Date of Award
2012
Document Type
Honors Thesis
Department
Mathematics
First Advisor
Shandelle Henson
Second Advisor
James L. Hayward
Abstract
The mass of a Glaucous-winged gull (Larus glaucescens) egg provides a convenient estimation of parental energy allocated towards reproduction. Obtaining accurate mass measurements, however, can be hindered by logistical constraints associated with field research. In this study, I create a mathematical model to estimate egg mass from easily determined measurements of length and width. Egg measurements were collected at a gull colony on Protection Island National Wildlife Refuge, WA. These measurements facilitated the estimation and validation of model parameters. A multi-variable allometric model incorporating both length and width variables provided the best estimation of egg mass.
Recommended Citation
McCormick, Melissa, "Gull Egg Mass as a Function of Length and Width" (2012). Honors Theses. 38.
https://dx.doi.org/10.32597/honors/38/
https://digitalcommons.andrews.edu/honors/38
Subject Area
Glaucous-winged gull--Eggs--Mathematics, Birds--Eggs--Mathematics, Eggs.
Creative Commons License
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-No Derivative Works 4.0 International License.
DOI
https://dx.doi.org/10.32597/honors/38/