The Wilson Journal of Ornithology 124(1 ):119-126. 2012 
REPRODUCTIVE LIFE HISTORY TRAITS OF THE YELLOWISH PIPIT 
(.ANTHUS LUTESCENS) 
MAIKON S. FREITAS 1 AND MERCIVAL R. FRANCISCO 12 
ABSTRACT.—We describe reproductive traits of the Yellowish Pipit (Anthus lulescens) in the Slate of Sao Paulo. 
Brazil. We found 32 active nests during three breeding seasons (2008-2010). Domed nests were built exclusively on the 
ground where the grass was sufficiently tall to conceal them. Clutch initiation across years occurred from July to October 
and average ± SD clutch size was 3.05 ± 0.4 eggs or young. Yellowish Pipits were predominantly single-brooded. Eggs 
were pale white with brown spots and blotches that could be more concentrated at the larger end or homogeneously 
distributed over the entire surface. Eggs were 18.2 1 0.8 mm in length. 13.7 - 0.3 mm in width, and weighed 1.7 _0.1_g. 
Incubation and nestling periods lasted 13.03 ± 0.2 and 14.5 ~ 1.0 days, respectively Mean lime incubating/hr was 38 ± 
71 min, and incubation recesses averaged 9.4 t 4 nun. Young were provisioned on average 13.3 £ 7.9 Utne. ,> 
males and females. Estimated overall nesting success using a null model of constant nest survival rates was X e ( - c 
36-97*5). Model selection analyses indicated survival was negatively correlated to nest age and time within the breeding 
reason. Comparisons of Yellowish Pipit life history traits with northern temperate congeners provided support for the 
premises that clutch sizes are smaller and young development is slower in the tropics. The hypothesis that annual fecundity 
;an be similar across latitudes due to a negative correlation between clutch size and number of renesting attempts was not 
supported. Our data contradicted the commonly claimed, but poorly tested hypothesis, that smaller clutch sizes in the 
tropics can he explained by a longer breeding season that permit more opportunities to rencst within the same breeding 
reason. Received 14 February 2Oil. Accepted 15 August 2011. 
Several studies have addressed avian life 
history adaptations of northern temperate versus 
iropical and southern temperate habitats. Broad 
latitudinal patterns of reproductive traits have 
been proposed, i.e.. Southern Hemisphere species 
have smaller clutch siz.es (Moreau 1944, Lack 
1947. Skutch 1949, Murray 1985). lay more 
clutches per year (Lack and Moreau 1965, 
Ricklels 1969). and have longer incubation and 
nestling periods (Skutch 1949). The occurrence of 
latitudinal differences in clutch size has been 
tested (Yoni-Tov et al. 1994. Young 1994. Geffen 
and Yom-Tov 2000, Martin et al. 2000. Ghalam- 
bor and Martin 2001). but the claim thal 
incubation and nestling periods, as well as number 
°l renesting attempts, differ between Northern and 
Southern hemispheres is still not accepted (Geffen 
and Yom-Tov 2000). Only a few studies have 
compared species paired by phylogeny and 
ecology, and attempted to isolate the latitudinal 
effect from the phylogenetic influence (Yom- 
Tov et al. 1994. Marlin et al. 2000, Ghalambor 
and Martin 2001, Martin 2002). Passerines of 
lfle genus Anthus (Motacillidae) are globally 
distributed, and occur on every continent ex- 
Ce pt Antarctica (Ridgcly and Tudor 1994, Tyler 
-1*94). This makes them well suited for studying 
1-niversidade Federal de Sao Carlos, Campus de 
Surocaba, Rod. Joao Lome dos Santos, km 110, Some-aba. 
Sp 18052-780. Brazil. 
Corresponding author; e-mail: mercival@utscar.br 
breeding trail diversification across latitudes. 
However, many motacillids have not been studied 
in detail, especially those in South America (Tyler 
2004). 
We present the first comprehensive description 
of the reproductive life history traits ot the 
South American Yellowish Pipit (A. lutescens). 
Our objectives were to: (1) provide information 
on phenology and duration ot breeding season, 
clutch size, length ot incubation and nestling 
periods, nesting success, renesting attempts, and 
parental care for a Sao Paulo State population, 
southeast Brazil; and (2) compare these life 
history traits with data from the literature lor a 
set of northern temperate congeners. 
METHODS 
Study Area .—Observations of Yellowish Pipits 
were conducted along the Sorocaba River and 
in an adjacent urban park (16 ha), including an 
artificial’ lake of 2.8 ha. The study area is in the 
suburbs of the city of Sorocaba, State of Sao Paulo 
in southeast Brazil (23 28' 99" S, 47 26' 17" W). 
The area is characterized by the presence of large 
patches of exotic grasses (mainly Zoysia japonica 
and Cynodon daetylon). Trees and bushes are 
widely spaced and the grass is kept relatively 
short by employees of Sorocaba city prefecture, 
which provided suitable breeding habitat for 
Yellowish Pipits. The climate is tropical with 
two well-marked seasons: a humid, hot season 
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