Previously, we have measured daily changes (developmental patterns) in embryonic heart rate (fh) in altricial and semi-altricial (ASA) birds (range of mean fresh egg mass approximately 1–20 g), semi-precocial seabirds (egg mass approximately 38–288 g) and precocial birds (egg mass approximately 6–1400 g). An allometric relationship between embryonic fh at 80 % of incubation duration (ID) and fresh egg mass (M) has been derived for six species of precocial bird (fh at 80 % ID=429M(−0.118)). In the present study, additional measurements of embryonic fh in three ASA species, the barn owl Tyto alba, the cattle egret Bubulcus ibis and the lanner falcon Falco biarmicus, were made to extend the egg mass range (20–41 g), and the allometric relationships of embryonic fh for these ASA birds and the precocial and semi-precocial (PSP) groups were investigated from published data. The developmental patterns of embryonic fh in three relatively large ASA species did not show a significant increase prior to the pipping period, unlike those in small ASA birds, but tended to be constant, with a subsequent increase during pipping. The allometric relationship derived for ASA birds was fh at 80 % ID=371M(−0.121) (r=−0.846, P<0.001, N=20) and that for PSP birds was fh at 80 % ID=433M(−0.121) (r=−0.963, P<0.001, N=13). The slopes were parallel, but fh of ASA embryos was low compared with that of PSP embryos with the same egg mass. In ASA birds, embyronic fh was maximal during the pipping (perinatal) period, and the maximum fh (fh(max)) was significantly related to fresh egg mass: fh(max)=440M(−0.127) (r=−0.840, P<0.001, N=20). The allometric relationships for fh at 80 % ID in PSP and fh(max) in ASA embryos were statistically identical. Accordingly, embryonic fh at 80 % ID in PSP birds and fh(max) during pipping in ASA birds can be expressed by a single allometric equation: fh=437M(−0.123) (r=−0.948, P<0.001, N=33).
2023 JEB Outstanding Paper Prize shortlist and winner
The JEB Editors are delighted to announce the shortlisted authors for the 2023 JEB Outstanding Paper Prize. Read the winning paper - Tiny spies: mosquito antennae are sensitive sensors for eavesdropping on frog calls - by Hoover Pantoja-Sanchez and Brian Leavell from Ximena Bernal's lab at Purdue University, USA.
JEB Science Communication Workshop for ECRs
If you’re an early-career researcher interested in science communication and are attending the SEB Annual Conference in Prague this summer, come a day early and join the JEB Editors at a sci comm workshop to learn the key writing skills needed to promote your research to a broad audience beyond your peers (1 July at 14.30-17.30). Places are limited to 24 attendees, and applicants should apply through the SEB registration page by 30 April 2024.
Bridging the gap between controlled conditions and natural habitats in understanding behaviour
Novel technologies enable behavioural experiments with non-model species, in naturalistic habitats and with underexplored behaviours. In their Commentary, Scholz and colleagues discuss how to obtain a deeper understanding of the natural ecology and lifestyle of study animals.
Beluga metabolic measures could help save species
To help save animals from extinction, it’s important to understand what each species needs to survive. This led Jason John et al. to measure the metabolic rates of captive belugas to develop a ‘fish calculator’ showing that the whales need to eat ~23 salmon per day.
ECR Workshop on Positive Peer Review
Are you an ECR looking for tips on how to write concise, astute and useful manuscript reviews? If so, join the JEB Editors at a 2-hour JEB-sponsored Workshop on Positive Peer Review at the Canadian Society of Zoologists annual meeting in Moncton on 9 May 2024 at 13.00-15.00. There are 25 spaces for ECRs and selection is first come, first serve. To sign up, check the ECR Workshop box when you register for the CSZ meeting.
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