Realized Reproductive Success of Polygynous Red-Winged Blackbirds Revealed by DNA Markers

Hypervariable genetic markers, including a novel locus-specific marker detected by a mouse major histocompatibility complex probe, reveal that multiple paternity is common in families of polygynous red-winged blackbirds (Agelaius phoeniceus). Almost half of all nests contained at least one chick res...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Science (American Association for the Advancement of Science) 1990-12, Vol.250 (4986), p.1394-1397
Main Authors: Gibbs, H. Lisle, Weatherhead, Patrick J., Boag, Peter T., White, Bradley N., Tabak, Lisa M., Hoysak, Drew J.
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Agelaius phoeniceus
Analysis
Animal sexual behavior
Animals
Biological and medical sciences
Bird nesting
Birds
Chicks
Classical genetics, quantitative genetics, hybrids
DNA
DNA probes
Evolution
Female animals
Fundamental and applied biological sciences. Psychology
Genetic markers
Genetics of eukaryotes. Biological and molecular evolution
Male animals
Mating behavior
Parentage
Parents
Red-winged blackbird
Reproduction
Reproductive success
Sexual behavior
Sexual behavior in animals
Vertebrata
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Summary:Hypervariable genetic markers, including a novel locus-specific marker detected by a mouse major histocompatibility complex probe, reveal that multiple paternity is common in families of polygynous red-winged blackbirds (Agelaius phoeniceus). Almost half of all nests contained at least one chick resulting from an extra-pair fertilization, usually by a neighboring male. Genetically based measures of reproductive success show that individual males realize more than 20% of their overall success from extra-pair fertilizations, on average, and that this form of mating behavior confounds traditional measures of male success. The importance of alternative reproductive tactics in a polygynous bird is quantified, and the results challenge previous explanations for the evolution of avian polygny.
ISSN:0036-8075
1095-9203
DOI:10.1126/science.250.4986.1394