Evolution of the germline mutation rate across vertebrates

Nature, Journal Year: 2023, Volume and Issue: 615(7951), P. 285 - 291

Published: March 1, 2023

The germline mutation rate determines the pace of genome evolution and is an evolving parameter itself1. However, little known about what its evolution, as most studies rates have focused on single species with different methodologies2. Here we quantify across vertebrates by sequencing comparing high-coverage genomes 151 parent-offspring trios from 68 mammals, fishes, birds reptiles. We show that per-generation varies among a factor 40, being higher for males than females in mammals birds, but not reptiles fishes. generation time, age at maturity species-level fecundity are key life-history traits affecting this variation species. Furthermore, long-term effective population sizes tend to lower per generation, providing support drift barrier hypothesis3. exceptionally high yearly domesticated animals, which been continually selected including shorter times, further importance time rates. Overall, our comparative analysis pedigree-based provides ecological insights vertebrates.

Language: Английский

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Cooperation and Coordination in Socially Monogamous Birds: Moving Away From a Focus on Sexual Conflict

Frontiers in Ecology and Evolution, Journal Year: 2019, Volume and Issue: 7

Published: Nov. 26, 2019

Socially monogamous birds have provided a major focus of research in the field sexual selection, providing insight into evolution ornaments, dimorphism and sex roles. Following important theoretical work 1970's, there has been continued emphasis on elements conflict between socially partners. The application molecular tools enabled significant investment over paternity. differential allocation hypothesis, another well-worked area, focusing attention with current or future partner, being at forefront high-profile maternal effects. Whilst sexes fascinating area evolutionary biology past four decades, level is often overstated, our understanding social monogamy biased by taking perspective rather than cooperation. For example, can be explained from an entirely cooperative perspective, as much behaviour that currently associated sperm competition With 80% avian species forming bonds are life-long last for many we need to redress balance, more benefits both males females gain establishing, maintaining partnerships. I highlight behavioural morphological adaptations feature strongly birds, deserving high inter-individual cooperation coordination undoubtedly exists species. begun shift recently, it will take years bias towards taken share empirical this point.

Language: Английский

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Sexual selection and the ascent of women: Mate choice research since Darwin

Science, Journal Year: 2022, Volume and Issue: 375(6578)

Published: Jan. 20, 2022

Darwin's theory of sexual selection fundamentally changed how we think about sex and evolution. The struggle over mating fertilization is a powerful driver diversification within among species. Contemporaries dismissed conjecture "taste for the beautiful" as favoring particular mates others, but there now overwhelming evidence primary role both male female mate choice in selection. misogyny precluded much analysis "taste"; an increasing focus on mechanisms before, during, after reveals that these often evolve response to pressures have little do with chosen traits. Where traits preferences coevolve, they can so whether fitness effects choosers are positive, neutral, or negative. spectrum preferences, respond social effects, determine influence broader-scale processes like reproductive isolation population responses environmental change.

Language: Английский

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Molecular marker‐based pedigrees for animal conservation biologists

Animal Conservation, Journal Year: 2009, Volume and Issue: 13(1), P. 26 - 34

Published: Dec. 3, 2009

Abstract Pedigrees, depicting the genealogical relationships between individuals in a population, are of fundamental importance to several research areas including conservation biology. For example, they useful for estimating inbreeding, heritability, selection, studying kin selection and measuring gene flow populations. Pedigrees constructed from direct observations reproduction usually unavailable wild Therefore, pedigrees these populations estimated using molecular marker data. Despite their obvious importance, fact that conceptually well understood, methods, limitations marker‐based pedigree inference often less understood. Here we introduce animal biologists pedigrees. We briefly describe history research, before explaining underlying theory basic mechanics construction standard methods. explain assumptions accompany many going on methods relax assumptions. Finally, look future discuss some recent exciting advances such as use single‐nucleotide polymorphisms, multigenerational incorporation non‐genetic data field into calculations. also provide guidelines efficient order maximize accuracy power. Throughout examples refer readers appropriate software where possible. It is our hope this review will help understand, choose, tools fast‐moving field.

Language: Английский

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Group formation and the evolutionary pathway to complex sociality in birds

Nature Ecology & Evolution, Journal Year: 2020, Volume and Issue: 4(3), P. 479 - 486

Published: Feb. 24, 2020

Language: Английский

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Winter associations predict social and extra-pair mating patterns in a wild songbird

Proceedings of the Royal Society B Biological Sciences, Journal Year: 2020, Volume and Issue: 287(1921), P. 20192606 - 20192606

Published: Feb. 19, 2020

Despite decades of research, our understanding the underlying causes within-population variation in patterns extra-pair paternity (EPP) remains limited. Previous studies have shown that mating decisions are linked to both individual traits and ecological factors. Here, we examine whether social associations among individuals prior breeding also shape patterns, specifically occurrence EPP, a small songbird, blue tit. We test during non-breeding period predict (1) future pairs, (2) proximity (i.e. distance between individuals) (3) likelihood young together. Individuals were more strongly associated (those foraged often together) winter tended nest closer This, by itself, predicts EPP because most sires close neighbours. However, even after controlling for spatial effects, female–male dyads with stronger likely young. Our findings reveal carry-over from into decisions. Quantifying long-term environment studying its dynamics is promising approach enhance process (extra-)pair formation.

Language: Английский

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The macroecology of extra‐pair paternity in birds

Molecular Ecology, Journal Year: 2021, Volume and Issue: 30(19), P. 4884 - 4898

Published: July 15, 2021

Extra-pair paternity (EPP) is a key aspect of the mating behaviour birds and its frequency varies widely among populations species. Several hypotheses predict patterns geographical variation in occurrence EPP, but global-scale study on this trait still lacking. We collected data EPP from 663 401 avian species explored populations, assemblages. modelled within species' breeding range accounting for specific ecological context each population, used model predictions to compute frequencies at level A global map assemblage-level rates shows clear differences between zoogeographical realms, with highest values Nearctic realm. Our results show that (1) decreases latitude increases distance boundary range, (2) negatively associated generation length pair-bond duration species, (3) assemblage level. The latitudinal decline consistent across realms.

Language: Английский

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The causes and implications of sex role diversity in shorebird breeding systems

Ibis, Journal Year: 2023, Volume and Issue: 166(2), P. 357 - 385

Published: Oct. 11, 2023

Males and females often exhibit different behaviours during mate acquisition, pair‐bonding parenting, a convenient label to characterize these is sex role. The diverse roles that male female shorebirds (plovers, sandpipers allies) in mating parenting have played key role advancing mainstream theories avian ecology behavioural biology including sexual selection, conflict parental cooperation. Recent advances shorebird research also highlighted the significance of social environment driving by linking adult ratio with breeding behaviour population demography. Here we review using as an ecological model system. We identify knowledge gaps argue untapped potential accelerate fields evolutionary genomics, movement ecology, networks environmental changes. Future studies will benefit from individual‐based monitoring advanced tracking technologies, multi‐team collaborations are facilitated standardized data collection methodologies across species field. These not only contribute our understanding reproductive strategies, but they knock‐on effects on predicting resilience changes prioritizing for conservation.

Language: Английский

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Macrobehaviour: behavioural variation across space, time, and taxa

Trends in Ecology & Evolution, Journal Year: 2023, Volume and Issue: 38(12), P. 1177 - 1188

Published: Sept. 1, 2023

We explore how integrating behavioural ecology and macroecology can provide fundamental new insight into both fields, with particular relevance for understanding ecological responses to rapid environmental change. outline the field of macrobehaviour, which aims unite these disciplines explicitly, highlight examples research in this space. Macrobehaviour be envisaged as a spectrum, where ecologists macroecologists use data borrow tools approaches from one another. At heart interdisciplinary considers selection context large-scale factors lead systematic patterns variation across space, time, taxa, turn, influence macroecological processes. has potential enhance forecasts future biodiversity

Language: Английский

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Benefits of Pair-Bond Duration on Reproduction in a Lifelong Monogamous Cooperative Passerine

The American Naturalist, Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: 203(5), P. 576 - 589

Published: Jan. 16, 2024

Long-term social and genetic monogamy is rare in animals except birds, but even birds it infrequent poorly understood. We investigated possible advantages of a colonial, facultative cooperatively breeding bird from an arid, unpredictable environment, the sociable weaver (Philetairus socius). documented divorce extrapair paternity 703 pairs over 10 years separated effects pair duration experience by analyzing longitudinal cross-sectional datasets. Parts colonies were protected nest predation, thereby limiting its stochastic thus confounding effect on fitness measures. found that 6.4% divorced 2.2% young extrapair. Longer pair-bonds associated with more clutches fledglings per season reproducing earlier later season, when snake predation lower, not increased egg or fledgling mass nestling survival. Finally, number helpers at pair-bond duration. Results similar for unprotected nests. suggest long-term better capacity exploiting temporally environment helps to form larger groups. These results can contribute our understanding why frequently environments cooperation.

Language: Английский

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