The Dodo bird (Raphus cucullatus) was a flightless bird that lived on the island of Mauritius and went extinct in the late 17th century. Several factors affected the reproductive success of the Dodo. Here are some of these factors and how they impacted reproductive success:
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Habitat Loss:
- Impact: The arrival of humans led to deforestation and the destruction of the Dodo's natural habitat. This reduction in suitable nesting sites limited the places where Dodos could lay their eggs, affecting nesting success and overall reproductive output.
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Invasive Species:
- Impact: Invasive animals, such as rats, pigs, and monkeys, were introduced by humans and preyed upon Dodo eggs and young chicks. The increased predation pressure reduced the number of surviving offspring, directly impacting the reproductive success of the species.
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Low Reproductive Rate:
- Impact: Dodos likely had a low reproductive rate, laying only one or two eggs per nesting attempt. This low fecundity meant that they had limited opportunities to replenish their population, making them particularly vulnerable to extinction pressures.
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Nesting Behavior:
- Impact: Dodos nested on the ground and relied on camouflage to protect their eggs. This behavior made their nests more susceptible to predation by introduced species, which could easily find and eat the eggs, reducing hatching success rates.
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Human Exploitation:
- Impact: Early human settlers hunted Dodos for food. The direct hunting pressure further reduced the adult population, leading to fewer breeding pairs and a decrease in the overall reproductive success.
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Environmental Changes:
- Impact: Changes to the island's ecosystem due to human activities and invasive species could have altered food availability for Dodos. If food resources were diminished, it could negatively affect their health, breeding behavior, and the ability to care for young.
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Limited Genetic Diversity:
- Impact: Being a small island population, Dodos may have had limited genetic diversity. This can lead to inbreeding, which can reduce fertility and viability of offspring, ultimately affecting reproductive success.
Overall, the combination of human intervention, resource competition, and ecological changes created an unsustainable environment for the Dodo bird, leading to its reproductive decline and eventual extinction.