Abstract
Life-history theory predicts that decreased mortality in early life can favor increased fecundity and reduced iteroparity. Similar to other causes of environmental variation, modification of the environment by humans potentially can change age-specific mortality and, hence, affect life-history evolution. Forests were removed throughout western Europe long ago, and nest predation (early mortality) is reduced in human-settled environments there, whereas nest predation is generally increased in areas settled by humans in North America. We controlled statistically for effects of body size and phylogeny and compared songbirds (Passeriformes) of Europe to those of North America and found that nest predation was lower in Europe. Associated with this decrease in early mortality in Europe, fecundity was increased and iteroparity was reduced via decreased adult survival rates, as predicted by theory. Moreover, continental differences were greater for species that were more vulnerable to nest predation (open-nesting...
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
