Genetic evaluation of the mating system in the blue-and-yellow macaw (Ara ararauna, Aves, Psittacidae) by DNA fingerprinting

Genetics and Molecular Biology

Renato Caparroz¹  Cristina Y. Miyaki²  Allan J. Baker¹ 

[1] ,Universidade de São Paulo Instituto de Biociências Departamento de Genética e Biologia EvolutivaSão Paulo SP ,Brazil

关键词: Ara ararauna;    breeding behavior;    DNA fingerprinting;    monogamy;    Psittacidae;   

DOI  :  10.1590/S1415-47572010005000112

来源: SciELO

【 摘 要 】

More than 90% of birds are socially monogamous, although genetic studies indicate that many are often not sexually monogamous. In the present study, DNA fingerprinting was used to estimate the genetic relationships between nestlings belonging to the same broods to evaluate the mating system in the socially monogamous macaw, Ara ararauna. We found that in 10 of 11 broods investigated, the nestlings showed genetic similarity levels congruent with values expected among full-sibs, suggesting that they shared the same parents. However, in one brood, the low genetic similarity observed between nestlings could be a result of intraspecific brood parasitism, intraspecific nest competition or extra-pair paternity. These results, along with available behavioral and life-history data, imply that the blue-and-yellow macaw is not only socially, but also genetically monogamous. However, the occurrence of eventual cases of extra-pair paternity cannot be excluded.

【 授权许可】

CC BY   
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