Selection for the timing of great tit breeding in relation to caterpillar growth and temperature

摘要: 1. We investigated the relation between timing of great tit breeding, measured as mean date laying first egg in each clutch, caterpillar availability, median pupation dates winter moth, selection for dates, from recruitment into local breeding population subsequent years, and temperature period after laying. 2. There was a significant positive correlation tit's caterpillars. 3. In most years there earlier this population. The differentials were usually same male female recruits. 4. differential strongly correlated (r = 0.84, n 21, P <0.0001) with difference birds This turn temperatures 5. When subdivided, during when incubating. 6. discuss six alternative hypotheses explaining consistent One these is new based on fact that can delay their more succesfully than they speed it up, once have started [KEYWORDS: Caterpillar pupation; insectivorous birds;natural selection; breeding; wytham wood Parus-major; clutch size; incubation; heritability;reproduction]