Characteristics, abundance and fertility of orphan eggs of the Lesser Rhea ( Pterocnemia-Rhea-pennata pennata ): implications for conservation |
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Authors: | Fernando R Barri Mónica B Martella and Joaquín L Navarro |
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Institution: | (1) Centro de Zoología Aplicada, Universidad Nacional de Córdoba, C.C. 122, Cordoba, 5000, Argentina |
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Abstract: | The Lesser Rhea (Pterocnemia-Rhea-pennata pennata) has a complex reproductive system that combines polygyny with sequential polyandry, in which males build the nest, fully
incubate the eggs and care for the young. As occurs with the Greater Rhea (Rhea americana), Lesser Rhea females sporadically lay eggs outside the nest (‘orphan’ eggs), which are not incubated and thus fail to hatch.
We have examined the orphan eggs of Lesser Rhea over two separate breeding seasons to determine their abundance and fertility
status. During 2004 and 2005, weekly ground searches for orphan eggs were conducted in a wild population of Lesser Rhea in
northwestern Patagonia, Argentina. During these searches the total number of nests, eggs in each nest and orphan eggs laid
outside the nests was recorded. Orphan eggs represented approximately 7% of the total eggs laid in a breeding season. Six
fresh orphan eggs were artificially incubated, four of them being fertile. Orphan eggs seemed to have two origins: some were
laid near deserted nests in the early to mid-reproductive season; others were probably laid by first-time breeders and were
found later in the reproductive season. Given the near-threatened status of the Lesser Rhea, harvesting and artificial incubation
of orphan eggs, which otherwise would be unproductive, may contribute significantly to the conservation of this species, i.e.,
‘recovered’ birds could be used for reintroduction or reinforcement of wild Lesser Rhea populations. |
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Keywords: | Conservation Eggs Management Lesser Rhea Reproduction |
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