Structural equation modeling as a tool to investigate correlates of extra-pair paternity in birds.

ABSTRACT: Identifying relationships between variables in ecological systems is challenging due to the large number of interacting factors. One system studied in detail is avian reproduction, where molecular analyses have revealed dramatic variation in rates of extra-pair paternity-the frequency with which broods contain individuals sired by different males. Despite the attention the topic has received, identification of ecological predictors of the observed variation remains elusive. In this study we evaluate how structural equation modeling-which allows for simultaneous estimation of covariation between all variables in a model-can help identify significant relationships between ecological variables and extra-pair paternity. We estimated the correlation of eight different variables using data from

SUBMITTER: Crouch NMA 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC5825100 | biostudies-literature | 2018

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature