Extra-pair fertilizations in a predominantly monogamous bird: genetic evidence

David F. Westneat

doi:10.1016/S0003-3472(87)80123-9

Extra-pair fertilizations in a predominantly monogamous bird: genetic evidence

David F. Westneat

Biology

Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review

148 Scopus citations

Abstract

Parentage in indigo buntings, Passerina cyanea, was examined by electrophoresis of soluble enzymes in muscle tissue. There were nine polymorphic loci which segregated independently. Of 257 offspring sampled in the 2 years, 37 (14·4%) had genotypes incompatible with one of the putative parents. Since evidence suggested that intraspecific egg parasitism did not occur, all of these offspring probably came from successful extra-pair copulations. More neighbouring males had genotypes that fitted the genotypes of the excluded young than expected by chance. Most of these males already had nesting females of their own. The probability of cuckoldry depended on the male's age but not on whether or not he was polygynous. Some males probably fathered many offspring through extra-pair copulations while others were cuckolded. These results are examined in light of behavioural observations on this species. Because parental exclusions underestimate the frequency of extra-pair fertilizations, an estimate of the actual rate of extra-pair fertilizations is reported. The consequences of these results for theories about mating systems and sexual selection are discussed.

Original language	English
Pages (from-to)	877-886
Number of pages	10
Journal	Animal Behaviour
Volume	35
Issue number	3
DOIs	https://doi.org/10.1016/S0003-3472(87)80123-9
State	Published - Jun 1987

Bibliographical note

Funding Information:
Butcher for their help. I received valuable advice on many stages of this work from R. H. Wiley, H. Mueller, R. B. Payne, P. C. Frederick and C. F. Aquadro. The field work was supported by grants from The Frank Chapman Memorial Fund and the National Science Foundation (BSR 8501075, and grants BNS 8102404 and BSR 8317810 to R. B. Payne). The laboratory work was supported by funds and equipment from the Department of Biology at the University of North Carolina, by laboratory space from Dr C. Parks, and grants from Sigma Xi, NSF (BSR 8501075, and grant BNS 80-13053 to R. H. Wiley) and the Research Council of the University of North Carolina (to R. H. Wiley). P. C. Frederick, R. H. Wiley, R. B. Payne, H. C. Mueller, P. A. Gowaty and M. D. Beecher read and substantially improved early drafts of the manuscript.

ASJC Scopus subject areas

Ecology, Evolution, Behavior and Systematics
Animal Science and Zoology

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10.1016/S0003-3472(87)80123-9

Cite this

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title = "Extra-pair fertilizations in a predominantly monogamous bird: genetic evidence",

abstract = "Parentage in indigo buntings, Passerina cyanea, was examined by electrophoresis of soluble enzymes in muscle tissue. There were nine polymorphic loci which segregated independently. Of 257 offspring sampled in the 2 years, 37 (14·4%) had genotypes incompatible with one of the putative parents. Since evidence suggested that intraspecific egg parasitism did not occur, all of these offspring probably came from successful extra-pair copulations. More neighbouring males had genotypes that fitted the genotypes of the excluded young than expected by chance. Most of these males already had nesting females of their own. The probability of cuckoldry depended on the male's age but not on whether or not he was polygynous. Some males probably fathered many offspring through extra-pair copulations while others were cuckolded. These results are examined in light of behavioural observations on this species. Because parental exclusions underestimate the frequency of extra-pair fertilizations, an estimate of the actual rate of extra-pair fertilizations is reported. The consequences of these results for theories about mating systems and sexual selection are discussed.",

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note = "Funding Information: Butcher for their help. I received valuable advice on many stages of this work from R. H. Wiley, H. Mueller, R. B. Payne, P. C. Frederick and C. F. Aquadro. The field work was supported by grants from The Frank Chapman Memorial Fund and the National Science Foundation (BSR 8501075, and grants BNS 8102404 and BSR 8317810 to R. B. Payne). The laboratory work was supported by funds and equipment from the Department of Biology at the University of North Carolina, by laboratory space from Dr C. Parks, and grants from Sigma Xi, NSF (BSR 8501075, and grant BNS 80-13053 to R. H. Wiley) and the Research Council of the University of North Carolina (to R. H. Wiley). P. C. Frederick, R. H. Wiley, R. B. Payne, H. C. Mueller, P. A. Gowaty and M. D. Beecher read and substantially improved early drafts of the manuscript.",

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N2 - Parentage in indigo buntings, Passerina cyanea, was examined by electrophoresis of soluble enzymes in muscle tissue. There were nine polymorphic loci which segregated independently. Of 257 offspring sampled in the 2 years, 37 (14·4%) had genotypes incompatible with one of the putative parents. Since evidence suggested that intraspecific egg parasitism did not occur, all of these offspring probably came from successful extra-pair copulations. More neighbouring males had genotypes that fitted the genotypes of the excluded young than expected by chance. Most of these males already had nesting females of their own. The probability of cuckoldry depended on the male's age but not on whether or not he was polygynous. Some males probably fathered many offspring through extra-pair copulations while others were cuckolded. These results are examined in light of behavioural observations on this species. Because parental exclusions underestimate the frequency of extra-pair fertilizations, an estimate of the actual rate of extra-pair fertilizations is reported. The consequences of these results for theories about mating systems and sexual selection are discussed.

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Extra-pair fertilizations in a predominantly monogamous bird: genetic evidence

Abstract

Bibliographical note

ASJC Scopus subject areas

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