University of Groningen
Reproduction, growth and immune function
Ndithia, Henry Kamau
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Publication date:
2019
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Citation for published version (APA):
Ndithia, H. K. (2019). Reproduction, growth and immune function: novel insights in equatorial tropical birds.
University of Groningen.
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Reproduction, growth and immune function:
novel insights in equatorial tropical birds
The research presented in this thesis was carried out at the Animal Ecology Group, Groningen Institute for Evolutionary Life Sciences (GELIFES) at the University of Groningen, The Netherlands.
The research was financially supported by The Netherlands Fellowship Programme (NFP) of Nuffic, grant No. CF6833/2010 to Prof. Dr. Irene Tieleman (BIT) and this author (HKN), the Netherlands Organization for Scientific Research ((NWO-VIDI to BIT), the Young Academy project grant to BIT and HKN, the University of Groningen to H.K.N., the Schure-Beijerinck-Popping Fonds to BIT and HKN, and Dr. J.L. Dobberke foundation to BIT and HKN National Museums of Kenya (employer) provided support in kind to HKN.
The printing of this thesis was funded by the University of Groningen and the Faculty of Science and Engineering (FSE)
Citation: Ndithia, H.K. 2019. Reproduction, growth and immune function: novel insights in equatorial tropical birds. PhD thesis, University of Groningen, Groningen, The Netherlands. Layout: Loes Kema
Figures: Henry Ndithia
Cover design: Henry Ndithia and Loes Kema Photographs: Henry Ndithia and Pieter van Veelen Printed by: GVO drukkers & vormgevers B.V. ISBN: 978-94-034-1734-9
ISBN: 978-94-034-1733-2 (electronic version) © 2019 H.K. Ndithia (hndithia@gmail.com)
Reproduction, growth and immune
function
Novel insights in equatorial tropical birds
Phd thesis
to obtain the degree of PhD at the University of Groningen
on the authority of the Rector Magnificus prof. E. Sterken
and in accordance with the decision by the College of Deans. This thesis will be defended in public on
Friday 14 June 2019 at 11.00 hours by
Henry Kamau Ndithia born on 31 December 1971
The research presented in this thesis was carried out at the Animal Ecology Group, Groningen Institute for Evolutionary Life Sciences (GELIFES) at the University of Groningen, The Netherlands.
The research was financially supported by The Netherlands Fellowship Programme (NFP) of Nuffic, grant No. CF6833/2010 to Prof. Dr. Irene Tieleman (BIT) and this author (HKN), the Netherlands Organization for Scientific Research ((NWO-VIDI to BIT), the Young Academy project grant to BIT and HKN, the University of Groningen to H.K.N., the Schure-Beijerinck-Popping Fonds to BIT and HKN, and Dr. J.L. Dobberke foundation to BIT and HKN National Museums of Kenya (employer) provided support in kind to HKN.
The printing of this thesis was funded by the University of Groningen and the Faculty of Science and Engineering (FSE)
Citation: Ndithia, H.K. 2019. Reproduction, growth and immune function: novel insights in equatorial tropical birds. PhD thesis, University of Groningen, Groningen, The Netherlands. Layout: Loes Kema
Figures: Henry Ndithia
Cover design: Henry Ndithia and Loes Kema Photographs: Henry Ndithia and Pieter van Veelen Printed by: GVO drukkers & vormgevers B.V. ISBN: 978-94-034-1734-9
ISBN: 978-94-034-1733-2 (electronic version) © 2019 H.K. Ndithia (hndithia@gmail.com)
Reproduction, growth and immune
function
Novel insights in equatorial tropical birds
Phd thesis
to obtain the degree of PhD at the University of Groningen
on the authority of the Rector Magnificus prof. E. Sterken
and in accordance with the decision by the College of Deans. This thesis will be defended in public on
Friday 14 June 2019 at 11.00 hours by
Henry Kamau Ndithia born on 31 December 1971
in NAIVASHA, Kenia
Reproduction, growth and immune
function
Novel insights in equatorial tropical birds
Phd thesis
to obtain the degree of PhD at the University of Groningen
on the authority of the Rector Magnificus prof. E. Sterken
and in accordance with the decision by the College of Deans. This thesis will be defended in public on
Friday 14 June 2019 at 11.00 hours by
Henry Kamau Ndithia born on 31 December 1971
Supervisor
Prof. B.I. TielemanCo-supervisor
Prof. M. Muchane
Assessment Committee
Prof. B. Helm Prof. M.E. Visser Prof. L. Lens
Contents
Chapter 1 General Introduction and scope of thesis 7 Chapter 2 Year-round breeding equatorial Larks from three
climatically-distinct populations do not use rainfall, temperature or invertebrate biomass to time reproduction
19
Chapter 3 Geographical and temporal variation in environmental
conditions affects nestling growth but not immune function in a yearround breeding equatorial lark
43
Chapter 4 No downregulation of immune function during breeding in two year-round breeding bird species in an equatorial East African environment
67
Chapter 5 Environment, not reproduction explains variation in immune
function in three year-round breeding equatorial lark populations 85 Chapter 6 General discussion and synthesis 107
References 119 English summary 137 Nederlandse samenvatting 142 Acknowledgement/Dankwoord 149 Addresses of Co-authors 153 List of publications 154 Dr. M. Muchai
Supervisor
Prof. B.I. TielemanCo-supervisor
Prof. M. Muchane
Assessment Committee
Prof. B. Helm Prof. M.E. Visser Prof. L. Lens
Contents
Chapter 1 General Introduction and scope of thesis 7 Chapter 2 Year-round breeding equatorial Larks from three
climatically-distinct populations do not use rainfall, temperature or invertebrate biomass to time reproduction
19
Chapter 3 Geographical and temporal variation in environmental
conditions affects nestling growth but not immune function in a yearround breeding equatorial lark
43
Chapter 4 No downregulation of immune function during breeding in two year-round breeding bird species in an equatorial East African environment
67
Chapter 5 Environment, not reproduction explains variation in immune
function in three year-round breeding equatorial lark populations 85 Chapter 6 General discussion and synthesis 107
References 119 English summary 137 Nederlandse samenvatting 142 Acknowledgement/Dankwoord 149 Addresses of Co-authors 153 List of publications 154
