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

在这项美国-巴西-加拿大论文强化研究奖的资助下，在迈阿密大学William A. Searcy的赞助下，Sarah M. Stai将与巴西巴西利亚大学的Regina H. F. Macedo和加拿大Portage la Prairie三角洲水禽和湿地研究站的Frank Rohwer合作。他们将研究番鸭的滥交和精子竞争。该项目有三个目标：1)通过行为观察来描述雄性和雌性的联想模式，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，探讨为什么该物种是水禽一夫一妻制规则的例外；3)对提出的精子竞争机制——被动精子损失模型进行检验。阐明乱交的适应性意义和预测精子竞争结果的能力将有助于更好地理解莫斯科鸭的生殖策略和水禽交配系统的进化。实地研究将在巴西进行，圈养研究将在加拿大进行。这个项目将为研究、教学、野生动物管理和保护带来好处。

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.