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。这项研究询问了与一个以上的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的雌性产生更多的后代，或者间接受益，因为产生更高质量的后代。 结论将基于18年来从4000多个个体中收集的DNA样本以及种群动态和繁殖成功的长期记录。研究物种，黑眼junco，是一种社会性的一夫一妻制鸣禽。 雄性和雌性形成长期的配对关系并共同抚养后代，但所有后代中约25%是由社会关系中的雄性以外的雄性所生。从雄性身上很容易理解额外配对的交配？的观点;男性？如果他与多个雌性交配，他的繁殖成功率会增加。 不太清楚的是为什么女性参与这种行为，过去的研究没有解决这个问题。本研究的持续时间和范围提供了一个独特的机会，研究交配模式对女性一生生殖成功的影响。 研究结果将阐明在一个具有复杂交配系统的物种中进行性选择的潜力。

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.