10.5061/DRYAD.SC30G
O'Neill, Louis G.
Macquarie University
Parker, Timothy H.
Macquarie University
Griffith, Simon C.
Macquarie University
Data from: Nest size is predicted by female identity and the local
environment in the blue tit, but is not related to genetic or foster
mother's nest size
Dryad
dataset
2018
nesting behaviour
cross fostering
Cyanistes caeruleus
micro-environment
cavity nest
Holocene
parental effects
2018-03-07T16:46:33Z
2018-03-07T16:46:33Z
en
https://doi.org/10.1098/rsos.172036
159601 bytes
2
CC0 1.0 Universal (CC0 1.0) Public Domain Dedication
The potential for animals to respond to changing climates has sparked
interest in intraspecific variation in avian nest structure since this may
influence nest microclimate and protect eggs and offspring from inclement
weather. However, there have been relatively few large-scale attempts to
examine variation in nests or the determinates of individual variation in
nest structure within populations. Using a set of mostly pre-registered
analyses, we studied potential predictors of variation in the size of a
large sample (803) of blue tit (Cyanistes caeruleus) nests across three
breeding seasons at Wytham Woods, UK. Whilst our pre-registered analyses
found that individual females built very similar nests across years, there
was no evidence in follow-up (post hoc) analyses that their nest size
correlated to that of their genetic mother or, in a cross-fostering
experiment, to the nest where they were reared. In further pre-registered
analyses, spatial environmental variability explained nest size
variability at relatively broad spatial scales, and especially strongly at
the scale of individual nestboxes. Our study indicates that nest structure
is a characteristic of individuals, but is not strongly heritable,
indicating that it will not respond rapidly to selection. Explaining the
within-individual and within-location repeatability we observed requires
further study.
Final blue tit nest size dataNest sizes recorded by SCG in Wytham Woods,
UK 2001-2003. Nest sizes were recorded as fraction of standardised nest
box filled. Blue tits were identified using uniquely marked metal rings to
give identities. Zone is the woodland compartment in Wytham Woods where
the nest is.Final BT nest data LON 2018-2-6.csvBlue tit nest sizes for
genetic mother-daughter pairsNest sizes (recorded as fraction of
standardised nest box filled) of blue tit daughters and their genetic
mothers, as recorded by SCG in Wytham Woods, Oxfordshire, UK in
2001-2003genetic depth2.csvBlue tit nest sizes for foster mother-daughter
pairs 2Nest sizes (recorded as fraction of standardised nest box filled)
of daughters and their foster mothers, as recorded by SCG in Wytham Woods,
UK during 2001-2003 breeding seasons. Rrearing depth2.csvFinal R code used
for analysis 2The R code that I wrote to analyse different factors
controlling the nest size of blue tits in Wytham Woods, UK during the
2001-2003 breeding seasons using the data files attachedFinal BT nest size
analysis code.R
Oxfordshire
Wytham Woods
UK