Genetic monogamy despite variable ecological conditions and social environment in the cooperatively breeding apostlebird

Ecology and Evolution
Miyako H WarringtonSimon C Griffith

Abstract

Mating strategies may be context-dependent and may vary across ecological and social contexts, demonstrating the role of these factors in driving the variation in genetic polyandry within and among species. Here, we took a longitudinal approach across 5 years (2006-2010), to study the apostlebird (Struthidea cinerea), an Australian cooperatively breeding bird, whose reproduction is affected by ecological "boom and bust" cycles. Climatic variation drives variation in the social (i.e., group sizes, proportion of males and females) and ecological (i.e., plant and insect abundance) context in which mating occurs. By quantifying variation in both social and ecological factors and characterizing the genetic mating system across multiple years using a molecular parentage analysis, we found that the genetic mating strategy did not vary among years despite significant variation in rainfall, driving primary production, and insect abundance, and corresponding variation in social parameters such as breeding group size. Group sizes in 2010, an ecologically good year, were significantly smaller (mean = 5.8 ± 0.9, n = 16) than in the drought affected years, between 2006 and 2008, (mean = 9.1 ± 0.5, n = 63). Overall, apostlebirds were consiste...Continue Reading

References

Mar 1, 1988·Computer Applications in the Biosciences : CABIOS·K M Williams
Oct 1, 1994·Molecular Ecology·D Paetkau, C Strobeck
Sep 22, 1996·Proceedings. Biological Sciences·R GriffithsC Dijkstra
May 11, 1999·Trends in Ecology & Evolution·R Heinsohn, S Legge
Nov 5, 1999·Methods in Molecular Biology·S Rozen, H Skaletsky
Mar 14, 2000·Proceedings. Biological Sciences·R HeinsohnM Double
Jun 18, 2002·Proceedings. Biological Sciences·Kathryn E Arnold, Ian P F Owens
Oct 31, 2002·Molecular Ecology·Simon C GriffithKatherine A Thuman
Nov 14, 2003·Proceedings. Biological Sciences·Andrew Cockburn
May 21, 2009·BMC Ecology·Sjouke A KingmaAnne Peters
Aug 21, 2010·Nature·Charlie K CornwallisAshleigh S Griffin
Mar 8, 2011·Current Biology : CB·Andrew Cockburn, Andrew F Russell
Jan 1, 2008·Molecular Ecology Resources·François Rousset
Jan 27, 2012·Proceedings. Biological Sciences·Dieter Lukas, Tim Clutton-Brock

❮ Previous
Next ❯

Methods Mentioned

BETA
PCR
genotyping

Software Mentioned

ervus
rlequin
R Development Core Team
Minitab
QDD
G M apper
R
enepop
aod

Related Concepts

Trending Feeds

COVID-19

Coronaviruses encompass a large family of viruses that cause the common cold as well as more serious diseases, such as the ongoing outbreak of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19; formally known as 2019-nCoV). Coronaviruses can spread from animals to humans; symptoms include fever, cough, shortness of breath, and breathing difficulties; in more severe cases, infection can lead to death. This feed covers recent research on COVID-19.

Blastomycosis

Blastomycosis fungal infections spread through inhaling Blastomyces dermatitidis spores. Discover the latest research on blastomycosis fungal infections here.

Nuclear Pore Complex in ALS/FTD

Alterations in nucleocytoplasmic transport, controlled by the nuclear pore complex, may be involved in the pathomechanism underlying multiple neurodegenerative diseases including Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis and Frontotemporal Dementia. Here is the latest research on the nuclear pore complex in ALS and FTD.

Applications of Molecular Barcoding

The concept of molecular barcoding is that each original DNA or RNA molecule is attached to a unique sequence barcode. Sequence reads having different barcodes represent different original molecules, while sequence reads having the same barcode are results of PCR duplication from one original molecule. Discover the latest research on molecular barcoding here.

Chronic Fatigue Syndrome

Chronic fatigue syndrome is a disease characterized by unexplained disabling fatigue; the pathology of which is incompletely understood. Discover the latest research on chronic fatigue syndrome here.

Evolution of Pluripotency

Pluripotency refers to the ability of a cell to develop into three primary germ cell layers of the embryo. This feed focuses on the mechanisms that underlie the evolution of pluripotency. Here is the latest research.

Position Effect Variegation

Position Effect Variagation occurs when a gene is inactivated due to its positioning near heterochromatic regions within a chromosome. Discover the latest research on Position Effect Variagation here.

STING Receptor Agonists

Stimulator of IFN genes (STING) are a group of transmembrane proteins that are involved in the induction of type I interferon that is important in the innate immune response. The stimulation of STING has been an active area of research in the treatment of cancer and infectious diseases. Here is the latest research on STING receptor agonists.

Microbicide

Microbicides are products that can be applied to vaginal or rectal mucosal surfaces with the goal of preventing, or at least significantly reducing, the transmission of sexually transmitted infections. Here is the latest research on microbicides.