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Summary: BEHAVIORAL ECOLOGY
Daniel R. Ardia
Cross-fostering reveals an effect of spleen size and nest temperatures
on immune responses in nestling European starlings
Received: 3 November 2004 / Accepted: 29 March 2005 / Published online: 11 May 2005
Ó Springer-Verlag 2005
Abstract Immunocompetence may be a good measure of
offspring quality, however, factors affecting variation in
immune responses are not clear. Research suggests that
immune function can vary due to differences in genetics,
development conditions and individual quality. Here, I
examined factors affecting variation in immune response
among nestling European starlings through a split-nest
cross-fostering brood manipulation that included two
important covariates: spleen size and nest temperatures.
Immunocompetence was assessed via a cell-mediated
immune response to phytohaemagglutinin (PHA). This
paper provides the first direct evidence that individuals
with large spleens also mount strong immune responses.
Exposure to PHA did not cause splenomegaly, as there
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