Monogamy without parental care? Social and genetic mating systems of avian brood parasites.

ABSTRACT: Classic evolutionary theory predicts that monogamy should be intimately linked with parental care. It has long been assumed, therefore, that avian brood parasites-which lay their eggs in the nests of 'host' species and provide little, if any, parental care-should be overwhelmingly promiscuous. However, recent studies have revealed that the social mating systems of brood parasites are surprisingly diverse, encompassing lek polygyny, monogamy, polygamy and promiscuity. What ecological or phylogenetic factors explain this variation, and why are some brood parasites apparently monogamous? Here we review the social and genetic mating systems of all 75 brood parasitic species for which data are available and evaluate several hypotheses that may help explain these patterns. We find that social mo

SUBMITTER: Feeney WE 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC6388045 | biostudies-literature | 2019 Apr

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature