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Ujszegi J, Ujhegyi N, Balogh E, Mikó Z, Kásler A, Hettyey A, Bókony V. No sex-dependent mortality in an amphibian upon infection with the chytrid fungus, Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis. Ecol Evol 2024; 14:e70219. [PMID: 39219568 PMCID: PMC11362217 DOI: 10.1002/ece3.70219] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/21/2024] [Revised: 08/07/2024] [Accepted: 08/09/2024] [Indexed: 09/04/2024] Open
Abstract
One of the major factors driving the currently ongoing biodiversity crisis is the anthropogenic spread of infectious diseases. Diseases can have conspicuous consequences, such as mass mortality events, but may also exert covert but similarly severe effects, such as sex ratio distortion via sex-biased mortality. Chytridiomycosis, caused by the fungal pathogen Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis (Bd) is among the most important threats to amphibian biodiversity. Yet, whether Bd infection can skew sex ratios in amphibians is currently unknown, although such a hidden effect may cause the already dwindling amphibian populations to collapse. To investigate this possibility, we collected common toad (Bufo bufo) tadpoles from a natural habitat in Hungary and continuously treated them until metamorphosis with sterile Bd culture medium (control), or a liquid culture of a Hungarian or a Spanish Bd isolate. Bd prevalence was high in animals that died during the experiment but was almost zero in individuals that survived until the end of the experiment. Both Bd treatments significantly reduced survival after metamorphosis, but we did not observe sex-dependent mortality in either treatment. However, a small number of genotypically female individuals developed male phenotype (testes) in the Spanish Bd isolate treatment. Therefore, future research is needed to ascertain if larval Bd infection can affect sex ratio in common toads through female-to-male sex reversal.
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Affiliation(s)
- János Ujszegi
- Department of Evolutionary Ecology, HUN‐REN Centre for Agricultural ResearchPlant Protection InstituteBudapestHungary
- Department of Systematic Zoology and EcologyELTE Eötvös Loránd UniversityBudapestHungary
| | - Nikolett Ujhegyi
- Department of Evolutionary Ecology, HUN‐REN Centre for Agricultural ResearchPlant Protection InstituteBudapestHungary
| | - Emese Balogh
- Department of Evolutionary Ecology, HUN‐REN Centre for Agricultural ResearchPlant Protection InstituteBudapestHungary
- Department of ZoologyUniversity of Veterinary Medicine BudapestBudapestHungary
| | - Zsanett Mikó
- Department of Evolutionary Ecology, HUN‐REN Centre for Agricultural ResearchPlant Protection InstituteBudapestHungary
| | - Andrea Kásler
- Department of Evolutionary Ecology, HUN‐REN Centre for Agricultural ResearchPlant Protection InstituteBudapestHungary
- Department of Systematic Zoology and EcologyELTE Eötvös Loránd UniversityBudapestHungary
- Doctoral School of Biology, Institute of BiologyELTE Eötvös Loránd UniversityBudapestHungary
| | - Attila Hettyey
- Department of Evolutionary Ecology, HUN‐REN Centre for Agricultural ResearchPlant Protection InstituteBudapestHungary
- Department of Systematic Zoology and EcologyELTE Eötvös Loránd UniversityBudapestHungary
| | - Veronika Bókony
- Department of Evolutionary Ecology, HUN‐REN Centre for Agricultural ResearchPlant Protection InstituteBudapestHungary
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2
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Bühler R, Riecke TV, Schalcher K, Roulin A, Almasi B. Individual quality and environmental factors interact to shape reproduction and survival in a resident bird of prey. ROYAL SOCIETY OPEN SCIENCE 2024; 11:231934. [PMID: 39263448 PMCID: PMC11387063 DOI: 10.1098/rsos.231934] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/13/2023] [Revised: 04/12/2024] [Accepted: 07/17/2024] [Indexed: 09/13/2024]
Abstract
Investigating among-individual differences in reproductive success and survival is essential for understanding eco-evolutionary processes. We used 5 years of demographic data from 556 breeding barn owls (Tyto alba) to estimate associations between intrinsic and extrinsic covariates on survival and reproduction throughout the annual cycle. As males and females have distinct roles in reproduction, environmental conditions and individual quality may be differentially linked to their fitness at different time points. Males breeding early and inhabiting prey-rich areas experienced higher reproductive success but faced greater reproductive costs. Indeed, the number of offspring a male cared for was negatively associated with his body condition and survival. However, our results indicate that these influences can be mitigated in males experiencing favourable post-breeding environmental conditions. For female owls, early breeding and high food availability during the breeding period were linked with increased reproductive success. Prey availability during incubation and higher reproductive output were associated with higher survival into the next breeding period in females. Unlike males, females did not exhibit obvious trade-offs between reproductive success and survival. Our research demonstrates trade-offs between fecundity and survival, and that females paired with males able to provide sufficient food experience higher survival and reproduction.
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Affiliation(s)
- Roman Bühler
- Swiss Ornithological Institute, Seerose 1, Sempach CH-6204, Switzerland
- Department of Ecology and Evolution, University of Lausanne, Building Biophore, Lausanne CH-1015, Switzerland
| | - Thomas V Riecke
- Swiss Ornithological Institute, Seerose 1, Sempach CH-6204, Switzerland
- Wildlife Biology Program, University of Montana, Missoula MT 59812, USA
| | - Kim Schalcher
- Department of Ecology and Evolution, University of Lausanne, Building Biophore, Lausanne CH-1015, Switzerland
| | - Alexandre Roulin
- Department of Ecology and Evolution, University of Lausanne, Building Biophore, Lausanne CH-1015, Switzerland
| | - Bettina Almasi
- Swiss Ornithological Institute, Seerose 1, Sempach CH-6204, Switzerland
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3
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Zsinka B, Pásztory-Kovács S, Kövér S, Vili N, Horváth M. Moderate evidence for the sex-dependent effect of poisoning on adult survival in a long-lived raptor species. Ecol Evol 2024; 14:e70295. [PMID: 39301293 PMCID: PMC11410563 DOI: 10.1002/ece3.70295] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/06/2024] [Revised: 08/11/2024] [Accepted: 08/29/2024] [Indexed: 09/22/2024] Open
Abstract
Survival rate is usually the greatest contributor to population growth in long-lived species, and its accurate estimation along with the evaluation of the factors influencing it is therefore essential for effective conservation. Here, we studied the survival of breeding eastern imperial eagles Aquila heliaca in Hungary between 2011 and 2022 and investigated the effect of poisoning, the leading known anthropogenic cause of mortality. We used the Cormack-Jolly-Seber mark-recapture model to estimate annual apparent survival and encounter probabilities based on the capture histories of 208 males and 411 females. We obtained encounter data from the DNA profiles of shed feathers collected at the nest sites, which we also supplemented with presences inferred from parentage analysis. The most supported model estimated a constant 91.6% annual survival over the study period, but models including the effect of sex and poisoning rate on survival had similar support. Sex difference in survival was less than 1% on average, but the survival of males decreased more with poisoning rate than the survival of females. However, due to smaller encounter probabilities, the estimates for males were less precise compared to females. Males may be more at risk from poisoning than females not only due to their more active foraging behaviour during incubation and chick-rearing but also due to their smaller body size. Apart from providing direct practical information for the conservation management of imperial eagles, our results also highlight the importance of long-term studies for estimating population parameters of birds of prey.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bernadett Zsinka
- Department of Zoology University of Veterinary Medicine Budapest Budapest Hungary
| | | | - Szilvia Kövér
- Department of Zoology University of Veterinary Medicine Budapest Budapest Hungary
| | - Nóra Vili
- Department of Zoology University of Veterinary Medicine Budapest Budapest Hungary
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4
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Schaub M, Looft V, Plard F, von Rönn JAC. Dynamics of a goshawk population across half a century is driven by the variation of first-year survival. Ecol Evol 2024; 14:e70058. [PMID: 39100203 PMCID: PMC11294034 DOI: 10.1002/ece3.70058] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/08/2024] [Revised: 07/02/2024] [Accepted: 07/10/2024] [Indexed: 08/06/2024] Open
Abstract
Population dynamics are driven by stochastic and density-dependent processes acting on demographic rates. Individuals differ demographically, and to capture these differences, models of population dynamics are usually structured by age and stage, rarely by sex. An effect of sex on population dynamics is expected if the dynamics of males and females differ, requiring an unequal sex ratio at birth and/or sex-specific survival probabilities. Goshawks (Accipiter gentilis) show large sexual size dimorphism and differential survival, but it is unknown whether males and females contribute differently to population dynamics. We studied a goshawk population in northern Germany over 47 years using brood monitoring data, collected feathers and nestling ringing data. We jointly analyzed the data using a two-sex integrated population model and performed retrospective and prospective population analyses to understand whether the demographic drivers of population change differ between the sexes. The population showed large fluctuations, during which the number of breeding pairs doubled, but the long-term trend of the population was slightly negative. Female survival exceeded male survival during the first year of life. Females started to reproduce at a younger age than males, productivity increased with female age, the sex ratio of nestlings was male biased and there was moderate male immigration. Despite these differences, temporal variation in sex ratio did not contribute to population dynamics and the contribution of temporal variation in survival was similar for both sexes. Variation in first-year survival was the strongest driver in this population, regulated by a weak density-dependent feedback acting through female first-year survival. Overall, the contributions of the two sexes to population dynamics were similar in this monogamous species with strong sexual size dimorphism.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Floriane Plard
- Swiss Ornithological InstituteSempachSwitzerland
- Barraque de la Pinatelle, TremouletMolompizeFrance
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Fresneau N, Pipoly I, Gigler D, Kosztolányi A, Székely T, Liker A. The evolution of sex roles: The importance of ecology and social environment. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2024; 121:e2321294121. [PMID: 38771872 PMCID: PMC11145285 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.2321294121] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/04/2023] [Accepted: 03/27/2024] [Indexed: 05/23/2024] Open
Abstract
Males and females often have different roles in reproduction, although the origin of these differences has remained controversial. Explaining the enigmatic reversed sex roles where males sacrifice their mating potential and provide full parental care is a particularly long-standing challenge in evolutionary biology. While most studies focused on ecological factors as the drivers of sex roles, recent research highlights the significance of social factors such as the adult sex ratio. To disentangle these propositions, here, we investigate the additive and interactive effects of several ecological and social factors on sex role variation using shorebirds (sandpipers, plovers, and allies) as model organisms that provide the full spectrum of sex role variation including some of the best-known examples of sex-role reversal. Our results consistently show that social factors play a prominent role in driving sex roles. Importantly, we show that reversed sex roles are associated with both male-skewed adult sex ratios and high breeding densities. Furthermore, phylogenetic path analyses provide general support for sex ratios driving sex role variations rather than being a consequence of sex roles. Together, these important results open future research directions by showing that different mating opportunities of males and females play a major role in generating the evolutionary diversity of sex roles, mating system, and parental care.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nolwenn Fresneau
- Evolutionary Ecology Research Group, Hungarian Research Network-University of Pannonia, Veszprém8200, Hungary
- Behavioural Ecology Research Group, Center for Natural Sciences, University of Pannonia, Veszprém8200, Hungary
| | - Ivett Pipoly
- Evolutionary Ecology Research Group, Hungarian Research Network-University of Pannonia, Veszprém8200, Hungary
- Behavioural Ecology Research Group, Center for Natural Sciences, University of Pannonia, Veszprém8200, Hungary
| | - Dóra Gigler
- World Wide Fund (WWF) for Nature Hungary Foundation, Budapest1141, Hungary
| | - András Kosztolányi
- Department of Zoology, University of Veterinary Medicine, Budapest1077, Hungary
| | - Tamás Székely
- Milner Centre for Evolution, Department of Biology and Biochemistry, University of Bath, Claverton Down, BathBA2 7AZ, United Kingdom
- Reproductive Strategies Research Group, Department of Evolutionary Zoology, Hungarian Research Network - University of Debrecen, Debrecen4032, Hungary
- Debrecen Biodiversity Centre, University of Debrecen, Debrecen4032, Hungary
| | - András Liker
- Evolutionary Ecology Research Group, Hungarian Research Network-University of Pannonia, Veszprém8200, Hungary
- Behavioural Ecology Research Group, Center for Natural Sciences, University of Pannonia, Veszprém8200, Hungary
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6
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Luepold SB, Korner-Nievergelt F, Züst Z, Pasinelli G. It's about Her: Male Within-Season Movements Are Related to Mate Searching in a Songbird. Am Nat 2024; 203:562-575. [PMID: 38635362 DOI: 10.1086/729424] [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] [Indexed: 04/20/2024]
Abstract
AbstractIn species with resource-defense mating systems (such as most temperate-breeding songbirds), male dispersal is often considered to be limited in both frequency and spatial extent. When dispersal occurs within a breeding season, the favored explanation is ecological resource tracking. In contrast, movements of male birds associated with temporary emigration, such as polyterritoriality (i.e., defense of an additional location after attracting a female in the initial territory), are usually attributed to mate searching. We suggest that male dispersal and polyterritoriality are functionally related and that mate searching may be a unifying hypothesis for predicting the within-season movements of male songbirds. Here, we test three key predictions derived from this hypothesis in Wood Warblers (Phylloscopus sibilatrix). We collected data on the spatial behavior of 107 males between 2017 and 2019 and related male movements to a new territory (in both a dispersal and a polyterritorial context) to mating potential in the current territory. Most males dispersed from their territories within days or weeks after failing to attract a female, despite occupying territories in apparently suitable habitat. Probability of polyterritoriality by paired males increased after the peak fertile period of their mate. Males never dispersed following nest predation if the female remained to renest. Thus, our data are consistent with the hypothesis that both movement types are functionally related to mate searching.
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Morandini V, Dugger KM, Schmidt AE, Varsani A, Lescroël A, Ballard G, Lyver PO, Barton K, Ainley DG. Sex-specific recruitment rates contribute to male-biased sex ratio in Adélie penguins. Ecol Evol 2024; 14:e10859. [PMID: 38384831 PMCID: PMC10879839 DOI: 10.1002/ece3.10859] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/25/2023] [Revised: 01/02/2024] [Accepted: 01/09/2024] [Indexed: 02/23/2024] Open
Abstract
Sex-related differences in vital rates that drive population change reflect the basic life history of a species. However, for visually monomorphic bird species, determining the effect of sex on demographics can be a challenge. In this study, we investigated the effect of sex on apparent survival, recruitment, and breeding propensity in the Adélie penguin (Pygoscelis adeliae), a monochromatic, slightly size dimorphic species with known age, known sex, and known breeding history data collected during 1996-2019 (n = 2127 birds) from three breeding colonies on Ross Island, Antarctica. Using a multistate capture-mark-recapture maximum-likelihood model, we estimated apparent survival (S ^ ), recapture (resighting) probability (p ^ ), and the probability of transitioning among breeding states and moving between colonies (ψ ^ ; colony-specific non-juvenile pre-breeders, breeders, and non-breeders). Survival rate varied by breeding status and colony, but not sex, and pre-breeders had higher survival rates than breeders and non-breeders. Females had a higher probability of recruiting into the breeding population each year and may enter the breeding pool at younger ages. In contrast, both sexes had the same probability of breeding from year to year once they had recruited. Although we detected no direct sex effects on survival, the variation in recruitment probability and age-at-first reproduction, along with lower survival rates of breeders compared to pre-breeders, likely leads to shorter lifespans for females. This is supported by our findings of a male-biased mean adult sex ratio (ASR) of 1.4 males for every female (x ^ proportion of males = 0.57, SD = 0.07) across all colonies and years in this metapopulation. Our study illustrates how important it can be to disentangle sex-related variation in population vital rates, particularly for species with complex life histories and demographic dynamics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Virginia Morandini
- Oregon Cooperative Fish and Wildlife Research Unit, Department of Fisheries and WildlifeOregon State UniversityCorvallisOregonUSA
- Migres FoundationCIMATarifaSpain
| | - Katie M. Dugger
- U.S. Geological Survey, Oregon Cooperative Fish and Wildlife Research Unit, Department of Fisheries and WildlifeOregon State UniversityCorvallisOregonUSA
| | | | - Arvind Varsani
- The Biodesign Center for Fundamental and Applied Microbiomics, Center for Evolution and Medicine, School of Life SciencesArizona State UniversityTempeArizonaUSA
| | | | - Grant Ballard
- Point Blue Conservation SciencePetalumaCaliforniaUSA
| | - Phil O'B. Lyver
- Manaaki Whenua Landcare Research New Zealand Ltd.LincolnNew Zealand
| | - Kerry Barton
- Manaaki Whenua Landcare Research New Zealand Ltd.LincolnNew Zealand
| | - David G. Ainley
- H.T. Harvey & Associates Ecological ConsultantsLos GatosCaliforniaUSA
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Arrieta RS, Cornejo P, Mahler B, Llambías PE. A possible case of offspring sex manipulation as result of a biased adult sex ratio. Sci Rep 2024; 14:819. [PMID: 38191894 PMCID: PMC10774364 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-023-51131-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/17/2023] [Accepted: 12/31/2023] [Indexed: 01/10/2024] Open
Abstract
Although random meiosis should prevent the facultative adjustment of offspring sex ratio, theory predicts that females should produce more of the sex with the higher reproductive value. We reported a case of offspring sex ratio manipulation in grass wrens Cistothorus platensis. Males in better body condition would have higher reproductive value than females due to the potential for social polygyny and extra-pair fertilizations. On the other hand, local demography influences reproductive strategies in grass wrens as male abundance affects both social polygyny and extra-pair paternity frequencies. We evaluated whether females bias their brood sex ratio in response to adult sex ratio and nestling body condition (a proxy for female's prospects of producing high-quality males). Females raised more male offspring when males were less abundant in the population (female-biased adult sex ratio). However, we found no relationship between nestling body condition and brood sex ratio, suggesting that females did not bias the brood sex ratio towards males when able to raise nestlings in better body condition. Taken together, our results provide the first suggestive evidence that female birds can manipulate their offspring sex ratio in response to the adult sex ratio.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ramiro S Arrieta
- Instituto Argentino de Investigaciones de Zonas Áridas, CONICET, Mendoza, Argentina.
| | - Paula Cornejo
- Instituto Argentino de Investigaciones de Zonas Áridas, CONICET, Mendoza, Argentina
| | - Bettina Mahler
- Departamento de Ecología, Genética y Evolución, IEGEBA-CONICET, Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales, Universidad de Buenos Aires, Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Paulo E Llambías
- Instituto Argentino de Investigaciones de Zonas Áridas, CONICET, Mendoza, Argentina
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Banhos A, Sanaiotti TM, Coser R, Gravena W, Aguiar-Silva FH, Kaizer M, Hrbek T, Farias IP. Long-term female bias in sex ratios across life stages of Harpy Eagle, a large raptor exhibiting reverse sexual size dimorphism. ROYAL SOCIETY OPEN SCIENCE 2023; 10:231443. [PMID: 38026037 PMCID: PMC10645098 DOI: 10.1098/rsos.231443] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/25/2023] [Accepted: 10/17/2023] [Indexed: 12/01/2023]
Abstract
The primary (PSR), secondary (SSR) and adult (ASR) sex ratios of sexually reproducing organisms influence their life histories. Species exhibiting reversed sexual size dimorphism (RSD) may imply a higher cost of female production or lower female survival, thus generating biases in PSR, SSR and/or ASR towards males. The Harpy Eagle is the world's largest eagle exhibiting RSD. This species is found in the Neotropical region and is currently threatened with extinction. We used molecular markers to determine the sex of 309 Harpy Eagles spanning different life stages-eaglets, subadults and adults-from 1904 to 2021 within the Amazon Rainforest and Atlantic Forest. Sex ratios for all life stages revealed a female-biased deviation across all periods and regions. Our results suggest that the population bias towards females is an evolutionary ecological pattern of this species, and SSR and ASR likely emerged from the PSR. This natural bias towards females may be compensated by an earlier sexual maturation age of males, implying a longer reproductive lifespan and a higher proportion of sexually active males. A better understanding of the Harpy Eagle's life history can contribute to understanding sex-role evolution and enable more appropriate conservation strategies for the species.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aureo Banhos
- Departamento de Biologia, Centro de Ciências Exatas, Naturais e da Saúde, Universidade Federal do Espírito Santo - UFES, Alto Universitário, s/n°, Guararema, 29500-000 Alegre, Espírito Santo, Brazil
- Programa de Pós-Graduação em Ciências Biológicas (Biologia Animal) - PPGBAN, Universidade Federal do Espírito Santo - UFES, Avenida Fernando Ferrari, 514, Prédio Barbara Weinberg, 29075-910 Vitória, Espírito Santo, Brazil
- Projeto Harpia (Harpy Eagle Project - Brazil), Instituto Nacional de Pesquisas da Amazônia – INPA, Av. André Araújo, 2936, Aleixo, 69067-375 Manaus, Amazonas, Brazil
- Projeto Harpia – Mata Atlântica (Harpy Eagle Project - Atlantic Forest), Universidade Federal do Espírito Santo - UFES, Alto Universitário, Guararema, 29500-000 Alegre, Espírito Santo, Brazil
- Laboratório de Evolução e Genética Animal - LEGAL, Universidade Federal do Amazonas - UFAM, Av. General Rodrigo Octavio Jordão Ramos, 6200 - Coroado I, 69080-900 Manaus, Amazonas, Brazil
- Programa de Pós-Graduação em Genética, Conservação e Biologia Evolutiva, Instituto Nacional de Pesquisas da Amazônia - INPA, Av. André Araújo, 2936, Aleixo, 69067-375 Manaus, Amazonas, Brazil
| | - Tânia Margarete Sanaiotti
- Projeto Harpia (Harpy Eagle Project - Brazil), Instituto Nacional de Pesquisas da Amazônia – INPA, Av. André Araújo, 2936, Aleixo, 69067-375 Manaus, Amazonas, Brazil
- Projeto Harpia – Mata Atlântica (Harpy Eagle Project - Atlantic Forest), Universidade Federal do Espírito Santo - UFES, Alto Universitário, Guararema, 29500-000 Alegre, Espírito Santo, Brazil
- Coordenaçãode Biodiversidade, Instituto Nacional de Pesquisas da Amazônia - INPA, Av. André Araújo, 2936, Aleixo, 69067-375 Manaus, Amazonas, Brazil
| | - Renan Coser
- Projeto Harpia (Harpy Eagle Project - Brazil), Instituto Nacional de Pesquisas da Amazônia – INPA, Av. André Araújo, 2936, Aleixo, 69067-375 Manaus, Amazonas, Brazil
- Projeto Harpia – Mata Atlântica (Harpy Eagle Project - Atlantic Forest), Universidade Federal do Espírito Santo - UFES, Alto Universitário, Guararema, 29500-000 Alegre, Espírito Santo, Brazil
- Laboratório de Evolução e Genética Animal - LEGAL, Universidade Federal do Amazonas - UFAM, Av. General Rodrigo Octavio Jordão Ramos, 6200 - Coroado I, 69080-900 Manaus, Amazonas, Brazil
- Programa de Pós-Graduação em Genética, Conservação e Biologia Evolutiva, Instituto Nacional de Pesquisas da Amazônia - INPA, Av. André Araújo, 2936, Aleixo, 69067-375 Manaus, Amazonas, Brazil
| | - Waleska Gravena
- Laboratório de Evolução e Genética Animal - LEGAL, Universidade Federal do Amazonas - UFAM, Av. General Rodrigo Octavio Jordão Ramos, 6200 - Coroado I, 69080-900 Manaus, Amazonas, Brazil
- Programa de Pós-Graduação em Genética, Conservação e Biologia Evolutiva, Instituto Nacional de Pesquisas da Amazônia - INPA, Av. André Araújo, 2936, Aleixo, 69067-375 Manaus, Amazonas, Brazil
- Instituto de Saúde e Biotecnologia, Universidade Federal do Amazonas - UFAM, Estrada Coari Mamiá, 305, Espírito Santo, 69460-000 Coari, Amazonas, Brazil
| | - Francisca Helena Aguiar-Silva
- Projeto Harpia (Harpy Eagle Project - Brazil), Instituto Nacional de Pesquisas da Amazônia – INPA, Av. André Araújo, 2936, Aleixo, 69067-375 Manaus, Amazonas, Brazil
- Projeto Harpia – Mata Atlântica (Harpy Eagle Project - Atlantic Forest), Universidade Federal do Espírito Santo - UFES, Alto Universitário, Guararema, 29500-000 Alegre, Espírito Santo, Brazil
- Coordenaçãode Biodiversidade, Instituto Nacional de Pesquisas da Amazônia - INPA, Av. André Araújo, 2936, Aleixo, 69067-375 Manaus, Amazonas, Brazil
| | - Mylena Kaizer
- Projeto Harpia (Harpy Eagle Project - Brazil), Instituto Nacional de Pesquisas da Amazônia – INPA, Av. André Araújo, 2936, Aleixo, 69067-375 Manaus, Amazonas, Brazil
- Projeto Harpia – Mata Atlântica (Harpy Eagle Project - Atlantic Forest), Universidade Federal do Espírito Santo - UFES, Alto Universitário, Guararema, 29500-000 Alegre, Espírito Santo, Brazil
- Laboratório de Evolução e Genética Animal - LEGAL, Universidade Federal do Amazonas - UFAM, Av. General Rodrigo Octavio Jordão Ramos, 6200 - Coroado I, 69080-900 Manaus, Amazonas, Brazil
- Programa de Pós-Graduação em Zoologia - PPGZOO, Universidade Federal do Amazonas - UFAM, Av. General Rodrigo Octavio Jordão Ramos, 6200, Coroado I, 69080-900 Manaus, Amazonas, Brazil
| | - Tomas Hrbek
- Projeto Harpia (Harpy Eagle Project - Brazil), Instituto Nacional de Pesquisas da Amazônia – INPA, Av. André Araújo, 2936, Aleixo, 69067-375 Manaus, Amazonas, Brazil
- Laboratório de Evolução e Genética Animal - LEGAL, Universidade Federal do Amazonas - UFAM, Av. General Rodrigo Octavio Jordão Ramos, 6200 - Coroado I, 69080-900 Manaus, Amazonas, Brazil
- Programa de Pós-Graduação em Genética, Conservação e Biologia Evolutiva, Instituto Nacional de Pesquisas da Amazônia - INPA, Av. André Araújo, 2936, Aleixo, 69067-375 Manaus, Amazonas, Brazil
- Programa de Pós-Graduação em Zoologia - PPGZOO, Universidade Federal do Amazonas - UFAM, Av. General Rodrigo Octavio Jordão Ramos, 6200, Coroado I, 69080-900 Manaus, Amazonas, Brazil
- Departamento de Genética, Instituto de Ciências Biológicas, Universidade Federal do Amazonas - UFAM, Av. General Rodrigo Octavio Jordão Ramos, 6200, Coroado I, 69080-900 Manaus, Amazonas, Brazil
- Department of Biology, Trinity University, San Antonio, TX 78212, USA
| | - Izeni Pires Farias
- Projeto Harpia (Harpy Eagle Project - Brazil), Instituto Nacional de Pesquisas da Amazônia – INPA, Av. André Araújo, 2936, Aleixo, 69067-375 Manaus, Amazonas, Brazil
- Laboratório de Evolução e Genética Animal - LEGAL, Universidade Federal do Amazonas - UFAM, Av. General Rodrigo Octavio Jordão Ramos, 6200 - Coroado I, 69080-900 Manaus, Amazonas, Brazil
- Programa de Pós-Graduação em Genética, Conservação e Biologia Evolutiva, Instituto Nacional de Pesquisas da Amazônia - INPA, Av. André Araújo, 2936, Aleixo, 69067-375 Manaus, Amazonas, Brazil
- Programa de Pós-Graduação em Zoologia - PPGZOO, Universidade Federal do Amazonas - UFAM, Av. General Rodrigo Octavio Jordão Ramos, 6200, Coroado I, 69080-900 Manaus, Amazonas, Brazil
- Departamento de Genética, Instituto de Ciências Biológicas, Universidade Federal do Amazonas - UFAM, Av. General Rodrigo Octavio Jordão Ramos, 6200, Coroado I, 69080-900 Manaus, Amazonas, Brazil
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10
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Peters C, Geary M, Hosie C, Nelson H, Rusk B, Muir A. Non-invasive sampling reveals low mitochondrial genetic diversity for an island endemic species: The critically endangered Grenada Dove Leptotila wellsi. Ecol Evol 2023; 13:e10767. [PMID: 38020693 PMCID: PMC10667608 DOI: 10.1002/ece3.10767] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/31/2023] [Revised: 10/30/2023] [Accepted: 11/07/2023] [Indexed: 12/01/2023] Open
Abstract
As an island endemic with a decreasing population, the critically endangered Grenada Dove Leptotila wellsi is threatened by accelerated loss of genetic diversity resulting from ongoing habitat fragmentation. Small, threatened populations are difficult to sample directly but advances in molecular methods mean that non-invasive samples can be used. We performed the first assessment of genetic diversity of populations of Grenada Dove by (a) assessing mtDNA genetic diversity in the only two areas of occupancy on Grenada, (b) defining the number of haplotypes present at each site and (c) evaluating evidence of isolation between sites. We used non-invasively collected samples from two locations: Mt Hartman (n = 18) and Perseverance (n = 12). DNA extraction and PCR were used to amplify 1751 bps of mtDNA from two mitochondrial markers: NADH dehydrogenase 2 (ND2) and Cytochrome b (Cyt b). Haplotype diversity (h) of 0.4, a nucleotide diversity (π) of 0.00023 and two unique haplotypes were identified within the ND2 sequences; a single haplotype was identified within the Cyt b sequences. Of the two haplotypes identified, the most common haplotype (haplotype A = 73.9%) was observed at both sites and the other (haplotype B = 26.1%) was unique to Perseverance. Our results show low mitochondrial genetic diversity and clear evidence for genetically isolated populations. The Grenada Dove needs urgent conservation action, including habitat protection and potentially augmentation of gene flow by translocation in order to increase genetic resilience and diversity with the ultimate aim of securing the long-term survival of this critically endangered species.
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Affiliation(s)
- Catherine Peters
- Conservation Biology Research Group, Department of Biological SciencesUniversity of ChesterChesterUK
| | - Matthew Geary
- Conservation Biology Research Group, Department of Biological SciencesUniversity of ChesterChesterUK
| | - Charlotte Hosie
- Conservation Biology Research Group, Department of Biological SciencesUniversity of ChesterChesterUK
| | | | - Bonnie Rusk
- Grenada Dove Conservation ProgrammeSt GeorgesGrenada
| | - Anna Muir
- Conservation Biology Research Group, Department of Biological SciencesUniversity of ChesterChesterUK
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11
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Heim W, Antonov A, Kunz F, Sander MM, Bastardot M, Beermann I, Heim RJ, Thomas A, Volkova V. Habitat use, survival, and migration of a little-known East Asian endemic, the yellow-throated bunting Emberiza elegans. Ecol Evol 2023; 13:e10030. [PMID: 37153014 PMCID: PMC10154376 DOI: 10.1002/ece3.10030] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/13/2022] [Revised: 04/05/2023] [Accepted: 04/06/2023] [Indexed: 05/09/2023] Open
Abstract
Basic information on the ecology of species is key for their conservation. Here we study the ecology of the little-known yellow-throated bunting Emberiza elegans based on a multi-year study on its breeding grounds in the Russian Far East. For the first time in this species, we quantified breeding habitat parameters, calculated sex-specific apparent survival, and determined individual nonbreeding locations using light-level geolocation. We found that the habitat around song posts of male yellow-throated buntings is characterized by tree and shrub layers on richly littered moist ground. Habitat use overlaps with co-occurring Tristram's Buntings Emberiza tristrami and Black-faced Buntings E. spodocephala, but territories differ especially in tree cover and litter cover. Based on 4 years of color-ringing data of 72 individuals, we calculated an apparent survival rate of 36%, with higher survival estimates for male than for female yellow-throated buntings. We found no effect of carrying a geolocator on survival. We retrieved six geolocators from males. All birds migrated south-westward during autumn and spent the nonbreeding season at locations in China 700-1700 km away from their breeding sites. At least two individuals spent the boreal winter outside of the known range in northern or central China. Birds left the breeding area between early October and early November and returned between mid-March and mid-April. Our data on habitat use, survival rate, and migratory connectivity will help to assess threats to the populations of this enigmatic species, which might include habitat loss due to forest fires on the breeding grounds, and unsustainable harvest for consumption during the nonbreeding season.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wieland Heim
- Institute of Landscape EcologyUniversity of MünsterMünsterGermany
- University of TurkuTurkuFinland
- Swiss Ornithological InstituteSempachSwitzerland
| | | | - Friederike Kunz
- Institute of Landscape EcologyUniversity of MünsterMünsterGermany
- Independent ResearcherMuensterGermany
| | - Martha Maria Sander
- Department of Life Sciences and Systems BiologyUniversity of TurinTurinItaly
- NABU (Naturschutzbund Deutschland) e.V.BerlinGermany
| | | | - Ilka Beermann
- Institute of Landscape EcologyUniversity of MünsterMünsterGermany
- EuroNatur FoundationRadolfzellGermany
| | - Ramona Julia Heim
- Department of Evolutionary Biology and Environmental StudiesUniversity of ZurichZurichSwitzerland
| | | | - Vera Volkova
- State budgetary educational institution of additional education of the city of Moscow "Zelenograd Palace of Creativity for Children and Youth"ZelenogradRussia
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12
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Kappeler PM, Benhaiem S, Fichtel C, Fromhage L, Höner OP, Jennions MD, Kaiser S, Krüger O, Schneider JM, Tuni C, van Schaik J, Goymann W. Sex roles and sex ratios in animals. Biol Rev Camb Philos Soc 2023; 98:462-480. [PMID: 36307924 DOI: 10.1111/brv.12915] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 19.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/29/2021] [Revised: 10/12/2022] [Accepted: 10/14/2022] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
In species with separate sexes, females and males often differ in their morphology, physiology and behaviour. Such sex-specific traits are functionally linked to variation in reproductive competition, mate choice and parental care, which have all been linked to sex roles. At the 150th anniversary of Darwin's theory on sexual selection, the question of why patterns of sex roles vary within and across species remains a key topic in behavioural and evolutionary ecology. New theoretical, experimental and comparative evidence suggests that variation in the adult sex ratio (ASR) is a key driver of variation in sex roles. Here, we first define and discuss the historical emergence of the sex role concept, including recent criticisms and rebuttals. Second, we review the various sex ratios with a focus on ASR, and explore its theoretical links to sex roles. Third, we explore the causes, and especially the consequences, of biased ASRs, focusing on the results of correlational and experimental studies of the effect of ASR variation on mate choice, sexual conflict, parental care and mating systems, social behaviour, hormone physiology and fitness. We present evidence that animals in diverse societies are sensitive to variation in local ASR, even on short timescales, and propose explanations for conflicting results. We conclude with an overview of open questions in this field integrating demography, life history and behaviour.
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Affiliation(s)
- Peter M Kappeler
- Behavioral Ecology and Sociobiology Unit, German Primate Center - Leibniz Institute of Primatology, Kellnerweg 4, 37077, Göttingen, Germany
- Department of Sociobiology/Anthropology, University of Göttingen, Kellnerweg 6, 37077, Göttingen, Germany
| | - Sarah Benhaiem
- Department of Ecological Dynamics, Leibniz Institute for Zoo and Wildlife Research, Alfred-Kowalke-Strasse 17, D-10315, Berlin, Germany
| | - Claudia Fichtel
- Behavioral Ecology and Sociobiology Unit, German Primate Center - Leibniz Institute of Primatology, Kellnerweg 4, 37077, Göttingen, Germany
| | - Lutz Fromhage
- Department of Biological and Environmental Science, Ambiotica, University of Jyväskylä, PO Box 35, 40014, Jyväskylä, Finland
| | - Oliver P Höner
- Department of Evolutionary Ecology, Leibniz Institute for Zoo and Wildlife Research, Alfred-Kowalke-Strasse 17, D-10315, Berlin, Germany
| | - Michael D Jennions
- Division of Ecology & Evolution, Research School of Biology, ANU College of Science, The Australian National University, RN Robertson Building, 46 Sullivans Creek Road, Canberra, ACT, 2600, Australia
| | - Sylvia Kaiser
- Department of Behavioural Biology, University of Münster, Badestr. 13, 48149, Münster, Germany
| | - Oliver Krüger
- Department of Animal Behavior, Bielefeld University, Morgenbreede 45, 33615, Bielefeld, Germany
| | - Jutta M Schneider
- Department of Biology, Institute of Zoology, Universität Hamburg, Martin-Luther-King Platz 3, 20146, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Cristina Tuni
- Department of Biology II, Ludwig Maximilians University of Munich, Großhaderner Str 2, 82152, Planegg-Martinsried, Germany
| | - Jaap van Schaik
- Applied Zoology and Nature Conservation, University of Greifswald, Loitzer Str. 26, 17489, Greifswald, Germany
| | - Wolfgang Goymann
- Department of Behavioural Neurobiology, Max Planck Institute for Ornithology, Eberhard-Gwinner-Str. 6a, D-82319, Seewiesen, Germany
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13
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Staufer M, Burgstaller S, Horvath A, Landler L. Temporal and spatial variations in local sex ratios in a suburban population of the European green toad Bufotes viridis. BMC Ecol Evol 2023; 23:6. [PMID: 36932330 PMCID: PMC10024452 DOI: 10.1186/s12862-023-02106-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/03/2022] [Accepted: 02/23/2023] [Indexed: 03/19/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Sex ratios of animal populations are important factors of population demographics. In pond-breeding amphibians, the operational sex ratio (OSR) among the breeding population is usually male-biased. Also, in European green toads (Bufotes viridis), males usually outnumber females at breeding sites, while the sex ratio of the total adult population (ASR) is assumed to be balanced. It has been suggested that sex-specific breeding behavior causes male-predominance at the breeding sites. We used a dataset of 5 years of street patrols to test this hypothesis. For this we analyzed local sex ratios of green toads in terrestrial habitats and at two artificial breeding ponds. We expected temporal and/or spatial changes of local sex ratios which would indicate sex dependent differences in breeding behavior. RESULTS Overall observed ASR among 2111 green toads, counted in the course of street patrols from 2016 to 2020, was slightly male-biased (ASR = 0.56, annual ASRs = 0.49-0.63). Based on the data of 1631 toads (920 males, 711 females) captured within a radius of 300 m around nine main breeding sites, temporal and spatial variations in local ASRs were evaluated. Resulting values were compared to the calculated OSR at two artificial breeding ponds in 2021 (645 adult: 553 males, 92 females). Estimates predict more equally distributed females and males prior to the main breeding season. During breeding season, males predominated at both breeding sites (B1: 0.83, B2: 0.89), whereas females are estimated to outnumber males in terrestrial habitats. Proportions of females highly significantly increased with advancing time of the year and increasing distance to the breeding sites. While males tended to accumulate in proximity to water bodies, females dispersed soon after breeding to more distant areas. CONCLUSIONS Observed sex ratios in the studied green toad population changed with time and sampling site, deviating from the population-wide sex ratio. Expanding sampling effort in amphibian conservation assessments in time and space, i.e., outside the main breeding season and away from the breeding sites, would be important to encompass such variations.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Stephan Burgstaller
- Institute of Zoology, Department of Integrative Biology and Biodiversity Research, University of Natural Resources and Life Sciences Vienna, Gregor-Mendel-Strasse 33, 1180, Vienna, Austria
| | - András Horvath
- Institute of Zoology, Department of Integrative Biology and Biodiversity Research, University of Natural Resources and Life Sciences Vienna, Gregor-Mendel-Strasse 33, 1180, Vienna, Austria
| | - Lukas Landler
- Institute of Zoology, Department of Integrative Biology and Biodiversity Research, University of Natural Resources and Life Sciences Vienna, Gregor-Mendel-Strasse 33, 1180, Vienna, Austria.
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14
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Peniche G, Shaw DJ, Dures SG, Ciavaglia S, Thompson DBA, Anderson NE, Meredith AL. Determining sex in golden eagle (Aquila chrysaetos) nestlings. EUR J WILDLIFE RES 2023. [DOI: 10.1007/s10344-022-01627-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
AbstractIncorporating sex ratios of nestlings into population viability studies increases knowledge of overall health of endangered populations. Currently, a reliable non-invasive method to identify the sex of golden eagle nestlings is not available; however, claims are commonly made based on morphology. Ten biometric measurements from 43 Scottish golden eagles aged 2–7.5 weeks were assessed to see if sex could actually be determined using this non-invasive methodology. Sex was confirmed via molecular analysis of blood samples. Discrete and principal component analyses of the different biometrics could not correctly determine individual nestling sex. Therefore, despite being more invasive, molecular sexing remains the recommended tool of choice for accurate sex identification of Scottish golden eagle nestlings younger than 7.5 weeks of age. This has important implications for golden eagle field studies where empirical morphological measurements are frequently and typically taken, but we have shown are not reliable in determining the sex of such young nestlings.
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15
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Schacht R, Beissinger SR, Wedekind C, Jennions MD, Geffroy B, Liker A, Kappeler PM, Weissing FJ, Kramer KL, Hesketh T, Boissier J, Uggla C, Hollingshaus M, Székely T. Adult sex ratios: causes of variation and implications for animal and human societies. Commun Biol 2022; 5:1273. [PMID: 36402823 PMCID: PMC9675760 DOI: 10.1038/s42003-022-04223-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/13/2022] [Accepted: 11/03/2022] [Indexed: 11/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Converging lines of inquiry from across the social and biological sciences target the adult sex ratio (ASR; the proportion of males in the adult population) as a fundamental population-level determinant of behavior. The ASR, which indicates the relative number of potential mates to competitors in a population, frames the selective arena for competition, mate choice, and social interactions. Here we review a growing literature, focusing on methodological developments that sharpen knowledge of the demographic variables underlying ASR variation, experiments that enhance understanding of the consequences of ASR imbalance across societies, and phylogenetic analyses that provide novel insights into social evolution. We additionally highlight areas where research advances are expected to make accelerating contributions across the social sciences, evolutionary biology, and biodiversity conservation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ryan Schacht
- Department of Anthropology, East Carolina University, Greenville, NC, USA.
| | - Steven R Beissinger
- Department of Environmental Science, Policy and Management and Museum of Vertebrate Zoology, University of California, Berkeley, CA, 94720, USA
| | - Claus Wedekind
- Department of Ecology and Evolution, University of Lausanne, 1015, Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Michael D Jennions
- Ecology & Evolution, Research School of Biology, The Australian National University, Acton, Canberra, 2601, Australia
| | - Benjamin Geffroy
- MARBEC Univ Montpellier, CNRS, Ifremer, IRD, Montpellier, France
| | - András Liker
- ELKH-PE Evolutionary Ecology Research Group, University of Pannonia, 8210, Veszprém, Hungary
- Behavioural Ecology Research Group, Center for Natural Sciences, University of Pannonia, 8210, Veszprém, Hungary
| | - Peter M Kappeler
- Behavioral Ecology and Sociobiology Unit, German Primate Center, Leibniz Institute of Primate Biology, 37077, Göttingen, Germany
- Department of Sociobiology/Anthropology, University of Göttingen, 37077, Göttingen, Germany
| | - Franz J Weissing
- Groningen Institute for Evolutionary Life Sciences, University of Groningen, 9747 AG, Groningen, The Netherlands
| | - Karen L Kramer
- Department of Anthropology, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT, USA
| | - Therese Hesketh
- Institute of Global Health, University College London, London, UK
- Centre for Global Health, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, P.R. China
| | - Jérôme Boissier
- IHPE Univ Perpignan Via Domitia, CNRS, Ifremer, Univ Montpellier, Perpignan, France
| | - Caroline Uggla
- Stockholm University Demography Unit, Sociology Department, Stockholm University, 106 91, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Mike Hollingshaus
- Kem C. Gardner Policy Institute, David Eccles School of Business, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT, USA
| | - Tamás Székely
- Milner Centre for Evolution, University of Bath, Bath, BA2 7AY, UK.
- ELKH-DE Reproductive Strategies Research Group, Department of Zoology and Human Biology, University of Debrecen, H-4032, Debrecen, Hungary.
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16
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Mudrik EA, Ilyashenko EI, Postelnykh KA, Goroshko OA, Politov DV. Sex Ratio in the Offspring of Monogamous Bird Species (Demoiselle Crane Anthropoides virgo). RUSS J GENET+ 2022. [DOI: 10.1134/s1022795422110072] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/12/2022]
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17
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Romano A, Liker A, Bazzi G, Ambrosini R, Møller AP, Rubolini D. Annual egg productivity predicts female-biased mortality in avian species. Evolution 2022; 76:2553-2565. [PMID: 36117282 PMCID: PMC9828124 DOI: 10.1111/evo.14623] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/20/2021] [Revised: 07/08/2022] [Accepted: 08/12/2022] [Indexed: 01/22/2023]
Abstract
Among avian species, the differential cost entailed by either sex in competition for mates has been regarded as the main evolutionary influence on sex differences in mortality rates. However, empirical evidence suggests that sex-biased adult mortality is mainly related to differential energy investment in gamete production, with a greater annual mass devoted to egg production leading to higher female mortality. We explicitly tested the generality of this pattern in a comparative framework. Annual egg production can be relatively large in some species (up to 200% of female body mass) and annual mortality is generally biased toward females. We showed that greater annual egg productivity resulted in higher mortality rates of females relative to males. Mating system was secondarily important, with species in which males were more involved in mating competition having more equal mortality rates between the sexes. However, both traits explained only a limited fraction of the interspecific variation in female-biased mortality. Other traits, such as sexual size dimorphism and parental care, had much weaker influences on female-biased mortality. Our results suggest that both annual mass devoted to gamete production by females and mating system contribute to the evolution of the fundamental life-history trade-off between reproduction and survival in avian taxa.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andrea Romano
- Dipartimento di Scienze e Politiche AmbientaliUniversità degli Studi di MilanoMilan20133Italy
| | - András Liker
- ELKH‐PE Evolutionary Ecology Research GroupUniversity of PannoniaVeszprém8210Hungary
- Behavioral Ecology Research Group, Center for Natural SciencesUniversity of PannoniaVeszprém8210Hungary
| | - Gaia Bazzi
- Dipartimento di Scienze e Politiche AmbientaliUniversità degli Studi di MilanoMilan20133Italy
- Area per l'Avifauna Migratrice (BIO‐AVM)Istituto Superiore per la Protezione e la Ricerca Ambientale (ISPRA)Ozzano dell'Emilia40064Italy
| | - Roberto Ambrosini
- Dipartimento di Scienze e Politiche AmbientaliUniversità degli Studi di MilanoMilan20133Italy
| | - Anders P. Møller
- Laboratoire d'Ecologie, Systématique et Evolution, CNRS UMR 8079Université Paris‐SaclayOrsay Cedex91405France
| | - Diego Rubolini
- Dipartimento di Scienze e Politiche AmbientaliUniversità degli Studi di MilanoMilan20133Italy
- Istituto di Ricerca sulle AcqueIRSA‐CNRBrugherio20861Italy
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18
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Moccia KA, Baccus JT, Small MF, Simpson TR. SECONDARY AND TERTIARY SEX RATIOS IN WHITE-WINGED DOVES (ZENAIDA ASIATICA) IN TEXAS. SOUTHWEST NAT 2022. [DOI: 10.1894/0038-4909-66.3.189] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Katie A. Moccia
- Department of Biology, Wildlife Ecology Program, Texas State University, San Marcos, TX 79666
| | - John T. Baccus
- Department of Biology, Wildlife Ecology Program, Texas State University, San Marcos, TX 79666
| | - Michael F. Small
- Department of Biology, Wildlife Ecology Program, Texas State University, San Marcos, TX 79666
| | - Thomas R. Simpson
- Department of Biology, Wildlife Ecology Program, Texas State University, San Marcos, TX 79666
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19
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Pogány Á, Krause ET, Roth O, Bókony V. Editorial: The Development and Fitness Consequences of Sex Roles. Front Ecol Evol 2022. [DOI: 10.3389/fevo.2022.912520] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
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20
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Vincze O, Vágási CI, Pénzes J, Szabó K, Magonyi NM, Czirják GÁ, Pap PL. Sexual dimorphism in immune function and oxidative physiology across birds: The role of sexual selection. Ecol Lett 2022; 25:958-970. [PMID: 35106902 PMCID: PMC9305230 DOI: 10.1111/ele.13973] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/22/2021] [Revised: 01/05/2022] [Accepted: 01/05/2022] [Indexed: 01/08/2023]
Abstract
Sex‐specific physiology is commonly reported in animals, often indicating lower immune indices and higher oxidative stress in males than in females. Sexual selection is argued to explain these differences, but empirical evidence is limited. Here, we explore sex differences in immunity, oxidative physiology and packed cell volume of wild, adult, breeding birds (97 species, 1997 individuals, 14 230 physiological measurements). We show that higher female immune indices are most common across birds (when bias is present), but oxidative physiology shows no general sex‐bias and packed cell volume is generally male‐biased. In contrast with predictions based on sexual selection, male‐biased sexual size dimorphism is associated with male‐biased immune measures. Sexual dichromatism, mating system and parental roles had no effect on sex‐specificity in physiology. Importantly, female‐biased immunity remained after accounting for sexual selection indices. We conclude that cross‐species differences in physiological sex‐bias are largely unrelated to sexual selection and alternative explanations should be explored.
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Affiliation(s)
- Orsolya Vincze
- Centre for Ecological Research, Institute of Aquatic Ecology, Debrecen, Hungary.,Evolutionary Ecology Group, Hungarian Department of Biology and Ecology, Babeş-Bolyai University, Cluj-Napoca, Romania
| | - Csongor I Vágási
- Evolutionary Ecology Group, Hungarian Department of Biology and Ecology, Babeş-Bolyai University, Cluj-Napoca, Romania
| | - Janka Pénzes
- Evolutionary Ecology Group, Hungarian Department of Biology and Ecology, Babeş-Bolyai University, Cluj-Napoca, Romania
| | - Krisztián Szabó
- Department of Ecology, University of Veterinary Medicine Budapest, Budapest, Hungary
| | - Nóra M Magonyi
- Doctoral School of Biology and Sportbiology, Faculty of Sciences, University of Pécs, Pécs, Hungary.,Centre for Agricultural Research, Plant Protection Institute, ELKH, Budapest, Hungary
| | - Gábor Á Czirják
- Department of Wildlife Diseases, Leibniz Institute for Zoo and Wildlife Research, Berlin, Germany
| | - Péter L Pap
- Evolutionary Ecology Group, Hungarian Department of Biology and Ecology, Babeş-Bolyai University, Cluj-Napoca, Romania.,Behavioural Ecology Research Group, Department of Evolutionary Zoology and Human Biology, University of Debrecen, Debrecen, Hungary
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21
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Reichard M, Blažek R, Žák J, Cellerino A, Polačik M. The sources of sex differences in aging in annual fishes. J Anim Ecol 2021; 91:540-550. [PMID: 34954818 DOI: 10.1111/1365-2656.13656] [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: 09/28/2021] [Accepted: 12/06/2021] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
Inter-sexual differences in lifespan (age at death) and aging (increase in mortality risk associated with functional deterioration) are widespread among animals, from nematodes to humans. Males often live shorter than females, but there is substantial unexplained variation among species and populations. Despite extensive research, it is poorly understood how lifespan differences between the sexes are modulated by an interplay among genetic, environmental and social factors. The goal of our study was to test how sex differences in lifespan and ageing are modulated by social and environmental factors, and by intrinsic differences between males and females. To disentangle the complex basis of sex differences in lifespan and aging, we combined comparative data from sex ratios in 367 natural populations of four species of African annual killifish with experimental results on sex differences in lifespan and aging from eight laboratory populations tested in treatments that varied social and environmental conditions. In the wild, females consistently outlived males. In captivity, sex-specific mortality depended on social conditions. In social-housed experimental groups, male-biased mortality persisted in two aggressive species, but ceased in two placid species. When social and physical contacts were prevented by housing all fish individually, male-biased mortality ceased in all four species. This outcome held across benign and challenging environmental conditions. Fitting demographic survival models revealed that increased baseline mortality was primarily responsible for a shorter male lifespan in social-housing conditions. The timing and rate of aging were not different between the sexes. No marker of functional aging we recorded in our study (lipofuscin accumulation, proliferative changes in kidney and liver) differed between males and females, despite their previously confirmed association with functional aging in Nothobranchius killifish. We show that sex differences in lifespan and aging in killifish are driven by a combination of social and environmental conditions, rather than differential functional aging. They are primarily linked to sexual selection but precipitated through multiple processes (predation, social interference). This demonstrates how sex-specific mortality varies among species even within an ecologically and evolutionary discrete lineage and explains how external factors mediate this difference.
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Affiliation(s)
- Martin Reichard
- Institute of Vertebrate Biology, Czech Academy of Sciences, Brno, Czech Republic.,Department of Ecology and Vertebrate Zoology, Faculty of Biology and Environmental Protection, University of Łódź, Łódź, Poland.,Department of Botany and Zoology, Faculty of Science, Masaryk University, Brno, Czech Republic
| | - Radim Blažek
- Institute of Vertebrate Biology, Czech Academy of Sciences, Brno, Czech Republic
| | - Jakub Žák
- Institute of Vertebrate Biology, Czech Academy of Sciences, Brno, Czech Republic.,Department of Zoology, Faculty of Science, Charles University, Prague, Czech Republic
| | - Alessandro Cellerino
- Bio@SNS, Scuola Normale Superiore, Department of Neurosciences, Pisa, Italy.,Fritz Lipmann Institute for Age Research, Leibniz Institute, Beutenbergstr. 11, Jena, Germany
| | - Matej Polačik
- Institute of Vertebrate Biology, Czech Academy of Sciences, Brno, Czech Republic
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22
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Lambert MR, Ezaz T, Skelly DK. Sex-Biased Mortality and Sex Reversal Shape Wild Frog Sex Ratios. Front Ecol Evol 2021. [DOI: 10.3389/fevo.2021.756476] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Population sex ratio is a key demographic factor that influences population dynamics and persistence. Sex ratios can vary across ontogeny from embryogenesis to death and yet the conditions that shape changes in sex ratio across ontogeny are poorly understood. Here, we address this issue in amphibians, a clade for which sex ratios are generally understudied in wild populations. Ontogenetic sex ratio variation in amphibians is additionally complicated by the ability of individual tadpoles to develop a phenotypic (gonadal) sex opposite their genotypic sex. Because of sex reversal, the genotypic and phenotypic sex ratios of entire cohorts and populations may also contrast. Understanding proximate mechanisms underlying phenotypic sex ratio variation in amphibians is important given the role they play in population biology research and as model species in eco-toxicological research addressing toxicant impacts on sex ratios. While researchers have presumed that departures from a 50:50 sex ratio are due to sex reversal, sex-biased mortality is an alternative explanation that deserves consideration. Here, we use a molecular sexing approach to track genotypic sex ratio changes from egg mass to metamorphosis in two independent green frog (Rana clamitans) populations by assessing the genotypic sex ratios of multiple developmental stages at each breeding pond. Our findings imply that genotypic sex-biased mortality during tadpole development affects phenotypic sex ratio variation at metamorphosis. We also identified sex reversal in metamorphosing cohorts. However, sex reversal plays a relatively minor and inconsistent role in shaping phenotypic sex ratios across the populations we studied. Although we found that sex-biased mortality influences sex ratios within a population, our study cannot say at this time whether sex-biased mortality is responsible for sex ratio variation across populations. Our results illustrate how multiple processes shape sex ratio variation in wild populations and the value of testing assumptions underlying how we understand sex in wild animal populations.
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23
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Degree of anisogamy is unrelated to the intensity of sexual selection. Sci Rep 2021; 11:19424. [PMID: 34593863 PMCID: PMC8484679 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-021-98616-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/24/2021] [Accepted: 08/26/2021] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Males and females often display different behaviours and, in the context of reproduction, these behaviours are labelled sex roles. The Darwin–Bateman paradigm argues that the root of these differences is anisogamy (i.e., differences in size and/or function of gametes between the sexes) that leads to biased sexual selection, and sex differences in parental care and body size. This evolutionary cascade, however, is contentious since some of the underpinning assumptions have been questioned. Here we investigate the relationships between anisogamy, sexual size dimorphism, sex difference in parental care and intensity of sexual selection using phylogenetic comparative analyses of 64 species from a wide range of animal taxa. The results question the first step of the Darwin–Bateman paradigm, as the extent of anisogamy does not appear to predict the intensity of sexual selection. The only significant predictor of sexual selection is the relative inputs of males and females into the care of offspring. We propose that ecological factors, life-history and demography have more substantial impacts on contemporary sex roles than the differences of gametic investments between the sexes.
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24
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Sex-dependent elevational effects on bird feather moult. Evol Ecol 2021. [DOI: 10.1007/s10682-021-10123-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/21/2022]
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25
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Liker A, Bókony V, Pipoly I, Lemaître JF, Gaillard JM, Székely T, Freckleton RP. Evolution of large males is associated with female-skewed adult sex ratios in amniotes. Evolution 2021; 75:1636-1649. [PMID: 34021590 DOI: 10.1111/evo.14273] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/24/2020] [Revised: 04/30/2021] [Accepted: 05/05/2021] [Indexed: 12/30/2022]
Abstract
Body size often differs between the sexes (leading to sexual size dimorphism, SSD), as a consequence of differential responses by males and females to selection pressures. Adult sex ratio (ASR, the proportion of males in the adult population) should influence SSD because ASR relates to both the number of competitors and available mates, which shape the intensity of mating competition and thereby promotes SSD evolution. However, whether ASR correlates with SSD variation among species has not been yet tested across a broad range of taxa. Using phylogenetic comparative analyses of 462 amniotes (i.e., reptiles, birds, and mammals), we fill this knowledge gap by showing that male bias in SSD increases with increasingly female-skewed ASRs in both mammals and birds. This relationship is not explained by the higher mortality of the larger sex because SSD is not associated with sex differences in either juvenile or adult mortality. Phylogenetic path analysis indicates that higher mortality in one sex leads to skewed ASR, which in turn may generate selection for SSD biased toward the rare sex. Taken together, our findings provide evidence that skewed ASRs in amniote populations can result in the rarer sex evolving large size to capitalize on enhanced mating opportunities.
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Affiliation(s)
- András Liker
- MTA-PE Evolutionary Ecology Research Group, University of Pannonia, Veszprém, H-8210, Hungary.,Behavioral Ecology Research Group, Center for Natural Sciences, University of Pannonia, Veszprém, H-8210, Hungary
| | - Veronika Bókony
- Lendület Evolutionary Ecology Research Group, Plant Protection Institute, Centre for Agricultural Research, Eötvös Loránd Research Network, Budapest, H-1022, Hungary
| | - Ivett Pipoly
- MTA-PE Evolutionary Ecology Research Group, University of Pannonia, Veszprém, H-8210, Hungary.,Behavioral Ecology Research Group, Center for Natural Sciences, University of Pannonia, Veszprém, H-8210, Hungary
| | - Jean-Francois Lemaître
- Université Lyon 1, CNRS, Laboratoire de Biométrie et Biologie Évolutive UMR 5558, Villeurbanne, F-69622, France
| | - Jean-Michel Gaillard
- Université Lyon 1, CNRS, Laboratoire de Biométrie et Biologie Évolutive UMR 5558, Villeurbanne, F-69622, France
| | - Tamás Székely
- Milner Centre for Evolution, Department of Biology and Biochemistry, University of Bath, Bath, BA2 7AY, United Kingdom.,Department of Evolutionary Zoology and Human Biology, University of Debrecen, Debrecen, H-4032, Hungary
| | - Robert P Freckleton
- Department of Animal and Plant Sciences, Alfred Denny Building, University of Sheffield, Sheffield, S10 2TN, United Kingdom
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26
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Brunton Martin AL, Gaskett AC, O'Hanlon JC. Museum records indicate male bias in pollinators of sexually deceptive orchids. Naturwissenschaften 2021; 108:25. [PMID: 34091791 DOI: 10.1007/s00114-021-01737-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/21/2020] [Revised: 05/09/2021] [Accepted: 05/17/2021] [Indexed: 10/21/2022]
Abstract
Deception has evolved in a range of taxa. When deception imposes costs, yet persists over generations, exploited species typically have traits to help them bear or minimise costs. The sexually deceptive orchids, Cryptostylis spp., are pollinated by tricking male haplodiploid wasps (Lissopimpla excelsa) into mating with flowers, which offer no reward and often elicit sperm wastage. We hypothesise that by attracting haplodiploid species, orchids have a pollinator ideally suited to withstand the costs of sexual deception-and a selective advantage compared to other orchids. Haplodiploid females can reproduce with or without sperm-albeit when spermless, females can only have sons. Through orchid deception and sperm wastage, deceived haplodiploid populations could become male biased, providing enough males to share between orchids and females. In this way, pollinator populations can persist despite high densities of sexually deceptive orchids. Here, we aim to broadly test this prediction using museum and digital records of the pollinator, L. excelsa, from sites with or without orchids. For robustness, we also analyse the sex ratio of a sister ichneumonid species that occurs in the same areas but is not deceived by orchids. We found that at sites with orchids, L. excelsa was significantly more male biased than at sites without orchids and significantly more male biased than the sister ichneumonid. This survey is the first to test the population-level effects of sexually deceptive orchids on their pollinator. It supports our prediction that orchid deception can drive male-biased sex ratios in exploited pollinators.
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Affiliation(s)
- A L Brunton Martin
- School of Biological Sciences, The University of Auckland, Auckland Central, New Zealand. .,Manaaki Whenua - Landcare Research, 1142, Auckland, New Zealand.
| | - A C Gaskett
- School of Biological Sciences, The University of Auckland, Auckland Central, New Zealand
| | - J C O'Hanlon
- School of Environmental and Rural Science, The University of New England, NSW, Armidale, Australia
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27
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Cruz-Flores M, Pradel R, Bried J, González-Solís J, Ramos R. Sex-specific costs of reproduction on survival in a long-lived seabird. Biol Lett 2021; 17:20200804. [PMID: 33757296 DOI: 10.1098/rsbl.2020.0804] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Costs of reproduction on survival have captured the attention of researchers since life history theory was formulated. Adults of long-lived species may increase survival by reducing their breeding effort or even skipping reproduction. In this study, we aimed to evaluate the costs of current reproduction on survival and whether skipping reproduction increases adult survival in a long-lived seabird. We used capture-mark-recapture data (1450 encounters) from two populations of Bulwer's petrel (Bulweria bulwerii), breeding in the Azores and Canary Islands, North Atlantic Ocean. Using a multi-event model with two different breeding statuses (breeders versus non-breeders), we calculated probabilities of survival and of transitions between breeding statuses, evaluating potential differences between sexes. Females had lower survival probabilities than males, independent of their breeding status. When considering breeding status, breeding females had lower survival probabilities than non-breeding females, suggesting costs of reproduction on survival. Breeding males had higher survival probabilities than non-breeding males, suggesting that males do not incur costs of reproduction on survival and that only the highest quality males have access to breeding. The highest and the lowest probabilities of skipping reproduction were found in breeding males from the Azores and in breeding males from the Canary Islands, respectively. Intermediate values were observed in the females from both populations. This result is probably due to differences in the external factors affecting both populations, essentially predation pressure and competition. The existence of sex-specific costs of reproduction on survival in several populations of this long-lived species may have important implications for species population dynamics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marta Cruz-Flores
- Departament de Biologia Evolutiva, Ecologia i Ciències Ambientals, Facultat de Biologia, Institut de Recerca de la Biodiversitat (IRBio), Universitat de Barcelona, Av. Diagonal 643, Barcelona 08028, Spain
| | - Roger Pradel
- CEFE UMR 5175, CNRS - Université de Montpellier - Université Paul-Valéry Montpellier - EPHE, Montpellier, France
| | - Joël Bried
- Departamento de Oceanografia e Pescas, Centro Okeanos, MARE (Marine and Environmental Sciences Centre), IMAR and LARSyS Associated Lab, Universidade dos Açores, 9901-862 Horta, Açores, Portugal
| | - Jacob González-Solís
- Departament de Biologia Evolutiva, Ecologia i Ciències Ambientals, Facultat de Biologia, Institut de Recerca de la Biodiversitat (IRBio), Universitat de Barcelona, Av. Diagonal 643, Barcelona 08028, Spain
| | - Raül Ramos
- Departament de Biologia Evolutiva, Ecologia i Ciències Ambientals, Facultat de Biologia, Institut de Recerca de la Biodiversitat (IRBio), Universitat de Barcelona, Av. Diagonal 643, Barcelona 08028, Spain
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28
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Valdebenito JO, Liker A, Halimubieke N, Figuerola J, Székely T. Mortality cost of sex-specific parasitism in wild bird populations. Sci Rep 2020; 10:20983. [PMID: 33268803 PMCID: PMC7710712 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-020-77410-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/11/2020] [Accepted: 11/04/2020] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
Sex-specific mortality is frequent in animals although the causes of different male versus female mortalities remain poorly understood. Parasitism is ubiquitous in nature with widespread detrimental effects to hosts, making parasitism a likely cause of sex-specific mortalities. Using sex-specific blood and gastrointestinal parasite prevalence from 96 and 54 avian host species, respectively, we test the implications of parasites for annual mortality in wild bird populations using phylogenetic comparative methods. First, we show that parasite prevalence is not different between adult males and females, although Nematodes showed a statistically significant but small male-biased parasite prevalence. Second, we found no correlation between sex-biased host mortalities and sex-biased parasite prevalence. These results were consistent in both blood and gastrointestinal parasites. Taken together, our results show little evidence for sex-dependent parasite prevalence in adults in wild bird populations, and suggest that parasite prevalence is an unlikely predictor of sex difference in adult mortalities, not withstanding sampling limitations. We propose that to understand causes of sex-biased mortalities, more complex analyses are needed that incorporate various ecological and life history components of animals life that may include sex differences in exposure to predators, immune capacity and cost of reproduction.
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Affiliation(s)
- José O Valdebenito
- Milner Centre for Evolution, Department of Biology and Biochemistry, University of Bath, Bath, UK
| | - András Liker
- MTA-PE Evolutionary Ecology Research Group, University of Pannonia, Veszprém, Hungary.,Behavioural Ecology Research Group, Center for Natural Sciences, University of Pannonia, Veszprém, Hungary
| | - Naerhulan Halimubieke
- Milner Centre for Evolution, Department of Biology and Biochemistry, University of Bath, Bath, UK
| | - Jordi Figuerola
- Department of Wetland Ecology, Estación Biológica de Doñana (EBD-CSIC), Seville, Spain.,CIBER Epidemiología y Salud Pública (CIBERESP), Seville, Spain
| | - Tamás Székely
- Milner Centre for Evolution, Department of Biology and Biochemistry, University of Bath, Bath, UK. .,Department of Evolutionary Zoology and Human Biology, University of Debrecen, Debrecen, Hungary.
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29
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Safari I, Goymann W. The evolution of reversed sex roles and classical polyandry: Insights from coucals and other animals. Ethology 2020. [DOI: 10.1111/eth.13095] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/17/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Ignas Safari
- Max‐Planck‐Institut für Ornithologie, Abteilung für Verhaltensneurobiologie Seewiesen Germany
- Coucal Project Chimala Tanzania
- Department of Biology University of Dodoma Dodoma Tanzania
| | - Wolfgang Goymann
- Max‐Planck‐Institut für Ornithologie, Abteilung für Verhaltensneurobiologie Seewiesen Germany
- Coucal Project Chimala Tanzania
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30
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Saitta ET, Stockdale MT, Longrich NR, Bonhomme V, Benton MJ, Cuthill IC, Makovicky PJ. An effect size statistical framework for investigating sexual dimorphism in non-avian dinosaurs and other extinct taxa. Biol J Linn Soc Lond 2020. [DOI: 10.1093/biolinnean/blaa105] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/29/2022]
Abstract
Abstract
Despite reports of sexual dimorphism in extinct taxa, such claims in non-avian dinosaurs have been rare over the last decade and have often been criticized. Since dimorphism is widespread in sexually reproducing organisms today, under-reporting in the literature might suggest either methodological shortcomings or that this diverse group exhibited highly unusual reproductive biology. Univariate significance testing, especially for bimodality, is ineffective and prone to false negatives. Species recognition and mutual sexual selection hypotheses, therefore, may not be required to explain supposed absence of sexual dimorphism across the grade (a type II error). Instead, multiple lines of evidence support sexual selection and variation of structures consistent with secondary sexual characteristics, strongly suggesting sexual dimorphism in non-avian dinosaurs. We propose a framework for studying sexual dimorphism in fossils, focusing on likely secondary sexual traits and testing against all alternate hypotheses for variation in them using multiple lines of evidence. We use effect size statistics appropriate for low sample sizes, rather than significance testing, to analyse potential divergence of growth curves in traits and constrain estimates for dimorphism magnitude. In many cases, estimates of sexual variation can be reasonably accurate, and further developments in methods to improve sex assignments and account for intrasexual variation (e.g. mixture modelling) will improve accuracy. It is better to compare estimates for the magnitude of and support for dimorphism between datasets than to dichotomously reject or fail to reject monomorphism in a single species, enabling the study of sexual selection across phylogenies and time. We defend our approach with simulated and empirical data, including dinosaur data, showing that even simple approaches can yield fairly accurate estimates of sexual variation in many cases, allowing for comparison of species with high and low support for sexual variation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Evan T Saitta
- Life Sciences Section, Integrative Research Center, Field Museum of Natural History, Chicago, IL, USA
| | | | - Nicholas R Longrich
- Department of Biology and Biochemistry and Milner Centre for Evolution, University of Bath, Bath, UK
| | - Vincent Bonhomme
- Institut des sciences de l’évolution, Université de Montpellier, Montpellier, France
| | | | - Innes C Cuthill
- School of Biological Sciences, University of Bristol, Bristol, UK
| | - Peter J Makovicky
- Department of Earth and Environmental Sciences, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN, USA
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31
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Abstract
Females and males may face different selection pressures. Accordingly, alleles that confer a benefit for one sex often incur a cost for the other. Classic evolutionary theory holds that the X chromosome, whose sex-biased transmission sees it spending more time in females, should value females more than males, whereas autosomes, whose transmission is unbiased, should value both sexes equally. However, recent mathematical and empirical studies indicate that male-beneficial alleles may be more favoured by the X chromosome than by autosomes. Here we develop a gene's-eye-view approach that reconciles the classic view with these recent discordant results, by separating a gene's valuation of female versus male fitness from its ability to induce fitness effects in either sex. We use this framework to generate new comparative predictions for sexually antagonistic evolution in relation to dosage compensation, sex-specific mortality and assortative mating, revealing how molecular mechanisms, ecology and demography drive variation in masculinization versus feminization across the genome.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Andy Gardner
- School of Biology, University of St Andrews, St Andrews KY16 9TH, UK
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32
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Scholer MN, Strimas‐Mackey M, Jankowski JE. A meta‐analysis of global avian survival across species and latitude. Ecol Lett 2020; 23:1537-1549. [DOI: 10.1111/ele.13573] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/04/2020] [Accepted: 06/11/2020] [Indexed: 01/01/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Micah N. Scholer
- Biodiversity Research Centre and Department of Zoology University of British Columbia Vancouver Canada
| | | | - Jill E. Jankowski
- Biodiversity Research Centre and Department of Zoology University of British Columbia Vancouver Canada
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33
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Cooke R, Rendall AR, Weston MA, Porch N, Bradsworth N, White JG. Photography can determine the sex of a predator with limited sexual dimorphism: A case study of the powerful owl. Glob Ecol Conserv 2020. [DOI: 10.1016/j.gecco.2020.e00959] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
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34
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Boano G, Tizzani P, Rasero R, Fasano SG, Centili D, Silvano F, Soglia D, Sacchi P, Meneguz PG. Sex identification of Eurasian Scops Owl Otus scops using morphometric analysis. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2020. [DOI: 10.1080/03078698.2019.1759914] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/24/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Giovanni Boano
- Museo Civico di Storia Naturale, Via S. Francesco di Sales 188, I-10022 Carmagnola (TO), Italy
| | - Paolo Tizzani
- Dipartimento di Scienze Veterinarie, Università di Torino, Largo P. Braccini 2, I-10090 Grugliasco (TO), Italy
| | - Roberto Rasero
- Dipartimento di Scienze Veterinarie, Università di Torino, Largo P. Braccini 2, I-10090 Grugliasco (TO), Italy
| | | | | | - Fabrizio Silvano
- Museo Civico di Storia Naturale, Villa Gardella Via Fossati 2, I-15060 Stazzano (AL), Italy
| | - Dominga Soglia
- Dipartimento di Scienze Veterinarie, Università di Torino, Largo P. Braccini 2, I-10090 Grugliasco (TO), Italy
| | - Paola Sacchi
- Dipartimento di Scienze Veterinarie, Università di Torino, Largo P. Braccini 2, I-10090 Grugliasco (TO), Italy
| | - Pier Giuseppe Meneguz
- Dipartimento di Scienze Veterinarie, Università di Torino, Largo P. Braccini 2, I-10090 Grugliasco (TO), Italy
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35
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Gherardi-Fuentes C, Ruiz J, Verdugo C, Navedo JG. Male-biased adult sex ratio in non-breeding areas of an extreme long-distance migratory shorebird population. ACTA OECOLOGICA-INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ECOLOGY 2020. [DOI: 10.1016/j.actao.2020.103560] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/19/2023]
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36
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Abstract
AbstractSex ratios can differ from an expected equal proportion of males and females, carrying substantial implications for our understanding of how mating systems evolve. Typically, macro-evolutionary studies have been conducted without assessing how deviations from an equal sex ratio could be explained by sex-biased mortality or dispersal. Our understanding of sex ratio evolution independent of these confounds, in addition to any putative links between skewed sex ratios and other factors (e.g. life history), therefore remains largely unexplored. Here, we conducted an exploratory study investigating differences in sex ratios across closely related species while controlling for extrinsic mortality. We also tested two factors, non-overlapping/overlapping generations and the social environment, which have both been hypothesised to affect sex ratios. Specifically, we raised 15 species of killifish, which have either overlapping or discrete generations, under both solitary and social treatments. We found substantial divergences in sex ratios across closely related species, which exhibited both male and female biases. In conjunction with a low phylogenetic signal, our results suggest that sex ratios can evolve rapidly in this group. However, we found no evidence that overlapping generations or the social environment affected sex biases, suggesting that other factors drive the rapid evolution of sex ratios in killifishes.
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37
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Ancona S, Liker A, Carmona‐Isunza MC, Székely T. Sex differences in age-to-maturation relate to sexual selection and adult sex ratios in birds. Evol Lett 2020; 4:44-53. [PMID: 32055410 PMCID: PMC7006465 DOI: 10.1002/evl3.156] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/12/2019] [Revised: 12/06/2019] [Accepted: 12/11/2019] [Indexed: 11/26/2022] Open
Abstract
Maturation (the age when organisms are physiologically capable of breeding) is one of the major life history traits that have pervasive implications for reproductive strategies, fitness, and population growth. Sex differences in maturation are common in nature, although the causes of such differences are not understood. Fisher and Lack proposed that delayed maturation in males is expected when males are under intense sexual selection, but their proposition has never been tested across a wide range of taxa. By using phylogenetic comparative analyses and the most comprehensive dataset to date, including 201 species from 59 avian families, we show that intense sexual selection on males (as indicated by polygamous mating and male-skewed sexual size dimorphism) correlates with delayed maturation. We also show that the adult sex ratio (ASR), an indicator of the social environment, is associated with sex-specific maturation because in species with a female-skewed ASR, males experience later maturation. Phylogenetic path analyses suggest that adult sex ratio drives interspecific changes in the intensity of sexual selection which, in turn, influences maturation. These results are robust to alternative phylogenetic hypotheses and to potential life-history confounds, and they provide the first comprehensive support of Fisher's and Lack's propositions. Importantly, our work suggests that both social environment and mate competition influence the evolution of a major life history trait, maturation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sergio Ancona
- Departamento de Ecología Evolutiva, Instituto de EcologíaUniversidad Nacional Autónoma de MéxicoCiudad de México04510México
| | - András Liker
- MTA‐PE Evolutionary Ecology Research GroupUniversity of PannoniaPO Box 158Veszprém8201Hungary
- Department of LimnologyUniversity of PannoniaPO Box 158Veszprém8201Hungary
| | - M. Cristina Carmona‐Isunza
- Departamento de Ecología Evolutiva, Instituto de EcologíaUniversidad Nacional Autónoma de MéxicoCiudad de México04510México
| | - Tamás Székely
- Milner Centre for Evolution, Department of Biology & BiochemistryUniversity of BathBathBA2 7AYUK
- Department of Evolutionary Zoology and Human BiologyUniversity of DebrecenH‐4010DebrecenEgyetem tér 1Hungary
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38
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Gownaris NJ, García Borboroglu P, Boersma PD. Sex ratio is variable and increasingly male biased at two colonies of Magellanic Penguins. Ecology 2020; 101:e02939. [DOI: 10.1002/ecy.2939] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/01/2019] [Accepted: 10/18/2019] [Indexed: 11/06/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Natasha J. Gownaris
- Environmental Studies Department Gettysburg College Gettysburg Pennsylvania 17325 USA
| | - Pablo García Borboroglu
- Department of Biology and Center for Ecosystem Sentinels University of Washington Seattle Washington 98103 USA
- Global Penguin Society Puerto Madryn Argentina
| | - P. Dee Boersma
- Department of Biology and Center for Ecosystem Sentinels University of Washington Seattle Washington 98103 USA
- Global Penguin Society Puerto Madryn Argentina
- CESIMAR CCT Cenpat‐CONICET 9120Puerto Madryn Chubut Argentina
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39
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Cooper N, Bond AL, Davis JL, Portela Miguez R, Tomsett L, Helgen KM. Sex biases in bird and mammal natural history collections. Proc Biol Sci 2019; 286:20192025. [PMID: 31640514 PMCID: PMC6834056 DOI: 10.1098/rspb.2019.2025] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/30/2019] [Accepted: 09/30/2019] [Indexed: 01/18/2023] Open
Abstract
Natural history specimens are widely used across ecology, evolutionary biology and conservation. Although biological sex may influence all of these areas, it is often overlooked in large-scale studies using museum specimens. If collections are biased towards one sex, studies may not be representative of the species. Here, we investigate sex ratios in over two million bird and mammal specimen records from five large international museums. We found a slight bias towards males in birds (40% females) and mammals (48% females), but this varied among orders. The proportion of female specimens has not significantly changed in 130 years, but has decreased in species with showy male traits like colourful plumage and horns. Body size had little effect. Male bias was strongest in name-bearing types; only 27% of bird and 39% of mammal types were female. These results imply that previous studies may be impacted by undetected male bias, and vigilance is required when using specimen data, collecting new specimens and designating types.
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Affiliation(s)
- Natalie Cooper
- Department of Life Sciences, Natural History Museum, Cromwell Road, London SW7 5BD, UK
| | - Alexander L. Bond
- Department of Life Sciences, Natural History Museum, Cromwell Road, London SW7 5BD, UK
- Bird Group, Department of Life Sciences, Natural History Museum, Akeman Street, Tring, Hertfordshire, HP23 6AP, UK
| | - Joshua L. Davis
- Department of Life Sciences, Natural History Museum, Cromwell Road, London SW7 5BD, UK
| | - Roberto Portela Miguez
- Department of Life Sciences, Natural History Museum, Cromwell Road, London SW7 5BD, UK
- Mammal Group, Department of Life Sciences, Natural History Museum, Cromwell Road, London SW7 5BD, UK
| | - Louise Tomsett
- Department of Life Sciences, Natural History Museum, Cromwell Road, London SW7 5BD, UK
- Mammal Group, Department of Life Sciences, Natural History Museum, Cromwell Road, London SW7 5BD, UK
| | - Kristofer M. Helgen
- Department of Life Sciences, Natural History Museum, Cromwell Road, London SW7 5BD, UK
- Mammal Group, Department of Life Sciences, Natural History Museum, Cromwell Road, London SW7 5BD, UK
- Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, School of Biological Sciences, University of Adelaide, North Terrace, Adelaide SA 5005, Australia
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Abstract
The adult sex ratio (ASR) is an important property of populations. Comparative phylogenetic analyses have shown that unequal sex ratios are associated with the frequency of changing mates, extrapair mating (EPM), mating system and parental care, sex-specific survival, and population dynamics. Comparative demographic analyses are needed to validate the inferences, and to identify the causes and consequences of sex ratio inequalities in changing environments. We tested expected consequences of biased sex ratios in two species of Darwin's finches in the Galápagos, where annual variation in rainfall, food supply, and survival is pronounced. Environmental perturbations cause sex ratios to become strongly male-biased, and when this happens, females have increased opportunities to choose high-quality males. The choice of a mate is influenced by early experience of parental morphology (sexual imprinting), and since morphological traits are highly heritable, mate choice is expressed as a positive correlation between mates. The expected assortative mating was demonstrated when the Geospiza scandens population was strongly male-biased, and not present in the contemporary Geospiza fortis population with an equal sex ratio. Initial effects of parental imprinting were subsequently overridden by other factors when females changed mates, some repeatedly. Females of both species were more frequently polyandrous in male-biased populations, and fledged more offspring by changing mates. The ASR ratio indirectly affected the frequency of EPM (and hybridization), but this did not lead to social mate choice. The study provides a strong demonstration of how mating patterns change when environmental fluctuations lead to altered sex ratios through differential mortality.
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Loonstra AHJ, Verhoeven MA, Senner NR, Hooijmeijer JCEW, Piersma T, Kentie R. Natal habitat and sex-specific survival rates result in a male-biased adult sex ratio. Behav Ecol 2019; 30:843-851. [PMID: 31210724 PMCID: PMC6562303 DOI: 10.1093/beheco/arz021] [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: 10/17/2018] [Revised: 01/24/2019] [Accepted: 01/29/2019] [Indexed: 01/10/2023] Open
Abstract
The adult sex ratio (ASR) is a crucial component of the ecological and evolutionary forces shaping the dynamics of a population. Although in many declining populations ASRs have been reported to be skewed, empirical studies exploring the demographic factors shaping ASRs are still rare. In this study of the socially monogamous and sexually dimorphic Black-tailed Godwit (Limosa limosa limosa), we aim to evaluate the sex ratio of chicks at hatch and the subsequent sex-specific survival differences occurring over 3 subsequent life stages. We found that, at hatch, the sex ratio did not deviate from parity. However, the survival of pre-fledged females was 15-30% lower than that of males and the sex bias in survival was higher in low-quality habitat. Additionally, survival of adult females was almost 5% lower than that of adult males. Because survival rates of males and females did not differ during other life-history stages, the ASR in the population was biased toward males. Because females are larger than males, food limitations during development or sex-specific differences in the duration of development may explain the lower survival of female chicks. Differences among adults are less obvious and suggest previously unknown sex-related selection pressures. Irrespective of the underlying causes, by reducing the available number of females in this socially monogamous species, a male-biased ASR is likely to contribute to the ongoing decline of the Dutch godwit population.
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Affiliation(s)
- A H Jelle Loonstra
- Conservation Ecology Group, Groningen Institute for Evolutionary Life Sciences (GELIFES), University of Groningen, Groningen, The Netherlands
| | - Mo A Verhoeven
- Conservation Ecology Group, Groningen Institute for Evolutionary Life Sciences (GELIFES), University of Groningen, Groningen, The Netherlands
| | - Nathan R Senner
- Conservation Ecology Group, Groningen Institute for Evolutionary Life Sciences (GELIFES), University of Groningen, Groningen, The Netherlands
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of South Carolina, Columbia, SC, USA
| | - Jos C E W Hooijmeijer
- Conservation Ecology Group, Groningen Institute for Evolutionary Life Sciences (GELIFES), University of Groningen, Groningen, The Netherlands
| | - Theunis Piersma
- Conservation Ecology Group, Groningen Institute for Evolutionary Life Sciences (GELIFES), University of Groningen, Groningen, The Netherlands
- NIOZ Royal Netherlands Institute for Sea Research, Department of Coastal Systems, Utrecht University, Texel, The Netherlands
| | - Rosemarie Kentie
- Conservation Ecology Group, Groningen Institute for Evolutionary Life Sciences (GELIFES), University of Groningen, Groningen, The Netherlands
- Department of Zoology, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
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43
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Cox JA, Cusick JA, DuVal EH. Manipulated sex ratios alter group structure and cooperation in the brown-headed nuthatch. Behav Ecol 2019. [DOI: 10.1093/beheco/arz030] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Abstract
A biased adult sex ratio (ASR) can influence cooperative breeding behavior if the bias limits mating opportunities for the more abundant sex. We tested predictions associated with the ASR-cooperation hypothesis in the brown-headed nuthatch (Sitta pusilla). We manipulated ASR by cross-fostering known-sex nestlings within 2 large (≥100 ha) experimental plots for 5 years using a crossover design where each plot received an opposing male- or female-biased treatment for 2 consecutive years. A year with no manipulations followed before the bias was reversed on each plot for 2 additional years. Variation in ASR (adult males/total adults) was pronounced compared to background proportions (0.55) and ranged from a female bias in female-biased plots (0.47) to a strong male bias in male-biased plots (0.71). Sex ratios during the postbreeding period ranged more broadly (0.33 in female-biased plots vs. 0.74 in male-biased plots). Territory densities did not change significantly and allowed 6 predictions to be assessed. Consistent with predictions, the prevalence of cooperative breeding groups doubled under male-biased treatments and large cooperative groups appeared (≥2 male helpers vs. the single male helper most common prior to the experiment). These changes occurred despite increased dispersal of cross-fostered males in male-biased plots. Most juvenile females dispersed, but, consistent with predictions, the prevalence of female helpers increased under female-biased treatments. Manipulations did not alter the sex of nestlings produced nor extend the time that males served as helpers. Taken collectively, results support the ASR-cooperation hypothesis and the role that mate limitations play in cooperative breeding behavior.
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Affiliation(s)
- James A Cox
- Stoddard Bird Lab, Tall Timbers Research Station and Land Conservancy, 13093 Henry Beadel Drive, Tallahassee, FL, USA
| | - Jessica A Cusick
- Stoddard Bird Lab, Tall Timbers Research Station and Land Conservancy, 13093 Henry Beadel Drive, Tallahassee, FL, USA
- Department of Biological Science, Florida State University, 319 Stadium Drive, Tallahassee, FL, USA
| | - Emily H DuVal
- Department of Biological Science, Florida State University, 319 Stadium Drive, Tallahassee, FL, USA
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Bókony V, Milne G, Pipoly I, Székely T, Liker A. Sex ratios and bimaturism differ between temperature-dependent and genetic sex-determination systems in reptiles. BMC Evol Biol 2019; 19:57. [PMID: 30777013 PMCID: PMC6378719 DOI: 10.1186/s12862-019-1386-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/17/2018] [Accepted: 02/12/2019] [Indexed: 01/05/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Sex-determining systems may profoundly influence the ecology, behaviour and demography of animals, yet these relationships are poorly understood. Here we investigate whether species with temperature-dependent (TSD) and genetic sex determination (GSD) differ in key demographic traits, using data from 181 species representing all major phylogenetic lineages of extant reptiles. RESULTS We show that species with TSD exhibit significantly higher within-species variance in sex ratios than GSD species in three major life stages: birth or hatching, juvenility and adulthood. In contrast, sex differences in adult mortality rates do not differ between GSD and TSD species. However, TSD species exhibit significantly greater sex differences in maturation ages than GSD species. CONCLUSION These results support the recent theoretical model that evolution of TSD is facilitated by sex-specific fitness benefits of developmental temperatures due to bimaturism. Our findings suggest that different sex-determination systems are associated with different demographic characteristics that may influence population viability and social evolution.
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Affiliation(s)
- Veronika Bókony
- Lendület Evolutionary Ecology Research Group, Plant Protection Institute, Centre for Agricultural Research, Hungarian Academy of Sciences, Herman Ottó út 15, Budapest, 1022 Hungary
| | - Gregory Milne
- Milner Centre for Evolution, Department of Biology and Biochemistry, University of Bath, Bath, BA2 7AY UK
| | - Ivett Pipoly
- MTA-PE Evolutionary Ecology Research Group, University of Pannonia, Pf. 158, Veszprém, 8201 Hungary
| | - Tamás Székely
- Milner Centre for Evolution, Department of Biology and Biochemistry, University of Bath, Bath, BA2 7AY UK
- Department of Evolutionary Zoology, University of Debrecen, Egyetem tér 1, Debrecen, 4032 Hungary
| | - András Liker
- MTA-PE Evolutionary Ecology Research Group, University of Pannonia, Pf. 158, Veszprém, 8201 Hungary
- Department of Limnology, University of Pannonia, Pf. 158, Veszprém, 8201 Hungary
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Vágási CI, Vincze O, Pătraș L, Osváth G, Pénzes J, Haussmann MF, Barta Z, Pap PL. Longevity and life history coevolve with oxidative stress in birds. Funct Ecol 2019; 33:152-161. [PMID: 34290466 PMCID: PMC8291348 DOI: 10.1111/1365-2435.13228] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/21/2017] [Accepted: 09/30/2018] [Indexed: 01/09/2023]
Abstract
1. The mechanisms that underpin the evolution of ageing and life histories remain elusive. Oxidative stress, which results in accumulated cellular damages, is one of the mechanisms suggested to play a role. 2. In this paper, we set out to test the "oxidative stress theory of ageing" and the "oxidative stress hypothesis of life histories" using a comprehensive phylogenetic comparison based on an unprecedented dataset of oxidative physiology in 88 free-living bird species. 3. We show for the first time that bird species with longer lifespan have higher non-enzymatic antioxidant capacity and suffer less oxidative damage to their lipids. We also found that bird species featuring a faster pace-of-life either have lower non-enzymatic antioxidant capacity or are exposed to higher levels of oxidative damage, while adult annual mortality does not relate to oxidative state. 4. These results reinforce the role of oxidative stress in the evolution of lifespan and also corroborate the role of oxidative state in the evolution of life histories among free-living birds.
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Affiliation(s)
- Csongor I. Vágási
- Hungarian Department of Biology and Ecology, Evolutionary Ecology Group, Babeş-Bolyai University, Cluj-Napoca, Romania
- Department of Evolutionary Zoology, MTA-DE Behavioural Ecology Research Group, University of Debrecen, Debrecen, Hungary
| | - Orsolya Vincze
- Hungarian Department of Biology and Ecology, Evolutionary Ecology Group, Babeş-Bolyai University, Cluj-Napoca, Romania
- Department of Evolutionary Zoology, MTA-DE Behavioural Ecology Research Group, University of Debrecen, Debrecen, Hungary
| | - Laura Pătraș
- Department of Molecular Biology and Biotechnology, Babeş-Bolyai University, Cluj-Napoca, Romania
| | - Gergely Osváth
- Hungarian Department of Biology and Ecology, Evolutionary Ecology Group, Babeş-Bolyai University, Cluj-Napoca, Romania
- Department of Evolutionary Zoology, MTA-DE Behavioural Ecology Research Group, University of Debrecen, Debrecen, Hungary
- Museum of Zoology, Babeş-Bolyai University, Cluj-Napoca, Romania
| | - Janka Pénzes
- Hungarian Department of Biology and Ecology, Evolutionary Ecology Group, Babeş-Bolyai University, Cluj-Napoca, Romania
| | | | - Zoltán Barta
- Department of Evolutionary Zoology, MTA-DE Behavioural Ecology Research Group, University of Debrecen, Debrecen, Hungary
| | - Péter L. Pap
- Hungarian Department of Biology and Ecology, Evolutionary Ecology Group, Babeş-Bolyai University, Cluj-Napoca, Romania
- Department of Evolutionary Zoology, MTA-DE Behavioural Ecology Research Group, University of Debrecen, Debrecen, Hungary
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Gownaris NJ, Boersma PD. Sex-biased survival contributes to population decline in a long-lived seabird, the Magellanic Penguin. ECOLOGICAL APPLICATIONS : A PUBLICATION OF THE ECOLOGICAL SOCIETY OF AMERICA 2019; 29:e01826. [PMID: 30601594 PMCID: PMC6849821 DOI: 10.1002/eap.1826] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/31/2018] [Revised: 09/12/2018] [Accepted: 10/16/2018] [Indexed: 05/29/2023]
Abstract
We developed a Hidden Markov mark-recapture model (R package marked) to examine sex-specific demography in Magellanic Penguins (Spheniscus magellanicus). Our model was based on 33 yr of resightings at Punta Tombo, Argentina, where we banded ~44,000 chicks from 1983 to 2010. Because we sexed only 57% of individuals over their lifetime, we treated sex as an uncertain state in our model. Our goals were to provide insight into the population dynamics of this declining colony, to inform conservation of this species, and to highlight the importance of considering sex-specific vital rates in demographic seabird studies. Like many other seabirds, Magellanic Penguins are long-lived, serially monogamous, and exhibit obligate biparental care. We found that the non-breeding-season survival of females was lower than that of males and that the magnitude of this bias was highest for juveniles. Biases in survival accumulated as cohorts aged, leading to increasingly skewed sex ratios. The survival bias was greatest in years when overall survival was low, that is, females fared disproportionality worse when conditions were unfavorable. Our model-estimated survival patterns are consistent with independent data on carcasses from the species' non-breeding grounds, showing that mortality is higher for juveniles than for adults and higher for females than for males. Juveniles may be less efficient foragers than adults are and, because of their smaller size, females may show less resilience to food scarcity than males. We used perturbation analysis of a population matrix model to determine the impact of sex-biased survival on adult sex ratio and population growth rate at Punta Tombo. We found that adult sex ratio and population growth rate have the greatest proportional response, that is, elasticity, to female pre-breeder and adult survival. Sex bias in juvenile survival (i.e., lower survival of females) made the greatest contribution to population declines from 1990 to 2009. Because starvation is a leading cause of morality in juveniles and adults, precautionary fisheries and spatial management in the region could help to slow population decline. Our data add to growing evidence that knowledge of sex-specific demography and sex ratios are necessary for accurate assessment of seabird population trends.
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Affiliation(s)
- N. J. Gownaris
- Department of Biology and Center for Ecosystem SentinelsUniversity of WashingtonSeattleWashington98103USA
| | - P. D. Boersma
- Department of Biology and Center for Ecosystem SentinelsUniversity of WashingtonSeattleWashington98103USA
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47
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László Z, Dénes AL, Király L, Tóthmérész B. Biased parasitoid sex ratios: Wolbachia, functional traits, local and landscape effects. Basic Appl Ecol 2018. [DOI: 10.1016/j.baae.2018.05.014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
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Végvári Z, Katona G, Vági B, Freckleton RP, Gaillard J, Székely T, Liker A. Sex-biased breeding dispersal is predicted by social environment in birds. Ecol Evol 2018; 8:6483-6491. [PMID: 30038750 PMCID: PMC6053579 DOI: 10.1002/ece3.4095] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/24/2017] [Revised: 03/05/2018] [Accepted: 03/13/2018] [Indexed: 12/29/2022] Open
Abstract
Sex-biased dispersal is common in vertebrates, although the ecological and evolutionary causes of sex differences in dispersal are debated. Here, we investigate sex differences in both natal and breeding dispersal distances using a large dataset on birds including 86 species from 41 families. Using phylogenetic comparative analyses, we investigate whether sex-biased natal and breeding dispersal are associated with sexual selection, parental sex roles, adult sex ratio (ASR), or adult mortality. We show that neither the intensity of sexual selection, nor the extent of sex bias in parental care was associated with sex-biased natal or breeding dispersal. However, breeding dispersal was related to the social environment since male-biased ASRs were associated with female-biased breeding dispersal. Male-biased ASRs were associated with female-biased breeding dispersal. Sex bias in adult mortality was not consistently related to sex-biased breeding dispersal. These results may indicate that the rare sex has a stronger tendency to disperse in order to find new mating opportunities. Alternatively, higher mortality of the more dispersive sex could account for biased ASRs, although our results do not give a strong support to this explanation. Whichever is the case, our findings improve our understanding of the causes and consequences of sex-biased dispersal. Since the direction of causality is not yet known, we call for future studies to identify the causal relationships linking mortality, dispersal, and ASR.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zsolt Végvári
- Department of Conservation ZoologyDebrecen UniversityDebrecenHungary
- Hortobágy National Park DirectorateDebrecenHungary
| | - Gergely Katona
- Department of Evolutionary ZoologyUniversity of DebrecenDebrecenHungary
| | - Balázs Vági
- Department of Evolutionary ZoologyUniversity of DebrecenDebrecenHungary
| | | | - Jean‐Michel Gaillard
- Unité Mixte de Recherche 5558 “Biométrie et Biologie Evolutive”Université de LyonVilleurbanne CedexFrance
| | - Tamás Székely
- Department of Biology and BiochemistryMilner Centre for EvolutionUniversity of BathBathUK
- Wissenschaftskolleg zu BerlinBerlinGermany
| | - András Liker
- MTA‐PE Evolutionary Ecology Research GroupUniversity of PannoniaVeszprémHungary
- Department of LimnologyUniversity of PannoniaVeszprémHungary
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49
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Amundsen T. Sex roles and sexual selection: lessons from a dynamic model system. Curr Zool 2018; 64:363-392. [PMID: 30402079 PMCID: PMC6007278 DOI: 10.1093/cz/zoy036] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/13/2017] [Accepted: 04/24/2018] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Our understanding of sexual selection has greatly improved during the last decades. The focus is no longer solely on males, but also on how female competition and male mate choice shape ornamentation and other sexually selected traits in females. At the same time, the focus has shifted from documenting sexual selection to exploring variation and spatiotemporal dynamics of sexual selection, and their evolutionary consequences. Here, I review insights from a model system with exceptionally dynamic sexual selection, the two-spotted goby fish Gobiusculus flavescens. The species displays a complete reversal of sex roles over a 3-month breeding season. The reversal is driven by a dramatic change in the operational sex ratio, which is heavily male-biased at the start of the season and heavily female-biased late in the season. Early in the season, breeding-ready males outnumber mature females, causing males to be highly competitive, and leading to sexual selection on males. Late in the season, mating-ready females are in excess, engage more in courtship and aggression than males, and rarely reject mating opportunities. With typically many females simultaneously courting available males late in the season, males become selective and prefer more colorful females. This variable sexual selection regime likely explains why both male and female G. flavescens have ornamental colors. The G. flavescens model system reveals that sexual behavior and sexual selection can be astonishingly dynamic in response to short-term fluctuations in mating competition. Future work should explore whether sexual selection is equally dynamic on a spatial scale, and related spatiotemporal dynamics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Trond Amundsen
- Department of Biology, Norwegian University of Science and Technology, NO 7491 Trondheim, Norway
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50
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Eberhart-Phillips LJ, Küpper C, Carmona-Isunza MC, Vincze O, Zefania S, Cruz-López M, Kosztolányi A, Miller TEX, Barta Z, Cuthill IC, Burke T, Székely T, Hoffman JI, Krüger O. Demographic causes of adult sex ratio variation and their consequences for parental cooperation. Nat Commun 2018; 9:1651. [PMID: 29695803 PMCID: PMC5917032 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-018-03833-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 40] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/01/2017] [Accepted: 03/15/2018] [Indexed: 11/09/2022] Open
Abstract
The adult sex ratio (ASR) is a fundamental concept in population biology, sexual selection, and social evolution. However, it remains unclear which demographic processes generate ASR variation and how biases in ASR in turn affect social behaviour. Here, we evaluate the demographic mechanisms shaping ASR and their potential consequences for parental cooperation using detailed survival, fecundity, and behavioural data on 6119 individuals from six wild shorebird populations exhibiting flexible parental strategies. We show that these closely related populations express strikingly different ASRs, despite having similar ecologies and life histories, and that ASR variation is largely driven by sex differences in the apparent survival of juveniles. Furthermore, families in populations with biased ASRs were predominantly tended by a single parent, suggesting that parental cooperation breaks down with unbalanced sex ratios. Taken together, our results indicate that sex biases emerging during early life have profound consequences for social behaviour.
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Affiliation(s)
- Luke J Eberhart-Phillips
- Department of Animal Behaviour, Bielefeld University, Morgenbreede 45, 33615, Bielefeld, Germany. .,Research Group Behavioural Genetics and Evolutionary Ecology, Max Planck Institute for Ornithology, Eberhard-Gwinner-Str. 5, 82319, Seewiesen, Germany.
| | - Clemens Küpper
- Research Group Behavioural Genetics and Evolutionary Ecology, Max Planck Institute for Ornithology, Eberhard-Gwinner-Str. 5, 82319, Seewiesen, Germany
| | - María Cristina Carmona-Isunza
- Milner Centre for Evolution, Department of Biology and Biochemistry, University of Bath, Claverton Down, Bath, BA2 7AY, UK
| | - Orsolya Vincze
- Hungarian Department of Biology and Ecology, Babeş-Bolyai University, RO-400006, Cluj Napoca, Romania.,MTA-DE Behavioural Ecology Research Group, Department of Evolutionary Zoology, University of Debrecen, Debrecen, 4032, Hungary
| | - Sama Zefania
- Department of Animal Biology, Faculty of Sciences, University of Toliara, PO Box 185, Toliara, Madagascar
| | - Medardo Cruz-López
- Posgrado de Ciencias del Mar y Limnología, Unidad Académica Mazatlán, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Ciudad Universitaria, 04510, México D.F., Mexico
| | - András Kosztolányi
- Department of Ecology, University of Veterinary Medicine Budapest, Budapest, 1078, Hungary
| | - Tom E X Miller
- Department of BioSciences, Program in Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, Rice University, MS-170, Houston, TX, 77005, USA
| | - Zoltán Barta
- MTA-DE Behavioural Ecology Research Group, Department of Evolutionary Zoology, University of Debrecen, Debrecen, 4032, Hungary
| | - Innes C Cuthill
- School of Biological Sciences, University of Bristol, Bristol, BS8 1TQ, UK
| | - Terry Burke
- Department of Animal and Plant Sciences, University of Sheffield, Sheffield, S10 2TN, UK
| | - Tamás Székely
- Milner Centre for Evolution, Department of Biology and Biochemistry, University of Bath, Claverton Down, Bath, BA2 7AY, UK.,MTA-DE Behavioural Ecology Research Group, Department of Evolutionary Zoology, University of Debrecen, Debrecen, 4032, Hungary
| | - Joseph I Hoffman
- Department of Animal Behaviour, Bielefeld University, Morgenbreede 45, 33615, Bielefeld, Germany
| | - Oliver Krüger
- Department of Animal Behaviour, Bielefeld University, Morgenbreede 45, 33615, Bielefeld, Germany
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