Fatty acid signatures of female Brünnich's guillemotsUria lomviasuggests reliance on local prey for replacement egg production

摘要: The laying of smaller replacement eggs has been described as a time-saving adaptation because chicks generally grow faster once hatched than inside the egg. However, from have, potentially, lower survival. Consequently, egg represents benefit to female in terms preserving its own condition at cost their offspring. We test these ideas by measuring adult mass changes and plasma lipid concentration male Brunnich's guillemots Uria lomvia breeding on Coats Island, Nunavut. Though males lost more females, differences were not significant. Between first egg, fatty acid concentrations declined females increased males, suggesting that mobilise less preserve after In dominant acids found (16:0 18:1) between while 20:1 both females. compared signatures look for evidence sources production. Principal component discriminant function analyses showed closer local prey those eggs. suggest rely energy greater degree production but endogenous reserves certain nutrients are important