Genetic and environmental effects on the timing of wing moult in the barnacle goose

Abstract

Genetic and environmental effects on the timing of wing moult were analysed in a breeding barnacle goose (Branta leucopsis) population recently established in the Baltic area. Start of wing moult of adults was found to be correlated with number of fledged young produced and start of wing moult of their breeding partners. Date of birth and age were not significantly correlated with start of wing moult although the length of the interval between hatching date of broods and start of wing moult was correlated with age. Repeatability estimates were significantly different from zero showing individual consistency of start of wing moult between years. Offspring-parent regressions and full-sib analyses yielded significant heritability estimates for start of wing moult. No indications of maternal effects were found. An especially high degree of resemblance between one-year-old full-sibs indicated the presence of a common environment effect on start of wing moult. © 1996 The Genetical Society of Great Britain.