Determinants and consequences of territory quality in the Bar-throated Apalis Apalis thoracica
Includes bibliographical references. === The underlying principles of territoriality propose that competition for resources compels individuals to defend areas (territories) that give them exclusive access to critical resources. The theory suggests that only high-quality individuals succeed in occup...
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| Format: | Doctoral Thesis |
| Language: | English |
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University of Cape Town
2014
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| Online Access: | http://hdl.handle.net/11427/10257 |
| Summary: | Includes bibliographical references. === The underlying principles of territoriality propose that competition for resources compels individuals to defend areas (territories) that give them exclusive access to critical resources. The theory suggests that only high-quality individuals succeed in occupying areas rich in these resources with consequent benefits in terms of higher reproductive success and/or chances of survival. The main aims of this study were: i) to determine the ecological factors influencing variation in territory size and quality among Bar-throated Apalises Apalis thoracica; ii) to investigate the consequences of these factors for reproductive effort and reward, pair stability and survival; and iii) to investigate the signalling properties of the species' black breast band (a prominent 'badge' emblazoned across the white underparts) in relation to both male and territory quality. |
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