Journal
ECOLOGY LETTERS
Volume 25, Issue 6, Pages 1421-1431Publisher
WILEY
DOI: 10.1111/ele.14001
Keywords
avian evolution; eggshell strength; nest attachment; nest site; nest structure; passerine
Categories
Funding
- Academia Sinica [AS-CDA-111-L07, AS-CDA-108-L05]
- Ministry of Science and Technology, Taiwan [106--2221-E-002-141-MY3, 108-2621-B-001-008-MY3]
- National Taiwan University
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This study reveals the functional connection between bird nests and eggshells, suggesting that birds produce stiffer eggs in response to higher collision risk in unstable or enclosed nests. Results indicate that the evolution of eggshell stiffness is more likely to be influenced by nest characters. The study also highlights the trade-off between competing for established nesting niches and exploring new territories for birds.
Eggs and nests are two critical traits for the ecological success of birds. Their functional interactions, however, remain unclear. Here, we examined the functional connections between egg stiffness and nest attachment, site and structure for 1350 avian species. We revealed high eggshell stiffness for eggs in nests with a pensile attachment, located on non-tree vegetation or having a domed shape, suggesting that birds produce stiffer eggs in response to higher egg-collision risk in unstable or enclosed nests. Interdependence models suggested that the evolution of eggshell stiffness was more likely to be driven by than drive that of nest characters. Our results implied a trade-off between investment in competing for established nesting niches and producing stiff eggs to explore novel niches with high collision risk, possibly mediated by predation or thermoregulation. This study highlights an overlooked connection between nests and eggshells that may have broadened the ecological niches of birds.
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