Meeting Abstract
S10-10 Monday, Jan. 7 14:30 - 15:00 Parental incubation behavior is a key link between environmental conditions and avian phenotype DURANT, Sarah; Univ of Arkansas sedurant@uark.edu
Variation in average nest temperature exists within avian populations. In both altricial and precocial species, these differences in temperature have significant implications for secondary sex ratios of hatchlings and hatchling phenotypes, including traits as varied as hormonal responses to stress and locomotor performance. Climatic conditions and natural and anthropogenic disturbances have the potential to shift incubation behavior of parents, which can alter the nest environment for developing embryos. This talk explores the phenotypic consequences of temperatures experienced during development, factors affecting incubation behavior, and species specific incubation patterns in relation to ambient temperature.