Effects of age at pairing on reproduction in captive California condors (Gymnogyps californianus)
Publication Type: |
Journal Article |
Year of Publication: |
1994 |
Authors: |
Ernest W. Hartt, Nancy C. Harvey, Allison J. Leete, Kris Preston |
Publication/Journal: |
Zoo Biology |
Publisher: |
A Wiley Company, Inc., Wiley Subscription Services |
Keywords: |
behavior, imprinting, inbreeding avoidance, reproductive behavior |
ISBN: |
1098-2361 |
Abstract:
Abstract 10.1002/zoo.1430130103.abs The lack of breeding behavior seen in some pairs of adult California condors, Gymnogyps californianus, is of great concern for the captive breeding program. One possible cause for absent or delayed breeding in what are otherwise seemingly compatible animals is inbreeding avoidance behavior. To examine this possibility, housing and reproduction records were examined for all adult California condors. The influence of housing on reproduction of birds that had been exclusively paired for at least one full breeding season was examined with linear regression, and the age of females at the age of exclusive pairing was shown to have a significant influence on fertility, which increased with increased age at pairing. Behavioral data from adult pairs at the San Diego Wild Animal Park corroborated these findings, as mounts and copulations were observed at significantly lower frequencies in pairs that had been formed when the female was less than two years old. © 1994 Wiley-Liss, Inc.