Published Mar 30, 2020
on Dryad.
https://doi.org/10.5061/dryad.fttdz08pp
Cite this dataset
Acevedo, Cheyenne et al. (2020). Long-term research and hierarchical models reveal consistent fitness costs of being the last egg in a clutch [Dataset]. Dryad. https://doi.org/10.5061/dryad.fttdz08pp
Abstract
1. Maintenance of phenotypic heterogeneity in the face of strong selection is an important component of evolutionary ecology, as are the consequences of such heterogeneity. Organisms may experience diminishing returns of increased reproductive allocation as clutch or litter size increases, affecting current and residual reproductive success. Given existing uncertainty regarding trade-offs between the quantity and quality of offspring, we sought to examine the potential for diminishing returns on increased reproductive allocation in a long-lived species of goose, with a particular emphasis on the effect of position in the laying sequence on offspring quality.
2. To better understand the effects of maternal allocation on offspring survival and growth, we estimated the effects of egg size, timing of breeding, inter- and intra-annual variation, and position in the laying sequence on gosling survival and growth rates of black brent (Branta bernicla nigricans) breeding in western Alaska from 1987–2007.
3. We found that gosling growth rates and survival decreased with position in the laying sequence, regardless of clutch size. Mean egg volume of the clutch a gosling originated from had a positive effect on gosling survival (β = 0.095, 95% CRI: 0.024, 0.165), and gosling growth rates (β = 0.626, 95% CRI: 0.469, 0.738). Gosling survival (β = -0.146, 95% CRI: -0.214, -0.079) and growth rates (β = -1.286, 95% CRI: -1.435, -1.132) were negatively related to hatching date.
4. These findings indicate substantial heterogeneity in offspring quality associated with their position in the laying sequence. They also potentially suggest a trade-off mechanism for females whose total reproductive investment is governed by pre-breeding state.
20-Mar-2020
Methods
See the manuscript in the attached files.
Usage notes
mass_input.csv
This data file is the input file for the growth analysis.
mean_clutch_vols.csv
Data for the mean egg volume of each brood.
survival_input.csv
This data file is the input file for the survival analysis.
growth_model.R
This R script analyses the gosling growth data.
phi_model.R
This R script analyses the gosling survival data.
Funding
Alaska Science Center
United States Geological Survey, Award: DEB 9815383
Migratory Bird Management Region 7, US Fish and Wildlife Service
Ducks Unlimited
The Morro Bay Brant Group
Phil Jebbia (in memory of Marnie Shepherd)
National Science Foundation, Award: DEB 9815383
National Science Foundation, Award: OPP 9214971
National Science Foundation, Award: OPP 9985931
National Science Foundation, Award: OPP 0196406
National Science Foundation, Award: DEB 0743152
National Science Foundation, Award: DEB 1252656
Alaska Science Center
Migratory Bird Management Region 7, US Fish and Wildlife Service