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Analysis of genetic parentage in the tawny owl ( Strix aluco ) reveals extra-pair paternity is low

Saladin, Verena ; Ritschard, Mathias ; Roulin, Alexandre ; Bize, Pierre ; Richner, Heinz

In: Journal of Ornithology, 2007, vol. 148, no. 1, p. 113-116

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    Title
    • Analysis of genetic parentage in the tawny owl ( Strix aluco ) reveals extra-pair paternity is low
    Author
    • Saladin, Verena. Division of Evolutionary Ecology, Zoological Institute, University of Bern, 3012, Bern, Switzerland
    • Ritschard, Mathias. Division of Evolutionary Ecology, Zoological Institute, University of Bern, 3012, Bern, Switzerland
    • Roulin, Alexandre. Department of Ecology and Evolution, University of Lausanne, Biophore, 1015, Lausanne, Switzerland
    • Bize, Pierre. Division of Environmental and Evolutionary Biology, Glasgow University, Graham Kerr Building, G12 8QQ, Glasgow, UK
    • Richner, Heinz. Division of Evolutionary Ecology, Zoological Institute, University of Bern, 3012, Bern, Switzerland
    Document Type
    • Postprint
    OAI-PMH Identifier
    • oai:doc.rero.ch:321456
    Summary
    We have investigated genetic parentage in a Swiss population of tawny owls (Strix aluco). To this end, we performed genetic analysis for six polymorphic loci of 49 avian microsatellite loci tested for cross-species amplification. We found one extra-pair young out of 137 (0.7%) nestlings in 37 families (2.7%). There was no intra-specific brood parasitism. Our results are in accordance with previous findings for other raptors and owls that genetic monogamy is the rule. Female tawny owls cannot raise offspring without a substantial contribution by their mates. Hence one favoured hypothesis is that high paternal investment in reproduction selects for behaviour that prevents cuckoldry