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
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
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
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
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
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
Zoology
D. Wysocki, M. Cholewa, A. Gwiazdowska, K. Halupka, R. Rutkowski, M. Szenejko
Summary: We studied extra-pair paternity in the European Blackbird, a socially monogamous bird, in an urban park in Poland. We found that 17.1% of the broods had some extra-pair nestlings, and overall, 13.1% of the nestlings were sired by extra-pair males. These figures are relatively low compared to other closely related passerines. We suggest that mate guarding may be an effective strategy in preventing females from engaging in extra-pair activity.
EUROPEAN ZOOLOGICAL JOURNAL
(2023)
Article
Ornithology
Jamie Dunning, Terry Burke, Julia Schroeder
Summary: The question of why socially monogamous females engage in extra-pair behavior is explored in this study. The results suggest that females who divorce their social partner are more likely to produce extra-pair offspring, but it does not demonstrate that these females also have a higher proportion of extra-pair offspring. Additionally, the number of broods initiated by females is positively correlated with the number of extra-pair males that father their offspring.
JOURNAL OF AVIAN BIOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Ornithology
Peter Santema, Bart Kempenaers
Summary: The study observed 12 blue tits male providing food at nests that were not their own. Most of these males helped at other nests because their own breeding attempt had failed or they had no nestlings, while few successfully sired offspring in the helped nest. The findings suggest that females can benefit from extra-pair copulations by obtaining help in raising their brood when they do not receive help from their social mate.
JOURNAL OF AVIAN BIOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Ornithology
Juan Wang, Yanhui Wei, Lei Zhang, Yiting Jiang, Keke Li, Dongmei Wan
Summary: The research conducted in Xianrendong National Nature Reserve in Liaoning Province, China, revealed a high rate of extra-pair paternity in Marsh Tits. The study found that extra-pair mating behavior in this species is independent of the genetic compatibility hypothesis.
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
Ramiro S. Arrieta, Leonardo Campagna, Bettina Mahler, Paulo E. Llambias
Summary: This study investigates the relationship between extra-pair behavior and male contribution to paternal care in grass wrens. The results show that males do not adjust their parental care based on actual paternity loss, and simulated territorial intrusions during the female fertile period do not affect male provisioning behavior.
BEHAVIORAL ECOLOGY AND SOCIOBIOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Ornithology
Ramiro S. Arrieta, Leonardo Campagna, Bettina Mahler, Irby Lovette, Paulo E. Llambias
Summary: Demographic factors can affect the frequency of extra-pair paternity in birds. The study on grass wrens showed that neighboring male abundance played an important role in extra-pair mating behavior. The study also highlights the relevance of using a local scale approach when studying mating behavior.
JOURNAL OF AVIAN BIOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Ecology
Yanina Poblete, Esteban Botero-Delgadillo, Pamela Espindola-Hernandez, Gabriela Sudel, Rodrigo A. Vasquez
Summary: The study found no evidence of a reduction in paternal care in male birds due to an increase in the percentage of extra-pair offspring. This may be explained by males' inability to assess genetic paternity and potential restrictions on behavioral flexibility. In this particular locality, the reduction in paternal care may not have evolved due to the low frequency of extra-pair paternity in the study population.
ECOLOGY AND EVOLUTION
(2021)
