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Data from: Temporal dynamics of competitive fertilization in social groups of red junglefowl (Gallus gallus) shed new light on avian sperm competition

Cite this dataset

Carleial, Rômulo et al. (2020). Data from: Temporal dynamics of competitive fertilization in social groups of red junglefowl (Gallus gallus) shed new light on avian sperm competition [Dataset]. Dryad. https://doi.org/10.5061/dryad.cz8w9gj1d

Abstract

Studies of birds have made a fundamental contribution to elucidating sperm competition processes, experimentally demonstrating the role of individual mechanisms in competitive fertilisation. However, the relative importance of these mechanisms and the way in which they interact under natural conditions remain largely unexplored. Here, we conduct a detailed behavioural study of freely-mating replicate groups of red junglefowl, Gallus gallus, to predict the probability that competing males fertilise individual eggs over the course of 10-day trials. Remating frequently with a female and mating last increased a male’s probability of fertilisation, but only for eggs ovulated in the last days of a trial. Conversely, older males, and those mating with more polyandrous females, had consistently lower fertilisation success. Similarly, resistance to a male’s mating attempts, particularly by younger females, reduced fertilisation probability. After considering these factors, male social status, partner relatedness and the estimated state of a male extragonadal sperm reserves did not predict sperm competition outcomes. These results shed new light on sperm competition dynamics in taxa such as birds, with prolonged female sperm storage and staggered fertilisations.

Methods

Fully described in the paper.

Usage notes

This entry has three files:

RSTB-2020-0081_dataset.csv - contains the necessary data to replicate all results in this study.

RSTB-2020-0081_Rscript.R - contains the R code to reproduce results from the main body of the study, including Tables 1-2 and Figure 1.

RSTB-2020-0081_Rscript.html - an html file of the above-mentioned R code.

Funding

Brazilian National Council for Scientific and Technological Development, Award: 234988/2014‐2

Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council, Award: BB/L009587/1

National Research, Development and Innovation Office, Hungary, Award: NN 125642

Natural Environment Research Council, Award: NE/H006818/1

Natural Environment Research Council, Award: NE/H008047/1

Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council, Award: BB/N011759/1

Brazilian National Council for Scientific and Technological Development, Award: 234988/2014‐2

National Research, Development and Innovation Office, Hungary, Award: NN 125642