side. Possible reasons why the hosts discriminate against unlike eggs but not unlike chicks are discussed.