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image/svg+xml Jakob Voss, based on art designer at PLoS, modified by Wikipedia users Nina and Beao Closed Access logo, derived from PLoS Open Access logo. This version with transparent background. http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Closed_Access_logo_transparent.svg Jakob Voss, based on art designer at PLoS, modified by Wikipedia users Nina and Beao Journal of Ornitholo...arrow_drop_down
image/svg+xml Jakob Voss, based on art designer at PLoS, modified by Wikipedia users Nina and Beao Closed Access logo, derived from PLoS Open Access logo. This version with transparent background. http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Closed_Access_logo_transparent.svg Jakob Voss, based on art designer at PLoS, modified by Wikipedia users Nina and Beao
Journal of Ornithology
Article . 2003 . Peer-reviewed
License: Springer Nature TDM
Data sources: Crossref
Journal of Ornithology
Article . 2003 . Peer-reviewed
Data sources: Crossref
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Do Common Whitethroats (Sylvia communis) discriminate against alien eggs?

Authors: Petr Prochazka; Marcel Honza;

Do Common Whitethroats (Sylvia communis) discriminate against alien eggs?

Abstract

In a coevolutionary arms race between a brood parasite and its host, both species are expected to evolve adaptations and counteradaptations, such as egg mimicry and egg discrimination. The Common Whitethroat (Sylvia communis) is a regular Common Cuckoo (Cuculus canorus) host in some parts of its breeding range. We studied egg discrimination in the Whitethroat in the south-eastern part of the Czech Republic in an area where the Whitethroat is parasitised only occasionally. To investigate responses to parasitic eggs, in 34 nests either a non-mimetic or a mimetic (conspecific) egg was added. All 21 non-mimetic eggs were ejected. Of the 13 mimetic eggs, 7 were ejected and 6 eggs were accepted. No significant differences were found in intraclutch variation in egg appearance between acceptors and rejecters. Ejected mimetic eggs, however, showed greater contrast with host eggs than did the mimetic eggs that were accepted. Our experiments show that Whitethroats are persistent rejecters of alien eggs at the study site. This fact is discussed in the light of the host selection and host-parasite coevolution hypotheses.

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selected citations
These citations are derived from selected sources.
This is an alternative to the "Influence" indicator, which also reflects the overall/total impact of an article in the research community at large, based on the underlying citation network (diachronically).
BIP!Citations provided by BIP!
popularity
This indicator reflects the "current" impact/attention (the "hype") of an article in the research community at large, based on the underlying citation network.
BIP!Popularity provided by BIP!
influence
This indicator reflects the overall/total impact of an article in the research community at large, based on the underlying citation network (diachronically).
BIP!Influence provided by BIP!
impulse
This indicator reflects the initial momentum of an article directly after its publication, based on the underlying citation network.
BIP!Impulse provided by BIP!
40
Average
Top 10%
Top 10%
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