Sample size
Two blood samples were available for analysis from 91 zebra finches from 62 nests - a total of 182 samples. 73% of these samples yielded enough DNA for assaying telomere length successfully using qPCR – a total of 133 samples from 83 individuals from 57 nests, 50 of these individuals from 38 nests were measured successfully for telomere length at both day 3 and day 11. Of the 83 individuals analysed successfully for telomere length, 78 individuals from 60 nests, a total of 106 samples, were analysed successfully for MS-AFLP. 28 of these individuals from 23 nests were measured successfully for MS-AFLP at both day 3 andday 11. Sample failures during qPCR analysis were generally due to an insufficient DNA yield from a small initial blood sample. Sample failures during MS-AFLP analysis were generally due to the sensitivity of the MS-AFLP protocol to DNA concentration during the restriction digest step. Due to logistical constraints during field work, tarsus length and/or clutch size was not recorded for six nestlings from five nests, leading to the final sample sizes reported in Table 1 and 2.