La Tour du Valat

Institut de recherche pour la conservation des zones humides méditerranéennes

Titre :	Sensitivity of comparative analyses to population variation in trait values: clutch size and cavity excavation tendencies
Auteurs :	M. Monkkonen, Auteur ; T. E. Martin, Auteur
Type de document :	Article
Dans :	Journal of Avian Biology (31(4) DEC 2000)
Article en page(s) :	576-579
Langues:	Anglais
Résumé :	Importance of within-species (population) variation in trait values to correlations of traits among species has received very little attention in comparative analyses. We use randomization and bootstrapping techniques to provide a sensitivity analysis of the influence of population variation on correlations between clutch size and propensity to excavate. These traits are predicted to be negatively correlated under the limited breeding opportunities hypothesis, but opposing results have been found by two studies using different population estimates for western Palearctic Paridae. Our analyses support the limited breeding opportunities hypothesis and suggest low sensitivity to within-species variation in trait values. Yet, a small proportion of population data provide non-significant results. Checking for the effects of this variation on the postulated association between traits is necessary in comparative studies if one wishes to avoid type I and type II errors.

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