Differences in Social Behaviour Between Populations of the Australian Magpie <i>Gymnorhina tibicen</i>

Hughes, Jane; Hesp, J.D.E.; Kallioinen, R. U. O.; Kempster, M. A.; Lange, Corinna L.; Hedstrom, K.E.; Mather, Peter B.; Robinson, A.; Wellbourn, M.J.

doi:10.1071/mu9960065

Cited by 29 publications

(21 citation statements)

References 15 publications

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“…Taken together therefore, both the present data and those of Hughes & Mather (1991) suggest that, in eastern Australia, differences in mean group size are not clearly correlated with geographical locality at a regional spatial scale. Large territorial groups, characteristic of populations such as Seymour (mean 6.65, Hughes et al ., 1996 ; mean 5.25, the present study) and Adelaide (mean 4.84, Hughes & Mather, 1991) in eastern Australia, are apparently limited geographically because areas close by these sites (e.g. Melbourne [mean 3.50], Hughes & Mather, 1991; Phillip Island [mean 2.48], Ouyen [mean 2.70], Horsham [mean 3.83], the present study) exhibited notably smaller mean group size.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Population genetic structure of Australian magpies: evidence for regional differences in juvenile dispersal behaviour

2000

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Territorial group size in Australian magpies (Gymnorhina tibicen) ranges from monogamous pairs to groups of more than 20 individuals. It has been hypothesized that large territorial groups result from the retention of juveniles after a breeding eort. If this is true, local populations consisting of large groups are likely to exhibit the most genetic structure, because over time similar genotypes will tend to be con®ned to limited areas if juveniles are predominantly philopatric. The objective of the present study was to test this hypothesis using allozyme and mitochondrial DNA data to provide indirect estimates of regional gene¯ow (derived from hierarchical population subdivision analyses). These data were used in combination with estimates of group size to infer patterns of dispersal among magpie populations across mainland Australia. Territorial groups were signi®cantly larger in the south-west compared to three eastern regions. Although inferred levels of gene¯ow were substantial for all four regions, a striking pattern emerged from both sets of genetic data: more dierentiation was evident among populations in the south-western region than in any eastern region. We conclude that levels of juvenile dispersal in¯uence group size in G. tibicen, because in the south-western region where groups were largest, populations were most genetically dierentiated. Our results suggest that contrasting population genetic structures may develop within a single species as a result of dierences in social system. Keywords: allozymes, Australian magpie, bird, dispersal, gene¯ow, mitochondrial DNA. IntroductionA characteristic feature of most vertebrates is the permanent movement made by ospring from the site of their birth to their ®rst breeding locality (natal dispersal) and, less conspicuously, subsequent movement from one breeding site to another either within or between breeding seasons (breeding dispersal) (Greenwood et al., 1979).Ecologists have debated for many years why animals leave the relative safety of where they were born in search of a new home they may not even ®nd (Dobson et al., 1998). Costs of such behaviour may include a greater risk of mortality and a lack of knowledge of the new site that may make it more dicult to ®nd food, mates and nesting sites (Fleischer et al., 1984). There are also potential diculties associated with entering established sites and sequestering a new territory (Myers, 1974). On the other hand, several bene®ts may accrue to successful dispersers thus favouring the evolutionary maintenance of dispersal behaviour, e.g. better access to environmental resources such as food and social resources such as mates (Dobson et al., 1998), avoidance of inbreeding depression (Koenig & Pitelka, 1979) and lower exposure to predators and disease (Stenseth & Lidicker, 1992). Overall therefore, the consequences of dispersal can range from premature death without reproducing, to discovery and exploitation of a highquality habitat patch with an ideal mate (Gadgil, 1971).Provided that a disperser reproduc...

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Population genetic structure of Australian magpies: evidence for regional differences in juvenile dispersal behaviour

2000

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“…The Australian magpie is a member of the Artamidae (Christidis & Boles 1994) and its distribution includes most of Australia (Kallioinen et al 1995;Hughes et al 1996). Magpies are omnivorous and eat mainly small invertebrates such as earthworms and insects (Brown & Veltman 1987).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Effects of artificial foods on the blood chemistry of the Australian magpie

2006

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Bird feeding on residential property is a popular activity throughout Western countries. Advocates insist the practice is beneficial, while opponents maintain that it can result in a wide range of negative outcomes including malnutrition. The biological effects of 'backyard feeding' were studied in Australian magpies Gymnorhina tibicen during the non-breeding season in 1999 in the Greater Brisbane and the Lockyer Valley regions, south-east Queensland, Australia. Six magpie populations were selected and 70 birds were individually tagged for identification. The birds were provided with processed foods, 20-40 g per bird daily. To monitor the effects of the food, blood chemistry and body mass (BM) were used as indices. Significant effects were observed in BM and plasma cholesterol (PC), showing strong sensitivity to food provisioning. Significant effects on PC and uric acid were found only when birds were fed dog sausage. Results suggest that blood PC levels in magpies are readily influenced by, probably, the lipids present in food, and that the type of food can affect blood PC levels. These effects may occur widely among fed magpies if the influence that we demonstrated at plasma level can be generalized. Following the free-ranging study, six magpies were captured and subjected to a 6-day captive experiment to determine whether the selected foods had the potential to alter the birds' blood chemistry. It was found that all of the foods, when provided ad libitum, influence at least two of the three blood parameters (PC and non-esterified fatty acids). Due to its popularity, wildlife feeding will continue. To make wildlife-feeding activities truly sustainable, there is a need for further studies. This study clearly demonstrated that the physiology of wild magpies can be affected by 'backyard feeding'.

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“…In southern Australia, magpies breed cooperatively with all group members actively defending the territory and, in some cases, helping with provisioning of young (Finn & Hughes 2001). Plural breeding (i.e more than one female nesting and rearing young) is common (Carrick 1972; Hughes et al . 1996).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

High levels of extra‐group paternity in a population of Australian magpiesGymnorhina tibicen: evidence from microsatellite analysis

et al. 2003

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Breeding systems vary widely in birds, from monogamous pairs through to complex group systems where subordinates assist breeding individuals to rear young each season. The Australian magpie varies geographically both in plumage patterns and social organization. Some populations of both eastern and western plumage forms are plural breeders with group size varying from three to over 15 mature individuals. This study used variation at microsatellite loci to determine the level of extra-group paternity in a population of the western form near Perth in Western Australia. Extra-group paternity was the highest recorded for any bird species to date (82%) and indicates that few offspring within a territory are sired by the social partner of the female. In addition, the data indicated that nearly 10% of juveniles were not the genetic offspring of any female within their territory, suggesting some intraspecific brood parasitism. Taken together, these findings are remarkable considering the highly territorial nature of the species and the extent of territorial defence practised by all members of the group towards extra-group conspecifics during daylight hours.

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Differences in Social Behaviour Between Populations of the Australian Magpie Gymnorhina tibicen

Cited by 29 publications

References 15 publications

Population genetic structure of Australian magpies: evidence for regional differences in juvenile dispersal behaviour

Population genetic structure of Australian magpies: evidence for regional differences in juvenile dispersal behaviour

Effects of artificial foods on the blood chemistry of the Australian magpie

High levels of extra‐group paternity in a population of Australian magpiesGymnorhina tibicen: evidence from microsatellite analysis

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