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Wild zebra finches choose neighbours for synchronized breeding

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posted on 2023-06-09, 17:35 authored by Hanja B Brandl, Simon C Griffith, Wiebke SchuettWiebke Schuett
Organisms should aim to time their reproduction to match the optimal ecological conditions and thus maximize their fitness. However, social cues have been identified as determinants of reproductive decisions and might also be involved in coordinating the timing of reproduction. Breeding synchronously with other individuals can bring several advantages, including a reduced individual predation risk and an increased opportunity for social foraging. The behavioural mechanisms underlying reproductive synchrony are versatile and not well understood, particularly in species inhabiting unpredictable environments. In contrast to highly seasonal environments, more variable and unpredictable environments can support periods of extended breeding with lower levels of synchronous breeding overall, but opportunities for individuals to breed synchronously at a finer temporal and spatial scale. Zebra finches, Taeniopygia guttata, are a highly social species, naturally inhabiting the ecologically unpredictable arid zone of Australia. In the wild, reproduction at a broad population level is not highly synchronized and, at any time during a period of breeding activity, reproductive attempts can be found at different stages. However, previous work has suggested that at a finer spatial scale neighbours tend to breed at approximately the same time. Using nestboxes, we tested whether wild zebra finches preferentially seek to settle and initiate a breeding attempt adjacent to conspecifics at an early stage of breeding (nest building), as opposed to others at later stages of breeding and with which the opportunity to breed synchronously was reduced or absent. Pairs were more likely to initiate egg laying in nestboxes close to conspecifics at an early stage of breeding, suggesting that they do try to maximize the level of synchronicity with neighbours. Our results indicate the importance of social effects on both the phenology and spatial distribution of breeding.

History

Publication status

  • Published

File Version

  • Accepted version

Journal

Animal Behaviour

ISSN

0003-3472

Publisher

Elsevier

Volume

151

Page range

21-28

Department affiliated with

  • Evolution, Behaviour and Environment Publications

Full text available

  • Yes

Peer reviewed?

  • Yes

Legacy Posted Date

2019-04-15

First Open Access (FOA) Date

2020-04-02

First Compliant Deposit (FCD) Date

2019-04-16

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