Female zebra finches compromise clutch temperature in energetically demanding incubation conditions

摘要: P>1. Avian embryos depend on the incubating parent to provide a thermal environment suitable for embryogenesis, but as maintenance of optimal incubation temperatures is energetically costly, an bird often must trade off embryonic investment against self-maintenance. 2. We manipulated energetic cost in female zebra finches (Taeniopygia guttata Vieillot) by varying ambient temperature and clutch size during nocturnal recorded corresponding effects metabolic rate temperature. 3. Females increased their night-time more than twofold when at 10 degrees C compared close thermoneutrality (28 C). Furthermore, enlargement caused females elevate with 2 center dot 8% per additional egg added clutch. 4. However, despite spending energy, did not fully cover costs incubation, because decreased decreasing increasing size. 5. These findings suggest that parental can be constrained sometimes result below level development, least incubation.