DISSERTATION RESEARCH: Extra-pair behavior and female fitness in the dark-eyed junco (Junco hyemalis)

这个项目从雌性的角度研究鸟类的额外配对交配。该研究问的是，与多个雄性交配的雌性是否直接受益，因为它们比只与一个雄性交配时能生出更多的后代，还是间接受益，因为它们能生出更高质量的后代。结论将基于18年来从4000多人身上收集的DNA样本以及种群动态和繁殖成功的长期记录。研究的物种是黑眼睛的junco，是一种社会一夫一妻制的鸣禽。雄性和雌性形成长期的伴侣关系，共同抚养后代，但约25%的后代是由另一只雄性所生，而不是由社会关系紧密的雄性所生。对男性来说，额外的配对很容易理解吗？年代的角度;一个男性吗?如果他与多个雌性交配，他的繁殖成功率就会提高。不太清楚的是为什么女性会参与这种行为，过去的研究也没有解决这个问题。这项研究的持续时间和范围为研究交配模式对雌性终生生殖成功率的影响提供了一个独特的机会。研究结果将阐明在具有复杂交配系统的物种中进行性选择的可能性。

This project examines extra-pair mating in birds from the female perspective. The research asks whether females that mate with more than one male benefit directly, by producing more offspring than they would if they mated with just one male, or indirectly, by producing offspring of higher quality. Conclusions will be based on DNA samples collected over 18 years from more than 4000 individuals and on long-term records of population dynamics and reproductive success. The study species, the dark-eyed junco, is a socially monogamous songbird. Males and females form a long-term pair bond and jointly raise offspring, but ~25% of all offspring are sired by a male other than the socially bonded male. Extra-pair mating is easily understood from the male?s perspective; a male?s reproductive success will increase if he mates with multiple females. Less clear is why females participate in this behavior, and past research has not resolved the question. The duration and scope of this study provide a unique opportunity to examine the influence of mating patterns on lifetime reproductive success of females. Results will clarify the potential for sexual selection in a species with a complex mating system.