Extra-pair young despite strong pair bonds in the European Nuthatch (Sitta europaea) |
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| Authors: | Gernot Segelbacher, Daniela Kabisch, Michael Stauss Jü rgen Tomiuk |
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| Affiliation: | (1) Max-Planck-Institute for Ornithology, Vogelwarte Radolfzell, Schloss Möggingen, Schlossallee 2, 78315 Radolfzell, Germany;(2) Section of General Human Genetics, Institute of Anthropology and Human Genetics, University of Tübingen, Wilhelmstrasse 27, 72074 Tübingen, Germany |
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| Abstract: | We choose the European Nuthatch (Sitta europaea), an extremely socially monogamous passerine species, to investigate the breeding biology and frequency of extra-pair activities of females. Breeding individuals live in strong pair bonds for their total life and defend their territory all year round. As a consequence of these narrow social bonds, nuthatches have to date been considered extremely sexually monogamous. Our genetic study, however, reveals a minimum of 10% of extra-pair young in 188 chicks from 32 broods in populations of southwestern Germany. Independently of the habitat type (high via low quality), most of extra-pair sires are identified as neighbouring territory holders. |
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| Keywords: | Extra-pair fertilization Habitat effect Neighbouring effect Social monogamy |
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