Same data, different analysts: variation in effect sizes due to analytical decisions in ecology and evolutionary biology

BMC Biology, Journal Year: 2025, Volume and Issue: 23(1)

Published: Feb. 6, 2025

Although variation in effect sizes and predicted values among studies of similar phenomena is inevitable, such far exceeds what might be produced by sampling error alone. One possible explanation for results differences researchers the decisions they make regarding statistical analyses. A growing array has explored this analytical variability different fields found substantial despite analysts having same data research question. Many these have been social sciences, but one small "many analyst" study ecology. We expanded scope prior work implementing a large-scale empirical exploration model predictions generated ecology evolutionary biology. used two unpublished datasets, from (blue tit, Cyanistes caeruleus, to compare sibling number nestling growth) conservation (Eucalyptus, grass cover tree seedling recruitment). The project leaders recruited 174 analyst teams, comprising 246 analysts, investigate answers prespecified questions. Analyses conducted teams yielded 141 usable effects (compatible with our meta-analyses all necessary information provided) blue tit dataset, 85 Eucalyptus dataset. heterogeneity both although patterns differed between them. For analyses, average was convincingly negative, less growth nestlings living more siblings, there near continuous size large negative zero, even crossing traditional threshold significance opposite direction. In contrast, relationship only slightly not most ranged weakly positive, about third direction or other. However, were also several striking outliers zero. we variable selection random structures as well ratings methods peer reviewers, no strong any deviation meta-analytic mean. other words, analyses that mean likely dissimilar sets, use their models, receive poor reviews than those close existence analysis outcomes raises important questions how ecologists biologists should interpret published results, conduct future.

Language: Английский

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Male inbreeding reduces fertility, but does not accelerate in vivo sperm senescence: an experimental approach in a polyandrous bird

Biology Letters, Journal Year: 2025, Volume and Issue: 21(4)

Published: April 1, 2025

Inbreeding can decrease male fertility, despite sperm cells being haploid. However, to date, the role of post-meiotic senescence within female in reducing fertilization probability from inbred males is unknown. In this study, we experimentally created and outbred Japanese quail ( Coturnix japonica ) let them copulate once with a female. We subsequently monitored fertility their eggs until reached zero, after 11 days. Fertilization was lower for males, but decline over time did not differ that males. Independent inbreeding, accelerated time. Hence, provide evidence functionality occurring female, no inbreeding effects on decline.

Language: Английский

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Relationship quality underpins pair bond formation and subsequent reproductive performance

Animal Behaviour, Journal Year: 2021, Volume and Issue: 182, P. 43 - 58

Published: Oct. 27, 2021

Despite the ecological importance of pair bonding, ontogeny bond formation remains poorly understood. We capitalized on long-term high-resolution tracking social interactions across replicated colonies captive zebra finches, Taeniopygia guttata, to map dynamics relationships prior reproduction and identify role that relationship quality plays in subsequent reproductive performance. found pairs developed stronger more stable outside breeding season were likely breed together form a bond. Moreover, formed initiated faster than those with less bonds, while stability length time since establishment both reduced probability divorcing. Our results demonstrate an important link between benefits may explain evolution monogamy.

Language: Английский

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Weak antagonistic fitness effects can maintain an inversion polymorphism

Molecular Ecology, Journal Year: 2023, Volume and Issue: 32(13), P. 3575 - 3585

Published: April 28, 2023

Abstract The study of chromosomal inversion polymorphisms has received much recent attention, particularly in cases where inversions have drastic effects on phenotypes and fitness (e.g. lethality homozygotes). Less attention been paid to the question maintenance that show only weak effects. Here, we such an polymorphism links 250 genes chromosome Tgu11 zebra finch ( Taeniopygia guttata ). Based data from over 6000 captive birds, estimated this a wide range fitness‐related traits. We found that, compared with ancestral allele A, inverted D had small additive beneficial male siring success female fecundity. These fitness‐enhancing may explain initial spread derived (allele frequency 53%). However, individuals were homozygous for slightly lower survival rate, which why not fixation. used individual‐based simulations examine how antagonistic behaves time. Our results indicate become stabilized at intermediate if additively effect size recessive weakly deleterious mutation, overall resulting net heterosis. Importantly, conclusion remains valid selection coefficients against DD (up lethality), suggesting conditions needed maintain frequently be met. also suggest our populations, (on captivity) is quite large enough prevent fixation long run. Estimates free‐living populations are validate these results.

Language: Английский

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Longitudinal covariation of testosterone and sperm quality across reproductive stages in the zebra finch

Hormones and Behavior, Journal Year: 2023, Volume and Issue: 153, P. 105388 - 105388

Published: June 3, 2023

Language: Английский

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Spatial and temporal resource partitioning in a mixed‐species colony of avian echolocators

Ecology and Evolution, Journal Year: 2023, Volume and Issue: 13(2)

Published: Feb. 1, 2023

Abstract Resource partitioning may facilitate the coexistence of sympatric species with similar ecological requirements. Here, we study a colony unusual echolocating birds called swiftlets, which nest underground on an island off coast Singapore. The comprises two congeneric swiftlet species, black‐nest swiftlets ( Aerodramus maximus ) and edible‐nest A. fuciphagus ), nesting at high densities in close proximity. Bioacoustic recordings monitoring biology site across multiple seasons revealed significant differences echolocation calls as well survival rates between larger locations highest fledging rates. We also observe additional off‐season breeding peak by smaller swiftlet. Unexpectedly, egg‐hatching were significantly higher compared during shared season (mean difference = 14%). Our these cave‐dwelling provides example spatial temporal strategies that animals employ to partition resources within confined habitat.

Language: Английский

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A sex-linked supergene with large effects on sperm traits has little impact on reproductive traits in female zebra finches

Proceedings of the Royal Society B Biological Sciences, Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: 291(2019)

Published: March 27, 2024

Despite constituting an essential component of fitness, reproductive success can vary remarkably between individuals and the causes such variation are not well understood across taxa. In zebra finch-a model songbird, almost all in sperm morphology swimming speed is maintained by a large polymorphic inversion (commonly known as supergene) on Z chromosome. The relationship this polymorphism fully understood, particularly for females. Here, we explore effects female haplotype, combination male genotype, several primary traits captive population finches. polymorphism's traits, find no evidence that haplotype influences egg production females or survival embryos through to hatching. However, our findings do reinforce existing heterozygote advantage fitness. This work provides important step understanding species.

Language: Английский

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Demographic drivers of reproductive failure in a threatened bird: Insights from a decade of data

Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: 121(36)

Published: Aug. 26, 2024

Hatching failure affects up to 77% of eggs laid by threatened bird species, yet the true prevalence and drivers egg fertilization versus embryo mortality as underlying mechanisms hatching are unknown. Here, using ten years data comprising 4,371 a population bird, hihi ( Notiomystis cincta) , we investigate relative importance infertility death explore population-level factors associated with them. We show that 1,438 failed hatch (33% eggs) between 2010 2020, 83% due mortality, majority failing in early stages embryonic development. In most comprehensive estimates rates wild date, find accounts for around 17% overall is more prevalent where smaller male biased. Male embryos likely die during development than females, but no effect sex on successful embryos. Offspring fathered within-pair males have significantly higher inbreeding levels extra-pair offspring; however, nor paternity mortality. Accurately distinguishing this study provides unique insight into causes reproductive over long-term scale reveals complex risks small sizes reproduction species.

Language: Английский

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Experimentally manipulated food availability affects offspring quality but not quantity in zebra finch meso-populations

Oecologia, Journal Year: 2022, Volume and Issue: 199(4), P. 769 - 783

Published: May 25, 2022

Food availability modulates survival, reproduction and thereby population size. In addition to direct effects, food has indirect effects through density of conspecifics predators. We tested the prediction that in isolation affects reproductive success by experimentally manipulating continuously for 3 years zebra finches (Taeniopygia guttata) housed outdoor aviaries. To this end, we applied a technique mimics natural variation availability: increasing effort required per reward without affecting diet. Lower resulted slight delay start laying fewer clutches season, but did not affect clutch size or number offspring reared annum. However, foraging costs substantially reduced growth. Thus, impact quantity reared, at expense quality. Growth declined strongly with brood size, interpret lack response respect as an adaptation environments low predictability, time egg laying, during period peak demand, typically weeks later. Manipulated natal parents success. Individuals were more successful reproducers likely survive next breeding frequently found populations. conclude causal mechanisms underlying associations between conditions may be complex than usually assumed. Experiments semi-natural meso-populations can contribute further unravelling these mechanisms.

Language: Английский

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Occasional paternal inheritance of the germline-restricted chromosome in songbirds

bioRxiv (Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory), Journal Year: 2021, Volume and Issue: unknown

Published: Jan. 28, 2021

Abstract All songbirds have one special accessory chromosome 1–4 , the so-called germline-restricted (GRC) 4–7 which is only present in germline cells and absent from all somatic tissues. Earlier work on zebra finch ( Taeniopygia guttata castanotis ) showed that GRC inherited through female line 4,6,8,9 – like mitochondrial DNA 7,9–12 eliminated sperm during spermatogenesis 5,7,9–11 . Here we show can also be paternally inherited. Confocal microscopy using GRC-specific FISH probes indicated a considerable fraction of heads (1-19%) ejaculates still contained GRC. In with these cytogenetic data, sequencing revealed individual males two families differed strongly consistently number GRCs their ejaculates. Examining captive-bred population hybrids subspecies T. g. descendants mitochondria mother but father. Moreover, haplotypes across nine different matrilines at best weak tendency to co-inherited mtDNA haplotypes. Within little variability, while was highly divergent. This suggests single haplotype has recently spread entire population, crossing matriline boundaries via paternal spillover. Our findings raise possibility certain could selfishly additional transmission, thereby outcompeting other were limited strict maternal inheritance, even if this partly detrimental organismal fitness.

Language: Английский

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