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Shared paternity in the acorn woodpecker (Melanerpes formicivorus)

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Summary

We investigated multiple paternity in acorn woodpeckers (Melanerpes formicivorus) from central New Mexico by starch-gel electrophoresis. Seven of thirty-one presumptive genetic loci were polymorphic. Multiple paternity was revealed in one of three multi-male groups sampled on the basis of offspring and adult electrophoretic phendtypes, and was suggested in the two other groups. This study provides the first documentation of multiple paternity for any avian cooperative breeder.

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Author notes

  1. Nancy Joste

    Present address: Genetics Group, Los Almos National Laboratory M886, 87545, Los Alamos, New Mexico, USA

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Biochemistry, School of Medicine, University of New Mexico, 87131, Albuquerque, New Mexico, USA

    Nancy Joste

  2. Department of Biology, University of New Mexico, 87131, Albuquerque, New Mexico, USA

    J. David Ligon

  3. Department of Life Sciences, Indiama State University, 47809, Terre Haute, Indiana, USA

    Peter B. Stacey

Authors
  1. Nancy Joste
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  2. J. David Ligon
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  3. Peter B. Stacey
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Joste, N., Ligon, J.D. & Stacey, P.B. Shared paternity in the acorn woodpecker (Melanerpes formicivorus). Behav Ecol Sociobiol 17, 39–41 (1985). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00299426

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00299426

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