The strength of direct selection against female promiscuity is associated with rates of extrapair fertilizations in socially monogamous songbirds
Language English Country United States Media print-electronic
Document type Comparative Study, Journal Article, Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
PubMed
16671017
DOI
10.1086/502633
PII: AN41203
Knihovny.cz E-resources
- MeSH
- Biological Evolution * MeSH
- Species Specificity MeSH
- Phylogeny MeSH
- Nesting Behavior physiology MeSH
- Reproduction physiology MeSH
- Selection, Genetic * MeSH
- Sexual Behavior, Animal physiology MeSH
- Songbirds physiology MeSH
- Animals MeSH
- Check Tag
- Female MeSH
- Animals MeSH
- Publication type
- Journal Article MeSH
- Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't MeSH
- Comparative Study MeSH
A costs-benefits approach has frequently been used to understand the evolutionary origin and maintenance of promiscuity in animal populations. Recent meta-analyses suggest that direct costs to unfaithful females outweigh indirect benefits from infidelity in socially monogamous songbirds, suggesting that in this taxa, extrapair fertilization (EPF) evolved primarily as a self-interest male tactic. Here we present results of comparative analysis to show that standardized selection gradients acting against female infidelity (direct costs of promiscuity) explain variation in EPF rates at an interspecific level in passerines. This result confirms that costs to females resulting from reduced parental care from cheated males constrain promiscuity in this group. Our data indicate that females exert resistance over EPFs when the costs of infidelity are high and, conversely, that the rate of EPFs increases when selection on females to defend themselves against EPF attempts by males is weak and costs of infidelity are low.
References provided by Crossref.org
Sperm competition in tropical versus temperate zone birds