High frequency of extra-pair paternity in the Coal Tit

Authors
Lubjuhn, T Gerken, T Brun, J Epplen, JT
Citation
T. Lubjuhn et al., High frequency of extra-pair paternity in the Coal Tit, J AVIAN BIO, 30(2), 1999, pp. 229-233
Citations number
27
Categorie Soggetti
Animal Sciences
Journal title
JOURNAL OF AVIAN BIOLOGY
ISSN journal
09088857 → ACNP
Volume
30
Issue
2
Year of publication
1999
Pages
229 - 233
Database
ISI
SICI code
0908-8857(199906)30:2<229:HFOEPI>2.0.ZU;2-D
Abstract
The frequency of extra-pair paternity was studied in a population of Coal T its Parus ater using DNA fingerprinting technique. High values were obtaine d: 15 of the 20 broods investigated (75%) contained at least one nestling s ired by an extra-pair male and overall 40 of 158 nestlings (25.3%) were ext ra-pair young. Inter- and intraspecific comparisons revealed that breeding density cannot explain this high frequency of extra-pair paternity in Coal Tits.