Male size predicts extrapair paternity in a socially monogamous bird with extreme sexual size dimorphism

Wells, Sarah J.; Ji, Weihong; Dale, James; Jones, Bronwyn; Gleeson, Dianne

doi:10.1093/beheco/aru173

Cited by 18 publications

(26 citation statements)

References 64 publications

Supporting

Mentioning

Contrasting

Order By: Relevance

“…However, Reid et al (2015) did not include any aspect of sexually selected traits in their study, therefore it was unclear how selection for good genes might be affected. Although we do not include a measure of good genes selection here, this was the focus of another study on this tui population during the same time period (Wells et al, 2015). In contrast to the findings of Reid et al (2015), the study found that extra-pair mating in this population of tui is not random: EPMs are more ornamented than their WPM counterparts, and males with smaller throat ornaments are more likely to be cuckolded (Wells et al, 2015).…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 80%

“…A previous analysis of this population found that paternity success is correlated to male ornamentation and body size (Wells et al, 2015). Here, we examine whether paternity success is also related to the genetic relatedness of the parents.…”

Section: Effect Of Genetic Relatedness On Paternity Successmentioning

confidence: 90%

“…A previous study on a population of this honeyeater (Meliphagidae), revealed that both within-pair and EPP success are positively related to the size of a male's white throat feather ornament, suggesting mating preference for good genes (Wells et al, 2015). However, mate choice for genetic compatibility could also be an important adaptation to avoid inbreeding in this species because natal philopatry is common in both sexes and is exacerbated by competition for breeding territories near nectar resources (Stewart, 1980;Bergquist, 1985;Stewart and Craig, 1985).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 88%

“…Tui are socially monogamous but have a very high rate of EPP (57% of all offspring in 72% of all broods), and therefore the potential exists for females to gain significant indirect benefits from extra-pair mating (Wells et al, 2015). A previous study on a population of this honeyeater (Meliphagidae), revealed that both within-pair and EPP success are positively related to the size of a male's white throat feather ornament, suggesting mating preference for good genes (Wells et al, 2015).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

See 3 more Smart Citations

Population Social Structure Facilitates Indirect Fitness Benefits from Extra-Pair Mating

Wells

Gleeson

et al. 2017

Front. Ecol. Evol.

Self Cite

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Despite decades of research, empirical support for the "compatible genes" and "good genes" hypotheses as explanations for adaptive female extra-pair mating remains discordant. One largely un-tested theoretical prediction that could explain equivocal findings is that mating for compatible genes benefits should reduce selection for good genes. However, this prediction does not consider demographic parameters, such as social structuring, that can indirectly influence extra-pair paternity (EPP) outcomes. Drawing on evidence from a previous study, we re-evaluate this hypothesis whilst considering social structuring in a population of tui, Prosthemadera novaeseelandiae, a socially monogamous passerine. Previous research has found possible evidence for mating for good genes because male ornament size correlates with EPP success in this population. Here, we test whether non-random inbreeding of social-pairs indirectly provides the opportunity to gain compatibility benefits from EPP, and thus whether selection for compatible genes and good genes can operate simultaneously. We found that (1) social mates were more closely related than expected through random mating, (2) extra-pair males (EPMs) were less closely related to females than were the females' within-pair mates, and (3) genetically dissimilar males sired offspring with faster growth rates. These results demonstrate that females gain compatible genes benefits from EPP. However, contrary to the compatible genes hypothesis, females in highly-related pairs did not engage more frequently in extra-pair mating. Together with previous research investigating female mate choice in this population, our findings suggest that social pairings between relatives provide a pathway for females to gain compatible genes benefits whilst engaging in extra-pair mating for good genes. This study provides evidence that some fitness benefits from EPP arise automatically through non-random social mating rather than through direct selection on extra-pair mate choice. We argue that when variance in compatibility benefits is an outcome of population structuring, compatible genes benefits need not be gained at the expense of good genes benefits.

show abstract

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 80%

Section: Effect Of Genetic Relatedness On Paternity Successmentioning

confidence: 90%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 88%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

See 2 more Smart Citations

Population Social Structure Facilitates Indirect Fitness Benefits from Extra-Pair Mating

Wells

Gleeson

et al. 2017

Front. Ecol. Evol.

Self Cite

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

show abstract

“…Alternatively, part of the answer may be extra-pair paternity. Cope (2008) found high levels of extra-pair paternity in the Tiri bellbird populations and Wells et al (2015) found high extra-pair paternity rates in a closely related New Zealand honeyeater, the tui (Prosthemadera novaeseelandiae). Taff et al (2012) found that male plumage features were associated with within-pair mating success while song consistency was associated with extra-pair paternity in the common yellowthroat (Geothlypis trichas).…”

Section: Female Song and Social Selectionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Female Song Rate and Structure Predict Reproductive Success in a Socially Monogamous Bird

2016

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Bird song is commonly regarded as a male trait that has evolved through sexual selection. However, recent research has prompted a re-evaluation of this view by demonstrating that female song is an ancestral and phylogenetically widespread trait. Species with female song provide opportunities to study selective pressures and mechanisms specific to females within the wider context of social competition. We investigated the relationship between reproductive success and female song performance in the New Zealand bellbird (Anthornis melanura), a passerine resident year round in New Zealand temperate forests. We monitored breeding behavior and song over 3 years on Tiritiri Matangi Island. Female bellbirds contributed significantly more toward parental care than males (solely incubating young and provisioning chicks at more than twice the rate of males). Female song rate in the vicinity of the nest was higher than that of males during incubation and chick-rearing stages but similar during early-nesting and post-breeding stages. Using GLMs, we found that female song rates during both incubation and chick-rearing stages strongly predicted the number of fledged chicks. However, male song rate and male and female chick provisioning rates had no effect on fledging success. Two measures of female song complexity (number of syllable types and the number of transitions between different syllable types) were also good predictors of breeding success (GLM on PC scores). In contrast, song duration, the total number of syllables, and the number of "stutter" syllables per song were not correlated with fledging success. It is unclear why male song rate was not associated with reproductive success and we speculate that extra-pair paternity might play a role. While we have previously demonstrated that female bellbird song is important in intrasexual interactions, we clearly demonstrate here that female song predicts reproductive success. These results, with others, highlight the need for a change in how we view the significance of female secondary sexual traits; traits long underestimated due to a focus on male song.

show abstract

How much multiple paternity should we expect? A study of birds and contrast with mammals

Dobson,

Correia,

Abebe

2024

Ecology and Evolution

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Parentage analyses via molecular markers have revealed multiple paternity within the broods of polytocous species, reshaping our understanding of animal behavior, ecology, and evolution. In a meta‐analysis of multiple paternity in bird and mammal species, we conducted a literature search and found 138 bird and 64 mammal populations with microsatellite DNA paternity results. Bird populations averaged 19.5% multiple paternity and mammals more than twice that level (46.1%). We used a Bayesian approach to construct a null model for how multiple paternity should behave at random among species, under the assumption that all mated males have equal likelihood of siring success, given mean brood size and mean number of sires. We compared the differences between the null model and the actual probabilities of multiple paternity. While a few bird populations fell close to the null model, most did not, averaging 34.0‐percentage points below null model predictions; mammals had an average probability of multiple paternity 13.6‐percentage points below the null model. Differences between bird and mammal species were also subjected to comparative phylogenetic analyses that generally confirmed our analyses that did not adjust for estimated historical relationships. Birds exhibited extremely low probabilities of multiple paternity, not only compared to mammals but also relative to other major animal taxa. The generally low probability of multiple paternity in birds might be produced by a variety of factors, including behaviors that reflect sexual selection (extreme mate guarding or unifocal female choice) and sperm competition (e.g., precedence effects favoring fertilization by early or late matings).

show abstract

Male size predicts extrapair paternity in a socially monogamous bird with extreme sexual size dimorphism

Cited by 18 publications

References 64 publications

Population Social Structure Facilitates Indirect Fitness Benefits from Extra-Pair Mating

Population Social Structure Facilitates Indirect Fitness Benefits from Extra-Pair Mating

Female Song Rate and Structure Predict Reproductive Success in a Socially Monogamous Bird

How much multiple paternity should we expect? A study of birds and contrast with mammals

Contact Info

Product

Resources

About