Open AccessExtrapair Paternity and Breeding Synchrony in Gadwalls (Anas Strepera) in North Dakota
Author(s) -
Jeffrey L. Peters,
Gwenda L. Brewer,
L. Michelle Bowe
Publication year - 2003
Publication title -
ornithology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.077
H-Index - 94
eISSN - 1938-4254
pISSN - 0004-8038
DOI - 10.1093/auk/120.3.883
Subject(s) - brood parasite , waterfowl , anas , biology , intraspecific competition , zoology , brood , mating , anatidae , microsatellite , mating system , sperm competition , ecology , parasitism , genetics , habitat , host (biology) , allele , gene
Extrapair paternity and its correlates with breeding synchrony were examined in Gadwall (Anas strepera) using microsatellite DNA fingerprinting. Eleven of 261 ducklings (4.2%) within 8 of 29 broods (27.6%) had genotypes consistent with extrapair fertilizations, a comparable frequency to other species of waterfowl for which extrapair paternity has been documented. We found no evidence of intraspecific brood parasitism. The frequency of extrapair paternity was not significantly correlated with breeding synchrony. We suggest that female absences during egg-laying may have provided males with opportunities to pursue extrapair copulation when breeding was synchronous.
Accelerating Research
Robert Robinson Avenue,
Oxford Science Park, Oxford
OX4 4GP, United Kingdom
Address
John Eccles HouseRobert Robinson Avenue,
Oxford Science Park, Oxford
OX4 4GP, United Kingdom