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Context-dependent genetic benefits of extra-pair mate choice in a socially monogamous passerine

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Abstract

Extra-pair paternity is common in socially monogamous passerines; however, despite considerable research attention, consistent differences in fitness between within-pair offspring (WPO) and extra-pair offspring (EPO) have not been demonstrated. Recent evidence indicates that differences between maternal half-siblings may depend on environmental conditions, but it is unclear whether the influence of paternal genetic contribution should be most apparent under comparatively poor or favourable conditions. We compared phenotypic characteristics of WPO and EPO in 30 mixed-paternity broods of the tree swallow (Tachycineta bicolor) in relation to experimentally increased nest temperature (n = 13 heated nests; 17 control nests) and natural abundance of haematophagous parasites (Protocalliphora spp.). This allowed us to test the hypothesis that genetic benefits of extra-pair mating are environment dependent. EPO grew their ninth primary feathers faster than WPO regardless of nest temperature or parasite load and had significantly longer ninth primary feathers at fledging when parasite abundance was low, and when they were positioned early in the hatching sequence relative to WPO. In contrast, WPO under similar conditions did not differ from EPO in any phenotypic trait measured. These results indicate that the fitness benefits of extra-pair mating are likely to be context dependent, and that genetic effects on some phenotypic traits may be more apparent when conditions are relatively favourable.

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Acknowledgements

We thank Stephen Pruett-Jones and two anonymous reviewers for comments on a previous version of the manuscript. Anita Castle and Greg Sanders granted property access, and Dan Baxter, Pierre-Paul Bitton and Ben Schonewille provided assistance in the field. We are grateful to Brent Murray for providing access to lab space and equipment, as well as the UNBC molecular genetics lab and Mary Stapleton for advice and discussions concerning genetic analyses. Funding was provided by a Discovery Grant to Russell D. Dawson from the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada. Additional funding was provided by the Canada Foundation for Innovation and British Columbia Knowledge Development Fund. Our research protocols were approved by the Animal Care and Use Committee of UNBC.

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  1. Ecosystem Science and Management Program, University of Northern British Columbia, 3333 University Way, Prince George, BC, V2N 4Z9, Canada

    Erin L. O’Brien & Russell D. Dawson

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  1. Erin L. O’Brien
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  2. Russell D. Dawson
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Correspondence to Erin L. O’Brien.

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Communicated by S. Pruett-Jones

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O’Brien, E.L., Dawson, R.D. Context-dependent genetic benefits of extra-pair mate choice in a socially monogamous passerine. Behav Ecol Sociobiol 61, 775–782 (2007). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00265-006-0308-8

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