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Genetic relatedness in Monk Parakeet breeding trios

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Abstract

Monk Parakeets (Myiopsitta monachus) are cooperative breeders, which means that one adult helps the breeding pair (trios). We found a breeding trio composed of two males and one female in a single breeding chamber of a two-chamber compound nest. Males were full siblings. The female was the half sibling of both males. The female and one male were genetic parents of all nestlings. The sampled parakeet population showed a higher than expected level of inbreeding. The Monk Parakeet provides an interesting model for understanding of the role and benefits of helping and extra parental behavior in cooperative breeding birds.

Zusammenfassung

Genetische Verwandtschaft bei Mönchssittich-Bruttrios

Beim kooperativ brütenden Mönchssittich (Myiopsitta monachus) bildet ein adulter Bruthelfer mit dem Brutpaar ein Trio. Wir entdeckten ein aus zwei Männchen und einem Weibchen bestehendes brütendes Trio in einer einzelnen Brutkammer eines zweikammerigen Gemeinschaftsnestes. Die Männchen waren Vollgeschwister. Das Weibchen war ein Halbgeschwister beider Männchen. Das Weibchen und ein Männchen waren die genetischen Eltern aller Nestlinge. Die untersuchte Sittichpopulation wies einen höheren Inzuchtgrad als erwartet auf. Der Mönchssittich stellt ein interessantes Modell zum Verständnis der Rolle und der Vorteile von Bruthilfe und außerelterlichen Verhaltens bei kooperativ brütenden Vögeln dar.

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Acknowledgments

The CONICET of Argentina provided funds through a research grant to EHB (PID 3-908101/85). Fieldwork was partially funded by a co-operation grant between the IB of the BMBF of Germany (ARG 99/020) and the Argentinean SECyT (AL/A99-EXIII/003). EHB research was partially funded by the US Fish and Wildlife Service, International Affairs division. All applicable international, national, and/or institutional guidelines for the care and use of animals were followed.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Instituto de Diversidad y Ecología Animal (CONICET-UNC) and Centro de Zoología Aplicada, Universidad Nacional de Córdoba, Rondeau 798, 5000, Córdoba, Argentina

    Enrique H. Bucher

  2. Instituto de Ecorregiones Andinas (INECOA), CONICET, Universidad Nacional de Jujuy, Av. Bolivia 1711, 4600, Jujuy, Argentina

    Juan J. Martínez

  3. Instituto de Diversidad y Ecología Animal (CONICET-UNC) and Facultad de Ciencias Exactas, Físicas y Naturales, Universidad Nacional de Córdoba, Av. Vélez Sarsfield 299, 5000, Córdoba, Argentina

    M. C. de Aranzamendi

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  1. Enrique H. Bucher
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  2. Juan J. Martínez
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  3. M. C. de Aranzamendi
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Correspondence to Enrique H. Bucher.

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Communicated by M. Wink.

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Bucher, E.H., Martínez, J.J. & de Aranzamendi, M.C. Genetic relatedness in Monk Parakeet breeding trios. J Ornithol 157, 1119–1122 (2016). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10336-016-1358-y

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10336-016-1358-y

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