Early‐life telomere length predicts lifespan and lifetime reproductive success in a wild bird

Molecular Ecology, Journal Year: 2018, Volume and Issue: 28(5), P. 1127 - 1137

Published: Dec. 28, 2018

Abstract Poor conditions during early development can initiate trade‐offs that favour current survival at the expense of somatic maintenance and subsequently, future reproduction. However, mechanisms link late life‐history are largely unknown. Recently it has been suggested telomeres, nucleoprotein structures terminal end chromosomes, could early‐life to lifespan fitness. In wild purple‐crowned fairy‐wrens, we combined measurements nestling telomere length (TL) with detailed data investigate whether TL predicts fitness prospects. Our study differs from previous studies in completeness our estimates a highly philopatric population. The association between was age‐dependent having positive effect on only among individuals survived their first year. Early‐life not associated probability or age gaining breeding position. Interestingly, positively related duration, contribution population growth lifetime reproductive success because lifespan. Thus, TL, which reflects growth, accumulated stress inherited predicted birds reached adulthood but noticeably fledglings. These findings suggest lack investment particularly affects life performance. This demonstrates factors prospects through lifespan, suggests telomeres may provide insight into underlying physiological linking early‐ late‐life performance across lifetime.

Language: Английский

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Evolutionary drivers of seasonal plumage colours: colour change by moult correlates with sexual selection, predation risk and seasonality across passerines

Ecology Letters, Journal Year: 2019, Volume and Issue: 22(11), P. 1838 - 1849

Published: Aug. 23, 2019

Abstract Some birds undergo seasonal colour change by moulting twice each year, typically alternating between a cryptic, non‐breeding plumage and conspicuous, breeding (‘seasonal colours’). We test for potential drivers of the evolution colours in all passerines ( N = 5901 species, c. 60% birds). Seasonal are uncommon, having appeared on multiple occasions but more frequently lost during evolution. The trait is common small, ground‐foraging species with polygynous mating systems, no paternal care strong sexual dichromatism, suggesting it evolved under selection high predation risk. also predicted to have schedules, such as migratory those living climates. propose that resolve trade‐off effects natural colouration, especially environments.

Language: Английский

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Telomere dynamics in the first year of life, but not later in life, predict lifespan in a wild bird

Molecular Ecology, Journal Year: 2021, Volume and Issue: 31(23), P. 6008 - 6017

Published: Dec. 1, 2021

Telomeres are protective, nucleoprotein structures at the end of chromosomes that have been associated with lifespan across taxa. However, extent to which these associations can be attributed absolute length vs. rate telomere shortening prior sampling remains unresolved. In a longitudinal study, we examined relationship between lifespan, and in wild, purple-crowned fairy-wrens (Malurus coronatus coronatus). To this end, measured using quantitative polymerase chain reaction blood 59 individuals sampled as nestlings 4-14 months thereafter, 141 known-age on average three times adulthood. We applied within-subject centring analyses simultaneously test for shortening. reveal lesser first year life independently predicted faster rates and/or shorter telomeres living less long. contrast, adulthood neither nor despite considerably larger data set. Our results suggest very early (during development) assessments during constitute more useful biomarkers total expectancy than either after development, or later

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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Persistent low avian malaria in a tropical species despite high community prevalence

International Journal for Parasitology Parasites and Wildlife, Journal Year: 2019, Volume and Issue: 8, P. 88 - 93

Published: Jan. 11, 2019

Malarial and other haemosporidian parasites are widespread; however, their temporal dynamics ill-understood. Longitudinal sampling of a threatened riparian bird revealed consistently very low prevalence over 13 years (∼5%) despite infections persisting increasing with age. In contrast, three key species within this tropical community were highly infected (∼20-75% prevalence) these differences stable. Although we found novel lineages phylogenetic structure at the local level, there was little geographic structuring Australasia. This study suggests that malarial parasite susceptibility is determined by host factors can maintain levels high prevalence.

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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From ornament to armament or loss of function? Breeding plumage acquisition in a genetically monogamous bird

Journal of Animal Ecology, Journal Year: 2018, Volume and Issue: 87(5), P. 1274 - 1285

Published: June 25, 2018

The evolution of conspicuous male traits is thought to be driven by female mate choice or male-male competition. These two mechanisms are often viewed as distinct processes, with most studies focusing on choice. However, both sexual selection can act simultaneously the same trait (i.e., dual function) and/or interact in a synergistic conflicting way. Dual-function commonly assumed originate through competition before being used choice; yet, such could not determine direction change, lacking phylogenetic information. We investigated role seasonal plumage competitive interactions purple-crowned fairy-wren Malurus coronatus, cooperatively breeding bird. Male species selected extra-pair choice, but unlike its congeners, M. coronatus genetically monogamous, and females do seem choose males based acquisition. Our study shows that, within groups, subordinate that were older, therefore higher-ranked queue for breeder position inheritance, produced more complete plumage. In line this, older displayed successful competitively acquiring position. A signal ability was experimentally confirmed presenting models males: colours, these received aggression from resident than nonbreeding elicited limited response females, consistent competitors perceived bigger threat male. mediating might account presence this monogamous species. As reconstructions suggest past function represent shifted functions, dual-function lost one function. evolutionary scenarios imply intra- intersexual functions ornaments may gained independently offer new perspectives understanding complex dynamics selection.

Language: Английский

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No evidence for an adaptive role of early molt into breeding plumage in a female fairy wren

Behavioral Ecology, Journal Year: 2019, Volume and Issue: 31(2), P. 411 - 420

Published: Nov. 24, 2019

Abstract The evolution of ornaments as sexually selected signals is well understood in males, but female ornamentation remains understudied. Fairy wrens offer an excellent model system, given their complex social structure and mating systems, the diversity ornamentation. We investigated whether early molt into ornamental breeding plumage plays adaptive role females monogamous purple-crowned fairy wren Malurus coronatus, only known to have seasonal plumage. Using 6 years monitoring, we found that timing was similar there no evidence for assortative mating. Like males (previous study), older dominant individuals acquired earlier; however, contrast did not seem be costly since unfavorable environmental conditions or previous reproductive effort delay molt. Early associated with any indicator quality nor it attract additional offspring care by partners. also association between likelihood acquiring a (breeding) position presence proximity same-sex rivals. Our study results, which are findings conspecific suggest directional selection might relaxed this species, other genetically polygamous predicts extrapair success males. However, finding status dependent raises possibility attributes ornament may fulfill function females.

Language: Английский

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Variability, heritability and condition-dependence of the multidimensional male colour phenotype in a passerine bird

Heredity, Journal Year: 2021, Volume and Issue: 127(3), P. 300 - 311

Published: June 29, 2021

Language: Английский

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Which plumage patches provide information about condition and success in a female fairy-wren?

Behavioral Ecology, Journal Year: 2022, Volume and Issue: 34(1), P. 50 - 62

Published: Nov. 21, 2022

Abstract Recent evidence suggests that female ornaments can commonly act as signals. However, how signaling functions might be affected by the tendency for reduced ornament elaboration in relation to males is less well-understood. We address this mutually ornamented purple-crowned fairy-wrens. investigated putatively ornamental (tail, ear coverts, crown) and non-ornamental (throat, back) plumage patches females compared our findings previous studies males. Both sexes have brown backs, buff-white throats, turquoise-blue tails (bluer males), while coverts are rufous black also a seasonal crown (slate-gray females, black-and-purple males). Dominant (breeder) expressed more complete grayer (more ornamented) crowns, although variation coloration should not discriminable individuals. Unexpectedly, subordinates showed colorful (saturated) which discriminable. Condition-dependence was only evident completeness (% slate-gray cover). Females with reddish-brown backs were reproductively successful. Variation characteristics did explain differential allocation mates or chances of gaining dominance. Our outcomes entirely consistent The most notable disparity crown, signal used male-male competition seems an incomplete version male associated fitness benefits. study shows species, multiple traits vary their information content sometimes informative than males, even those produced seasonally.

Language: Английский

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