Does parental heart rate affect embryonic heart rate during incubation? An experiment in Common Terns Sterna hirundo

Abstract Embryonic heart rate is a strong determinant of metabolic and the embryonic development in oviparous species. In humans, positively correlated with mother. However, human embryos do not develop autonomously from maternal circulatory system, making it impossible to separate control an independent adjustment its that birds, does occur mother, while embryo can auditively perceive incubating parent. this study, we used Common Terns ( Sterna hirundo ) experimentally test whether affected by parental during incubation. We artificially incubated freshly laid eggs under standardized conditions continuously exposed them sound either slow or fast throughout first 18 days development. At day (a few before hatching) there was no significant difference between both treatments. There also effect treatment on total duration hatching success. suggest may be parent because natural rates are very sensitive external fluctuate drastically, need relatively stable for optimal