Actuarial senescence in a dimorphic bird: different rates of ageing in morphs with discrete reproductive strategies.

ABSTRACT: It is often hypothesized that intra-sexual competition accelerates actuarial senescence, or the increase in mortality rates with age. However, an alternative hypothesis is that parental investment is more important to determining senescence rates. We used a unique model system, the white-throated sparrow (Zonotrichia albicollis), to study variation in actuarial senescence. In this species, genetically determined morphs display discrete mating strategies and disassortative pairing, providing an excellent opportunity to test the predictions of the above hypotheses. Compared to tan-striped males, white-striped males are more polygynous and aggressive, and less parental. Tan-striped females receive less parental support, and invest more into parental care than white-striped females, whi

SUBMITTER: Grunst ML 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC6283936 | biostudies-literature | 2018 Dec

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature