Txontes prefer well-fed

1996/12/01 Elhuyar Zientzia Iturria: Elhuyar aldizkaria

• Zoologia

The Australian txonta male prefers the well-fed female to the normal diet. The essay was conducted in the Scottish city of Glasgow. Females from a group of txonnas have been separated and divided into two groups. Without males, females in the first group have been normally fed.

They have given them a millet and nothing else. In the second group, in addition to millet, they have been given a protein supplement. Thanks to this additive the offspring are stronger.

After two weeks, each group has placed a female in front of the male. This trial has been repeated and the males have preferred well-fed female in two out of three, although by weight and appearance the females of both groups have been equal.

In monogamous animals and in these Australian birds the tasks are carried out backwards, that is, the male (and not the female) is the one who acts rigorously and narrowly to choose his partner and that his descendants be healthy.