Extent and symmetry of post-juvenile moult as predictors of future performance in Greenfinch Carduelis chloris

Piotr Minias,Tomasz Iciek

doi:10.1007/s10336-012-0911-6

Abstract

The extent of post-juvenile moult in passerines is highly variable, but the causes and consequences of such variability remain poorly understood. We tested the hypothesis that the extent and symmetry of post-juvenile moult of Greenfinches Carduelis chloris may be used as reliable predictors of their winter/spring body condition. We found a quadratic relationship between moult extent and the body mass/wing length ratio during the winter/spring period. We also found that Greenfinches with higher degree of moult symmetry had greater winter/spring fat reserves. Our results suggest that the extent and symmetry of post-juvenile moult may be considered as adaptive traits with certain fitness consequences.

Highlights

ZusammenfassungAusmaß und Symmetrie der Postjuvenilmauser als Hinweis auf zukunftige Leistungsfahigkeit beim Grunfink (Carduelis chloris)Das Ausmaß der Postjuvenilmauser bei Singvogeln ist hoch variabel, aber die Ursachen und Konsequenzen solcher Variabilitat sind noch immer schlecht untersucht
Winter/spring body condition condition was significantly related with the squared effect of moult index (F1,508 = 4.87, P = 0.028), which indicated the quadratic character of the relationship
There was no significant effect of moult asymmetry on winter/spring body condition in Greenfinches, so it was excluded from the final model (P = 0.95)

Summary

Introduction

Ausmaß und Symmetrie der Postjuvenilmauser als Hinweis auf zukunftige Leistungsfahigkeit beim Grunfink (Carduelis chloris). Das Ausmaß der Postjuvenilmauser bei Singvogeln ist hoch variabel, aber die Ursachen und Konsequenzen solcher Variabilitat sind noch immer schlecht untersucht. Since the general body condition of fledglings frequently deteriorates over the course of a breeding season, reduction in the extent of post-juvenile moult by late-hatched individuals is usually attributed to an energetic constraint. Under such circumstances, moult extent should reflect the nutritional status of birds at the time of moulting, which is supported

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