Interrelationships between egg dimensions, pore numbers, incubation time, and adult body mass in Procellariiformes with special reference to the Antarctic petrel Thalassoica antarctica

Abstract

Dimensions of eggs and eggshells and pore density are reported for eggs of the Antarctic Petrel Thalassoica Antarctica (as well as eggs of the Snow Petrel Pagodroma nivea). Allometric relationships are used to estimate the initial egg mass, total number of pores and incubation time. The initial egg mass for Antarctic Petrel was estimated to 83 g, and the incubation time to 55 days. The total pore number in Antarctic Petrel was estimated to 4212 and in Snow Petrel 2654 pores per egg. Using data from 8 species of Procellariiformes, the relationship between total pore counts, initial egg mass and incubation time is described.