scholarly journals Subordinate superb fairy-wrens (Malurus cyaneus) parasitize the reproductive success of attractive dominant males

2003 ◽  
Vol 270 (1513) ◽  
pp. 379-384 ◽  
Author(s):  
Michael C. Double ◽  
Andrew Cockburn
Keyword(s):  
Reproductive Success ◽  
Malurus Cyaneus

scholarly journals Ageing and senescence across reproductive traits and survival in superb fairy-wrens (Malurus cyaneus)

2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Eve Cooper ◽  
Timothée Bonnet ◽  
Helen Osmond ◽  
Andrew Cockburn ◽  
Loeske E. B. Kruuk
Keyword(s):  
Life History ◽  
Reproductive Success ◽  
Age Of Onset ◽  
Reproductive Traits ◽  
Individual Variability ◽  
Multiple Traits ◽  
Long Term Study ◽  
Trade Offs ◽  
Age Related ◽  
Malurus Cyaneus

Why do senescence rates of fitness-related traits often vary dramatically? By considering the full ageing trajectories of multiple traits we can better understand how trade-offs and life-history shapes the unique evolution of senescence rates within a population. Here, we examine age-related changes in survival and six reproductive traits in both sexes using a long-term study of a wild population of a cooperatively-breeding songbird, the superb fairy-wren (Malurus cyaneus). We compare ageing patterns between traits by estimating standardized rates of maturation, the age of onset of senescence and rates of senescence, while controlling for confounding factors reflecting individual variability in life-history. We found striking differences in ageing and senescence patterns between survival and reproduction, and between the sexes. In both sexes, rates of survival started to decline from maturity onwards. In contrast, all reproductive traits showed improvements into early adulthood and many showed little or no evidence of senescence. Male reproductive ageing appeared to be driven by sexual selection, with extra-group reproductive success and sexually-selected plumage phenology showing much greater change with age than did within-group reproductive success. We discuss how the superb fairy-wrens’ complex life history may contribute to the disparate ageing patterns in this species.

Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document