scholarly journals Measuring Pre- and Post-Copulatory Sexual Selection and Their Interaction in Socially Monogamous Species with Extra-Pair Paternity

Cells ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 10 (3) ◽  
pp. 620
Author(s):  
Emily Rebecca Alison Cramer
Keyword(s):  
Sexual Selection ◽  
Fertilization Success ◽  
Direct Selection ◽  
Selection Gradients ◽  
Extra Pair Paternity ◽  
Male Trait ◽  
Monogamous Species ◽  
Socially Monogamous ◽  
Sperm Trait ◽  
Sperm Traits

When females copulate with multiple males, pre- and post-copulatory sexual selection may interact synergistically or in opposition. Studying this interaction in wild populations is complex and potentially biased, because copulation and fertilization success are often inferred from offspring parentage rather than being directly measured. Here, I simulated 15 species of socially monogamous birds with varying levels of extra-pair paternity, where I could independently cause a male secondary sexual trait to improve copulation success, and a sperm trait to improve fertilization success. By varying the degree of correlation between the male and sperm traits, I show that several common statistical approaches, including univariate selection gradients and paired t-tests comparing extra-pair males to the within-pair males they cuckolded, can give highly biased results for sperm traits. These tests should therefore be avoided for sperm traits in socially monogamous species with extra-pair paternity, unless the sperm trait is known to be uncorrelated with male trait(s) impacting copulation success. In contrast, multivariate selection analysis and a regression of the proportion of extra-pair brood(s) sired on the sperm trait of the extra-pair male (including only broods where the male sired ≥1 extra-pair offspring) were unbiased, and appear likely to be unbiased under a broad range of conditions for this mating system. In addition, I investigated whether the occurrence of pre-copulatory selection impacted the strength of post-copulatory selection, and vice versa. I found no evidence of an interaction under the conditions simulated, where the male trait impacted only copulation success and the sperm trait impacted only fertilization success. Instead, direct selection on each trait was independent of whether the other trait was under selection. Although pre- and post-copulatory selection strength was independent, selection on the two traits was positively correlated across species because selection on both traits increased with the frequency of extra-pair copulations in these socially monogamous species.

scholarly journals Extrapair Paternity Increases Variability in Male Reproductive Success in the Chestnut-Sided Warbler (Dendroica Pensylvanica), A Socially Monogamous Songbird

The Auk ◽  
2004 ◽  
Vol 121 (3) ◽  
pp. 788-795
Author(s):  
Bruce E. Byers ◽  
Herman L. Mays ◽  
Ian R. K. Stewart ◽  
David F. Westneat
Keyword(s):  
Sexual Selection ◽  
Reproductive Success ◽  
Dna Typing ◽  
Bird Species ◽  
Male Reproductive Success ◽  
Extrapair Paternity ◽  
Bird Populations ◽  
Monogamous Species ◽  
Socially Monogamous ◽  
Dendroica Pensylvanica

Abstract A monogamous mating system that includes extrapair fertilization can potentially generate higher variability in male reproductive success than monogamy without extrapair fertilization. That increased variability could provide a correspondingly higher opportunity for sexual selection and, thus, for the origin and persistence of sexual dimorphism in monogamous species. To determine whether extrapair fertilization enhanced the opportunity for sexual selection in a sexually dimorphic, monogamous bird species, we used microsatellite DNA typing to assess the prevalence of extrapair fertilization and its effect on variation in male reproductive success in a population of Chestnut-sided Warblers (Dendroica pensylvanica). We found that the level of extrapair fertilization in our study population was at the upper end of the range reported for bird populations (47% of nestlings had extrapair fathers; 61% of broods contained extrapair offspring). We also discovered that almost all extrapair offspring were sired by paired males resident on nearby territories. In addition, we found that variation in male reproductive success was substantially higher than variation in female reproductive success, and that extrapair fertilizations made a significant contribution to variation in male reproductive success. Together, those findings suggest that extrapair fertilization creates an opportunity for sexual selection on male traits in this population.

scholarly journals Report of an extra-pair copulation in the Rufous Hornero, Furnarius rufus (Aves: Furnariidae)

2021 ◽  
Vol 61 ◽  
pp. e20216167
Author(s):  
Pedro Diniz ◽  
Carlos Biagolini-Jr.
Keyword(s):  
Food Access ◽  
Mate Guarding ◽  
Breeding Biology ◽  
Territorial Male ◽  
Aggressive Interaction ◽  
Extra Pair Paternity ◽  
Monogamous Species ◽  
Bird Breeding ◽  
Socially Monogamous ◽  
Low Levels

In the last decade, studies in bird breeding biology have shown that infidelity is prevalent in socially monogamous species. Here, we describe an extra-pair copulation (EPC) event in the Rufous Hornero (Furnarius rufus), a socially monogamous bird with year-round territoriality and low levels of extra-pair paternity. Before the EPC, a within-pair copulation (WPC) occurred inside the pair’s territory. The WPC occurred on the ground and between a banded male (ca. 6 years-old) and an unbanded female. Ten minutes later this breeding pair invaded a neighboring territory, presumably to forage. The territorial male was chased back to its territory by an unbanded male neighbor after being detected. The male neighbor was paired with an unbanded female that did not participate in the aggressive interaction. When flying back to its territory the male neighbor copulated with the territorial female on the ground (ie. EPC). The territorial male flew, vocalized, and perched above the male neighbor, interrupting the EPC. The aggressive interaction then ceased as each pair resumed foraging in their respective territories. These observations suggest that Rufous Horneros can use EPC to obtain immediate benefits (food access in a neighbor’s territory). Moreover, WPC may be detected by neighbors and physical mate guarding and/or frequent WPC may be necessary to prevent EPC in the Rufous Hornero.

scholarly journals Extremely rapid development and early reproduction reduces sexual selection in D. melanogaster populations.

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Avani Mital ◽  
Manaswini Sarangi ◽  
Bodhisatta Nandy ◽  
Neha Pandey ◽  
Amitabh Joshi
Keyword(s):  
Sexual Selection ◽  
Sexual Conflict ◽  
Rapid Development ◽  
Fertilization Success ◽  
Direct Selection ◽  
Reproductive Competition ◽  
Short Development Time ◽  
Low Levels ◽  
Selection For

The role of sexual selection in mediating levels of sexual conflict has been demonstrated in a number of experimental evolution studies on Drosophila sp. where the level of competition among males for fertilization success was under direct selection. Here we report that selection for a short development time and early age at reproduction can lead to inadvertent changes in levels of sexual selection in D. melanogaster populations, affecting reproductive competition experienced by males. We demonstrate that faster developing and early reproducing populations showed very low levels of mating in their lifetime (likely being monogamous), low courtship levels, shorter copulation duration and longer maturation time, compared to their ancestral controls. We discuss these results in light of the previously demonstrated reduction of sexual conflict in these populations.

scholarly journals Heritability of the extra-pair mating behaviour of the pied flycatcher in Western Siberia

PeerJ ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 8 ◽  
pp. e9571
Author(s):  
Vladimir G. Grinkov ◽  
Andreas Bauer ◽  
Helmut Sternberg ◽  
Michael Wink
Keyword(s):  
Western Siberia ◽  
Mating Behaviour ◽  
Bird Species ◽  
Pied Flycatcher ◽  
Point Estimate ◽  
Extra Pair Paternity ◽  
Monogamous Species ◽  
Socially Monogamous ◽  
Pair Mating ◽  
Extra Pair Mating

Males and females take part in extra-pair copulations in most socially monogamous bird species. The mechanisms leading to the frequent occurrence of extra-pair offspring in socially monogamous couples are strongly debated and unresolved, and they are often difficult to distinguish from one another. Most hypotheses explaining the evolution of extra-pair reproduction suggest selective and adaptive scenarios for their origination and persistence. Is extra-pair paternity a heritable trait? We evaluated the heritability of extra-pair paternity in the pied flycatcher (Ficedula hypoleuca) nesting in Western Siberia. Estimated heritability was low: depending on the model used, the point estimate of the heritability (mode) varied from 0.005 to 0.11, and the bounds of the 95% confidence interval are [0–0.16] in the widest range. Thus, it seems that extra-pair mating behaviour in the pied flycatchers is a plastic phenotypic mating tactic with a small or no genetic component. Our data can help to understand the evolution of extra-pair mating behaviour in socially monogamous species.

scholarly journals An atypical mating system in a neotropical manakin

2020 ◽  
Vol 7 (1) ◽  
pp. 191548 ◽  
Author(s):  
Milene G. Gaiotti ◽  
Michael S. Webster ◽  
Regina H. Macedo
Keyword(s):  
Sexual Selection ◽  
Mating System ◽  
Mating Systems ◽  
Evolutionary Development ◽  
Selective Pressures ◽  
Exclusive Territories ◽  
Monogamous Species ◽  
Socially Monogamous ◽  
Mixed Paternity ◽  
Close Relatives

Most of the diversity in the mating systems of birds and other animals comes at higher taxonomic levels, such as across orders. Although divergent selective pressures should lead to animal mating systems that diverge sharply from those of close relatives, opportunities to examine the importance of such processes are scarce. We addressed this issue using the Araripe manakin ( Antilophia bokermanni ), a species endemic to a forest enclave surrounded by xeric shrublands in Brazil. Most manakins exhibit polygynous lekking mating systems that lack territoriality but exhibit strong sexual selection. In sharp contrast, we found that male Araripe manakins defended exclusive territories, and females nested within male territories. However, territoriality and offspring paternity were dissociated: males sired only 7% of nestlings from the nests within their territories and non-territorial males sired numerous nestlings. Moreover, female polyandry was widespread, with most broods exhibiting mixed paternity. Apparently, territories in this species function differently from both lekking arenas and resource-based territories of socially monogamous species. The unexpected territoriality of Araripe manakins and its dissociation from paternity is a unique evolutionary development within the manakin clade. Collectively, our findings underscore how divergences in mating systems might evolve based on selective pressures from novel environmental contexts.

scholarly journals Low Extra-Pair Paternity in White-Tailed Ptarmigan

The Condor ◽  
2002 ◽  
Vol 104 (1) ◽  
pp. 192-197 ◽  
Author(s):  
David P. Benson
Keyword(s):  
National Park ◽  
Glacier National Park ◽  
Lagopus Leucurus ◽  
Extra Pair Paternity ◽  
Monogamous Species ◽  
Socially Monogamous

Abstract The White-tailed Ptarmigan (Lagopus leucurus) is one of the few socially monogamous species within the highly polygynous grouse subfamily (Tetraoninae). I found White-tailed Ptarmigan in Glacier National Park, Montana, to be nearly genetically monogamous. Of 58 chicks with putative fathers identified, three were the result of extra-pair copulations (5%). Three of 18 clutches (17%) contained extra-pair offspring. I suggest that White-tailed Ptarmigan males are able to guard their females effectively from extra-pair copulations because of high visibility in their habitat and their ability to forage alongside their mate. The three extra-pair offspring were sired by unknown males. Baja Paternidad Extra-Pareja en Lagopus leucurus Resumen. Lagopus leucurus es una de las pocas especies socialmente monógama dentro de la subfamilia Tetraoninae que se caracteriza por ser altamente polígina. En el “Glacier National Park,” Montana, encontré que los individuos de L. leucurus eran casi completamente monógamos en términos genéticos. De 58 polluelos con padres putativos, tres (5%) fueron el resultado de copulaciones extra-pareja. Tres de 18 nidadas (7%) presentaron hijos extra-pareja. Sugiero que los machos de L. leucurus son capaces de proteger efectivamente a sus hembras para evitar copulaciones extra-pareja debido a la alta visibilidad del hábitat en que se encuentran y a la habilidad de forrajear junto con la hembra. Los tres hijos de origen extra-pareja no fueron engendrados por machos que estaban en pareja.

scholarly journals Extra-pair paternity in the long-tailed finchPoephila acuticauda

PeerJ ◽  
2016 ◽  
Vol 4 ◽  
pp. e1550 ◽  
Author(s):  
Erica P. van Rooij ◽  
Lee A. Rollins ◽  
Clare E. Holleley ◽  
Simon C. Griffith
Keyword(s):  
Breeding Season ◽  
Breeding System ◽  
Molecular Data ◽  
Passerine Birds ◽  
Genetic Breeding ◽  
Extra Pair Paternity ◽  
Genetic Monogamy ◽  
Pair Bonds ◽  
Monogamous Species ◽  
Socially Monogamous

Although the majority of passerine birds are socially monogamous, true genetic monogamy is rare, with extra-pair paternity (EPP) occurring in almost 90% of surveyed socially monogamous species. We present the first molecular data on the genetic breeding system of the long-tailed finch,Poephila acuticauda, a grass finch endemic to the tropical northern savannah of Australia. Although the species forms socially monogamous pair bonds during the breeding season, we found that extra-pair males sired 12.8% of 391 offspring, in 25.7% of 101 broods. Our findings provide only the second estimate of extra-pair paternity in the estrildid finch family.

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