[摘要] In this review, we (1) clarify terminology for the onset of incubation, refine the concept of partial incubation, and summarize the prevalence of partial incubation. We then (2) examine the potential functions of partial incubation, (3) map individual-level patterns of partial incubation from previous studies onto a recently developed typology of patterns for the onset of incubation (
Wang and Beissinger 2009), and examine intraspecific variability and compare interspecific data with respect to taxonomic and ecological diversity. We also (4) provide a standardized method for determining the individual onset of full incubation, using complete records of nest attendance or incubation from the start of laying to beyond clutch completion. Our goal is to show how data from disparate studies can be used to test hypotheses about the function of partial incubation. Finally, we (5) offer questions that may prove to be fertile areas of research and suggest ways to standardize future data collection and analysis to benefit common research goals.
