Parental investment amplifies effects of genetic complementarity on growth rates in song sparrows, Melospiza melodia

Dominique A Potvin; E A MacDougall-Shackleton

doi:10.1016/j.anbehav.2009.07.023

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Parental investment amplifies effects of genetic complementarity on growth rates in song sparrows, Melospiza melodia

Journal article

Peer reviewed

Parental investment amplifies effects of genetic complementarity on growth rates in song sparrows, Melospiza melodia

Dominique A Potvin and E A MacDougall-Shackleton

Animal Behaviour, Vol.78(4), pp.943-948

2009

DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.anbehav.2009.07.023

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Abstract

compatible gene

complementary gene

cross-fostering experiment

differential allocation

growth

Melospiza melodia

parental investment

song sparrow

Life history theory predicts that individuals paired with attractive mates may invest more in offspring. Such differential investment may amplify the effects of genetic quality on fitness. Attractiveness can include 'good gene' and 'complementary gene' components, but how the latter affects parental investment remains unknown. We found that nestling song sparrows with genetically dissimilar parents grew faster than did nestlings whose parents were genetically more similar to one another. A cross-fostering experiment revealed complementary gene effects on growth; nestlings produced by genetically dissimilar parents grew faster than their adoptive 'siblings' reared in the same nest but produced by parents that were more genetically similar. To explore whether parental investment exaggerates these complementary gene effects on growth, we monitored parental nest visits. Maternal visits were negatively related to genetic similarity between mates. The novel finding that females adjust levels of care according to the genetic diversity of their offspring suggests that parental investment can amplify complementary gene effects on fitness. © 2009 The Association for the Study of Animal Behaviour.

Details

Title: Parental investment amplifies effects of genetic complementarity on growth rates in song sparrows, Melospiza melodia
Authors: Dominique A Potvin (Author) - University of Western Ontario, Canada
E A MacDougall-Shackleton (Author) - University of Western Ontario, Canada
Publication details: Animal Behaviour, Vol.78(4), pp.943-948
Publisher: Elsevier Ltd.
Date published: 2009
DOI: 10.1016/j.anbehav.2009.07.023
ISSN: 0003-3472
Organisation Unit: School of Science and Engineering - Legacy; University of the Sunshine Coast, Queensland; School of Science, Technology and Engineering
Language: English
Record Identifier: 99451032602621
Output Type: Journal article

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