Multiple ornamentation, female breeding synchrony, and extra-pair mating success of golden whistlers (Pachycephala pectoralis) |
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Authors: | Wouter F D van Dongen and Raoul A Mulder |
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Institution: | (1) Department of Zoology, University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC, 3010, Australia;(2) Konrad Lorenz Institute for Ethology, Savoyenstrasse 1a, Vienna, 1160, Austria |
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Abstract: | Considerable variation exists in rates of extra-pair paternity between species, and across and within populations of the same
species. Explanations for this variation include ecological (e.g. breeding synchrony), morphological (e.g. ornamentation),
and genetic (e.g. relatedness) factors, but it is rare for studies to simultaneously explore these factors within a single
population. This is especially true for highly ornamented species, where mate choice based on ornamentation may be more complex
than in less-adorned species. We conducted such a study in a migratory population of the highly ornamented golden whistler
(Pachycephala pectoralis). We quantified male genetic reproductive success and related it to a range of factors putatively involved in determining
extra-pair mating success. We found no effects of genetic factors (male heterozygosity and relatedness) on extra-pair success,
nor of territory size, male age, or incubation effort. Instead, males possessing yellower breast plumage and large song repertoires
enjoyed higher reproductive success. Additionally, we found a negative relationship between local breeding synchrony and male
extra-pair mating success. This may be a consequence of mate guarding during the female fertile period and an inability of
males to simultaneously mate-guard and pursue extra-pair fertilisations. In this species, the opportunity for extra-pair matings
appears to vary temporally with an ecological variable (local breeding synchrony), while fine-scale, inter-male differences
in mating success may be influenced by individual attributes (male ornamentation). The migratory nature of the study population
and its lack of natal philopatry may mean that relatedness and inbreeding avoidance are less important considerations in mate
choice. |
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Keywords: | Breeding synchrony Extra-pair matings Multiple ornamentation Plumage Bird song |
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