La Tour du Valat

Institut de recherche pour la conservation des zones humides méditerranéennes

Titre :	Analysis of genetic parentage in the tawny owl (Strix aluco) reveals extra-pair paternity is low
Auteurs :	Verena Saladin, Auteur ; Mathias Ritschard, Auteur ; Alexandre Roulin, Auteur ; Pierre Bize, Auteur ; Heinz Richner, Auteur
Type de document :	Article
Dans :	Journal of Ornithology (148(1) JAN 2007)
Article en page(s) :	113-116
Langues:	Anglais
Résumé :	We have investigated genetic parentage in a Swiss population of tawny owls (Strix aluco). To this end, we performed genetic analysis for six polymorphic loci of 49 avian microsatellite loci tested for cross-species amplification. We found one extra-pair young out of 137 (0.7%) nestlings in 37 families (2.7%). There was no intra-specific brood parasitism. Our results are in accordance with previous findings for other raptors and owls that genetic monogamy is the rule. Female tawny owls cannot raise offspring without a substantial contribution by their mates. Hence one favoured hypothesis is that high paternal investment in reproduction selects for behaviour that prevents cuckoldry.

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