Effects of mating system, kinship, and environment on complex joint-nesting breeding birds

目前，关于一夫一妻制和相关亲属关系是否是合作演变的关键因素，存在着很大的争论。 一夫一妻制导致高水平的亲属关系时，分散的年轻人被推迟（允许亲属选择利他行为和合作繁殖）。然而，延迟分散也会导致与已知群体成员的稳定社会互动（允许互惠的有益行为，这可能提供直接的健身）。大多数关于合作育种者的研究都集中在一夫一妻制的亲属合作群体上，从而混淆了交配系统和合作。 我研究了两个物种，其中一夫一妻制和亲属为基础的合作育种是不相关的。 我的研究计划的长期目标是确定亲属关系，交配系统，以及群体内的社会稳定性如何影响群体繁殖鸟类的合作和冲突。 我们研究了两种共同筑巢的鸟类，这些鸟类在群体中繁殖，包括多个繁殖的雄性和雌性，它们共同产卵，在单个共享的巢中产生联合离合器。光嘴茴香（Crotophaga ani;葫芦科）生活在一夫一妻制的非亲属群体中。Pukeko（Porphyrio melanotus melanotus; Rallidae）通常生活在近亲群体中，繁殖多雌多雄繁殖者彼此交配，没有配对关系。 我将在这个赠款过程中解决三个主要问题。第一个问题：公共联合嵌套的适应性后果是什么？在项目1和项目2中，我们将研究在非亲属寄生系统中合作繁殖的直接适应性效益。在项目3与pukeko，我们将测试的假设，铺设同步联合离合器由两个女性亲属提高包容性健身相比，由一个占主导地位的女性单独延长铺设。 第二个问题：在共同的亲属群体中，个体是否偏爱自己的后代而不是非后代？如果是，这种偏爱的基础是什么样的适应？在项目4中，我们将测试的假设，即女性pukeko育种显示母性偏爱自己的年轻人，即使在亲属选择系统。 第三个问题：在合作繁殖的物种中，占优势的雌性是如何调节从属雌性的繁殖的？ 北岛（新西兰）的pukeko人口生活在稳定的亲属群体全年的领土和下属女性表现出降低水平的繁殖。相比之下，南岛非亲属群体生活在季节性领土（一年中的一部分;不太稳定），下属女性没有表现出减少的生殖水平。在项目5中，我们将使用女性去除实验，以测试这一假设，占主导地位的女性在稳定的联合筑巢集团的永久领土调节繁殖的下属。

Currently there is great debate about whether monogamy and associated kinship is a key element in the evolution of cooperation. Monogamy leads to high levels of kinship when dispersal of young is delayed (allowing kin selection for altruistic behaviour and cooperative breeding). However, delayed dispersal also leads to stable social interactions with known group members (allowing reciprocation of helpful behaviours which may provide direct fitness). Most studies of cooperative breeders focus on monogamous kin-based cooperative groups, thus confounding mating system and cooperation. I study two species in which monogamy and kin-based cooperative breeding are not correlated. The long-term goal of my research program is to determine how kinship, mating system, and social stability within groups affect cooperation and conflict in group breeding birds. We study two species of communal joint-nesting birds birds that breed in groups including multiple breeding males and females that collectively lay eggs to produce a joint-clutch in single shared nest. Smooth-billed anis (Crotophaga ani; Cuculidae) live in non-kin groups of monogamous pairs. Pukeko (Porphyrio melanotus melanotus; Rallidae) usually live in close kin groups and breed polygynandrously multiple male and female breeders mate with each other without pair bonds. I will address three main questions over the course of this grant. First Question: What are the fitness consequences of communal joint-nesting? In projects 1 and 2 with anis we will examine direct fitness benefits of cooperative breeding in a non-kin parasitic system. In project 3 with pukeko, we will test the hypothesis that the laying of synchronized joint clutches by two female kin improves inclusive fitness compared with extended laying by a dominant female alone. Second Question: Do individuals favour their descendent young over non-descendent young in communal kin groups, and if so what adaptations underlie such favoritism? In project 4 we will test the hypothesis that female pukeko breeders show maternal favouritism towards their own young even within a kin selected system. Third Question: How is subordinate female reproduction modulated by dominant females in cooperative breeding species? North Island (New Zealand) populations of pukeko live in stable kin groups on year-round territories and subordinate females show reduced levels of reproduction. In contrast, South Island non-kin groups live in seasonal territories (held part of the year; less stable) and subordinate females do not show reduced levels of reproduction. In project 5 we will use female removal experiments to test the hypothesis that dominant females in stable joint-nesting groups on permanent territories modulate reproduction by subordinates.