P-49 The Relationship Between Yearly and Daily Reproductive Synchrony
Abstract
A variety of taxa exhibit synchronous reproduction. Seabird colonies typically show synchronous reproduction on a yearly timescale. Hayward and Henson recently showed that colonial seabirds also can synchronize ovulation cycles on a daily timescale within the breeding season. Here we test the hypothesis that yearly synchrony and daily synchrony are inversely related; that is, we test whether a shorter laying season (more synchronous yearly reproductive pulse) is associated with a lower level of ovulation synchrony. For each of three years and five sample plots in the colony, we computed the standard deviation of the duration of the laying season and computed the level of ovulation synchrony within that season. The correlation coefficient was 0.48. The analysis gives moderate evidence suggesting that birds may not have sufficient time to synchronize ovulation cycles during a short laying season.
Location
Buller Hallway
Start Date
3-7-2014 2:30 PM
End Date
3-7-2014 4:00 PM
P-49 The Relationship Between Yearly and Daily Reproductive Synchrony
Buller Hallway
A variety of taxa exhibit synchronous reproduction. Seabird colonies typically show synchronous reproduction on a yearly timescale. Hayward and Henson recently showed that colonial seabirds also can synchronize ovulation cycles on a daily timescale within the breeding season. Here we test the hypothesis that yearly synchrony and daily synchrony are inversely related; that is, we test whether a shorter laying season (more synchronous yearly reproductive pulse) is associated with a lower level of ovulation synchrony. For each of three years and five sample plots in the colony, we computed the standard deviation of the duration of the laying season and computed the level of ovulation synchrony within that season. The correlation coefficient was 0.48. The analysis gives moderate evidence suggesting that birds may not have sufficient time to synchronize ovulation cycles during a short laying season.
Acknowledgments
Research supported by the National Science Foundation
Advisor: Shandelle Henson, Mathematics