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Table 1 Summary of contrasting predictions of conspecific parasitism (CP) and interspecific parasitism (IP) hypotheses and the results for the two focal host species in this study

From: Host responses to interspecific brood parasitism: a by-product of adaptations to conspecific parasitism?

Response

CP

IP

Results of this study

 

(thrushes)

(cuckoo)

Blackbird

Song thrush

Conspecific egg rejection

+

–

+

+

CP rejection rate

CZ<NZ

n.a.

CZ<NZ

CZ<NZ

CP rejection latency

CZ>NZ

n.a.

CZ<NZ

CZ~NZ

IP rejection rate

n.a.

CZS>CZA>NZ

CZS<CZA>NZ

CZS~CZA~NZ

IP rejection latency

n.a.

CZS<CZA<NZ

CZS~CZA~NZ

CZS~CZA~NZ

  1. Populations of European blackbirds and song thrush, in the Czech Republic (CZ) are either sympatric (S) or micro-allopatric (A; as denoted by subscripts), populations in New Zealand (NZ) are all macro-allopatric with common cuckoos. CP predictions for Czech Republic vs. New Zealand populations are based on differences in the breeding densities of thrushes (higher in New Zealand for both species) and refer to host responses to conspecific eggs. IP predictions are based on sympatry vs. allopatry with cuckoos and refer to non-mimetic cuckoo-like model eggs. See Introduction for the rationale of predictions. n.a. = not applicable.