Data from: The colour of paternity: extra-pair paternity in the wild Gouldian finch does not appear to be driven by genetic incompatibility between morphs

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In socially monogamous species, individuals can use extra-pair paternity and offspring sex allocation as adaptive strategies to ameliorate costs of genetic incompatibility with their partner. Previous studies on domesticated Gouldian finches (Erythrura gouldiae) demonstrated a genetic incompatibility between head colour morphs, the effects of which are more severe in female offspring. Domesticated females use differential sex allocation, and extra-pair paternity with males of compatible head colour, to reduce fitness costs associated with incompatibility in mixed-morph pairings. However, laboratory studies are an oversimplification of the complex ecological factors experienced in the wild, and may only reflect the biology of a domesticated species. This study aimed to examine the patterns of parentage and sex-ratio bias with respect to colour pairing combinations in a wild population of the Gouldian finch. We utilized a novel PCR assay that allowed us to genotype the morph of offspring before the morph phenotype develops, and to explore bias in morph paternity and selection at the nest. Contrary to previous findings in the laboratory, we found no effect of pairing combinations on patterns of extra-pair paternity, offspring sex ratio, or selection on morphs in nestlings. In the wild, the effect of morph incompatibility is likely much smaller, or absent, than was observed in the domesticated birds. Furthermore, the previously studied domesticated population is genetically differentiated from the wild population, consistent with the effects of domestication. It is possible that the domestication process fostered the emergence (or enhancement) of incompatibility between colour morphs previously demonstrated in the laboratory.

Usage Notes

2009 GenotypesGenotypes for individuals caught in 2009 for CERVUS analysis. In CERVUS format. Age classes & sexes in the Readme.2009_genotypes.csv2008 GenotypesGenotypes for individuals used in CERVUS analysis caught in 2008. Readme includes the age and sex of individuals used.2008_genotypes.csvAdultsDetails for each Adult caught over 2008-2009.ChicksDetails of all offspring in this study including results from parentage analysis.Nest data for Spatial EPP analysisAll breeding observations in nestboxes and hollows (without genetic samples) at Wyndham in 2008-2009, including anonymised co-ordinates for nest locations, where inter nest differences are preserved but do not reflect the real position on the globe. README file also includes the code used to calculate the number of synchronous nests and how far away they are.Nests.csvGenotypes of Wild and Captive birdsGenotypes of the wild and captive birds in Arlequin format. Readme file includes the key that will allow the ID numbers to be broken down into which morph they are.WvC.arp