Influence of vocal signaling near nest on nest success rates in Malurus lamberti (Vigors & Horsfield, 1827)

• Grant number: 17/00070-0
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Scientific Initiation
• Start date: August 01, 2017
• End date: April 30, 2018
• Field of knowledge: Biological Sciences - Zoology - Animal Behavior
• Principal Investigator: Reginaldo José Donatelli
• Grantee: Rafael Gustavo Capinzaiki Ottonicar
• Host Institution: Faculdade de Ciências (FC). Universidade Estadual Paulista (UNESP). Campus de Bauru. Bauru , SP, Brazil

Abstract

Cooperative breeding is a typical behavior of socially complex birds. It allows each individual of breeding groups to put less effort in caring for the offspring, which gives them available energy to be spent on foraging and extra-pair copulations. Due to the easiness of being studied and its complex social structure, the Australian bird M. lamberti is considered an excellent model for investigations on intersexual selection in birds. When feeding the young, adult individuals of the species can be heard producing vocalizations, which can either be directed to the offspring or to the other members of the breeding group. Little is known about those vocalizations, although its understanding is a potential tool to be used in the conservation of the species and in the management of its populations. In an analysis of the breeding groups of M. lamberti residents of Brisbane region, QLD, Australia, this study aims to verify if those vocalizations influence offspring success in the context of cooperative breeding in nests attended by, at least, two adults. (AU)