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Lifetime reproductive success, selection on lifespan, and multiple sexual ornaments in male European barn swallows
Author(s) -
Costanzo Alessandra,
Ambrosini Roberto,
Caprioli Manuela,
Gatti Emanuele,
Parolini Marco,
Canova Luca,
Rubolini Diego,
Romano Andrea,
Gianfranceschi Luca,
Saino Nicola
Publication year - 2017
Publication title -
evolution
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.84
H-Index - 199
eISSN - 1558-5646
pISSN - 0014-3820
DOI - 10.1111/evo.13312
Subject(s) - biology , sexual selection , selection (genetic algorithm) , reproductive success , natural selection , hirundo , barn , mate choice , stabilizing selection , ecology , population , zoology , demography , mating , civil engineering , artificial intelligence , sociology , computer science , engineering
Natural and sexual selection arise when individual fitness varies according to focal traits. Extra‐pair paternities (EPPs) can affect the intensity of selection by influencing variance in fitness among individuals. Studies of selection require that individual fitness is estimated using proxies of lifetime reproductive success (LRS). However, estimating LRS is difficult in large, open populations where EPPs cause reallocation of biological paternity. Here, we used extensive field sampling to estimate LRS in a population of barn swallows ( Hirundo rustica ) to estimate selection on lifespan and ornamental traits of males. We found selection on lifespan mediated both by within‐ and extra‐pair fertilization success and selection on tail length mediated by within‐ but not extra‐pair fertilization success. In addition, we found selection on tail white spots via extra‐pair fertilization success after controlling for selection on other traits. These results were not confounded by factors that hamper studies of LRS, including nonexhaustive sampling of offspring and biased sampling of males. Hence, natural and sexual selection mediated by LRS operates on lifespan, tail length, and size of the tail white spots in barn swallows.