Genetic structure and relatedness in the joint-nesting Taiwan yuhina(Yuhina brunneiceps)
Date Issued
2006
Date
2006
Author(s)
Zhong, Quan-dien
DOI
en-US
Abstract
The relative importance of direct and indirect fitness and, thus, the role of kinship in the evolution of social behavior are much in debated. Studying genetic relatedness between interacting individuals is crucial to solve the puzzles. Here we studied the genetic structure of the joint-nesting passerine species, Taiwan yuhina (Yuhina Brunneciceps). The breeding unit of yuhinas mainly comprised one to three socially monogamous pairs, and most offspring dispersed after fledging. We used nine microsatellite loci to investigate the genetic structure of their cooperative breeding groups. The average genetic relatedness between same-gender co-breeders was low and we did not detect significant differences of relatedness between and within co-breeding groups. In addition, the fact that most yuhinas breed in the groups implies that there should be strong direct benefit of the joint-nesting behavior. However, unpaired males and alpha females were significantly closer related to the same-gender co-breeders. This may suggest that relatedness still play some roles on the dispersal and group formation in yuhinas. In conclusion, the genetic analysis can reveal actual relatedness pattern, which is crucial to understand the evolution of cooperative behavior. The study of non-kin cooperating species could provide important insight to determine the relative importance of direct and indirect fitness to the evolution of social behavior.
Subjects
共用一巢
親源關係
合作生殖行為
基因結構
總和利益
joint-nest
relatedness
cooperative breeding behavior
genetic structure
kin
nclusivefitness
Type
thesis
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