Ecogeography of group size suggests differences in drivers of sociality among cooperatively breeding fairywrens

Johnson, Allison E.; Welklin, Joseph F.; Hoppe, Ian R.; Shizuka, Daizaburo

doi:10.1098/rspb.2022.2397

Cited by 4 publications

(4 citation statements)

References 77 publications

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“…However, Malurus cyaneus (Superb Fairywrens), which have helpers that do not enhance group productivity despite the presence of alloparental care, showed the opposite trend (Johnson et al 2023). Thus, it is suggested that differences in the costs and benefits of sociality may contribute to these opposing eco-geographical patterns (Johnson et al 2023). The observed patterns of group size among C. fasciatus across the precipitation gradient within western Ecuador align with those previously recorded for Malurus assimilis , whereby larger group sizes are found in drier areas.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…A recent study showed opposing ecogeographic patterns of aggression, and social group size along a steep environmental gradient in two congeneric cooperatively breeding species of fairywrens (Maluridae) (Johnson et al 2023). Malurus assimilis (Purple-backed fairywrens), which have helpers that increase group productivity, have larger groups in hot and dry environments and smaller groups in cool and wet environments (Johnson et al 2023). However, Malurus cyaneus (Superb Fairywrens), which have helpers that do not enhance group productivity despite the presence of alloparental care, showed the opposite trend (Johnson et al 2023).…”

Section: Group Size and Aggressionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Malurus assimilis (Purple-backed fairywrens), which have helpers that increase group productivity, have larger groups in hot and dry environments and smaller groups in cool and wet environments (Johnson et al 2023). However, Malurus cyaneus (Superb Fairywrens), which have helpers that do not enhance group productivity despite the presence of alloparental care, showed the opposite trend (Johnson et al 2023). Thus, it is suggested that differences in the costs and benefits of sociality may contribute to these opposing eco-geographical patterns (Johnson et al 2023).…”

Section: Group Size and Aggressionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Interspecific Aggression Of Two Wrens Along An Environmental Gradient In Western Ecuador

Montalvo,

Kimball,

Robinson

2023

Preprint

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Interspecific territoriality is a prevalent form of interference competition among animals. However, the connections between hybridization, climate, and interspecies territorial aggression in tropical regions remain largely unexplored. Here, we investigated territorial aggression in two hybridizing tropical bird species, C. z. brevirostris and C. f. pallescens, in western Ecuador using playback experiments. We tested three hypotheses: 1) hybridizing species exhibit comparable intra- and inter-specific territorial aggression; 2) asymmetrical aggression driven by C. z. brevirostris dominance determines gene flow patterns; and 3) precipitation influences territorial aggression. Supporting hypothesis 1, the admixed C. f. pallescens North showed no difference in intra- vs inter-specific aggression. However, the non-admixed C. f. pallescens South exhibited greater inter-specific aggression, providing partial support for hypothesis 1. Contrary to hypothesis 2, C. f. pallescens South displayed significantly higher aggression than C. z. brevirostris and C. f. pallescens North. Furthermore, precipitation models outperformed null models, supporting hypothesis 3 that precipitation influences Campylorhynchus territorial aggression. Collectively, these findings suggest hybridization can stabilize coexistence via territoriality, and precipitation strongly affects aggression, potentially through resource availability. Unexpectedly, C. z. brevirostris dominance did not appear to drive asymmetric introgression between species, warranting further investigation into the underlying mechanisms. Complex factors shape territorial aggression in tropical birds, including genetic admixture, group size, latitude, and climate. This study highlights the need for additional research elucidating the relationships between hybridization, territoriality, and environmental stressors in tropical avian communities. We discuss possible mechanisms explaining the detected effects of precipitation on aggression and the lack of C. z. brevirostris dominance in determining introgression patterns.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Group Size and Aggressionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Group Size and Aggressionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Interspecific Aggression Of Two Wrens Along An Environmental Gradient In Western Ecuador

Montalvo,

Kimball,

Robinson

2023

Preprint

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“…It occurs across a wide range of taxa and is common in birds (Cockburn 2006). Many studies have examined its evolutionary drivers (Cockburn 2020), revealing an association with various ecological factors or life-history attributes (Arnold and Owens 1998;Rubenstein and Lovette 2007;Jetz and Rubenstein 2011;Feeney et al 2013;Gonzalez et al 2013;Griesser et al 2017;Lukas and Clutton-Brock 2017;Cockburn 2020;Johnson et al 2023). Across cooperative breeders, the majority of helpers are offspring or relatives of the breeding pair that have delayed the onset of dispersal and independent reproduction (Koenig et al 1992;Kokko and Ekman 2002;Kingma et al 2021), but unrelated individuals can also help (Riehl 2013).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Family-living and cooperative breeding in birds are associated with the number of avian predators

Bliard,

Dufour,

Griesser

et al. 2023

Preprint

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Cooperative breeding occurs when individuals contribute parental care to offspring that are not their own, and numerous intra- and inter-specific studies have aimed to explain the evolution of this behaviour. Recent comparative work suggests that family living (i.e., when offspring remain with their parents beyond independence) is a critical steppingstone in the evolution of cooperative breeding. Thus, it is key to understand the factors that facilitate the evolution of family living. Within-species studies suggest that protection from predators is a critical function of group living, through both passive benefits such as dilution effects, and active benefits such as nepotistic antipredator behaviours in kin groups. However, the association between predation risk and the formation and prevalence of family groups and cooperative breeding remains untested globally. Here we use phylogenetic comparative analyses including 2984 bird species to show that family living and cooperative breeding are associated with increased occurrence of avian predators. These cross-species findings lend support to previous suggestions based on intraspecific studies that social benefits of family living, such as protection against adult predation, could favour the evolution of delayed dispersal and cooperative breeding.

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Plural breeding among unrelated females and other insights on complex social structure in the cooperatively breeding Variegated Fairywren

Boersma

Thrasher

Welklin

et al. 2023

Emu - Austral Ornithology

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Cooperatively breeding species vary widely in degree of social complexity, and disentangling relationships among group members can reveal the costs and benefits of cooperation. Here, we explore the social system of a relatively unstudied cooperatively breeding bird, the Variegated Fairywren (Malurus lamberti), and explore how social complexity and group dynamics may affect cooperation and conflict. We used a combination of field-based population monitoring and detailed social association observations to determine group membership annually across four breeding seasons (2014 -2017), and used a ddRAD-seq genotyping method to determine genetic relationships within social groups. Social groups ranged in size from 2 -8 individuals and nearly half of all social groups had multiple adult individuals of both sexes. Approximately two-thirds of those groups exhibited plural breeding, in which multiple females within the same social group nested individually on the same territory. Genetic relationships were diverse across social groups, and many consisted of a combination of relatives and non-relatives of each sex. Notably, although related females often were present within a social group, co-breeding females in the same social group were never closely related to each other. Given extensive variation in relatedness among group members, cooperation in the Variegated Fairywren is likely maintained by a combination of direct and indirect fitness benefits..

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Ecogeography of group size suggests differences in drivers of sociality among cooperatively breeding fairywrens

Cited by 4 publications

References 77 publications

Interspecific Aggression Of Two Wrens Along An Environmental Gradient In Western Ecuador

Interspecific Aggression Of Two Wrens Along An Environmental Gradient In Western Ecuador

Family-living and cooperative breeding in birds are associated with the number of avian predators

Plural breeding among unrelated females and other insights on complex social structure in the cooperatively breeding Variegated Fairywren

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