Summary
Allometric relationships of incubation length (I), water vapor conductance (\({{\text{G}}_{{{\text{H}}_{\text{2}}}{\text{O}}}}\)), and total functional pore area (Ap) as a function of egg weight (W), were established in 90 species of birds. A constant was derived which expresses the interrelationship between three variables.Thus (\({{\text{G}}_{{{\text{H}}_{\text{2}}}{\text{O}}}}\) · I)/W = 5.13 ± 0.86 S.D. [mg/(g·torr)]. Similar constants were derived for O2 and CO2 conductances and discussed in relation to the metabolic requirements and water loss of eggs during incubation. It is proposed that the total quantity of water lost and the total quantity of O2 taken up per gram of egg is independent of egg size and incubation period.
This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.
Access this chapter
Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout
Purchases are for personal use only
Preview
Unable to display preview. Download preview PDF.
References
Ar, A., Paganelli, C.V., Reeves, R.B., Greene, D.G., Rahn, H.: The avian egg: water vapor conductance, shell thickness and functional pore area. Condor 76, 153–158 (1974)
Drent, R.: Incubation. In: Avian Biology, Vol. V. Farner, D.S., King, J.R. (eds.). New York: Academic Press, 1975, p. 351
Hammel, H.T., Rahn, H.: Incubation water loss in eggs of the Adelie Penguin and the McCormick Skua. Am. J. Physiol. in press (1978)
Lomholt, J.P.: Relationship of weight loss to ambient humidity of birds eggs during incubation. J. Comp. Physiol. 105, 189–196 (1976)
Rahn, H., Ackerman, R.A., Paganelli, C.V.: Humidity in the avian nest and egg water loss during incubation. Physiol. Zool. 50, 269–283 (1977)
Rahn, H., Ar, A.: The avian egg: incubation time and water loss. Condor 76, 147–152 (1974)
Rahn, H., Paganelli, C.V., Ar, A.: The avian egg: aircell gas tension, metabolism and incubation time. Respir. Physiol. 22, 297–309 (1974)
Rahn, H., Paganelli, C.V., Nisbet, I.C.T., Whittow, G.C.: Regulation of incubation water loss in eggs of seven species of terns. Physiol. Zool. 49, 245–259 (1976)
Schönwetter, M.: Handbuch der Oologie, Lief. 1–24. Meise, M. (ed.). Berlin: Akademie Verlag, 1962–74
Visschedijk, A.H.J.: The air space and embryonic respiration. The pattern of gaseous exchange in the fertile egg during the closing stages of incubation. Brit. Poultry Sci. 9, 173–184 (1968)
Wangensteen, O.D., Rahn, H.: Respiratory gas exchange by the avian embryo. Respir. Physiol. 11, 31–45 (1970/71)
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Editor information
Editors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
Copyright information
© 1978 Springer-Verlag Berlin Heidelberg
About this paper
Cite this paper
Ar, A., Rahn, H. (1978). Interdependence of Gas Conductance, Incubation Length, and Weight of the Avian Egg. In: Piiper, J. (eds) Respiratory Function in Birds, Adult and Embryonic. Proceedings in Life Sciences. Springer, Berlin, Heidelberg. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-642-66894-4_31
Download citation
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-642-66894-4_31
Publisher Name: Springer, Berlin, Heidelberg
Print ISBN: 978-3-642-66895-1
Online ISBN: 978-3-642-66894-4
eBook Packages: Springer Book Archive