Multiple hypotheses explain variation in extra‐pair paternity at different levels in a single bird family

Molecular Ecology, Journal Year: 2017, Volume and Issue: 26(23), P. 6717 - 6729

Published: Oct. 25, 2017

Extra-pair paternity (EPP), where offspring are sired by a male other than the social male, varies enormously both within and among species. Trying to explain this variation has proved difficult because majority of interspecific is phylogenetically based. Ideally, in EPP should be investigated closely related species, but clades with sufficient rare. We present comprehensive multifactorial test individuals 20 populations nine species over 89 years from single bird family (Maluridae). Females had higher presence more helpers, neighbours or if paired incestuously. Furthermore, occurred many incestuous pairs, helpers high density which males provide less care. Altogether, these variables accounted for 48% total 89% interpopulation EPP. These findings indicate why consistent patterns have been so challenging detect suggest that predictor unlikely account enormous across levels analysis. Nevertheless, it also shows existing hypotheses can well particular good when large part confounding effect phylogeny excluded.

Language: Английский

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Female ornamentation is associated with elevated aggression and testosterone in a tropical songbird

Behavioral Ecology, Journal Year: 2018, Volume and Issue: 29(5), P. 1056 - 1066

Published: May 9, 2018

In males, testosterone plays a key role in ornament production and linking ornamentation with reproductive behaviors other traits to produce an integrated phenotype. Less is known about whether females couple testosterone, ornamentation, aggressive achieve female-specific combinations of traits. Ornamentation may be the result correlated expression male or female could arise as sex-specific selection pressures. Resolving between these alternatives necessary understand degree which acts on The White-shouldered Fairywren (Malurus alboscapulatus) provides useful context address questions because populations vary derived trait, whereas constant across both populations. We found that ornamented have higher levels circulating respond more aggressively experimental territorial intrusions than do unornamented females. These findings are consistent idea that, among Fairywrens, mechanistically link plumage behavioral competitive phenotype, has been reported for males closely related species. contrast, did not differ significantly More broadly, our ongoing mechanisms underlying ornaments, likely via social selection.

Language: Английский

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Genome of an iconic Australian bird: High‐quality assembly and linkage map of the superb fairy‐wren (Malurus cyaneus)

Molecular Ecology Resources, Journal Year: 2019, Volume and Issue: 20(2), P. 560 - 578

Published: Dec. 10, 2019

The superb fairy-wren, Malurus cyaneus, is one of the most iconic Australian passerine species. This species belongs to an endemic Australasian clade, Meliphagides, which diversified early in evolution oscine passerines. Today, passerines comprise almost half all avian diversity. Despite rapid increase available bird genome assemblies, this part tree has not yet been represented by a high-quality reference. To rectify that, we present first assembly Meliphagides representative: fairy-wren. We combined Illumina shotgun and mate-pair sequences, PacBio long-reads, genetic linkage map from intensively sampled pedigree wild population generate assembly. Of final assembled 1.07-Gb genome, 975 Mb (90.4%) was anchored onto 25 pseudochromosomes resulting superscaffold N50 68.11 Mb. only handful also accompanied recombination landscape. In comparison other pedigree-based maps, find that fairy-wren more closely resembles those Taeniopygia guttata Parus major unlike Ficedula albicollis Gallus gallus. Lastly, provide predictive gene repeat annotation new high-quality, annotated will be invaluable resource regarding relatives but broadly across providing novel reference point for comparative genomic analyses.

Language: Английский

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Production of plumage ornaments among males and females of two closely related tropical passerine bird species

Ecology and Evolution, Journal Year: 2017, Volume and Issue: 7(11), P. 4024 - 4034

Published: April 25, 2017

Abstract The evolution of elaborate secondary sexual traits (i.e., ornaments) is well‐studied in males but less so females. Similarity the appearance ornaments between and females supports view that female arise as a neutral byproduct selection on male due to genetic correlation sexes, recent research suggests an adaptive function at least some contexts. Information degree which production differs sexes can shed light these alternative perspectives. We therefore characterized structural underpinnings melanin‐based plumage two closely related passerine bird species (genus Malurus ). Importantly, both ornamented unornamented phenotypes each sex are present species, providing opportunity test null expectation equivalent modes phenotypes. In alboscapulatus , qualitatively similar males, we describe distinctive phenotype from lacking blue sheen lower feather barbule density. M. melanocephalus also appearance, similarity color underlying structure pigment composition. Unornamented flexibly transition weeks, found extreme differences These results contradict idea have evolved this system following simple switch male‐like by demonstrating greater complexity than

Language: Английский

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Ecology and breeding biology of a tropical bird, the Lovely Fairy-Wren (Malurus amabilis)

Emu - Austral Ornithology, Journal Year: 2018, Volume and Issue: 119(1), P. 1 - 13

Published: Aug. 9, 2018

The Lovely Fairy-Wren (Malurus amabilis) is endemic to the wet tropics of Australia and one 11 species in genus Malurus. Despite large number studies on fairy-wrens, little known about Fairy-Wren. This study provides first detailed description its ecology, behaviour, breeding biology. Fairy-Wrens displayed behaviour characteristic tropical birds, with groups maintaining territories year-round, small clutch size (two three eggs), long juvenile dependence (2 months) high adult breeder survival (86%). They breed cooperatively, formed when male (but not female) offspring delayed dispersal remained their natal group as subordinates. Groups were typically (2.5 ± 0.8 individuals), possibly because productivity was low: 29% monitored produced at least fledgling per year. Males provided levels parental care this, together low extra-pair courtship petal displays, suggests that this may be promiscuous other fairy-wrens. Unlike Australian males maintained brightly coloured plumage year-round after initial acquisition. lack seasonal moult into dull plumage, coupled unusually colourful females species, impact natural selection colour both sexes lower than congeners. We discuss similarities differences life-history morphological traits between Malurus species.

Language: Английский

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Superb fairy-wrens: Making the worst of a good job

Cambridge University Press eBooks, Journal Year: 2015, Volume and Issue: unknown, P. 133 - 149

Published: Dec. 18, 2015

A summary is not available for this content so a preview has been provided. Please use the Get access link above information on how to content.

Language: Английский

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Nocturnal torpor by superb fairy-wrens: a key mechanism for reducing winter daily energy expenditure

Biology Letters, Journal Year: 2019, Volume and Issue: 15(6), P. 20190211 - 20190211

Published: June 1, 2019

Many passerine birds are small and require a high mass-specific rate of resting energy expenditure, especially in the cold. The energetics thermoregulation is, therefore, an important aspect their ecology, yet few studies have quantified thermoregulatory patterns wild passerines. We used miniature telemetry to record skin temperature ( T ) free-living superb fairy-wrens Malurus cyaneus , 8.6 g; n = 6 over N 7–22 days) determine importance controlled reductions body during winter budgets. Fairy-wrens routinely exhibited large daily fluctuations between maxima 41.9 ± 0.6°C minima 30.4 0.7°C, with overall individual 27.4 1.1°C (maximum range: 14.7 0.9°C). These results provide strong evidence nocturnal torpor this passerine, which we calculated 42% reduction metabolic at 5°C compared active-phase . A capacity for energy-saving has consequences understanding behaviour life-history ecology fairy-wrens. Moreover, our novel field data suggest that could be more widespread than previously thought within passerines, most diverse order birds.

Language: Английский

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Social organisation and breeding biology of the White-shouldered Fairywren (Malurus alboscapulatus)

Emu - Austral Ornithology, Journal Year: 2019, Volume and Issue: 119(3), P. 274 - 285

Published: April 25, 2019

The White-shouldered Fairywren (Malurus alboscapulatus) is a tropical passerine bird distributed across much of New Guinea. Fairywrens are among few species fairywren with exclusively distributions and differ from better studied congeners in Australia because subspecies vary by female, but not male, coloration morphology. As many Guinea, basic demographic, social, morphological, breeding data limited. From 2011 to 2018 we documented the biology two representing extremes female ornamentation spectrum. Both form groups having an even operational sex ratio appear breed year-round. Extra-pair paternity occurs ornamentation; comparable lacking for unornamented females, greater scaled cloacal protuberance volume males suggests similar or higher extra-pair rates. Females ornamented generally larger than those ornamentation, exhibit reduced tail lengths, which thought serve as signal social dominance other fairywrens. After first achieving adult-like plumage, females retain plumage year-round; however, only delayed maturation. Our discussion highlights similarities differences between life histories Australian Malurus species; focus on vs. temperate environments variable identify priorities future research.

Language: Английский

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Plural breeding among unrelated females and other insights on complex social structure in the cooperatively breeding Variegated Fairywren

Emu - Austral Ornithology, Journal Year: 2023, Volume and Issue: 123(3), P. 232 - 243

Published: July 3, 2023

Cooperatively breeding species vary widely in degree of social complexity, and disentangling relationships among group members can reveal the costs benefits cooperation. Here, we describe system cooperatively Variegated Fairywren (Malurus lamberti) explore how complexity dynamics may affect cooperation conflict. We used a combination field-based population monitoring detailed association observations to determine membership annually across four seasons (2014–2017) ddRAD-seq genotyping method genetic within groups. Social groups ranged size from two eight individuals nearly half all had multiple adult both sexes. Approximately exhibited plural breeding, which females same nested individually territory. Genetic were diverse due high rates extra-pair paternity immigration, with most containing close relatives non-relatives each sex. Notably, although related often present group, co-breeding never closely other. Given extensive variation relatedness members, is likely maintained by direct indirect fitness benefits.

Language: Английский

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Genome of an iconic Australian bird: Chromosome-scale assembly and linkage map of the superb fairy-wren (Malurus cyaneus)

bioRxiv (Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory), Journal Year: 2019, Volume and Issue: unknown

Published: Aug. 21, 2019

Abstract The superb fairy-wren, Malurus cyaneus , is one of the most iconic Australian passerine species. This species belongs to an endemic Australasian clade, Meliphagides, which diversified early in evolution oscine passerines. Today, passerines comprise almost half all avian diversity. Despite rapid increase available bird genome assemblies, this part tree has not yet been represented by a high-quality reference. To rectify that, we present first chromosome-scale assembly Meliphagides representative: fairy-wren. We combined Illumina shotgun and mate-pair sequences, PacBio long-reads, genetic linkage map from intensively sampled pedigree wild population generate assembly. Of final assembled 1.07Gb genome, 894Mb (84.8%) was anchored onto 25 chromosomes resulting scaffold N50 68.11 Mb. also only handful accompanied recombination landscape. In comparison other pedigree-based maps, find that zebrafinch ( Taeniopygia ) more closely resembles fairy-wren rather than closely-related Ficedula flycatcher. Lastly, provide predictive gene repeat annotation new high quality, annotated will be invaluable resource relatives but broadly across providing reference point for comparative genomic analyses.

Language: Английский

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