The influence of male age on within‐pair and extra‐pair paternity in passerines |
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Authors: | IAN R. CLEASBY SHINICHI NAKAGAWA |
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Affiliation: | 1. Department of Animal & Plant Sciences, University of Sheffield, Sheffield S10 2TN, UK;2. Department of Zoology, University of Otago, PO Box 56, Dunedin 9054, New Zealand |
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Abstract: | Although male age has often been found to predict success in gaining extra‐pair paternity, it is unclear whether this gain is associated with an individual’s success in avoiding cuckoldry. We examined the relationship between male age and both within‐ and extra‐pair paternity in passerines using a meta‐analytical approach. There was a positive correlation between male age and success in extra‐pair paternity but little evidence for an association between male age and within‐pair paternity. In addition, effect sizes for male within‐pair paternity and male extra‐pair paternity were not significantly correlated. Thus, factors that predict success in obtaining extra‐pair paternity, such as male age, may not necessarily predict success in avoiding cuckoldry. |
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Keywords: | genetic promiscuity good genes meta‐analysis meta‐regression social monogamy |
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