Genetic evidence of extra-pair paternity and intraspecific brood parasitism in the monk parakeet.

ABSTRACT:

Introduction

The monk parakeet (Myiopsitta monachus) is a widespread invasive species native to southern South America that has become established in many regions of the world. Monk parakeets breed in a large, fully enclosed structure built from twigs, which consist of one to many individual brooding chambers. The species has been considered to be socially and genetically monogamous. However, genetic relatedness of adults to juveniles in the native area was found to be lower than expected for monogamy. To assess the significance of this discrepancy, we examined individual and population genetic patterns of microsatellite loci at two sites in Córdoba province, Argentina.

Results

We sampled 154 nestlings and 42 adults in Córdoba, Argentina. Mean value of pairwise relatedness o

SUBMITTER: Martinez JJ 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC3839639 | biostudies-literature | 2013 Nov

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature