Silvina Ippi

Estación Biológica Senda Darwin: Investigación ecológica de largo plazo en la interfase ciencia-sociedad

This article discusses Senda Darwin Biological Station and the work of the scientists who study the anthropological role in ecological processes there.

Breeding Biology of the Southern House Wren on Chiloé Island, Southern Chile

Abstract We studied the breeding biology of a Southern House Wren (Troglodytes aedon chilensis) population using nest boxes on Chiloé Island, southern Chile (41° S) to make latitudinal comparisons at the intraspecific level. There were no significant differences in body size between adult males and females, although wings were significantly longer in males. Clutch size averaged 4.3 eggs per nest, and brood size was 3.9 nestlings. Egg size averaged 17.3 mm in length and 13.2 mm in width. Incubation and nestling periods averaged 16 days each. The Southern House Wren on Chiloé Island has a larger clutch size than in the tropics, but a smaller clutch size than populations at the same latitude in the Northern Hemisphere. The Southern House Wren has larger eggs and a longer incubation period but a similar nestling period as House Wrens in the Northern Hemisphere.

Shared territorial defence in the suboscine Aphrastura spinicauda

ABSTRACT Territorial behaviour is an active and typically aggressive behaviour used to defend resources. Here, we investigated the presence of shared territorial defence behaviour during conspecific intrusions in the Thorn-tailed Rayadito (Aphrastura spinicauda), a suboscine species that generally does not maintain long-term pair bonds. We found that, compared to females, males displayed more alarm calling during their response, approached closer and were also more physically aggressive towards conspecific intruders. Despite these differences, the defence behaviour of males and females was highly correlated during territorial responses to simulated intruders. To our knowledge, this is the first report of coordinated or joint territorial defence in a South American suboscine that generally only maintains short-term pair bonds.