Reproductive potential in parkland- and arctic-nesting populations of mallards and pintails (Anatidae)

We estimated the reproductive potential of mallards (Anas platyrhynchos) and pintails (A. acuta) nesting in the parklands of Alberta and the delta of the Mackenzie River, N.W.T., by recording the number of laying females and the potential clutch size, based on the status of ovarian follicles, in sam...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Canadian Journal of Zoology
Main Authors: Calverley, B. K., Boag, D. A.
Format: Article in Journal/Newspaper
Language:English
Published: Canadian Science Publishing 1977
Subjects:
Animal Science and Zoology
Ecology, Evolution, Behavior and Systematics
Arctic
Mackenzie River
Parkland
Mackenzie river
Online Access:http://dx.doi.org/10.1139/z77-163
http://www.nrcresearchpress.com/doi/pdf/10.1139/z77-163
Description
Summary:We estimated the reproductive potential of mallards (Anas platyrhynchos) and pintails (A. acuta) nesting in the parklands of Alberta and the delta of the Mackenzie River, N.W.T., by recording the number of laying females and the potential clutch size, based on the status of ovarian follicles, in samples of each species collected at the two latitudes. A larger proportion of the ducks collected in the parklands were laying and their potential clutch sizes were larger than in the arctic. Thus, both species exhibited a greater reproductive potential in the parklands than in the arctic. The reasons for these differences are discussed in relation to energy costs to ducks breeding at the two latitudes.

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