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Extra-pair paternity and sperm length variation in the socially monogamous Fieldfare Turdus pilaris

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Abstract

Basic knowledge about the genetic mating system is lacking for the great majority of the approximately 10,000 extant bird species. Filling this knowledge gap is not only critical for a comprehensive understanding of the reproductive ecology of each particular species, but also for increasing the power of comparative approaches to uncover and explain interspecific patterns of variation in avian reproductive traits. Using six polymorphic microsatellite markers, we here present the first parentage study in the socially monogamous Fieldfare Turdus pilaris. In parallel, we also examine variation in sperm morphology and relationships between sperm traits and paternity loss of social males. Across two study years, extra-pair paternity was detected in 46.4% (95% CI: 28.9–64.9%) of 28 broods, and on average 27.6% (95% CI: 16.8–41.9%) of nestlings per brood were extra-pair offspring in a population in central Norway. These observed extra-pair paternity rates fall within the range of reported estimates of extra-pair paternity for four congeneric Turdus species (between 36 and 65% of broods and 27 and 46% of nestlings). Sperm total length was 87.0 ± 2.9 (SD) μm (range 79.7‒96.8 μm) and 59.3% (95% CI: 37.1–73.3%) of the total phenotypic variation in sperm total length was explained by differences between sperm samples collected from 17 different males. The among-sample coefficient of variation in mean sperm total length was 2.70% (95% CI: 1.99–3.17%). We found no evidence for effects of sperm total length or relative midpiece length on loss of paternity among broods of 13 males.

Zusammenfassung

Fremdvaterschaften und Variation der Spermienlänge bei der sozial monogamen Wacholderdrossel Turdus pilaris

Für die überwiegende Mehrheit der rund 10.000 derzeit beschriebenen Vogelarten fehlen jegliche Studien über das genetische Paarungssystem. Diese Wissenslücke zu schließen ist nicht nur von entscheidender Bedeutung für ein umfassendes Verständnis der Reproduktionsökologie jeder einzelnen Art, sondern auch um im Rahmen vergleichender Ansätze interspezifische Variationsmuster reproduktiver Merkmale von Vögeln besser verstehen zu können. Basierend auf sechs polymorphen Mikrosatellitenmarkern präsentieren wir hier die erste Elternschaftsstudie bei der sozial monogamen Wacholderdrossel Turdus pilaris. Parallel untersuchte wir zudem Variation in der Spermienmorphologie und den Zusammenhang zwischen Spermienmerkmalen und Vaterschaftsverlusten in Bruten sozialer Männchen. Über zwei Studienjahre hinweg wurde in einer Population in Mittelnorwegen in 46,4% (95% Konfidenz: 28,9%–64,9%) von 28 Bruten mindestens ein außerhalb des Paarbunds gezeugtes Junges festgestellt und im Mittel waren 27,6% (95% CI: 16,8%–41,9%) der Nestlinge pro Brut außerhalb des Paarbundes gezeugt. Diese beobachteten Fremdvaterschaftsraten lagen damit innerhalb des Bereichs der für vier andere Turdus-Arten ermittelt wurde (zwischen 36 und 65% der Bruten und 27 und 46% der Nestlinge). Die Spermiengesamtlänge betrug 87,0 ± 2,9 (SD) μm (Spannbreite 79,7–96,8 μm) und 59,3% (95% Konfidenz: 37,1%–73,3%) der gesamten phänotypischen Variation in der Spermienlänge wurde durch Unterschiede zwischen den Spermienproben erklärt, die von 17 verschiedenen Männchen stammten. Der mittlere Variationskoeffizient der Spermiengesamtlänge innerhalb von Spermienproben betrug 2,70% (95% CI: 1,99%–3,17%). Wir haben keine Belege für Effekte der Spermiengesamtlänge oder der relative Länge des Mittelstücks auf den Verlust von Vaterschaften in 13 Bruten verschiedener Männchen gefunden.

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Acknowledgements

We are grateful to Øyvind L. Arnekleiv for assistance with fieldwork, Roar Morten Graff for allowing us to work on his property, Renate Feist for sperm photography and Sonja Schindler for sperm morphometry. Thanks to Peter Korsten for comments on an earlier version of this manuscript. TS benefitted from discussions within the Collaborative Research Center TRR 212 (NC3) funded by the Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG, German Research Foundation)—Projektnummer 316099922—TRR 212. Permits to capture, handle and ring the birds were issued by the Norwegian Directorate for Nature Management to OK (A-license 1082), AF (C-license 1539), MF (C-license 1540), RTK (A-license 510) and JEØ (A-license 666). Permits to colour band and sample blood and semen were approved by the Norwegian Animal Research Authority (permit 12088). Financial support was received from the Norwegian Institute for Nature Research (NINA) and Nord University.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Norwegian Institute for Nature Research (NINA), P.O. Box 5685 Torgarden, 7485, Trondheim, Norway

    Oddmund Kleven

  2. Faculty of Biosciences and Aquaculture, Nord University, P.O. Box 2501, 7729, Steinkjer, Norway

    Aksel N. Fiske, Magnus Håvik, Rolf T. Kroglund & Jan E. Østnes

  3. Evolutionary Biology, Bielefeld University, Konsequenz 45, 33615, Bielefeld, Germany

    Tim Schmoll

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  1. Oddmund Kleven
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Correspondence to Oddmund Kleven.

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Kleven, O., Fiske, A.N., Håvik, M. et al. Extra-pair paternity and sperm length variation in the socially monogamous Fieldfare Turdus pilaris. J Ornithol 160, 1043–1051 (2019). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10336-019-01687-2

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