Re: Herbivore protection

[NJPharris@aol.com]

In a message dated 97-06-01 03:01:35 EDT, jbois@umd5.umd.edu (John Bois)
writes:

> Can anyone here cite an unequivocal case of a relatively
>  large nesting species which sites its nests in order to satiate
>  predators rather than to avoid them?

Well, since you brought it up, how about mainland-nesting sea turtles?
 Offshore islands would probably have a much lower predator population (and
giving live birth at sea would be even safer).


>  Big, visible egg-layers in a hospitable place would
>  likely have a surplus of predators, over and above the base
>  number.

While it is possible (even likely) that more predators took notice of
hadrosaurs during nesting time, the new predators' numbers would still be
limited by the year-round availability of their usual prey.  Hence, there
would be a somewhat larger population of predators to satiate, but satiation
would still be possible.



>  Selection on
>  clutch-size must be influenced by hatchling->juvenile->through
>  adult predation.

Well, yes, but for all animals, AFAIK, the most vulnerable time is right at
the beginning.