Conspecific Brood Parasitism in the White‐faced Ibis Plegadis chihi (Aves: Pelecaniformes) Revealed by Microsatellites' Based Kinship‐Reconstruction

• DOI: 10.1002/jez.1792
• Publication Date: 2013-04-01T13:16:15Z
• Authors: ANDIARA SILOS MOR...; SILVIA NASSIF DEL...; CAROLINA ISABEL MIÑO
• Keywords: Ibis; White (mutation)

Abstract The white‐faced ibis Plegadis chihi Vieillot, 1817 (Pelecaniformes: Threskiornithidae) is a socially monogamous colonially breeding bird in which behavioral and ecological observations suggest the occurrence of conspecific brood parasitism (CBP). We inferred aspects genetic mating system P. nature, using approach absence parental information. used five heterologous microsatellite loci multiple‐step methodological to infer kinship patterns among 104 pairs nestlings sampled inside 80 nests colony from southern Brazil. estimated effective population size was 69 ibises (95% CI: 50–98), enough ensure long‐term survival. Kinship were identified for 38% analyzed pairs: 60% diagnosed as full‐siblings, 2.5% half‐siblings 37.5% unrelated individuals. CBP could explain presence within broods, agreement with available non‐genetic evidence. broods indicate extra‐pair paternity. Results that non‐strictly may be present ibis. This study first molecular better characterize reproductive behavior wild. Our findings set stage further research investigate possible causes consequences alternative strategies this species. J. Exp. Zool. 319A:277–284, 2013. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.