Composition of the body mass overshoot in European barn owl nestlings (Tyto alba): insurance against scarcity of energy or water?

Journal of Comparative Physiology. B, Biochemical, Systemic, and Environmental Physiology
J M DurantY Handrich

Abstract

European barn owl chicks (Tyto alba) show a body mass overshoot prior to fledging that has been predicted to serve as an energy reservoir during periods of stochastic food availability. However, the composition of the mass overshoot has heretofore not been directly examined in nestlings of this or any other species displaying a body mass overshoot during growth (e.g., raptors and seabirds). To experimentally determine whether the overshoot in body mass in juvenile European barn owls (Tyto alba) may act as an energy reservoir, we compared the body composition of owl chicks raised on an ad libitum diet to those fed a restricted diet designed to eliminate the overshoot. Chicks raised on the two diets were also compared for differences in maturation of diverse functions (e.g., locomotion) and tissues (e.g., skeletal development). Contrary to expectations, our results on body composition in juvenile barn owls indicate that the mass overshoot prior to fledging is primarily comprised of an increased water compartment. Thus, we suggest that the mass overshoot in owls (and possibly in other species) does not serve as an energy reservoir but, rather, may function as an insurance against dehydration when hot in-nest conditions force chick...Continue Reading

References

May 1, 1994·The American Journal of Physiology·S C Sansom, J D Stockand
Jun 7, 2000·Journal of Comparative Physiology. B, Biochemical, Systemic, and Environmental Physiology·J M DurantY Handrich
Feb 28, 2001·Physiological and Biochemical Zoology : PBZ·C E van der Ziel, G H Visser
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