Pairing patterns in relation to body size, genetic similarity and multilocus heterozygosity in a tropical monogamous bird species

Abstract

The relative influence of genetic and phenotypic quality on pairing status and mating patterns in socially monogamous species remains poorly documented. We studied social status and pairing patterns in relation to genetic similarity and multilocus heterozygosity (MLH) estimates from 11 microsatellite markers, and both tarsus length and wing chord (as a measure of competitive ability in territorial defence) in a socially monogamous tropical bird species where individuals defend territories year-round, alone or in pairs, the Zenaida dove, Zenaida aurita. Tarsus length and wing chord did not differ between unpaired territorial birds and paired ones in either sex, whereas paired females, but not paired males, tended to be more heterozygous than unpaired ones. Among 84 pairs, we found no evidence for assortative mating for tarsus length, wing chord, MLH or genetic similarity. However, within pairs, male wing chord was positively related to female MLH and female tarsus length was positively related to male MLH, with no evidence for local effects, suggesting assortative mating by individual quality. Although the observed pattern of mating in Zenaida doves may be the product of mutual mate choice, further assessment of this hypothesis requires direct investigation of both mating preference in each sex and lifetime reproductive success in relation to body size and MLH.

Adult survival selection in relation to multilocus heterozygosity and body size in a tropical bird species, the Zenaida dove, Zenaida aurita

“…Finally, our results confirm previous findings on the same population (Quinard et al 2014). The correlation between wing chord and tarsus length tended to be stronger in males than in females, whereas wing chord was positively correlated with MLH in females, but not in males.…”

“…The correlation between wing chord and tarsus length tended to be stronger in males than in females, whereas wing chord was positively correlated with MLH in females, but not in males. Although various interpretations can be advanced for this (see Quinard et al 2014 for a detailed discussion), additional data, particularly on growth and morphological development in each sex, are needed to assess the generality and biological significance of these observed sex-related differences.…”

“…Previous analyses have shown that body size differs between territorial individuals and individuals feeding in flocks on alternative food resources (Sol et al 2005;Monceau et al 2011Monceau et al , 2013b. Although MLH was previously found to have no influence on traits potentially related to fitness, such as foraging tactic, competitive ability, or fluctuating asymmetry (Monceau et al 2013b), both body size (as estimated from tarsus length and wing chord) and MLH have been recently found to influence pairing patterns in Zenaida doves (Quinard et al 2014). We therefore considered that both parameters could be regarded as reliable proxies for individual quality and, as such, influence adult survival in our study population.…”

Reduced sexual dichromatism, mutual ornamentation, and individual quality in the monogamous Zenaida dove Zenaida aurita

“…Each group of correlated color variables were tested for differences related to sex, territorial status, heterozygosity level, wing chord and body condition, as well as two‐way interactions, through performing backward stepwise MANOVAs. Interactions were included to account for the fact that relationships between heterozygosity level, body size (wing chord) and condition tend to differ according to the sex and social status of individuals (Quinard et al ). To that end, we used the ‘manova’ function with the Wilks test option, followed by the corresponding ANOVAs using the ‘aov’ function.…”