The influence of the environment on growth parameters of great tits (Parus major)
Abstract
The data from previous studies on the ontogeny of Parus major were used in this study. Allometry of growth characters was compared at three independent sites and at different times. A total of 186 young were measured in three habitats: Low Tatras - an ecotone between a mountain meadow and forest community; High Tatras - forest habitat near the road; Šúr - a habitat of a wetland alder forest. In terms of allometric characteristics such as tarsometatarsus growth, wing skeleton (ulna/radius), and weight, it can be concluded that the best environment for development is the border of forest and meadow habitats (Low Tatras). The forest with a network of transport roads represents a lower quality environment. In waterlogged alder forests, the trajectories of juvenile development were different than in the mountain environment of spruce forests. Rather, they indicated more difficult development conditions for the nestlings, which suggests that the wetland alder forests are not the optimal habitat for the breeding of P. major.
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