Determinants and consequences of territory quality in the Bar-throated Apalis Apalis thoracica

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.

Grantor dc:publisher.institution

Department of Biological Sciences

Year dc:date.issued

2011

Author dc:creator

• Chaskda, Adams Adamanyiwa

Advisors dc:contributor.advisor

• Hockey, Phil A R
• Lloyd, Penn

Language dc:language.iso

eng

Handle dc:identifier.uri

http://hdl.handle.net/11427/10257

OAI identifier oai:identifier

oai:open.uct.ac.za:11427/10257