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Musk Duck Brood Parasitism on Black Swans

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Musk Duck Brood Parasitism on Black Swans Musk Duck brood parasitism 127 Musk Duck brood parasitism on Black Swans K. Kraaijeveld1 & R. A. Mulder2 'Department of Zoology, University of Melbourne, Parkville, Vic 3010, Australia. Current address: Department of Biology, Darwin Building, University College London, Gower Street, London WC1E 6BT, UK. 'Department of ZooLogy, University of Melbourne, Parkville, Vic 3010, Australia. This paper describes incidences of brood parasitism of nests of Black Swans Cygnus atratus by Musk Ducks Biziura Lobata. Black Swans have a long incubation period, and as they are unlikely to exhibit egg rejection behaviour, they are potentially suitable as hosts for Musk Duck para­ sitism. Model eggs were used to test whether the success of brood parasitism in this system is constrained by host responses (egg recogni­ tion or nest abandonment), or egg shell strength. The results showed that Black Swans readily accept foreign eggs, even when they are very different from their own. However, there was a substantial loss of weak- shelled model eggs, thought to be accidentally crushed by the swans. The relation of this to the unusually thick shell of Musk Duck eggs is dis­ cussed. KeyWords: interspecific brood parasitism, egg recognition, egg rejection, model experi­ ments, shell thickness Interspecific brood parasitism, or 1992). The hosts of parasitic wildfowl females purposely laying eggs in the mostly involve other wildfowl, but also nests of other species, is relatively gulls (Laridae), Coots Fulica sp. and widespread among wildfowl (Anatidae). ibises (Threskiornithidae). The success The behaviour has been recorded in at of interspecific brood parasitism may least 36 out of Π 6 species (25%), and is be constrained by the timing of the par­ particularly common among the asitism, and by host responses, such as Oxyurini (stiff-tailed ducks; Sayler nest site defence, displacement of par- ©Wildfowl & Wetlands Trust W ild fo w l (2002) 53: 127-135 128 Musk Duck brood parasitism asitic eggs, egg rejection and nest a poorly-studied species, and it is not abandonment (Sayter 1992). clear at present how important inter­ Furthermore, parasitic eggs may be specific brood parasitism is as a damaged when quickly deposited in the reproductive strategy. Attiwil et at. nest or when the host attempts to (1981) is the only other study to report puncture it (Mallory 2000). In response interspecific brood parasitism in the to these constraints, some avian brood Musk Duck. Although further studies parasites have evolved adaptations are needed, it is possible that interspe­ such as egg mimicry and strong egg cific brood parasitism by Musk Ducks shells (Davies 2000). Studies on wild­ may be relatively common, at least fowl have so far found little evidence for under certain circumstances. Musk egg discrimination among host species Ducks are unusual among wildfowl in (Sorenson 1997, Dugger et at. 1999a, that females directly feed their off­ Dugger et at. 1999b). A study of Hooded spring for a considerable amount of Mergansers Lophodytes cucullatus time after leaving the nest (Frith 1967). reported that Common Goldeneye The incubation period of Black Swans Bucephaia clangula eggs were more takes on average about 41 days likely to be at the periphery of the host (Braithwaite 1977), considerably longer clutch (Mallory & Weatherhead 1993). than that of Musk Ducks (about 24 Furthermore, parasitic species do not days, Marchant & Higgins 1990). Black seem to have evolved 'stronger' egg Swans thus offer a relatively large win­ shells than non-parasitic species dow of opportunity during which the (Mallory & Weatherhead 1990). The parasitic egg can hatch before the host lack of adaptations in relation to brood finishes incubation, compared to host parasitism in both hosts and parasites species with shorter incubation. The among wildfowl is often taken as evi­ main incubation periods of Black dence that the costs of parasitism to Swans and Musk Ducks overlap at our hosts and the benefits to the parasites study site (see Methods). Furthermore, are relatively small in species with pre­ incubation of an additional small egg cocial young, compared to those with should not pose a large extra cost to altricial young (Rohwer & Freeman the host and it would thus seem unlike­ 1989, Lyon & Eadie 1991). ly that Black Swans have evolved egg In this paper, a rather unexpected recognition abilities. Lastly, predation host-parasite combination among rates of Black Swan nests are low com­ Australian wildfowl is reported: Musk pared to those of smaller hosts. To Ducks Biziura lobata laying eggs in the assess whether Black Swans make nests of Black Swans Cygnus atratus. suitable hosts for brood parasitism by Although Musk Ducks are known to be Musk Ducks, a field experiment using brood parasites (Attiwil et al. 1981), they model eggs of different mimetic quali­ have not previously been recorded par­ ties and shell strength was undertaken. asitising Black Swans. Musk Ducks are Musk Duck brood parasitism 129 Study Area and Methods found by wading through the study area. The contents of all nests at both The study was conducted between study sites were monitored weekly. No July and October 2000 at two sites in Musk Ducks were ever recorded at central Victoria, Australia: Lake Reedy Lake. Wendouree in Ballarat (S37°33' Egg recognition experiments were E 14-3°4-9 ’ ) and Reedy Lake, near conducted at Reedy Lake during Geelong (S38°11 E14-4-°26'). The main September 2000. No experiments were incubation period for Black Swans in conducted at Lake Wendouree, Victoria takes place between early July because the swans refused to leave and m id-November and clutch size their nest, making it impossible to add varies between two and seven experimental eggs unnoticed. Seven (Kraaijeveld 2003). Lake Wendouree is a types of model eggs, differing in size, permanent lake of 238ha, with a popu­ colour and shell strength, were added lation of around 170 Black Swans who to Black Swan clutches of varying age. are present at the site throughout the White and brown eggs came from year. The swans breed mainly in beds of domestic chickens, whitish eggs came Tall Spike-rush Eleocharis sphacelate, from domestic ducks, and infertile and nests were found by searching veg­ swan eggs from the same population etation by canoe. The lake also has a were also used. To investigate the permanent population of about 20-60 effect of shell strength, we filled some Musk Ducks, which are known to breed of the brown and white chicken eggs regularly [Thomas & Wheeler 1983). with plaster of paris. Shells of swan Most egg-laying by Musk Ducks at the eggs (filled or unfilled) were used as a site occurs between September and control. The dimensions of the experi­ November (Frith 1967; K. Kraaijeveld, mental study eggs are listed in Table 1. pers. obs.). Reedy Lake is a system of Each nest only received one model egg. shallow lakes containing numerous Nests were checked two days after reed beds. The study site was an area addition of a model egg. It was of about 90ha around the perimeter of assumed that during this time both the reed beds, which only floods during partners would have had an opportunity spring. The vegetation consisted of low to reject the model eggs. All experiments rushes and narrow strips of Reed described in this paper were approved Phragmites australis water of less than by the Animal Experimentation Ethics 50cm depth. During the study period Committee at the University of about 130 swans inhabited the area, Melbourne. while at other times of the year the To assess whether the egg shell of study area was dry and no swans were Musk Ducks is stronger than would be present. Nests were mostly located expected from its size, we followed the among strips of reeds and were easily approach of Mallory (2000), using data from Mallory et al. (1990). Linear 130 Musk Duck brood parasitism regression was used to examine the Results relationships between egg mass and shell thickness, or egg mass and egg At Lake Wendouree 66 Black Swan shape. All waterfowl were initially nests were located, constituting 95% of included, and the residuals plotted as a all nests on the lake, and three nests histogram. A second regression was (5%) contained a Musk Duck egg. These then performed on all waterfowl, eggs were greenish white in colour and except the Musk Duck, to generate pre­ unmarked, slightly lighter in colour dictive equations for egg shape and than Black Swan eggs, and consider­ shell thickness based on egg mass. ably smaller (Table 1). One was found in The values for the Musk Duck egg were a clutch of five swan eggs, 21 days after then compared to the 95% confidence the clutch had been completed. The intervals of the predicted value. Data on egg was still present in the nest 17 days egg characteristics were loge trans­ later, after the swan eggs had hatched formed and tested for normality. and the cygnets had left the nest. The egg was cold and contained a fully developed Musk Duck embryo. The second Musk Duck egg was found in a clutch of four swan eggs, 20 days after clutch completion. This egg was still Table 1. Dimensions (mm± SD] of different types of eggs found in nests of Black Swans and of those used in egg recognition experiments (the latter are marked with *). All eggs are plain in colour. Egg Type Length Width Colour Black Swan (n=33) 106±3 67+2 Pale Green Musk Duck (n=2) 58±1 47+7 Pale Greenish-white White Ibis (n=1 ) 68 47 White *Chicken (n=16) 57±2 43±1 Brown or White *Duck (n=12) 62±3 47±1 White Musk Duck brood parasitism 131 present in the nest 14 days later.
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