1
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Sin SYW, Ke F, Chen G, Huang PY, Enbody ED, Karubian J, Webster MS, Edwards SV. Genetic Basis and Evolution of Structural Color Polymorphism in an Australian Songbird. Mol Biol Evol 2024; 41:msae046. [PMID: 38415852 PMCID: PMC10962638 DOI: 10.1093/molbev/msae046] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/13/2023] [Revised: 02/02/2024] [Accepted: 02/22/2024] [Indexed: 02/29/2024] Open
Abstract
Island organisms often evolve phenotypes divergent from their mainland counterparts, providing a useful system for studying adaptation under differential selection. In the white-winged fairywren (Malurus leucopterus), subspecies on two islands have a black nuptial plumage whereas the subspecies on the Australian mainland has a blue nuptial plumage. The black subspecies have a feather nanostructure that could in principle produce a blue structural color, suggesting a blue ancestor. An earlier study proposed independent evolution of melanism on the islands based on the history of subspecies divergence. However, the genetic basis of melanism and the origin of color differentiation in this group are still unknown. Here, we used whole-genome resequencing to investigate the genetic basis of melanism by comparing the blue and black M. leucopterus subspecies to identify highly divergent genomic regions. We identified a well-known pigmentation gene ASIP and four candidate genes that may contribute to feather nanostructure development. Contrary to the prediction of convergent evolution of island melanism, we detected signatures of a selective sweep in genomic regions containing ASIP and SCUBE2 not in the black subspecies but in the blue subspecies, which possesses many derived SNPs in these regions, suggesting that the mainland subspecies has re-evolved a blue plumage from a black ancestor. This proposed re-evolution was likely driven by a preexisting female preference. Our findings provide new insight into the evolution of plumage coloration in island versus continental populations, and, importantly, we identify candidate genes that likely play roles in the development and evolution of feather structural coloration.
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Affiliation(s)
- Simon Yung Wa Sin
- School of Biological Sciences, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China
- Department of Organismic and Evolutionary Biology, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA 02138, USA
| | - Fushi Ke
- School of Biological Sciences, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China
| | - Guoling Chen
- School of Biological Sciences, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China
| | - Pei-Yu Huang
- School of Biological Sciences, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China
| | - Erik D Enbody
- Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, Tulane University, New Orleans, LA 70118, USA
| | - Jordan Karubian
- Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, Tulane University, New Orleans, LA 70118, USA
| | - Michael S Webster
- Cornell Lab of Ornithology and Department of Neurobiology and Behavior, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY 14853, USA
| | - Scott V Edwards
- Department of Organismic and Evolutionary Biology, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA 02138, USA
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2
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Oud MD, Mahoney SM, Pageau C, de Menezes MA, Smith N, Briskie JV, Reudink MW. Global patterns of plumage color evolution in island-living passeriform birds. PLoS One 2023; 18:e0294338. [PMID: 38100474 PMCID: PMC10723677 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0294338] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/06/2023] [Accepted: 10/30/2023] [Indexed: 12/17/2023] Open
Abstract
Island environments have the potential to change evolutionary trajectories of morphological traits in species relative to their mainland counterparts due to habitat and resource differences, or by reductions in the intensity of social or sexual selection. Latitude, island size, and isolation may further influence trait evolution through biases in colonization rates. We used a global dataset of passerine plumage color as a model group to identify selective pressures driving morphological evolution of island animals using phylogenetically-controlled analyses. We calculated chromaticity values from red and blue scores extracted from images of the majority of Passeriformes and tested these against the factors hypothesized to influence color evolution. In contrast to predictions based on sexual and social selection theory, we found consistent changes in island female color (lower red and higher blue chromaticity), but no change in males. Instead, island size and distance from mainland and other islands influenced color in both sexes, reinforcing the importance of island physiognomy in shaping evolutionary processes. Interactions between ecological factors and latitude also consistently influenced color for both sexes, supporting a latitudinal gradient hypothesis. Finally, patterns of color evolution varied among families, indicating taxon-specific microevolutionary processes in driving color evolution. Our results show island residency influences color evolution differently between sexes, but the patterns in both sexes are tempered by ecological, island characteristics, and phylogenetic effects that further vary in their importance among families. The key role of environmental factors in shaping bird plumage on islands further suggests a reduced importance of sexual and social factors in driving color evolution.
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Affiliation(s)
- Madison D. Oud
- Department of Biological Sciences, Thompson Rivers University, Kamloops, BC, Canada
| | - Sean M. Mahoney
- Department of Biological Sciences, Thompson Rivers University, Kamloops, BC, Canada
- School of Natural Resources and the Environment, The University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ, United States of America
| | - Claudie Pageau
- Department of Biological Sciences, Thompson Rivers University, Kamloops, BC, Canada
| | - Marcio Argollo de Menezes
- Physics Institute, Fluminense Federal University, Niteroi, Brazil
- National Institute of Science and Technology on Complex Systems, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Nathan Smith
- Department of Biological Sciences, Thompson Rivers University, Kamloops, BC, Canada
| | - James V. Briskie
- School of Biological Sciences, University of Canterbury, Christchurch, New Zealand
| | - Matthew W. Reudink
- Department of Biological Sciences, Thompson Rivers University, Kamloops, BC, Canada
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3
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Porter CK, Romero FG, Adams DC, Bowie RCK, Riddell EA. Adaptive and non-adaptive convergent evolution in feather reflectance of California Channel Islands songbirds. Proc Biol Sci 2023; 290:20231914. [PMID: 37964520 PMCID: PMC10646447 DOI: 10.1098/rspb.2023.1914] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/25/2023] [Accepted: 10/23/2023] [Indexed: 11/16/2023] Open
Abstract
Convergent evolution is widely regarded as a signature of adaptation. However, testing the adaptive consequences of convergent phenotypes is challenging, making it difficult to exclude non-adaptive explanations for convergence. Here, we combined feather reflectance spectra and phenotypic trajectory analyses with visual and thermoregulatory modelling to test the adaptive significance of dark plumage in songbirds of the California Channel Islands. By evolving dark dorsal plumage, island birds are generally less conspicuous to visual-hunting raptors in the island environment than mainland birds. Dark dorsal plumage also reduces the energetic demands associated with maintaining homeothermy in the cool island climate. We also found an unexpected pattern of convergence, wherein the most divergent island populations evolved greater reflectance of near-infrared radiation. However, our heat flux models indicate that elevated near-infrared reflectance is not adaptive. Analysis of feather microstructure suggests that mainland-island differences are related to coloration of feather barbs and barbules rather than their structure. Our results indicate that adaptive and non-adaptive mechanisms interact to drive plumage evolution in this system. This study sheds light on the mechanisms driving the association between dark colour and wet, cold environments across the tree of life, especially in island birds.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cody K. Porter
- Department of Ecology, Evolution, and Organismal Biology, Iowa State University, Ames, IA 50011, USA
| | - Faye G. Romero
- Department of Biology, University of Rochester, Rochester, NY 14620, USA
| | - Dean C. Adams
- Department of Ecology, Evolution, and Organismal Biology, Iowa State University, Ames, IA 50011, USA
| | - Rauri C. K. Bowie
- Museum of Vertebrate Zoology and Department of Integrative Biology, University of California Berkeley, Berkeley, CA 94720, USA
| | - Eric A. Riddell
- Department of Ecology, Evolution, and Organismal Biology, Iowa State University, Ames, IA 50011, USA
- Department of Biology, University of North Carolina – Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, USA
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4
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Gavriilidi I, De Meester G, Van Damme R, Baeckens S. How to behave when marooned: the behavioural component of the island syndrome remains underexplored. Biol Lett 2022; 18:20220030. [PMID: 35440235 PMCID: PMC9039784 DOI: 10.1098/rsbl.2022.0030] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/19/2022] [Accepted: 03/25/2022] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Animals on islands typically depart from their mainland relatives in assorted aspects of their biology. Because they seem to occur in concert, and to some extent evolve convergently in disparate taxa, these changes are referred to as the 'island syndrome'. While morphological, physiological and life-history components of the island syndrome have received considerable attention, much less is known about how insularity affects behaviour. In this paper, we argue why changes in personality traits and cognitive abilities can be expected to form part of the island syndrome. We provide an overview of studies that have compared personality traits and cognitive abilities between island and mainland populations, or among islands. Overall, the pickings are remarkably slim. There is evidence that animals on islands tend to be bolder than on the mainland, but effects on other personality traits go either way. The evidence for effects of insularity on cognitive abilities or style is highly circumstantial and very mixed. Finally, we consider the ecological drivers that may induce such changes, and the mechanisms through which they might occur. We conclude that our knowledge of the behavioural and cognitive responses to island environments remains limited, and we encourage behavioural biologists to make more use of these 'natural laboratories for evolution'.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ioanna Gavriilidi
- Functional Morphology Lab, Department of Biology, University of Antwerp, Wilrijk, Belgium
- Section of Zoology and Marine Biology, Department of Biology, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Greece
| | - Gilles De Meester
- Functional Morphology Lab, Department of Biology, University of Antwerp, Wilrijk, Belgium
| | - Raoul Van Damme
- Functional Morphology Lab, Department of Biology, University of Antwerp, Wilrijk, Belgium
| | - Simon Baeckens
- Functional Morphology Lab, Department of Biology, University of Antwerp, Wilrijk, Belgium
- Evolution and Optics of Nanostructures Lab, Department of Biology, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium
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5
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Robert A, Melo M, Lengagne T, Julien S, Gomez D, Doutrelant C. Patterns of bird song evolution on islands support the character release hypothesis in tropical but not in temperate latitudes. J Evol Biol 2021; 34:1580-1591. [PMID: 34510616 DOI: 10.1111/jeb.13928] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/17/2020] [Revised: 09/02/2021] [Accepted: 09/03/2021] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
The character release hypothesis-which predicts that a decline in interspecific competition leads to the expansion of trait expression-remains to be tested for communication signals. Taking advantage of the fact that oceanic islands host fewer species than the mainland, we tested whether island birds show an increase in frequency bandwidth of acoustic signals compared with mainland birds. Given the higher animal diversity and more saturated acoustic space in the tropics, we expected acoustic character release, if any, to be stronger in the tropics than in the temperate zone. We field recorded 22 bird species (11 pairs consisting of an endemic island species and its closest mainland relative) breeding at similar latitudes and in similar habitats: six tropical pairs (São Tomé Island/Mount Cameroon) and five temperate pairs (Madeira Island/southern France). For each species, we measured the degree of acoustic interference experienced when vocalizing and the spectral characteristics of its song (minimum and maximum frequencies, bandwidth). As expected, island species spent more time vocalizing alone, and any overlap in vocalizations involved fewer species. The vocalizations of island species spanned broader frequency bandwidths than their mainland counterparts in the tropics (true for all six pairs), but this pattern was less evident in the temperate region (2/5 pairs with no marked differences and 1/5 with opposite pattern). Overall, the character release of communication signals only occurred where the differential in number of species was large (tropics). We discuss latitude differences and the potential factors driving the observed differences.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aloïs Robert
- CEFE UMR 5175, CNRS - Univ. Montpellier - EPHE, Montpellier, France
| | - Martim Melo
- CIBIO Centro de Investigação em Biodiversidade e Recursos Genéticos, InBio Laboratório Associado, Campus Agrário de Vairão, Universidade do Porto, Vairão, Portugal.,MHNC-UP Museu de História Natural e da Ciência da Universidade do Porto, Porto, Portugal.,FitzPatrick Institute of African Ornithology, DST Centre of Excellence, University of Cape Town, Rondebosch, South Africa
| | - Thierry Lengagne
- UMR 5023 Université de Lyon, Écologie des Hydrosystèmes Naturels et Anthropisés, Université, ENTPE, CNRS, Villeurbanne, France
| | - Sacha Julien
- CEFE UMR 5175, CNRS - Univ. Montpellier - EPHE, Montpellier, France
| | - Doris Gomez
- CEFE UMR 5175, CNRS - Univ. Montpellier - EPHE, Montpellier, France
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6
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Valcu CM, Valcu M, Kempenaers B. The macroecology of extra-pair paternity in birds. Mol Ecol 2021; 30:4884-4898. [PMID: 34265114 DOI: 10.1111/mec.16081] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/09/2021] [Revised: 07/07/2021] [Accepted: 07/12/2021] [Indexed: 01/14/2023]
Abstract
Extra-pair paternity (EPP) is a key aspect of the mating behaviour of birds and its frequency varies widely among populations and species. Several hypotheses predict patterns of geographical variation in the occurrence and frequency of EPP, but a global-scale study on variation in this trait is still lacking. We collected data on EPP from 663 populations of 401 avian species and explored the geographical variation in the frequency of EPP among populations, species and species assemblages. We modelled the variation in the frequency of EPP within the species' breeding range accounting for the specific ecological context of each population, and used the model predictions to compute frequencies of EPP at the level of species assemblages. A global map of assemblage-level EPP rates shows clear differences between zoogeographical realms, with the highest EPP values in the Nearctic realm. Our results show that the frequency of EPP (1) decreases with latitude and increases with the distance from the breeding range boundary within the species' breeding range, (2) is negatively associated with generation length and pair-bond duration among species, and (3) decreases with latitude at assemblage level. The latitudinal decline of EPP is consistent across zoogeographical realms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cristina-Maria Valcu
- Department of Behavioural Ecology and Evolutionary Genetics, Max Planck Institute for Ornithology, Seewiesen, Germany
| | - Mihai Valcu
- Department of Behavioural Ecology and Evolutionary Genetics, Max Planck Institute for Ornithology, Seewiesen, Germany
| | - Bart Kempenaers
- Department of Behavioural Ecology and Evolutionary Genetics, Max Planck Institute for Ornithology, Seewiesen, Germany
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7
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Walsh J, Campagna L, Feeney WE, King J, Webster MS. Patterns of genetic divergence and demographic history shed light on island-mainland population dynamics and melanic plumage evolution in the white-winged Fairywren. Evolution 2021; 75:1348-1360. [PMID: 33543771 DOI: 10.1111/evo.14185] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/19/2020] [Revised: 01/12/2021] [Accepted: 01/26/2021] [Indexed: 12/28/2022]
Abstract
The existence of distinct traits in island versus mainland populations offers opportunities to gain insights into how eco-evolutionary processes operate under natural conditions. We used two island colonization events in the white-winged fairywren (Malurus leucopterus) to investigate the genomic and demographic origin of melanic plumage. This avian species is distributed across most of Australia, and males of the mainland subspecies (M. l. leuconotus) exhibit a blue nuptial plumage in contrast to males of two island subspecies - M. l. leucopterus on Dirk Hartog Island and M. l. edouardi on Barrow Island - that exhibit a black nuptial plumage. We used reduced-representation sequencing to explore differentiation and demographic history in this species and found clear patterns of divergence between mainland and island populations, with additional substructuring on the mainland. Divergence between the mainland and Dirk Hartog was approximately 10 times more recent than the split between the mainland and Barrow Island, supporting two independent colonizations. In both cases, estimated gene flow between the mainland and the islands was low, contributing to signals of divergence among subspecies. Our results present demographic reconstructions of mainland-island dynamics and associated plumage variation in white-winged fairywrens, with broader implications regarding our understanding of convergent evolution in insular populations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jennifer Walsh
- Fuller Evolutionary Biology Program, Cornell Lab of Ornithology, 159 Sapsucker Woods Road, Ithaca, New York, USA.,Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, Cornell University, 215 Tower Road, Ithaca, New York, USA
| | - Leonardo Campagna
- Fuller Evolutionary Biology Program, Cornell Lab of Ornithology, 159 Sapsucker Woods Road, Ithaca, New York, USA.,Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, Cornell University, 215 Tower Road, Ithaca, New York, USA
| | - William E Feeney
- Environmental Futures Research Institute, Griffith University, Nathan, Australia.,Department of Behavioural Ecology and Evolutionary Genetics, Max Planck Institute for Ornithology, Seewiesen, Germany
| | - Jacinta King
- Biota Environmental Sciences, 228 Carr Place, Leederville, Perth, Western, Australia
| | - Michael S Webster
- Cornell Lab of Ornithology, 159 Sapsucker Woods Road, Ithaca, New York, USA.,Department of Neurobiology and Behavior, Cornell University, 215 Tower Road, Ithaca, New York, USA
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8
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Beauchamp G. Do avian species survive better on islands? Biol Lett 2021; 17:20200643. [PMID: 33497592 PMCID: PMC7876605 DOI: 10.1098/rsbl.2020.0643] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/03/2020] [Accepted: 12/24/2020] [Indexed: 01/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Island species are often predictably different from their mainland counterparts. Milder climates and reduced predation risk on islands have been involved to explain shifts in body size and a suite of life-history traits such as clutch size and offspring growth rate. Despite the key role of adult survival on risk taking and reproduction, the prediction that living on islands increases adult survival has yet to be tested systematically. I gathered data on adult annual apparent survival from the island and mainland year-round resident species of birds from around the world. With this large dataset (697 species), I found that species of birds living on islands showed higher apparent survival than their mainland counterparts in the two Hemispheres and at all latitudes, controlling for several known predictors of adult survival, including body size, clutch size and breeding system. These results shed light on the ecological factors that influence survival on islands and extend the life-history island syndrome to adult survival.
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9
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Andrade P, Cataldo D, Fontaine R, Rodrigues TM, Queirós J, Neves V, Fonseca A, Carneiro M, Gonçalves D. Selection underlies phenotypic divergence in the insular Azores woodpigeon. ZOOL SCR 2020. [DOI: 10.1111/zsc.12456] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/04/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Pedro Andrade
- CIBIO‐InBIO, Centro de Investigação em Biodiversidade e Recursos Genéticos Universidade do Porto Vairão Portugal
| | - Daniele Cataldo
- Departamento de Biologia Faculdade de Ciências Universidade do Porto Porto Portugal
| | - Rémi Fontaine
- CIBIO‐InBIO, Centro de Investigação em Biodiversidade e Recursos Genéticos Universidade do Porto Vairão Portugal
| | - Tiago M. Rodrigues
- Departamento de Biologia Faculdade de Ciências Universidade do Porto Porto Portugal
- Direção Regional dos Recursos Florestais (DRRF) Azores Portugal
| | - João Queirós
- CIBIO‐InBIO, Centro de Investigação em Biodiversidade e Recursos Genéticos Universidade do Porto Vairão Portugal
| | - Verónica Neves
- MARE, Marine & Environmental Sciences Centre Institute of Marine Research (IMAR) OKEANOS R&D Center Faculdade de Ciências e Tecnologia Universidade dos Açores Horta Portugal
| | - Amélia Fonseca
- Departamento de Biologia Faculdade de Ciências e Tecnologia Universidade dos Açores Azores Portugal
| | - Miguel Carneiro
- CIBIO‐InBIO, Centro de Investigação em Biodiversidade e Recursos Genéticos Universidade do Porto Vairão Portugal
- Departamento de Biologia Faculdade de Ciências Universidade do Porto Porto Portugal
| | - David Gonçalves
- CIBIO‐InBIO, Centro de Investigação em Biodiversidade e Recursos Genéticos Universidade do Porto Vairão Portugal
- Departamento de Biologia Faculdade de Ciências Universidade do Porto Porto Portugal
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10
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Bliard L, Paquet M, Robert A, Dufour P, Renoult JP, Grégoire A, Crochet PA, Covas R, Doutrelant C. Examining the link between relaxed predation and bird coloration on islands. Biol Lett 2020; 16:20200002. [PMID: 32315593 DOI: 10.1098/rsbl.2020.0002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Insular ecosystems share analogous ecological conditions, leading to patterns of convergent evolution that are collectively termed as the 'island syndrome'. In birds, part of this syndrome is a tendency for a duller plumage, possibly as a result of relaxed sexual selection. Despite this global pattern, some insular species display a more colourful plumage than their mainland relatives, but why this occurs has remained unexplained. Here, we examine the hypothesis that these cases of increased plumage coloration on islands could arise through a relaxation of predation pressure. We used comparative analyses to investigate whether average insular richness of raptors of suitable mass influences the plumage colourfulness and brightness across 110 pairs of insular endemic species and their closest mainland relatives. As predicted, we find a likely negative relationship between insular coloration and insular predation while controlling for mainland predation and coloration, suggesting that species were more likely to become more colourful as the number of insular predators decreased. By contrast, plumage brightness was not influenced by predation pressure. Relaxation from predation, together with drift, might thus be a key mechanism of species phenotypic responses to insularity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Louis Bliard
- CEFE UMR 5175, CNRS - Université de Montpellier - EPHE, 1919 route de Mende, 34293 Montpellier Cedex 05, France
| | - Matthieu Paquet
- Department of Ecology, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, Box 7044, SE-75007 Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Aloïs Robert
- CEFE UMR 5175, CNRS - Université de Montpellier - EPHE, 1919 route de Mende, 34293 Montpellier Cedex 05, France
| | - Paul Dufour
- Laboratoire d'Écologie Alpine, Université Grenoble Alpes, CNRS, Université Savoie Mont Blanc, LECA, F-38000 Grenoble, France
| | - Julien P Renoult
- CEFE UMR 5175, CNRS - Université de Montpellier - EPHE, 1919 route de Mende, 34293 Montpellier Cedex 05, France
| | - Arnaud Grégoire
- CEFE UMR 5175, CNRS - Université de Montpellier - EPHE, 1919 route de Mende, 34293 Montpellier Cedex 05, France
| | - Pierre-André Crochet
- CEFE UMR 5175, CNRS - Université de Montpellier - EPHE, 1919 route de Mende, 34293 Montpellier Cedex 05, France
| | - Rita Covas
- CIBIO-InBio, University of Porto, Rua Monte-Crasto, 4485-661 Vairão, Portugal.,Biology Department, Science Faculty, University of Porto, Porto, Portugal.,Percy FitzPatrick Institute, DST-NRF Centre of Excellence, University of Cape Town, Rondebosch 7701, South Africa
| | - Claire Doutrelant
- CEFE UMR 5175, CNRS - Université de Montpellier - EPHE, 1919 route de Mende, 34293 Montpellier Cedex 05, France.,Percy FitzPatrick Institute, DST-NRF Centre of Excellence, University of Cape Town, Rondebosch 7701, South Africa
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11
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Raj Pant S, Komdeur J, Burke TA, Dugdale HL, Richardson DS. Socio-ecological conditions and female infidelity in the Seychelles warbler. Behav Ecol 2019; 30:1254-1264. [PMID: 31579133 PMCID: PMC6765383 DOI: 10.1093/beheco/arz072] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/11/2018] [Revised: 04/05/2019] [Accepted: 05/13/2019] [Indexed: 02/04/2023] Open
Abstract
Within socially monogamous breeding systems, levels of extra-pair paternity can vary not only between species, populations, and individuals, but also across time. Uncovering how different extrinsic conditions (ecological, demographic, and social) influence this behavior will help shed light on the factors driving its evolution. Here, we simultaneously address multiple socio-ecological conditions potentially influencing female infidelity in a natural population of the cooperatively breeding Seychelles warbler, Acrocephalus sechellensis. Our contained study population has been monitored for more than 25 years, enabling us to capture variation in socio-ecological conditions between individuals and across time and to accurately assign parentage. We test hypotheses predicting the influence of territory quality, breeding density and synchrony, group size and composition (number and sex of subordinates), and inbreeding avoidance on female infidelity. We find that a larger group size promotes the likelihood of extra-pair paternity in offspring from both dominant and subordinate females, but this paternity is almost always gained by dominant males from outside the group (not by subordinate males within the group). Higher relatedness between a mother and the dominant male in her group also results in more extra-pair paternity-but only for subordinate females-and this does not prevent inbreeding occurring in this population. Our findings highlight the role of social conditions favoring infidelity and contribute toward understanding the evolution of this enigmatic behavior.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sara Raj Pant
- Centre for Ecology, Evolution and Conservation, School of Biological Sciences, University of East Anglia, Norwich Research Park, Norwich, UK
- Groningen Institute for Evolutionary Life Sciences, Faculty of Science and Engineering, University of Groningen, Groningen, The Netherlands
| | - Jan Komdeur
- Groningen Institute for Evolutionary Life Sciences, Faculty of Science and Engineering, University of Groningen, Groningen, The Netherlands
| | - Terry A Burke
- Department of Animal and Plant Sciences, University of Sheffield, Sheffield, UK
| | - Hannah L Dugdale
- School of Biology, Faculty of Biological Sciences, University of Leeds, Leeds, UK
| | - David S Richardson
- Centre for Ecology, Evolution and Conservation, School of Biological Sciences, University of East Anglia, Norwich Research Park, Norwich, UK
- Nature Seychelles, Roche Caiman, Mahe, Republic of Seychelles
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12
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Lansverk AL, Schroeder KM, London SE, Griffith SC, Clayton DF, Balakrishnan CN. The variability of song variability in zebra finch ( Taeniopygia guttata) populations. ROYAL SOCIETY OPEN SCIENCE 2019; 6:190273. [PMID: 31218064 PMCID: PMC6549970 DOI: 10.1098/rsos.190273] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/14/2019] [Accepted: 04/12/2019] [Indexed: 05/03/2023]
Abstract
Birdsong is a classic example of a learned social behaviour. Song behaviour is also influenced by genetic factors, and understanding the relative contributions of genetic and environmental influences remains a major goal. In this study, we take advantage of captive zebra finch populations to examine variation in a population-level song trait: song variability. Song variability is of particular interest in the context of individual recognition and in terms of the neuro-developmental mechanisms that generate song novelty. We find that the Australian zebra finch Taeniopygia guttata castanotis (TGC) maintains higher song diversity than the Timor zebra finch T. g. guttata (TGG) even after experimentally controlling for early life song exposure, suggesting a genetic basis to this trait. Although wild-derived TGC were intermediate in song variability between domesticated TGC populations and TGG, the difference between domesticated and wild TGC was not statistically significant. The observed variation in song behaviour among zebra finch populations represents a largely untapped opportunity for exploring the mechanisms of social behaviour.
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Affiliation(s)
- Allison L. Lansverk
- Department of Biology, East Carolina University, Greenville, NC, USA
- Author for correspondence: Allison L. Lansverk e-mail:
| | | | - Sarah E. London
- Department of Psychology, University of Chicago, Chicago, IL, USA
| | - Simon C. Griffith
- Department of Biological Sciences, Macquarie University, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
| | - David F. Clayton
- Department of Biological & Experimental Psychology, Queen Mary University of London, London, UK
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13
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Biagolini C, Westneat DF, Francisco MR. Does habitat structural complexity influence the frequency of extra-pair paternity in birds? Behav Ecol Sociobiol 2017. [DOI: 10.1007/s00265-017-2329-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
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14
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Doutrelant C, Paquet M, Renoult JP, Grégoire A, Crochet PA, Covas R. Worldwide patterns of bird colouration on islands. Ecol Lett 2016; 19:537-45. [DOI: 10.1111/ele.12588] [Citation(s) in RCA: 34] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/14/2015] [Revised: 01/08/2016] [Accepted: 01/27/2016] [Indexed: 12/25/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Claire Doutrelant
- CEFE UMR 5175; CNRS - Univ. Montpellier - Univ. Paul-Valéry Montpellier- EPHE; 1919 route de Mende; 34293 Montpellier Cedex 5 France
- Percy FitzPatrick Institute; DST-NRF Centre of Excellence; University of Cape Town; Rondebosch 7701 South Africa
| | - Matthieu Paquet
- CEFE UMR 5175; CNRS - Univ. Montpellier - Univ. Paul-Valéry Montpellier- EPHE; 1919 route de Mende; 34293 Montpellier Cedex 5 France
| | - Julien P. Renoult
- ACTE UMR 8218; CNRS-Univ. Paris 1 Panthéon-Sorbonne; 47 rue des bergers; 75015 Paris France
| | - Arnaud Grégoire
- CEFE UMR 5175; CNRS - Univ. Montpellier - Univ. Paul-Valéry Montpellier- EPHE; 1919 route de Mende; 34293 Montpellier Cedex 5 France
| | - Pierre-André Crochet
- CEFE UMR 5175; CNRS - Univ. Montpellier - Univ. Paul-Valéry Montpellier- EPHE; 1919 route de Mende; 34293 Montpellier Cedex 5 France
| | - Rita Covas
- Percy FitzPatrick Institute; DST-NRF Centre of Excellence; University of Cape Town; Rondebosch 7701 South Africa
- CIBIO-InBio; University of Porto; Rua Monte-Crasto; 4485-661 Vairão Portugal
- Department of Biology; Science Faculty; University of Porto; Porto Portugal
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15
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Song divergence between subspecies of reed bunting is more pronounced in singing styles under sexual selection. Anim Behav 2015. [DOI: 10.1016/j.anbehav.2015.06.024] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
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16
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Liu IA, Johndrow JE, Abe J, Lüpold S, Yasukawa K, Westneat DF, Nowicki S. Genetic diversity does not explain variation in extra-pair paternity in multiple populations of a songbird. J Evol Biol 2015; 28:1156-69. [PMID: 25876793 DOI: 10.1111/jeb.12644] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/19/2014] [Revised: 04/03/2015] [Accepted: 04/08/2015] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
Many songbirds are socially monogamous but genetically polyandrous, mating with individuals outside their pair bonds. Extra-pair paternity (EPP) varies within and across species, but reasons for this variation remain unclear. One possible source of variation is population genetic diversity, which has been shown in interspecific meta-analyses to correlate with EPP but which has limited support from intraspecific tests. Using eight populations of the genetically polyandrous red-winged blackbird (Agelaius phoeniceus), including an island population, we investigated whether population-level differences in genetic diversity led to differences in EPP. We first measured genetic diversity over 10 microsatellite loci and found, as predicted, low genetic diversity in the island population. Additional structure analyses with multilocus genotypes and mtDNA showed the island population to be distinct from the continental populations. However, the island population's EPP rate fell in the middle of the continental populations' distribution, whereas the continental populations themselves showed significant variation in EPP. This result suggests that genetic diversity by itself is not a predictor of EPP rate. We discuss reasons for the departure from previous results, including hypotheses for EPP that do not solely implicate female-driven behaviour.
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Affiliation(s)
- I A Liu
- Department of Biology, Duke University, Durham, NC, USA
| | - J E Johndrow
- Department of Statistical Science, Duke University, Durham, NC, USA
| | - J Abe
- Department of Biology, Duke University, Durham, NC, USA
| | - S Lüpold
- Department of Biology, Syracuse University, Syracuse, NY, USA
| | - K Yasukawa
- Department of Biology, Beloit College, Beloit, WI, USA
| | - D F Westneat
- Department of Biology, University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY, USA
| | - S Nowicki
- Department of Biology, Duke University, Durham, NC, USA
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17
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Spurgin LG, Wright DJ, van der Velde M, Collar NJ, Komdeur J, Burke T, Richardson DS. Museum DNA reveals the demographic history of the endangered Seychelles warbler. Evol Appl 2014; 7:1134-43. [PMID: 25553073 PMCID: PMC4231601 DOI: 10.1111/eva.12191] [Citation(s) in RCA: 44] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/12/2014] [Accepted: 06/30/2014] [Indexed: 01/10/2023] Open
Abstract
The importance of evolutionary conservation – how understanding evolutionary forces can help guide conservation decisions – is widely recognized. However, the historical demography of many endangered species is unknown, despite the fact that this can have important implications for contemporary ecological processes and for extinction risk. Here, we reconstruct the population history of the Seychelles warbler (Acrocephalus sechellensis) – an ecological model species. By the 1960s, this species was on the brink of extinction, but its previous history is unknown. We used DNA samples from contemporary and museum specimens spanning 140 years to reconstruct bottleneck history. We found a 25% reduction in genetic diversity between museum and contemporary populations, and strong genetic structure. Simulations indicate that the Seychelles warbler was bottlenecked from a large population, with an ancestral Ne of several thousands falling to <50 within the last century. Such a rapid decline, due to anthropogenic factors, has important implications for extinction risk in the Seychelles warbler, and our results will inform conservation practices. Reconstructing the population history of this species also allows us to better understand patterns of genetic diversity, inbreeding and promiscuity in the contemporary populations. Our approaches can be applied across species to test ecological hypotheses and inform conservation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lewis G Spurgin
- School of Biological Sciences, University of East Anglia Norwich, Norfolk, UK ; Behavioural Ecology and Self-organization Group, Centre for Ecological and Evolutionary Studies, University of Groningen Groningen, The Netherlands
| | - David J Wright
- School of Biological Sciences, University of East Anglia Norwich, Norfolk, UK ; Department of Animal and Plant Sciences, NERC Biomolecular Analysis Facility, University of Sheffield Sheffield, UK
| | - Marco van der Velde
- Behavioural Ecology and Self-organization Group, Centre for Ecological and Evolutionary Studies, University of Groningen Groningen, The Netherlands
| | - Nigel J Collar
- School of Biological Sciences, University of East Anglia Norwich, Norfolk, UK ; BirdLife International Cambridge, UK
| | - Jan Komdeur
- Behavioural Ecology and Self-organization Group, Centre for Ecological and Evolutionary Studies, University of Groningen Groningen, The Netherlands
| | - Terry Burke
- Department of Animal and Plant Sciences, NERC Biomolecular Analysis Facility, University of Sheffield Sheffield, UK
| | - David S Richardson
- School of Biological Sciences, University of East Anglia Norwich, Norfolk, UK ; Nature Seychelles Roche Caiman, Mahé, Republic of Seychelles
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18
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Bichet C, Penn DJ, Moodley Y, Dunoyer L, Cellier-Holzem E, Belvalette M, Grégoire A, Garnier S, Sorci G. Females tend to prefer genetically similar mates in an island population of house sparrows. BMC Evol Biol 2014; 14:47. [PMID: 24621140 PMCID: PMC3984696 DOI: 10.1186/1471-2148-14-47] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/30/2013] [Accepted: 03/04/2014] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND It is often proposed that females should select genetically dissimilar mates to maximize offspring genetic diversity and avoid inbreeding. Several recent studies have provided mixed evidence, however, and in some instances females seem to prefer genetically similar males. A preference for genetically similar mates can be adaptive if outbreeding depression is more harmful than inbreeding depression or if females gain inclusive fitness benefits by mating with close kin. Here, we investigated genetic compatibility and mating patterns in an insular population of house sparrow (Passer domesticus), over a three-year period, using 12 microsatellite markers and one major histocompability complex (MHC) class I gene. Given the small population size and the distance from the mainland, we expected a reduced gene flow in this insular population and we predicted that females would show mating preferences for genetically dissimilar mates. RESULTS Contrary to our expectation, we found that offspring were less genetically diverse (multi-locus heterozygosity) than expected under a random mating, suggesting that females tended to mate with genetically similar males. We found high levels of extra-pair paternity, and offspring sired by extra-pair males had a better fledging success than those sired by the social male. Again, unexpectedly, females tended to be more closely related to extra-pair mates than to their social mates. Our results did not depend on the type of genetic marker used, since microsatellites and MHC genes provided similar results, and we found only little evidence for MHC-dependent mating patterns. CONCLUSIONS These results are in agreement with the idea that mating with genetically similar mates can either avoid the disruption of co-adapted genes or confer a benefit in terms of kin selection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Coraline Bichet
- Biogéosciences, UMR CNRS 6282, Université de Bourgogne, 6 Boulevard Gabriel, 21000 Dijon, France.
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19
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Rodriguez-Martínez S, Carrete M, Roques S, Rebolo-Ifrán N, Tella JL. High urban breeding densities do not disrupt genetic monogamy in a bird species. PLoS One 2014; 9:e91314. [PMID: 24614308 PMCID: PMC3948869 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0091314] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/15/2013] [Accepted: 02/09/2014] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Urbanization causes widespread endangerment of biodiversity worldwide. However, some species successfully colonize cities reaching higher densities than in their rural habitats. In these cases, although urban city dwellers may apparently be taking advantage of these new environments, they also face new ecological conditions that may induce behavioural changes. For example, the frequency of alternative reproductive behaviours such as extra-pair paternity and intraspecific brood parasitism might increase with breeding densities. Here, using a panel of 17 microsatellites, we tested whether increments in breeding densities such as those associated with urban invasion processes alter genetic monogamy in the burrowing owl Athene cunicularia. Our results show low rates of extra-pair paternity (1.47%), but relatively high levels of intraspecific brood parasitism (8.82%). However, we were not able to detect differences in the frequency at which either alternative reproductive behaviour occurs along a strong breeding density gradient. Further research is needed to properly ascertain the role of other social and ecological factors in the frequency at which this species presents alternative reproductive strategies. Meanwhile, our results suggest that genetic monogamy is maintained despite the increment in conspecific density associated with a recent urban invasion process.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sol Rodriguez-Martínez
- Department of Biology, Biochemistry and Pharmacy, Universidad Nacional del Sur, Bahía Blanca, Argentina
- Department of Conservation Biology, Estación Biológica de Doñana, CSIC, Sevilla, Spain
- * E-mail:
| | - Martina Carrete
- Department of Conservation Biology, Estación Biológica de Doñana, CSIC, Sevilla, Spain
- Department of Physical, Chemical and Natural Systems, Universidad Pablo de Olavide, Sevilla, Spain
| | - Séverine Roques
- Department of Conservation Biology, Estación Biológica de Doñana, CSIC, Sevilla, Spain
| | - Natalia Rebolo-Ifrán
- Department of Ecology, Genetics and Evolution, IEGEBA-CONICET, Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales, Universidad de Buenos Aires, Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - José L. Tella
- Department of Conservation Biology, Estación Biológica de Doñana, CSIC, Sevilla, Spain
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20
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Warrington MH, Rollins LA, Raihani NJ, Russell AF, Griffith SC. Genetic monogamy despite variable ecological conditions and social environment in the cooperatively breeding apostlebird. Ecol Evol 2013; 3:4669-82. [PMID: 24363896 PMCID: PMC3867903 DOI: 10.1002/ece3.844] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/09/2013] [Revised: 09/17/2013] [Accepted: 09/19/2013] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Mating strategies may be context-dependent and may vary across ecological and social contexts, demonstrating the role of these factors in driving the variation in genetic polyandry within and among species. Here, we took a longitudinal approach across 5 years (2006–2010), to study the apostlebird (Struthidea cinerea), an Australian cooperatively breeding bird, whose reproduction is affected by ecological “boom and bust” cycles. Climatic variation drives variation in the social (i.e., group sizes, proportion of males and females) and ecological (i.e., plant and insect abundance) context in which mating occurs. By quantifying variation in both social and ecological factors and characterizing the genetic mating system across multiple years using a molecular parentage analysis, we found that the genetic mating strategy did not vary among years despite significant variation in rainfall, driving primary production, and insect abundance, and corresponding variation in social parameters such as breeding group size. Group sizes in 2010, an ecologically good year, were significantly smaller (mean = 5.8 ± 0.9, n = 16) than in the drought affected years, between 2006 and 2008, (mean = 9.1 ± 0.5, n = 63). Overall, apostlebirds were consistently monogamous with few cases of multiple maternity or paternity (8 of 78 nests) across all years.
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Affiliation(s)
- Miyako H Warrington
- Department of Biological Sciences, Macquarie University Sydney, New South Wales, 2109, Australia
| | - Lee Ann Rollins
- Department of Biological Sciences, Macquarie University Sydney, New South Wales, 2109, Australia
| | - Nichola J Raihani
- Genetics, Evolution and Environment, University College London Gower St, London, WC1E 6BT, U.K
| | - Andrew F Russell
- Centre for Ecology & Conservation, College of Life & Environmental Sciences, University of Exeter Penryn, TR10 9EZ, Cornwall, U.K
| | - Simon C Griffith
- Department of Biological Sciences, Macquarie University Sydney, New South Wales, 2109, Australia ; School of Biological, Earth and Environmental Sciences, University of New South Wales Sydney, New South Wales, 2052, Australia
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21
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García-Navas V, Ferrer ES, Bueno-Enciso J, Barrientos R, Sanz JJ, Ortego J. Extrapair paternity in Mediterranean blue tits: socioecological factors and the opportunity for sexual selection. Behav Ecol 2013. [DOI: 10.1093/beheco/art111] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/14/2022] Open
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22
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Morinay J, Cardoso GC, Doutrelant C, Covas R. The evolution of birdsong on islands. Ecol Evol 2013; 3:5127-40. [PMID: 24455143 PMCID: PMC3892323 DOI: 10.1002/ece3.864] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/05/2013] [Revised: 10/01/2013] [Accepted: 10/02/2013] [Indexed: 12/04/2022] Open
Abstract
Islands are simplified, isolated ecosystems, providing an ideal set-up to study evolution. Among several traits that are expected to change on islands, an interesting but poorly understood example concerns signals used in animal communication. Islands are typified by reduced species diversity, increased population density, and reduced mate competition, all of which could affect communication signals. We used birdsong to investigate whether there are systematic changes in communication signals on islands, by undertaking a broad comparison based on pairs of closely related island-mainland species across the globe. We studied song traits related to complexity (number of different syllables, frequency bandwidth), to vocal performance (syllable delivery rate, song duration), and also three particular song elements (rattles, buzzes, and trills) generally implicated in aggressive communication. We also investigated whether song complexity was related to the number of similar sympatric species. We found that island species were less likely to produce broadband and likely aggressive song elements (rattles and buzzes). By contrast, various aspects of song complexity and performance did not differ between island and mainland species. Species with fewer same-family sympatric species used wider frequency bandwidths, as predicted by the character release hypothesis, both on continents and on islands. Our study supports the hypothesis of a reduction in aggressive behavior on islands and suggests that discrimination against closely related species is an important factor influencing birdsong evolution.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jennifer Morinay
- AgroParisTech 16 Rue Claude Bernard, 75005, Paris, France ; CEFE-CNRS 1919 Route de Mende, 34293, Montpellier Cedex 5, France ; CIBIO, Research Centre in Biodiversity and Genetic Resources, Campus Agrário de Vairão, Rua Padre Armando Quintas 4485-661, Vairão, Portugal
| | - Gonçalo C Cardoso
- CIBIO, Research Centre in Biodiversity and Genetic Resources, Campus Agrário de Vairão, Rua Padre Armando Quintas 4485-661, Vairão, Portugal
| | | | - Rita Covas
- CIBIO, Research Centre in Biodiversity and Genetic Resources, Campus Agrário de Vairão, Rua Padre Armando Quintas 4485-661, Vairão, Portugal ; Biology Department, Science Faculty, University of Porto Porto, Portugal
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23
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Social and genetic mating system of Ridgway's hawk (Buteo ridgwayi), an endemic raptor on Hispaniola. JOURNAL OF TROPICAL ECOLOGY 2013. [DOI: 10.1017/s0266467413000655] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/07/2022]
Abstract
Abstract:Patterns of social organization and mating systems have been shown to be functions of ecological factors such as resource allocation and breeding density. In some species, particularly birds, social organization and genetic mating systems differ with molecular studies providing evidence of extra-pair young frequently occurring within broods of socially monogamous species. Here we examine the social and genetic mating system of an ecologically little-known forest raptor endemic to the island of Hispaniola in the Caribbean. From 2005–2009, our field observations of over 60 breeding pairs verified a social mating system of monogamy for the species. During the same time period, we collected blood samples (n= 146 birds, 48 nests) and used microsatellite profiles from 10 loci to estimate genetic relatedness among nestlings in a brood and assign putative fathers. We found no evidence of extra-pair paternity in 41 broods. We had one instance where a social male was not assigned as the putative father, however, the confidence level of this assignment was not significant since the genotypes of the social and assigned males were very similar. Our results support our hypothesis that genetic monogamy would be exhibited by Ridgway's hawk, an island-endemic tropical raptor.
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24
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Lachlan RF, Verzijden MN, Bernard CS, Jonker PP, Koese B, Jaarsma S, Spoor W, Slater PJB, ten Cate C. The progressive loss of syntactical structure in bird song along an island colonization chain. Curr Biol 2013; 23:1896-901. [PMID: 24076242 DOI: 10.1016/j.cub.2013.07.057] [Citation(s) in RCA: 51] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/25/2013] [Revised: 05/30/2013] [Accepted: 07/16/2013] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
Abstract
Cultural transmission can increase the flexibility of behavior, such as bird song. Nevertheless, this flexibility often appears to be constrained, sometimes by preferences for learning certain traits over others, a phenomenon known as "biased" learning or transmission. The sequential colonization of the Atlantic Islands by the chaffinch (Fringilla coelebs) provides a unique model system in which to investigate how the variability of a cultural trait has evolved. We used novel computational methods to analyze chaffinch song from twelve island and continental populations and to infer patterns of evolution in song structure. We found that variability of the subunits within songs ("syllables") differed moderately between populations but was not predicted by whether the population was continental or not. In contrast, we found that the sequencing of syllables within songs ("syntax") was less structured in island than continental populations and in fact decreased significantly after each colonization. Syntactical structure was very clear in the mainland European populations but was almost entirely absent in the most recently colonized island, Gran Canaria. Our results suggest that colonization leads to the progressive loss of a species-specific feature of song, syntactical structure.
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Affiliation(s)
- Robert F Lachlan
- Department of Biology, Duke University, Durham, NC 27708, USA; Institute of Biology, Leiden University, PO Box 9505, 2300 RA Leiden, the Netherlands; School of Biology, University of St Andrews, St Andrews KY16 9TS, UK.
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25
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Abstract
Island environments typically share characteristics such as impoverished biotas and less-seasonal climates, which should be conducive to specific adaptations by organisms. However, with the exception of morphological studies, broad-scale tests of patterns of adaptation on islands are rare. Here, I examine reproductive patterns in island birds worldwide. Reproductive life histories are influenced by latitude, which could affect the response to insularity; therefore, I additionally test this hypothesis. Island colonizers showed mostly bi-parental care, but there was a significant increase in cooperative breeding on islands. Additionally, I found support for previous suggestions of reduced fecundity, longer developmental periods and increased investment in young on islands. However, clutch size increased with latitude at a rate nearly five times faster on the mainland than on the islands revealing a substantially stronger effect of insularity at higher latitudes. Latitude and insularity may also interact to determine egg volume and incubation periods, but these effects were less clear. Analyses of reproductive success did not support an effect of reduced nest predation as a driver of reproductive change, but this requires further study. The effect of latitude detected here suggests that the evolutionary changes associated with insularity relate to environmental stability and improved adult survival.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rita Covas
- CIBIO, Research Centre in Biodiversity and Genetic Resources, Campus Agrário de Vairão, Rua Padre Armando Quintas, 4485-661 Vairão, Portugal.
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26
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Lee JW. Females may not obtain indirect genetic benefits from extra-pair paternity in vinous-throated parrotbills, Paradoxornis webbianus. J ETHOL 2011. [DOI: 10.1007/s10164-011-0292-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/18/2022]
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27
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BREKKE PATRICIA, BENNETT PETERM, SANTURE ANNAW, EWEN JOHNG. High genetic diversity in the remnant island population of hihi and the genetic consequences of re-introduction. Mol Ecol 2010; 20:29-45. [DOI: 10.1111/j.1365-294x.2010.04923.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 51] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/01/2022]
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28
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Brommer JE, Alho JS, Biard C, Chapman JR, Charmantier A, Dreiss A, Hartley IR, Hjernquist MB, Kempenaers B, Komdeur J, Laaksonen T, Lehtonen PK, Lubjuhn T, Patrick SC, Rosivall B, Tinbergen JM, van der Velde M, van Oers K, Wilk T, Winkel W. Passerine extrapair mating dynamics: a bayesian modeling approach comparing four species. Am Nat 2010; 176:178-87. [PMID: 20528475 DOI: 10.1086/653660] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/03/2022]
Abstract
In many socially monogamous animals, females engage in extrapair copulation (EPC), causing some broods to contain both within-pair and extrapair young (EPY). The proportion of all young that are EPY varies across populations and species. Because an EPC that does not result in EPY leaves no forensic trace, this variation in the proportion of EPY reflects both variation in the tendency to engage in EPC and variation in the extrapair fertilization (EPF) process across populations and species. We analyzed data on the distribution of EPY in broods of four passerines (blue tit, great tit, collared flycatcher, and pied flycatcher), with 18,564 genotyped nestlings from 2,346 broods in two to nine populations per species. Our Bayesian modeling approach estimated the underlying probability function of EPC (assumed to be a Poisson function) and conditional binomial EPF probability. We used an information theoretical approach to show that the expected distribution of EPC per female varies across populations but that EPF probabilities vary on the above-species level (tits vs. flycatchers). Hence, for these four passerines, our model suggests that the probability of an EPC mainly is determined by ecological (population-specific) conditions, whereas EPF probabilities reflect processes that are fixed above the species level.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jon E Brommer
- Department of Biosciences, University of Helsinki, FIN-00014 Helsinki, Finland.
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29
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ROULIN A, SALAMIN N. Insularity and the evolution of melanism, sexual dichromatism and body size in the worldwide-distributed barn owl. J Evol Biol 2010; 23:925-34. [DOI: 10.1111/j.1420-9101.2010.01961.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/05/2023]
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30
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SEFC KM, HERMANN CM, KOBLMÜLLER S. Mating system variability in a mouthbrooding cichlid fish from a tropical lake. Mol Ecol 2009; 18:3508-17. [DOI: 10.1111/j.1365-294x.2009.04295.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
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31
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Eccard JA, Wolf JB. Effects of brood size on multiple-paternity rates: a case for ‘paternity share’ as an offspring-based estimate. Anim Behav 2009. [DOI: 10.1016/j.anbehav.2009.04.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/24/2022]
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32
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Ockendon N, Griffith SC, Burke T. Extrapair paternity in an insular population of house sparrows after the experimental introduction of individuals from the mainland. Behav Ecol 2009. [DOI: 10.1093/beheco/arp006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/12/2022] Open
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33
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Firman RC, Simmons LW. The frequency of multiple paternity predicts variation in testes size among island populations of house mice. J Evol Biol 2008; 21:1524-33. [PMID: 18811664 DOI: 10.1111/j.1420-9101.2008.01612.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 112] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
Polyandry generates selection on males through sperm competition, which has broad implications for the evolution of ejaculates and male reproductive anatomy. Comparative analyses across species and competitive mating trials within species have suggested that sperm competition can influence the evolution of testes size, sperm production and sperm form and function. Surprisingly, the intraspecific approach of comparing among population variation for investigating the selective potential of sperm competition has rarely been explored. We sampled seven island populations of house mice and determined the frequency of multiple paternity within each population. Applying the frequency of multiple paternity as an index of the risk of sperm competition, we looked for selective responses in male reproductive traits. We found that the risk of sperm competition predicted testes size across the seven island populations of house mice. However, variation in sperm traits was not explained by sperm competition risk. We discuss these findings in relation to sperm competition theory, and other intrinsic and extrinsic factors that might influence ejaculate quality.
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Affiliation(s)
- R C Firman
- Centre for Evolutionary Biology, School of Animal Biology M092, The University of Western Australia, Nedlands, WA, Australia.
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34
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BERGHOFF SM, KRONAUER DJC, EDWARDS KJ, FRANKS NR. Dispersal and population structure of a New World predator, the army antEciton burchellii. J Evol Biol 2008; 21:1125-32. [DOI: 10.1111/j.1420-9101.2008.01531.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/22/2022]
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35
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CARDOSO GONÇALOC, MOTA PAULOGAMA. Song diversification and complexity in canaries and seedeaters (Serinus spp.). Biol J Linn Soc Lond 2007. [DOI: 10.1111/j.1095-8312.2007.00837.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
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36
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Munshi-South J. Extra-pair paternity and the evolution of testis size in a behaviorally monogamous tropical mammal, the large treeshrew (Tupaia tana). Behav Ecol Sociobiol 2007. [DOI: 10.1007/s00265-007-0454-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/23/2022]
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37
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Mobley KB, Jones AG. Geographical variation in the mating system of the dusky pipefish (Syngnathus floridae). Mol Ecol 2007; 16:2596-606. [PMID: 17561916 DOI: 10.1111/j.1365-294x.2007.03337.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 55] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
Differences among populations in the intensity of sexual selection resulting from distinct genetic mating systems can lead to divergent morphological evolution and speciation. However, little is known about how genetic mating systems vary between populations and what factors may contribute to this variation. In this study, we compare the genetic mating systems of two geographically distinct populations of the dusky pipefish (Syngnathus floridae), a species characterized by polygynandry and male pregnancy, from the Atlantic Coast of Virginia and the Gulf Coast of Florida. Our results revealed significant interpopulation variation in mating and reproductive success. Estimates of the opportunity for selection (I), the opportunity for sexual selection (I(s)) and the Bateman gradient (beta(ss)) were higher among males in the Florida population than in the Virginia population, suggesting that sexual selection on males is stronger in the Florida population. The Virginia population is larger and denser than the Florida population, suggesting that population demographics may be one of many causal factors shaping interpopulational mating patterns. This study also provides evidence that the adult sex ratio, operational sex ratio, population density and genetic mating system of S. floridae may be temporally stable over timescales of a month in the Florida population. Overall, our results show that this species is a good model for the study of mating system variation in nature and that Bateman's principles may be a useful technique for the quantitative comparison of mating systems between populations.
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Affiliation(s)
- K B Mobley
- Department of Biology, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX 77843, USA.
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38
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Kokko H, Rankin DJ. Lonely hearts or sex in the city? Density-dependent effects in mating systems. Philos Trans R Soc Lond B Biol Sci 2006; 361:319-34. [PMID: 16612890 PMCID: PMC1569612 DOI: 10.1098/rstb.2005.1784] [Citation(s) in RCA: 440] [Impact Index Per Article: 24.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Two very basic ideas in sexual selection are heavily influenced by numbers of potential mates: the evolution of anisogamy, leading to sex role differentiation, and the frequency dependence of reproductive success that tends to equalize primary sex ratios. However, being explicit about the numbers of potential mates is not typical to most evolutionary theory of sexual selection. Here, we argue that this may prevent us from finding the appropriate ecological equilibria that determine the evolutionary endpoints of selection. We review both theoretical and empirical advances on how population density may influence aspects of mating systems such as intrasexual competition, female choice or resistance, and parental care. Density can have strong effects on selective pressures, whether or not there is phenotypic plasticity in individual strategies with respect to density. Mating skew may either increase or decrease with density, which may be aided or counteracted by changes in female behaviour. Switchpoints between alternative mating strategies can be density dependent, and mate encounter rates may influence mate choice (including mutual mate choice), multiple mating, female resistance to male mating attempts, mate searching, mate guarding, parental care, and the probability of divorce. Considering density-dependent selection may be essential for understanding how populations can persist at all despite sexual conflict, but simple models seem to fail to predict the diversity of observed responses in nature. This highlights the importance of considering the interaction between mating systems and population dynamics, and we strongly encourage further work in this area.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hanna Kokko
- Laboratory of Ecological and Evolutionary Dynamics, Department of Biological and Environmental Science, University of Helsinki, PO Box 65 (Vükinkaari 1), 00014 Helsinki, Finland.
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39
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Freeman-Gallant CR, Wheelwaright NT, Meiklejohn KE, States SL, Sollecito SV. LITTLE EFFECT OF EXTRAPAIR PATERNITY ON THE OPPORTUNITY FOR SEXUAL SELECTION IN SAVANNAH SPARROWS (PASSERCULUS SANDWICHENISIS). Evolution 2005. [DOI: 10.1111/j.0014-3820.2005.tb01000.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
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40
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Freeman-Gallant CR, Wheelwright NT, Meiklejohn KE, States SL, Sollecito SV. LITTLE EFFECT OF EXTRAPAIR PATERNITY ON THE OPPORTUNITY FOR SEXUAL SELECTION IN SAVANNAH SPARROWS (PASSERCULUS SANDWICHENSIS). Evolution 2005. [DOI: 10.1554/04-467] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
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41
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Doucet SM, Shawkey MD, Rathburn MK, Mays HL, Montgomerie R. Concordant evolution of plumage colour, feather microstructure and a melanocortin receptor gene between mainland and island populations of a fairy-wren. Proc Biol Sci 2004; 271:1663-70. [PMID: 15306285 PMCID: PMC1691780 DOI: 10.1098/rspb.2004.2779] [Citation(s) in RCA: 56] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Studies of the patterns of diversification of birds on islands have contributed a great deal to the development of evolutionary theory. In white-winged fairy-wrens, Malurus leucopterus, mainland males develop a striking blue nuptial plumage whereas those on nearby islands develop black nuptial plumage. We explore the proximate basis for this divergence by combining microstructural feather analysis with an investigation of genetic variation at the melanocortin-1 receptor locus (MC1R). Fourier analysis revealed that the medullary keratin matrix (spongy layer) of the feather barbs of blue males was ordered at the appropriate nanoscale to produce the observed blue colour by coherent light scattering. Surprisingly, the feather barbs of black males also contained a spongy layer that could produce a similar blue colour. However, black males had more melanin in their barbs than blue males, and this melanin may effectively mask any structural colour produced by the spongy layer. Moreover, the presence of this spongy layer suggests that black island males evolved from a blue-plumaged ancestor. We also document concordant patterns of variation at the MC1R locus, as five amino acid substitutions were perfectly associated with the divergent blue and black plumage phenotypes. Thus, with the possible involvement of a melanocortin receptor locus, increased melanin density may mask the blue-producing microstructure in black island males, resulting in the divergence of plumage coloration between mainland and island white-winged fairy-wrens. Such mechanisms may also be responsible for plumage colour diversity across broader geographical and evolutionary scales.
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Affiliation(s)
- S M Doucet
- Department of Biological Sciences, 331 Funchess Hall, Auburn University, Auburn, AL 36849, USA
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42
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Neodorf DLH. Extrapair Paternity in Birds: Understanding Variation Among Species. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2004. [DOI: 10.1093/auk/121.2.302] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/15/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Diane L. H. Neodorf
- Department of Biological Sciences, P.O. Box 2116, Sam Houston State University, Huntsville, Texas 77341, USA
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43
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Hughes JM, Mather PB, Toon A, Ma J, Rowley I, Russell E. High levels of extra-group paternity in a population of Australian magpies Gymnorhina tibicen: evidence from microsatellite analysis. Mol Ecol 2004; 12:3441-50. [PMID: 14629358 DOI: 10.1046/j.1365-294x.2003.01997.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 37] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
Abstract
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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Affiliation(s)
- J M Hughes
- Australian School of Environmental Studies, Griffith University, Nathan, Queensland, 4111, Australia.
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44
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Westneat DF, Stewart IR. Extra-Pair Paternity in Birds: Causes, Correlates, and Conflict. ANNUAL REVIEW OF ECOLOGY EVOLUTION AND SYSTEMATICS 2003. [DOI: 10.1146/annurev.ecolsys.34.011802.132439] [Citation(s) in RCA: 478] [Impact Index Per Article: 22.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- David F. Westneat
- Department of Biology, University of Kentucky, Lexington, Kentucky 40506-0225;
| | - Ian R.K. Stewart
- Department of Biology, University of Kentucky, Lexington, Kentucky 40506-0225;
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45
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Charmantier A, Blondel J. A Contrast in Extra-Pair Paternity Levels on Mainland and Island Populations of Mediterranean Blue Tits. Ethology 2003. [DOI: 10.1046/j.1439-0310.2003.00880.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
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46
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Mate fidelity in a population of Island Canaries (Serinus canaria) in the Madeiran Archipelago. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2003. [DOI: 10.1007/bf02465520] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/24/2022]
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47
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Griffith SC, Owens IPF, Thuman KA. Extra pair paternity in birds: a review of interspecific variation and adaptive function. Mol Ecol 2002; 11:2195-212. [PMID: 12406233 DOI: 10.1046/j.1365-294x.2002.01613.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 803] [Impact Index Per Article: 36.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
Abstract
The application of molecular genetic techniques has revolutionized our view of avian mating systems. Contrary to prior expectations, birds are only very rarely sexually monogamous, with 'extra-pair offspring' found in approximately 90% of species. Even among socially monogamous species, over 11% of offspring are, on average, the result of extra-pair paternity (EPP). Based on over 150 molecular genetic studies of EPP in birds, we review two topical areas: (i) ecological explanations for interspecific variation in the rate of EPP; and (ii) evidence bearing on the adaptive function of EPP. We highlight the remaining challenges of understanding the relative roles of genes and ecology in determining variation between taxa in the rate of extra paternity, and testing for differences between extra-pair offspring and those sired within-pair.
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Affiliation(s)
- Simon C Griffith
- Department of Zoology, University of Oxford, Oxford, OX1 3PS, UK.
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48
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Morrow EH, Arnqvist G, Pitcher TE. The evolution of infertility: does hatching rate in birds coevolve with female polyandry? J Evol Biol 2002. [DOI: 10.1046/j.1420-9101.2002.00445.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 45] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- E. H. Morrow
- Department of Animal Ecology, Evolutionary Biology Centre, Uppsala University, Norbyvägen, Uppsala, Sweden
| | - G. Arnqvist
- Department of Animal Ecology, Evolutionary Biology Centre, Uppsala University, Norbyvägen, Uppsala, Sweden
| | - T. E. Pitcher
- Department of Zoology, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
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49
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Arnold KE, Owens IPF. Extra-pair paternity and egg dumping in birds: life history, parental care and the risk of retaliation. Proc Biol Sci 2002; 269:1263-9. [PMID: 12065043 PMCID: PMC1691019 DOI: 10.1098/rspb.2002.2013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 173] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Molecular techniques have revealed striking variation among bird species in the rates of extra-pair paternity (EPP) and intraspecific brood parasitism (IBP). In terms of the proportion of broods affected, rates of EPP and IBP vary across species from 0-95% and 0-50%, respectively. Despite a plethora of hypotheses and several careful comparative analyses, few robust correlates of this interspecific variation have been identified. One explanation for this shortfall is that most comparative studies have tended to focus on contemporary ecological factors and ignored fundamental differences in reproductive biology that evolved millions of years ago. We show that, for both EPP and IBP, over 50% of interspecific variation is due to differences among taxonomic families and orders. Therefore, we test hypotheses that predict interspecific variation in the rate of alternative reproductive strategies should be associated with differences in life history and the form of parental care. Our analyses largely support these predictions, with high rates of reproductive cheating being associated with 'fast' life histories. High EPP rates are associated with high rates of adult mortality and reduced paternal care. High IBP rates are associated with high-fecundity rates. These patterns remain intact whether we use species as independent data points or evolutionary contrasts based on either molecular or morphological phylogenies. These results are interpreted as supporting the idea that alternative reproductive strategies are most common in taxa in which the risks of retaliation are low. We suggest a hierarchical explanation for interspecific variation in the incidence of alternative reproductive strategies. Variation between major avian lineages in the EPP and IBP rates are determined by fundamental differences in life history and parental care that evolved many millions of years ago. Variation between populations or individuals of the same species, however, are more likely to be determined by differences in contemporary ecological and genetic factors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kathryn E Arnold
- Division of Environmental and Evolutionary Biology, University of Glasgow, Glasgow G12 8QQ, UK
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50
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Richardson DS, Jury FL, Blaakmeer K, Komdeur J, Burke T. Parentage assignment and extra-group paternity in a cooperative breeder: the Seychelles warbler (Acrocephalus sechellensis). Mol Ecol 2001; 10:2263-73. [PMID: 11555268 DOI: 10.1046/j.0962-1083.2001.01355.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 260] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
Abstract
We describe the development and initial application of a semiautomated parentage testing system in the Seychelles warbler (Acrocephalus sechellensis). This system used fluorescently labelled primers for 14 polymorphic microsatellite loci in two multiplex loading groups to genotype efficiently over 96% of the warbler population on Cousin island. When used in conjunction with the program CERVUS, this system provided sufficient power to assign maternity and paternity within the Seychelles warbler, despite the complications associated with its cooperative breeding system and a relatively low level of genetic variation. Parentage analyses showed that subordinate 'helper' females as well as the dominant 'primary' females laid eggs in communal nests, indicating that the Seychelles warbler has an intermediate level of female reproductive skew, in between the alternative extremes of helper-at-the-nest and joint nesting systems. Forty-four per cent of helpers bred successfully, accounting for 15% of all offspring. Forty per cent of young resulted from extra-group paternity.
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Affiliation(s)
- D S Richardson
- Department of Animal and Plant Sciences, University of Sheffield, Sheffield, S10 2TN, UK.
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