Abstract
Birds exhibit a remarkable diversity of different reproductive strategies both between and within species. Species such as the zebra finch (Taeniopygia guttata) may evolve the flexible use of alternative reproductive strategies, as well as benefit from prior breeding experience, which allows them to adaptively respond to unpredictable environments. In birds, the flexible use of alternative reproductive strategies, such as extra-pair mating, has been reported to be associated with fast reproduction, high mortality and environmental variability. However, little is known about the role of previous breeding experience in the adaptive use of alternative reproductive strategies. Here we performed an in-depth study of reproductive outcomes in a population of domesticated zebra finches, testing the impact of prior breeding experience on the use of alternative reproductive strategies and reproductive success. We provide evidence that older females with prior breeding experience are quicker to initiate a clutch with a new partner and have increased success in chick rearing, even in a captive colony of zebra finches with minimal foraging demands. We also find evidence that the breeding experience of other females in the same social group influences reproductive investment by female zebra finches. Furthermore, we demonstrate that the use of alternative reproductive strategies in female zebra finches is associated with previous failed breeding attempts with the same pair partner. The results provide evidence that age and breeding experience play important roles in the flexible use of both facultative and adaptive reproductive strategies in female zebra finches.
Highlights
The remarkable diversity of avian reproductive strategies is thought to be determined by variability in ecological resources, opportunities for exploiting social or sexual partners and by phylogeny [1]
Molecular evidence suggests that over 85% of socially monogamous species demonstrate the use of alternative reproductive strategies, including extra-pair mating and conspecific brood parasitism, as part of their behavioral repertoire [2,3,4]
There was a strong correlation both between female mass-tarsus residual and age (F1,110 = 23.31, p,0.0001, r = 0.42) and female mass-tarsus residual and breeding experience (F1,110 = 27.31, p,0.0001, r = 0.45) in our sample, only mass-tarsus residual remained a significant when compared to a reduced model including all other predictors (GLMM with binomial errors with age, breeding experience and mass-tarsus residual as predictors and parent cohort included as a random effect, likelihood ratio test (LRT) for mass-tarsus residual: x2(1) = 5.25, p = 0.022, LRT for age: Figure 1
Summary
The remarkable diversity of avian reproductive strategies is thought to be determined by variability in ecological resources, opportunities for exploiting social or sexual partners and by phylogeny [1]. Molecular evidence suggests that over 85% of socially monogamous species demonstrate the use of alternative reproductive strategies, including extra-pair mating and conspecific brood parasitism, as part of their behavioral repertoire [2,3,4]. Much research has focused on the mechanisms underlying variation in reproductive strategies across species. The extent to which individuals exhibit the ability to flexibly adjust their reproductive strategy in response to ecological and social circumstances is still poorly understood. What is the role of experience in allowing breeding females to choose an appropriate reproductive strategy for their ecological and social environment? What sorts of selection pressures select for plasticity in reproductive strategy? what is the role of experience in allowing breeding females to choose an appropriate reproductive strategy for their ecological and social environment?
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