Cooperative Breeding in the Campo Flicker II: Patterns of Reproduction and Kinship

The condor

Raphael Igor Dias¹ 

关键词: Cooperative breeding;    joint nesting;    mating system;    molecular analysis;    relatedness;    relationship;    tropics;   

DOI  :  10.1525/cond.2013.120143

学科分类：动物科学

来源: Central Ornithology Publication Office

【 摘 要 】

Abstract. Understanding the evolution of cooperative breeding systems remains a central issue in evolutionary biology. In this context, molecular tools have contributed greatly toward understanding kinship patterns within groups and resolving long-standing issues regarding mating systems and parentage. We used such molecular tools to examine patterns of kinship in the Campo Flicker (Colaptes campestris campestris), a facultative cooperative breeder, to answer questions concerning its mating system and patterns of reproductive skew. Genetic analysis revealed that the species is predominantly monogamous in both cooperative groups and socially monogamous pairs, but in several cooperative groups auxiliary females contributed eggs to the nest. In contrast, within groups direct reproduction by auxiliary males was rare. We observed no cases of extra-group paternity but detected cases of quasi-parasitism in socially monogamous pairs. Levels of relatedness within groups were high; auxiliaries of both sexes were of...

【 授权许可】

CC BY