Green-tailed towhees were tested whether increased offspring number increased plasma corticosterone levels, reducing size or increased growth rate. Bayesian analysis revealed interacting effects of corticosterone and offspring number on patterns of growth and development, with increased corticosterone levels generally relating to negative effects. I suggest corticosterone may play an important role in physiologically mediating the tradeoff between offspring number and quality.

Don't forget coffee, tea and goodies at the Pre-Colloquium Tea at 3:30 in the 3rd Floor Open Area in the BSS building. For the complete abstract, please go to
http://www.humboldt.edu/math/colloquium/index.html