Extra-pair paternity in a Neotropical rainforest songbird, the White-necked Thrush Turdus albicollis (Aves: Turdidae)

Carlos Biagolini-Jr,Mariellen C Costa,Mercival R Francisco,Lais Ribeiro-Silva,Paulo V.Q Zima,Daniel F Perrella

doi:10.1590/s1984-4689zool-20160068

Abstract

Over the last two decades, several studies have shown that the mating systems of various birds are more complex than previously believed, and paternity tests performed with molecular techniques have proved, for instance, that the commonly observed social monogamy often presents important variations, such as extra-pair paternity. However, data are still largely biased towards temperate species. In our study, at an area of the Brazilian Atlantic Forest, we found broods containing at least one extra-pair young (EPY) in the socially monogamous White-necked Thrush Turdus albicollis (Vieillot, 1818). Paternity tests using six heterologous microsatellite loci revealed that four of 11 broods (36.4%) presented at least one extra-pair young (EPY). This rate of EPY is within the range found for other studies in the tropics. This is one of the few studies that present detailed paternity analyses of a Neotropical rainforest passerine. Our findings corroborate the early insights that breeding strategies involving cheating can also be widespread among Neotropical socially monogamous songbirds.

Highlights

Over the last two decades, a number of studies have demonstrated that the mating systems of various birds are more complex than previously believed
Paternity tests using molecular techniques have documented that different levels of extra-pair paternity (EPP) do occur
EPP can be defined as the proportion of offspring sired by only one social parent, usually the female, or the proportion of broods containing at least one extra-pair young (EPY) (Westneat et al 1990, Ligon 1999, Griffith et al 2002, Neodorf 2004)

Summary

Introduction

Over the last two decades, a number of studies have demonstrated that the mating systems of various birds are more complex than previously believed (reviewed in Griffith et al 2002). EPP can be defined as the proportion of offspring sired by only one social parent, usually the female, or the proportion of broods containing at least one extra-pair young (EPY) (Westneat et al 1990, Ligon 1999, Griffith et al 2002, Neodorf 2004).

Results

Conclusion