Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Andrew Cockburn, Joshua Penalba, Damian Jaccoud, Andrzej Kilian, Lyanne Brouwer, Michael C. Double, Nicolas Margraf, Helen L. Osmond, Loeske E. B. Kruuk, Martijn van de Pol
Summary: An efficient method involving single nucleotide polymorphic markers has been proposed to solve the difficulty of parental assignment in systems with complex social organization.
MOLECULAR ECOLOGY RESOURCES
(2021)
Article
Ecology
Eve B. Cooper, Timothee Bonnet, Helen L. Osmond, Andrew Cockburn, Loeske E. B. Kruuk
Summary: By studying a cooperatively breeding songbird species, the superb fairy-wren, researchers found clear differences in aging and senescence patterns between survival and reproductive traits. While male within-group reproductive success did not change with age, extragroup reproductive success showed a significant increase in early ages followed by a decline, indicating a role of sexual selection in male reproductive aging.
AMERICAN NATURALIST
(2021)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Cristina-Maria Valcu, Mihai Valcu, Bart Kempenaers
Summary: This study explored the geographical variation in the frequency of extra-pair paternity (EPP) among bird populations and species. The results showed that EPP frequency decreases with latitude, increases with distance from the breeding range boundary, is negatively associated with generation length and pair-bond duration among species, and decreases with latitude at the assemblage level. The latitudinal decline of EPP is consistent across zoogeographical realms.
Article
Ecology
Min Chen, Guopan Li, Jinlong Liu, Shaobin Li
Summary: The study suggests that pursuing extrapair copulations may be a natural instinct in birds, and the interaction between males and females for EPCs may lead to larger brains. However, larger brains may also restrict the EPC level for both sexes across bird species, as indicated by the negative association between relative brain size and EPP rates.
ECOLOGY AND EVOLUTION
(2021)
Article
Ecology
Agnieszka Ruminska, Christian Jorgensen, Sigrunn Eliassen
Summary: In socially monogamous bird species, the mating process is complex due to the occurrence of matings outside the pair bond. These extra-pair matings have benefits for males but may result in costs for females. Using a model, we studied how female extra-pair mating strategies affect male investment in offspring care and territorial defence. We found that extra-pair copulations initiated by females can reduce territorial defence and aggression among males in the whole population.
EVOLUTIONARY ECOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Zoology
Yating Liu, Zhengjun Wu, Wenbo Liao
Summary: This study examined the relationship between extra-pair paternity (EPP) and brain size, testis size, and life histories among bird species. The findings indicate that birds with larger brains, which are associated with enhanced cognitive abilities, are more inclined to maintain long-term stable relationships with their mates and engage in mutualism, rather than increasing the frequency of EPP.
INTEGRATIVE ZOOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Hajime Yaguchi, Itaru Kobayashi, Kiyoto Maekawa, Christine A. Nalepa
Summary: Subsocial Cryptocercus cockroaches, believed to be socially monogamous, were found to have common extra-pair paternity in field-collected families. The study revealed that approximately half of young females exhibit serial monogamy and produce offspring with the last mated male, while pair males extend parental care to unrelated nymphs. This suggests genetic monogamy may not be a strict prerequisite for the evolution of termite eusociality.
Article
Behavioral Sciences
Gabriela K. Hajduk, Andrew Cockburn, Helen L. Osmond, Loeske E. B. Kruuk
Summary: In cooperatively breeding species, the presence of unrelated male helpers in a group increases rates of extrapair paternity, while helper-sons do not have this effect. The relatedness of helpers does not impact nest productivity or nestling performance. Therefore, the relatedness of helpers does not directly affect extrapair paternity.
BEHAVIORAL ECOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Ornithology
Mateusz Ledwon, Patricia Szczys
Summary: Patterns of extra pair paternity and intraspecific brood parasitism were studied in a Whiskered Tern population, with low rates observed due to the high male parental investment in the species. Intraspecific brood parasitism had a greater impact on chick proportions compared to extra pair paternity, the latter being relatively rare in this population.
JOURNAL OF ORNITHOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Cell Biology
Emily Rebecca Alison Cramer
Summary: The study found that in socially monogamous species, tests related to sperm traits in extra-pair paternity situations can be highly biased, recommending the use of multivariate selection analysis and proportional regression to avoid biases.
Article
Biodiversity Conservation
Vladimir G. Grinkov, Andreas Bauer, Helmut Sternberg, Michael Wink
Summary: Extra-pair copulation (EPC) is common in socially monogamous bird species, but its mechanisms and functions are still debated. This study on European pied flycatchers in Western Siberia found that about 20% of birds engage in extra-pair paternity (EPP), with loss of paternity more common in young males. EPCs can involve multiple partners, and the mates are mainly neighbors. The occurrence of EPP is higher in females nesting in high-quality territories. Fitness of within-pair offspring, EPO, and half-siblings did not differ significantly. This suggests that EPCs may be incidental side effects of selection.
Article
Behavioral Sciences
Jorgen S. Soraker, Jonathan Wright, Fredrik oglaend Hanslin, Michael Le Pepke
Summary: Extra-pair paternity negatively affects paternal care in bird species, as shown by our study on 271 socially monogamous species.
BEHAVIORAL ECOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Ornithology
Huan Liu, Yun Fang, Yingqiang Lou, Yuehua Sun
Summary: This study found the presence of extra-pair paternity (EPP) in the wild Chestnut Thrush population, and the paternity was related to morphological traits of males and females.
Article
Ornithology
Monika Cepkova, Maria Meliskova, Lucia Rubacova
Summary: Monogamy is commonly observed in birds, but molecular techniques have revealed extra-pair fertilisations (epFs) and multiple partners during breeding season. This study on Common Kingfishers in Slovakia found that a small percentage of nestlings (1.09%) were fathered by males other than the pair male, while none of the nestlings had a mother other than the pair female. Additionally, polygamous behavior and mate changes were observed, but they were not associated with breeding synchronicity. Polygamous males had higher genetic diversity, but neither polygamous nor monogamous females showed a difference in genetic diversity. Breeding success and productivity were not affected by partner changes or polygamy. These findings suggest that polygamy remains a minority strategy in Common Kingfishers.
ARDEOLA-INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ORNITHOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Behavioral Sciences
Silje L. Rekdal, Jarl Andreas Anmarkrud, Jan T. Lifjeld, Arild Johnsen
Summary: This study shows that female bluethroats tend to choose a social mate that is MHCII-compatible in order to prevent other males from gaining paternity in their brood. However, this preference occurs only when the social male is young, as older males can override female preferences through higher sperm production. Additionally, offspring with MHC diversity close to the golden mean exhibit higher immune responsiveness.
BEHAVIORAL ECOLOGY AND SOCIOBIOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Behavioral Sciences
Ana Leitao, Michelle L. Hall, Raoul A. Mulder
Summary: This study investigated the sexual selection of plumage ornamentation in female and male lovely fairy-wrens, finding that plumage color was correlated with parental quality but not individual quality or survival. Positive assortative mating based on plumage color was also observed, with less colorful males obtaining higher extrapair paternity when paired with more colorful females.
BEHAVIORAL ECOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Ecology
Kawinwit Kittipalawattanapol, Menna E. Jones, Leon A. Barmuta, Glen Bain
Summary: Habitat loss is a major factor contributing to the decline of endangered species populations, but ecological restoration efforts can help mitigate this issue. This study in Tasmania, Australia found that different habitat types have varying effects on wildlife communities, with differences in predator and pollinator numbers particularly notable in vegetation plantings.
RESTORATION ECOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Psychology, Biological
Ashton L. Dickerson, Jessica A. Rowland, Asher J. E. Trama, Daniel M. Wraith-Franck, Michelle L. Hall
Summary: The study found that dominant signals have different effects on the attractiveness of males and females. There are gender differences in animal vocal frequencies, where low-frequency signals are perceived as more threatening by both sexes.
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Elizabeth Louise Sheldon, Justin Ross Eastwood, Niki Teunissen, Michael James Roast, Nataly Hidalgo Aranzamendi, Marie Fan, Michelle Louise Hall, Sjouke Anne Kingma, Simon Verhulst, Anne Peters
Summary: The rate of telomere shortening and telomere length in the first year of life independently predict lifespan, while telomere shortening and length in adulthood do not.
Article
Environmental Sciences
Ashton L. Dickerson, Michelle L. Hall, Theresa M. Jones
Summary: The study found that the nocturnal song behavior of the largely diurnal willie wagtail is influenced by moonlight intensity, sky glow, and localized sources of artificial light. Both scale and intensity are important factors to consider when assessing the impact of light at night on animal behavior.
SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT
(2022)
Article
Ecology
Karan J. Odom, Kristal E. Cain, Michelle L. Hall, Naomi E. Langmore, Raoul A. Mulder, Sonia Kleindorfer, Jordan Karubian, Lyanne Brouwer, Erik D. Enbody, John Anthony Jones, Jenelle L. Dowling, Ana Leitao, Emma Greig, Christine Evans, Allison E. Johnson, Kimberley K. -A Meyers, Marcelo Araya-Salas, Michael S. Webster
Summary: The study found that male song elaboration is partly due to sexual competition, with male songs being longer in populations with low male survival and less male provisioning. Female songs evolved independently and were slower paced than male songs, particularly in less synchronously breeding populations. Male and female songs were more similar when parental care was more equal and male survival was high, indicating a correlation between sex role similarity and male-female song similarity.
ECOLOGY AND EVOLUTION
(2021)
Article
Ecology
Peter A. Harrison, Nicolo Camarretta, Sean Krisanski, Tanya G. Bailey, Neil J. Davidson, Glen Bain, Rowena Hamer, Riana Gardiner, Kirstin Proft, Mohammad Sadegh Taskhiri, Paul Turner, Darren Turner, Arko Lucieer
Summary: Using remote sensing technologies can assist in ecological restoration of forests at various levels, from observing structural complexity and animal behavior at the community level, monitoring vegetation structure and ecosystem services at plot level, to accurately classifying plants and showing genetic variations at the individual level. However, challenges remain to be addressed to promote wider use of remote sensing in restoration efforts.
ECOLOGICAL MANAGEMENT & RESTORATION
(2021)
Article
Ecology
Menna E. Jones, Glen C. Bain, Rowena P. Hamer, Kirstin M. Proft, Riana Z. Gardiner, Kirsty J. Dixon, Kawinwit Kittipalawattanapol, Ana L. Zepeda de Alba, Claire E. Ranyard, Sarah A. Munks, Leon A. Barmuta, Christopher P. Burridge, Christopher N. Johnson, Neil J. Davidson
Summary: The study shows that temperate woodlands in Australia are highly threatened due to suitable agricultural land leading to habitat loss and fragmentation, resulting in declines in native wildlife populations. Through research on animals in the Midlands agricultural region, scientists demonstrated the importance of grounding restoration efforts in the context of ecological interactions for success.
ECOLOGICAL MANAGEMENT & RESTORATION
(2021)
Article
Behavioral Sciences
Farley Connelly, Michelle L. Hall, Robin D. Johnsson, Shona Elliot-Kerr, Belinda R. Dow, John A. Lesku, Raoul A. Mulder
Summary: This study compared the cognitive performance of urban-dwelling Australian magpies in different noise environments. The results suggest that the anthropogenic noise levels typical of city parklands do not appear to negatively impact the cognitive abilities of magpies.
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Justin R. Eastwood, Tim Connallon, Kaspar Delhey, Michelle L. Hall, Niki Teunissen, Sjouke A. Kingma, Ariana M. La Porte, Simon Verhulst, Anne Peters
Summary: Climate warming poses risks to wildlife by exposing them to sublethal high temperatures, leading to long-term impacts and reduced adaptability. This study found that the early-life telomere length (TL) of purple-crowned fairy-wren nestlings was associated with climatic and environmental conditions, particularly temperature and water availability. Models predicted that shorter TL under projected warming scenarios could result in population decline. However, if TL is an adaptive trait, population viability may be maintained through evolution.
PROCEEDINGS OF THE NATIONAL ACADEMY OF SCIENCES OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
(2022)
Article
Behavioral Sciences
Ana Leita, Raoul A. Mulder, Michelle L. Hall
Summary: This study investigated the function of female and male song in the lovely fairy-wren and found that females and males have similar song structure, complexity, and natural song rates. Both sexes sing more during nonbreeding periods, and they respond similarly to simulated territorial intrusion. The results suggest that female and male songs serve similar functions in joint territorial defense and within-pair communication for coordination.
Article
Behavioral Sciences
Sergio Nolazco, Kaspar Delhey, Marie Fan, Michelle L. Hall, Sjouke A. Kingma, Michael J. Roast, Niki Teunissen, Anne Peters
Summary: Female decorations are often less elaborate than males, and it is unclear how this affects their function. We investigated the condition dependence and fitness associations of plumage patches in female purple-crowned fairy-wrens, some ornamental and some cryptic. Unlike previous studies in males, we found no evidence of fitness benefits associated with female ornaments. Our study suggests that female ornaments may be less informative than male ornaments.
BEHAVIORAL ECOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Psychology, Biological
Ashton L. Dickerson, Theresa M. Jones, Kaya B. Moore, Michelle L. Hall
Summary: Research on the willie wagtail bird species shows that both nocturnal and daytime song of male birds play roles in mate attraction and territory defence, while female birds primarily use their daytime song for territorial defence.
Review
Behavioral Sciences
Ashton L. Dickerson, Michelle L. Hall, Theresa M. Jones
Summary: Acoustic communication in animals is strongly influenced by light, both from natural sources like the moon and artificial light at night (ALAN). Changes in lunar illumination can impact population and community level acoustic communication, while the spread of ALAN has drastically altered the timing and structure of acoustic communication. However, there is a lack of comprehensive knowledge about the effects of natural light at night on communication behaviors, making it difficult to understand the impact of ALAN. The current evidence and research gaps are reviewed, highlighting the need for further studies in this area.
Article
Ecology
Tim S. Doherty, Michelle L. Hall, Ben Parkhurst, Vanessa Westcott
Summary: The baiting program had modest effects on feral cat populations in some years, but overall, interference from non-target species and low baiting density likely reduced its efficacy. Further testing and refinement of ground baiting strategies are needed to improve effectiveness.