rebecca's pocket

» A new study shows that when female house finches are exposed to mites, they produce hormonal changes that cause them to lay eggs containing male babies last—males are more vulnerable to mites than females. The hormones also accelerate the development of the males while they're still in the egg so that they can leave the nest sooner. "Mothers essentially hid their sons in the eggs." Alexander V. Badyaev, The University of Arizona assistant professor of ecology and evolutionary biology. (via abatc)