Objective
The discovery that birds commonly mate with individuals other than their own social partner, resulting in extra-pair paternity (EPP), has been described as the most important advance in the field of avian mating systems in the last thirty years. However, w e still have only a rudimentary understanding of the function of these extra-pair copulations (EPC), or the reason why the frequency of EPP varies so dramatically both between and within different species.
One of the leading factors proposed to explain this variation in the rate of EPP is the extent to which pairs synchronise their breeding activities, yet the importance of synchrony remains contentious. Some researchers maintain that EPP should decrease with breeding synchrony because males elect to guard their own fertile partner rather than seeking EPC. Others, however, argue that EPP should increase with synchrony, because simultaneous male courtship activities may allow females to assess potential extra-pair mates more easily, while the abundance of fertile females may encourage males to invest more effort in seeking EPC. Numerous correlational studies have explored this relationship, but it is perhaps of little surprise that the patterns to emerge have been highly ambiguous.
Here we propose the first ex perimental investigation to assess the link between breeding synchrony and the frequency of EPP. Additionally, we will examine the influence of synchrony on other reproductive behaviours including parental care. Our study will employ molecular analyses of parentage, in combination with new and traditional field techniques, to investigate these questions in a well-studied and colour-marked population of blue tits, Parus caeruleus (>100 pairs). Not only should the outcomes of this research help resolve the se topical and controversial issues, but the insights gained are likely to shed further light on the adaptive significance and importance of EPP in avian mating systems.
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Keywords
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Project’s keywords as indicated by the project coordinator. Not to be confused with the EuroSciVoc taxonomy (Fields of science)
Programme(s)
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Multi-annual funding programmes that define the EU’s priorities for research and innovation.
Topic(s)
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Calls for proposals are divided into topics. A topic defines a specific subject or area for which applicants can submit proposals. The description of a topic comprises its specific scope and the expected impact of the funded project.
Call for proposal
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Procedure for inviting applicants to submit project proposals, with the aim of receiving EU funding.
FP6-2002-MOBILITY-7
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Funding Scheme
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Funding scheme (or “Type of Action”) inside a programme with common features. It specifies: the scope of what is funded; the reimbursement rate; specific evaluation criteria to qualify for funding; and the use of simplified forms of costs like lump sums.
IIF - Marie Curie actions-Incoming International Fellowships
Coordinator
Netherlands
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