U.S.-Brazil/Canada Dissertation Enhancement: Mating System Evolution in Muscovy Ducks

根据这项美国-巴西-加拿大论文增强研究奖，萨拉·M·斯泰将在迈阿密大学威廉·A·瑟西的赞助下，与巴西巴西利亚大学的雷吉娜·H·F·马塞多和加拿大波蒂奇·拉·普莱里的三角洲水禽和湿地研究站的弗兰克·罗威尔合作。他们将研究番鸭的混交和精子竞争。这个项目有三个目标：1)通过行为观察来描述雄性和雌性的联系模式，并通过DNA分析来估计配偶的数量；2)通过成本效益分析、比较方法和假设检验来探索为什么这个物种是水禽一夫一妻制规则的例外；以及3)测试被动精子丢失模型，这是一种被提出的精子竞争机制。阐明杂交性的适应意义和预测精子竞争结果的能力将有助于更好地理解番鸭的繁殖策略和水禽的交配系统进化。实地研究将在巴西进行，圈养研究将在加拿大进行。该项目将为研究、教学和野生动物管理和保护提供好处。

Under this US-Brazil-Canada dissertation enhancement research award, Sarah M. Stai, under the sponsorship of William A. Searcy of the University of Miami, will work with Regina H. F. Macedo of the University of Brasilia in Brazil and Frank Rohwer at the Delta Waterfowl and Wetlands Research Station in Portage la Prairie in Canada. They will study the promiscuity and sperm competition in Muscovy ducks. This project has three objectives: 1) to characterize male-female associative patterns through behavioral observations and to estimate the number of mates through DNA analysis; 2) to explore why this species is an exception to the rule of monogamy in waterfowl through cost-benefit analysis, a comparative approach, and hypothesis testing; and 3) to test the passive sperm loss model, a proposed mechanism for sperm competition. The elucidation of the adaptive significance of promiscuity and an ability to predict the outcome of sperm competition will lead to a better understanding of Muscovy duck reproductive strategies and of mating system evolution in waterfowl. The field research will be done in Brazil and the captive research will be done in Canada. This project will provide benefits to research, teaching, and wildlife management and conservation.