Dynamic shifts in social network structure and composition within a breeding hybrid population

Abstract

1. Mating behaviour and the timing of reproduction can inhibit genetic exchange between closely related species; however, these reproductive barriers are challenging to measure within natural populations. Social network analysis provides promising tools for studying the social context of hybridization, and the exchange of genetic variation, more generally.

Prevalence and intensity of avian malaria in a quail hybrid zone

“…3,000'. Please see Zonana et al (2019), Zonana et al (2021) for detailed maps of our study site in relation to each species' range.…”

“…The California quail × Gambel's quail hybrid zone is located along an ecological transition between the relatively mesic habitat of California quail to the relatively xeric habitat of Gambel's quail. In the hybrid zone, California and Gambel's quail can live in stable mixedspecies coveys during the nonbreeding season, and individuals disband for breeding in the spring (Gee, 2003(Gee, , 2004Leopold, 1977;Zonana et al, 2019Zonana et al, , 2021. There is no evidence for assortative mating in the hybrid zone, and local gene exchange occurs frequently in disjunct patches of species overlap (Gee, 2003(Gee, , 2004.…”

“…(2019), Zonana et al. (2021) for detailed maps of our study site in relation to each species' range. Hybrid reproductive success at this sympatric study site is moderate, based on comparisons of clutch size and hatching success with the two parental species (Gee, 2003).…”

Animal social networks: Towards an integrative framework embedding social interactions, space and time

“…Similarly, while past research has established that sociality affects fitness (Brent et al., 2017; Silk et al., 2009, 2010), Formica et al, 2020 show that this effect may be condition‐dependent while Turner et al, 2020 (show that different types of social interactions have different effects on individual fitness according to ontogenetic stages. Such dynamics in individual sociality, group structure as well as condition‐dependent effects of sociality on fitness may help better explain evolutionary processes such as population structure and gene flow dynamics (Zonana et al, 2020). These two studies highlight the important necessity to integrate the heterogeneity of social and ecological environments in which individuals live when studying evolutionary processes responsible for the emergence, maintenance and selection of group phenotypic composition (Vander Wal, 2021).…”

“…(5) Which, how and why are the consequences of such social plasticity on developmental, life history traits, ecological genetics, evolutionary biology, populations and community ecology? Considering influences determining sociality and plasticity, as well as condition‐dependent effects of sociality on fitness (Formica et al, 2020; Turner et al, 2020), facilitates a better understanding of evolution processes such as group/population structures, sexual selection and gene flow (Zonana et al, 2020). (6) Points 1 to 5 focus on the drivers shaping sociality in the same time point and space of the observed sociality.…”