What does this research mean for the field?

Apparent advantages in adult reproductive performance among individuals from harsher early-life environments are driven by viability selection (the selective survival of higher-quality individuals) rather than beneficial developmental adaptations to early-life stress. Novelty: ClaimNovelty.INCREMENTAL. Consensus alignment: ConsensusAlignment.NEUTRAL.

What question did this study set out to answer?

This research aims to understand how early-life environmental conditions affect growth, survival, and reproductive success in the Alpine swift.

July 15, 2026Journal of Animal EcologyOpen Access

The role of viability selection in shaping short‐ and long‐term consequences of early‐life conditions: An experiment in the Alpine swift

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Authors

BJBashar JaraysehBethlehem University GMGiulia MasoeroSwiss Ornithological Institute PBPierre BizeSwiss Ornithological Institute

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Implication

Randomized trial examines how early-life conditions influence survival and reproductive success in Alpine swifts, suggesting viability selection impacts fitness.

Key Points

This research aims to understand how early-life environmental conditions affect growth, survival, and reproductive success in the Alpine swift.
Manipulated brood size in 45 pairs between 2003 and 2006.
Followed offspring growth and survival until 2019.
Analyzed the impact of sibling competition on resource allocation.
Brood enlargement reduced average growth and survival, with smaller nestlings and delayed fledging.
Recruitment probability increased with nestling size, indicating strong selection on size.
Individuals from enlarged broods had equal or higher lifetime reproductive output despite lower recruitment.

Cite This Study

Jarayseh et al. (2026) studied this question.

synapsesocial.com/papers/6a57234488b21df875480094 https://doi.org/10.1111/1365-2656.70314

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Implication

Randomized trial examines how early-life conditions influence survival and reproductive success in Alpine swifts, suggesting viability selection impacts fitness.

The role of viability selection in shaping short‐ and long‐term consequences of early‐life conditions: An experiment in the Alpine swift

Discussion

Member takes

Implication

Key Points

Cite This Study

The role of viability selection in shaping short‐ and long‐term consequences of early‐life conditions: An experiment in the Alpine swift

Discussion

Member takes

Implication

Key Points

Cite This Study

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