Data from: Maternal investment is positively associated with the presence of extra-pair offspring in a socially monogamous songbird
Data files
Apr 02, 2025 version files 33.82 KB
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EPP_Analysis_for_publicaiton_final.R
11.08 KB
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extra-pair_paternity_data_03.19.25.csv
19.65 KB
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README.md
3.10 KB
Abstract
Biparental care is common in socially monogamous avian species but, both partners may seek extra-pair copulations (EPCs). The relative costs and benefits of EPCs between the sexes are likely complex, yet the implications of EPCs for parental care behavior have been examined predominantly in males. Not only could females benefit from EPCs, but females would have additional information about the likelihood of extra-pair young (EPY) in their nest not available to their partners, which likely influences female behavior. We examined how the presence and abundance of EPY in a nest affect parental behavior in a socially monogamous songbird, song sparrows (Melospiza melodia). We predicted that females who mated outside the social pair would invest more in a clutch with a higher probability of EPY. We monitored nest visitation rates by male and female social partners as a proxy for parental investment and quantified extra-pair paternity in 45 nests. Maternal visitation rates were higher in nests with EPY compared to nests without, while males did not adjust their investment in relation to the presence of EPY. These findings support our prediction that females who participated in EPC would invest more in the resulting offspring.
Dataset DOI: 10.5061/dryad.gqnk98szq
Description of the data and file structure
The data presented here are parental care data in comparison to paternity status from adult and nestling wild song sparrows (Melospiza melodia). In socially monogamous species, individuals of both sexes often seek extra-pair copulation (EPCs), and there are likely behavioral correlates with parental investment within individuals that seek out EPCs, though this relationship has been examined predominantly in males. However, females likely benefit from EPCs, and have additional information about the likelihood of extra-pair young (EPY) in their own nest compared to their male partners and this information is expected to influence maternal investment. In this study, we examined how the presence and abundance of EPY in a nest effect the parental behavior of a socially monogamous songbird, song sparrows. We predicted that females who mated outside the social pairs would invest more in a clutch with a higher probability of EPY, and that males would decrease their investment. We monitored nest visitation rates by both male and female social partners for 10 days during the nestling period as a proxy for parental investment and quantified extra-pair paternity in 45 song sparrow nests.
Files and variables
File: extra-pair_paternity_data_03.19.25.csv
Description: Code and data files for analysis of association between extra pair young and parental care.
Variables
- pit_tag: The passive integrative transponder number
- date: Date the behavior was recorded
- visist.per.id: The visits/hour for that day (total number of visits /total time of care for that day)
- nest.id: The unique nest id assigned to that nest
- sex: Sex of parent
- Number.of.SOSP.nestlings: Number of nestlings in the nest
- total.number.nestlings: brood size
- year:Year sampled
- Cuckolding.identified.by.any.method.95.: Identification of any extra-pair nestlings in the nest (yes =1 or no=0)
- cuck.95:Identification of any extra-pair nestlings in the nest (yes or no)
- X..of.epp.offspring.in.nest: The number of extra pair young in the nest
- X..of.offspring.sampled.that.are.epp: The portion of extra pair young in the nest.
File: EPP_Analysis_for_publicaiton_final.R
Description: Code and data files for analysis of association between extra pair young and parental care.
Code/software
Software: R Statistical Software v. 4.2.2.
Packages used
library(Rmisc)
library(tidyverse)
library(car)
library(lme4)
library(lmerTest)
library(lubridate)
library(nlme)
library(glmm)
library(predictmeans)
library(lsmeans)
library(gridExtra)
library(effects)
library(emmeans)
library(broom)
library(modelr)
library(ggeffects)
library(ggpubr)
library(MASS)
library(performance)
Access information
Other publicly accessible locations of the data:
- NA
Data was derived from the following sources:
- NA