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Local offspring density and sex ratio affect sex allocation in the great tit

Author

Listed:
  • Stephanie P. M. Michler
  • Marion Nicolaus
  • Marco van der Velde
  • Reinder Radersma
  • Richard Ubels
  • Christiaan Both
  • Jan Komdeur
  • Joost M. Tinbergen

Abstract

The expected fitness gain for offspring of a given sex may depend on local population sex ratio and density. Knowing the influence of such social factors on brood sex ratios may contribute considerably to the understanding of sex allocation in higher vertebrates. For 3 consecutive years, we manipulated sex ratios and densities of juvenile great tits (Parus major) within forest plots and investigated how next year’s brood sex ratios were affected. For yearling female breeders, we considered the treatment of the plot of fledging and settlement and for experienced female breeders the treatment of the breeding plot. Experienced females produced more female offspring at increased plot densities and more males at reduced densities. Yearling female’s brood sex ratio was not affected by the density treatment but was positively related to the natural density in the plot of fledging. The plot sex ratio treatment affected sex allocation differently for yearling and experienced females. Yearling females produced more females when fledged from male-biased plots and more males when fledged from female-biased plots. Experienced females produced more females in control plots and unbiased brood sex ratios in male- and female-biased plots. Our results show that experimental changes in local sex ratio and density generate social or environmental cues that are used in sex allocation. We cannot show that sex allocation was adaptive. However, natural and experimental plot density and experimental plot sex ratio related differently to sex allocation for yearling and experienced females, which suggest that several sex allocation scenarios might act simultaneously.

Suggested Citation

  • Stephanie P. M. Michler & Marion Nicolaus & Marco van der Velde & Reinder Radersma & Richard Ubels & Christiaan Both & Jan Komdeur & Joost M. Tinbergen, 2013. "Local offspring density and sex ratio affect sex allocation in the great tit," Behavioral Ecology, International Society for Behavioral Ecology, vol. 24(1), pages 169-181.
    • Handle: RePEc:oup:beheco:v:24:y:2013:i:1:p:169-181.
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Mårten B. Hjernquist & Katherine A. Thuman Hjernquist & Jukka T. Forsman & Lars Gustafsson, 2009. "Sex allocation in response to local resource competition over breeding territories," Behavioral Ecology, International Society for Behavioral Ecology, vol. 20(2), pages 335-339.
    2. Frances Bonier & Paul R. Martin & John C. Wingfield, 2007. "Maternal corticosteroids influence primary offspring sex ratio in a free-ranging passerine bird," Behavioral Ecology, International Society for Behavioral Ecology, vol. 18(6), pages 1045-1050.
    3. Melanie K. Rathburn & Robert Montgomerie, 2005. "Offspring sex ratios correlate with pair--male condition in a cooperatively breeding fairy--wren," Behavioral Ecology, International Society for Behavioral Ecology, vol. 16(1), pages 41-47, January.
    4. Kate R. Oddie & Constanze Reim, 2002. "Egg sex ratio and paternal traits: using within-individual comparisons," Behavioral Ecology, International Society for Behavioral Ecology, vol. 13(4), pages 503-510, July.
    5. Katharina Gallizzi & Ophélie Alloitteau & Estelle Harrang & Heinz Richner, 2008. "Fleas, parental care, and transgenerational effects on tick load in the great tit," Behavioral Ecology, International Society for Behavioral Ecology, vol. 19(6), pages 1225-1234.
    6. Jukka T. Forsman & Mårten B. Hjernquist & Jenni Taipale & Lars Gustafsson, 2008. "Competitor density cues for habitat quality facilitating habitat selection and investment decisions," Behavioral Ecology, International Society for Behavioral Ecology, vol. 19(3), pages 539-545.
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