Genetic evaluation of the mating system in the blue-and-yellow macaw (Ara ararauna, Aves, Psittacidae) by DNA fingerprinting
Genet. mol. biol
;
34(1): 161-164, 2011. tab
Article
in English
| LILACS
| ID: lil-573716
ABSTRACT
More than 90 percent of birds are socially monogamous, although genetic studies indicate that many are often not sexually monogamous. In the present study, DNA fingerprinting was used to estimate the genetic relationships between nestlings belonging to the same broods to evaluate the mating system in the socially monogamous macaw, Ara ararauna. We found that in 10 of 11 broods investigated, the nestlings showed genetic similarity levels congruent with values expected among full-sibs, suggesting that they shared the same parents. However, in one brood, the low genetic similarity observed between nestlings could be a result of intraspecific brood parasitism, intraspecific nest competition or extra-pair paternity. These results, along with available behavioral and life-history data, imply that the blue-and-yellow macaw is not only socially, but also genetically monogamous. However, the occurrence of eventual cases of extra-pair paternity cannot be excluded.
Full text:
Available
Index:
LILACS (Americas)
Main subject:
Parrots
/
DNA Fingerprinting
Limits:
Animals
Language:
English
Journal:
Genet. mol. biol
Journal subject:
Genetics
Year:
2011
Type:
Article
Affiliation country:
Brazil
/
Canada
Institution/Affiliation country:
Royal Ontario Museum/CA
/
Universidade de São Paulo/BR
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