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<p>Temporal variations or long-term shifts in the body size of individuals in a local population of animal species may arise as a consequence of different environmental triggers, including changes in ambient temperature, nutrition and other biological interactions. Here, we studied the female traits, including body size and mass, and reproduction in a small local population of Tawny Owls (<i>Strix aluco</i>) that have been breeding in a temperate forest for four decades (1985–2024). Several different individual variations and performance patterns were revealed. The breeding females significantly decreased in wing length and even more so in tail length from the late 2000s on, but remained similar in body mass over the four decades. The breeding events of females in grey plumage decreased significantly over the study period. Age of females varied significantly without a directional trend. Furthermore, the breeding performance of the females was not explained by age or linear body measurements but was significantly explained by body mass. We suppose that Tawny Owl responded mostly to local environmental selection drivers through female body size change to balance the acquisition of a good body condition, which is closely linked to breeding performance.</p>

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The long-term pattern of change in Tawny Owl female characteristics in a local population indicates a rapid shift in body size, but not in body mass

  • 期刊论文

  • 发表日期：

    2025年4月16日

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  • Saulius Rumbutis,
  • Gintarė Grašytė,
  • Rimgaudas Treinys

摘要

Temporal variations or long-term shifts in the body size of individuals in a local population of animal species may arise as a consequence of different environmental triggers, including changes in ambient temperature, nutrition and other biological interactions. Here, we studied the female traits, including body size and mass, and reproduction in a small local population of Tawny Owls (Strix aluco) that have been breeding in a temperate forest for four decades (1985–2024). Several different individual variations and performance patterns were revealed. The breeding females significantly decreased in wing length and even more so in tail length from the late 2000s on, but remained similar in body mass over the four decades. The breeding events of females in grey plumage decreased significantly over the study period. Age of females varied significantly without a directional trend. Furthermore, the breeding performance of the females was not explained by age or linear body measurements but was significantly explained by body mass. We suppose that Tawny Owl responded mostly to local environmental selection drivers through female body size change to balance the acquisition of a good body condition, which is closely linked to breeding performance.