Evidence that pairing with genetically similar mates is maladaptive in a monogamous bird

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Evidence of multiple genetic criteria of mate choice is accumulating in numerous taxa. In many species, females have been shown to pair with genetically dissimilar mates or with extra-pair partners that are more genetically compatible than their social mates, thereby increasing their offsprings' heterozygosity which often correlates with offspring fitness. While most studies have focused on genetically promiscuous species, few studies have addressed genetically monogamous species, in which mate choice tends to be mutual.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>Here, we used microsatellite markers to assess individual global heterozygosity and genetic similarity of pairs in a socially and genetically monogamous seabird, the black-legged kittiwake <it>Rissa tridactyla</it>. We found that pairs were more genetically dissimilar than expected by chance. We also identified fitness costs of breeding with genetically similar partners: (i) genetic similarity of pairs was negatively correlated with the number of chicks hatched, and (ii) offspring heterozygosity was positively correlated with growth rate and survival.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>These findings provide evidence that breeders in a genetically monogamous species may avoid the fitness costs of reproducing with a genetically similar mate. In such species that lack the opportunity to obtain extra-pair fertilizations, mate choice may therefore be under high selective pressure.</p

Implications comportementales de la monogamie stricte : Reconnaissance individuelle et appariement selon des critères génétiques chez la mouette tridactyle, Rissa tridactyla.

This thesis is a study of individual recognition and mate choice in the black-legged kittiwake (Rissa tridactyla), a monogamous seabird with high inter-annual mate fidelity. Mate vocal recognition is experimentally shown, as well as parent recognition by chicks. Parental recognition of offspring at fledging is supported by the fact that newly fledged chicks return faster to their nests if parents react to their calls. Such recognition may be adaptive because recognized fledglings may spend less energy in unnecessary flights and interactions with other residents. Kittiwakes appear to be mated with genetically more dissimilar individuals than expected by chance, a pattern that seems to allow them to produce better and more heterozygous offspring. Genetically dissimilar pairs have higher hatching success, and homozygous offspring grow slower and are more likely to die before 25 days old than heterozygous offspring. Genetically similar pairs copulate less frequently, suggesting that genetic similarity between mates may affect their behaviour. Cues used by individuals to estimate their mate's genotype are still speculative. Vocal parameters are not likely to give information on genetic similarity, as calls of genetically dissimilar pairs do not differ from calls of genetically similar ones. Other parameters, whether visual or olfactory, may therefore be involved. Overall, these results suggest that mate choice may be quite intense in this genetically monogamous species.Cette thèse est consacrée à la reconnaissance individuelle et au choix du partenaire chez la mouette tridactyle (Rissa tridactyla), espèce génétiquement monogame et fidèle à son partenaire d'une saison sur l'autre. Mes expériences démontrent l'existence d'une reconnaissance vocale entre les partenaires d'un couple, ainsi qu'une reconnaissance des parents par les poussins. Des observations empiriques suggèrent que les parents utilisent également le cri pour reconnaître leurs poussins. Ceci pourrait relever d'une stratégie adaptative: les poussins reconnus par leurs parents retournent plus vite au nid lors de leur premier envol, ce qui pourrait diminuer l'énergie dépensée dans des vols stressants ou des batailles avec d'autre résidents. Les analyses ont aussi montré que les distances génétiques entre membre des couples sont plus grandes qu'attendu par chance. Ceci augmente la probabilité d'hétérozygotie des poussins, et donc le succès de reproduction. En effet, le taux d'éclosion augmente avec la distance génétique entre les parents, et les poussins hétérozygotes grandissent plus vite et survivent mieux jusqu'à 25 jours. En outre, les couples formés d'individus génétiquement proches copulent moins souvent, ce qui confirmerait l'influence sur les comportements sexuels de la distance génétique intra couple. Ces résultats posent la question de la perception de la similarité génétique par les partenaires potentiels. Mes résultats préliminaires suggèrent que celle-ci ne semble pas impliquer la voix. En effet, la différence entre les cris ne semble pas corrélée à la distance génétique. Des paramètres olfactifs ou visuels pourraient donc être impliqués. Ces résultats suggèrent que le choix du partenaire pourrait donc être très important chez cette espèce génétiquement monogame

Implications comportementales de la monogamie stricte (reconnaissance individuelle et appariement selon des critères génétiques chez la mouette tridactyle, Rissa tridactyla)

Chez la mouette tridactyle, espèce génétiquement monogame et fidèle à son partenaire d une saison sur l autre, je démontre l existence d une reconnaissance vocale entre les partenaires d'un couple, ainsi qu une reconnaissance des parents par les poussins. Les parents semblent également utiliser le cri pour reconnaître leurs poussins. Par ailleurs, je montre également que les distances génétiques intra-couple sont plus grandes qu attendu par chance. Le taux d'éclosion augmente également avec la distance génétique entre parents, et les poussins hétérozygotes grandissent plus vite et survivent mieux. En outre, les couples formés d individus génétiquement proches copulent moins souvent, ce qui confirmerait l'influence sur les comportements sexuels de la distance génétique intra-couple. Ces résultats posent la question de la perception de la similarité génétique par les partenaires potentiels. Celle-ci ne semble pas impliquer la voix, mais des paramètres olfactifs ou visuels pourraient être impliqués.PARIS-BIUSJ-Thèses (751052125) / SudocPARIS-BIUSJ-Physique recherche (751052113) / SudocSudocFranceF

From preferential response to parental calls to sex-specific response to conspecific calls in juvenile zebra finches

International audienceIn birds, parente offspring recognition is crucial for directed parental care, and is often based on acousticcues. The strength and the time of onset of this recognition process depend on ecological factorsthat constrain parental care. For instance, parenteoffspring recognition generally appears earlier innidifugous than in nidicolous species. We investigated whether fledglings in a nidicolous species, thezebra finch, Taeniopygia guttata, recognize their parents and the fate of this recognition process once theparents had stopped their food provisioning. Zebra finches are gregarious passerines that provideparental care to chicks up to 20 days after fledging. In playback experiments, fledglings preferentiallyresponded to parental calls over other adult calls and thus recognized both their father’s and mother’sdistance calls. However, at 2 months, motivation to respond to parental and other adult calls became sexspecific, with sons no longer reacting preferentially to their father’s calls, whereas daughters did.This pattern may be linked to the development of sexual traits and mate-searching behaviours. Thepersistence of parent recognition at the age of pair formation may also be of critical importance duringmate choice

Experimental evidence of vocal recognition in young and adult black-legged kittiwakes

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Voice variance may signify ongoing divergence among black-legged kittiwake populations.

International audienceRead the full textPDFPDFToolsShareAbstractAcoustic features are important for individual and species recognition. However, while dialectal variations in song characteristics have been described in many songbirds, geographical divergence in vocal features across populations has seldom been studied in birds that are not thought to have song‐learning abilities. Here, we document marked differences in the vocal structure of calls of two populations of black‐legged kittiwakes (Rissa tridactyla), a seabird whose call is considered as not being learned from other individuals. We found that calls vary both within and between populations. Within‐population variation may convey individual identity, whereas the marked differences in frequency and temporal parameters observed between the two populations may reveal ongoing divergence among kittiwake populations. Moreover, we were unable to detect any sex signature in adult calls in a Pacific population (Middleton, Alaska), while these were detected in an Atlantic population (Hornøya, Norway), potentially affecting sexual behaviours. Despite the fact that these calls seemed to change over the reproductive season and across years, the individual signature remained fairly stable. Such vocal differences suggest that Pacific and Atlantic populations may be undergoing behavioural divergences that may reveal early stages of speciation, as is suggested by molecular data

Mate call as reward: Acoustic communication signals can acquire positive reinforcing values during adulthood in female zebra finches (Taeniopygia guttata).

International audienceSocial stimuli can have rewarding properties and promote learning. In birds, conspecific vocalizations like song can act as a reinforcer, and specific song variants can acquire particular rewarding values during early life exposure. Here we ask if, during adulthood, an acoustic signal simpler and shorter than song can become a reward for a female songbird because of its particular social value. Using an operant choice apparatus, we showed that female zebra finches display a preferential response toward their mate's calls. This reinforcing value of mate's calls could be involved in the maintenance of the monogamous pair-bond of the zebra finch. (PsycINFO Database Recor

Semiochemical compounds of preen secretion reflect genetic make-up in a seabird species

International audienceSeveral vertebrates choose their mate according to genetic heterozygosity and relatedness, and use odour cues to assess their conspecifics' genetic make-up. In birds, although several species (including the black-legged kittiwake) exhibit non-random mating according to genetic traits, the cues used to assess genetic characteristics remain unknown. The importance of olfaction in birds' social behaviour is gaining attention among researchers, and it has been suggested that, as in other vertebrates, bird body scent may convey information about genetic traits. Here, we combined gas chromatography data and genetic analyses at microsatellite loci to test whether semiochemical messages in preen secretion of kittiwakes carried information about genetic heterozygosity and relatedness. Semiochemical profile was correlated with heterozygosity in males and females, while semiochemical distance was correlated with genetic distance only in male-male dyads. Our study is the first to demonstrate a link between odour and genetics in birds, which sets the stage for the existence of sophisticated odour-based mechanisms of mate choice also in birds

Behavioural avoidance of sperm ageing depends on genetic similarity of mates in a monogamous seabird

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