Features of reproductive biology of robins (Euithacus rubecula) in anthropogenic habitats (for example, the city of Ryazan)

Baranovskiy, A. V.; Иванов, Е. С.

doi:10.15393/j1.art.2017.6942

“…The European Robin Erithacus rubecula, a small (c.19 g) passerine bird, is a common and widespread species of wooded habitats in Europe, parts of western Asia and North Africa 1 . Although it is a familiar and moderately well-known species in Western Europe, there is little information about the species' breeding biology across much of its range, and studies of its population genetics are mostly lacking [2][3][4][5][6][7][8][9] . This absence of genetic studies is probably related to the European Robin's elusiveness during the breeding season, when nests are notoriously di cult to locate 1 .…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

First microsatellite markers for the European Robin (Erithacus rubecula) and their application in analysis of parentage and genetic diversity

Gwiazdowska

¹

,

Karpińska

²

,

Kamionka-Kanclerska

³

et al. 2021

Preprint

0

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The European Robin is a small passerine bird associated with woodlands of Eurasia and North Africa. Despite being relatively widespread and common, little is known of the species’ breeding biology and genetic diversity. We used Next Generation Sequencing (NGS) to develop and characterize microsatellite markers for the European Robin, designing three multiplex panels to amplify 14 microsatellite loci. The level of polymorphism and its value for assessing parentage and genetic structure was estimated based on 119 individuals, including seven full families and 69 unrelated individuals form Poland’s Białowieża Primaeval Forest and an additional location in Portugal. All markers appeared to be highly variable. Analysis at the family level confirmed a Mendelian manner of inheritance in the investigated loci. Genetic data also revealed evidence for extra-pair paternity in one family. The set of markers that we developed are proven to be valuable for analysis of the breeding biology and population genetics of the European Robin.

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“…The European Robin Erithacus rubecula, a small (c.19 g) passerine bird, is a common and widespread species of wooded habitats in Europe, parts of western Asia and North Africa 1 . Although it is a familiar and moderately well-known species in Western Europe, there is little information about the species' breeding biology across much of its range, and studies of its population genetics are mostly lacking [2][3][4][5][6][7][8][9] . This absence of genetic studies is probably related to the European Robin's elusiveness during the breeding season, when nests are notoriously difficult to locate 1 .…”

mentioning

confidence: 99%

First microsatellite markers for the European Robin (Erithacus rubecula) and their application in analysis of parentage and genetic diversity

Gwiazdowska

¹

,

Karpińska

²

,

Kamionka-Kanclerska

³

et al. 2021

Sci Rep

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

The European Robin is a small passerine bird associated with woodlands of Eurasia and North Africa. Despite being relatively widespread and common, little is known of the species’ breeding biology and genetic diversity. We used Next Generation Sequencing (NGS) to develop and characterize microsatellite markers for the European Robin, designing three multiplex panels to amplify 14 microsatellite loci. The level of polymorphism and its value for assessing parentage and genetic structure was estimated based on 119 individuals, including seven full families and 69 unrelated individuals form Poland’s Białowieża Primaeval Forest and an additional location in Portugal. All markers appeared to be highly variable. Analysis at the family level confirmed a Mendelian manner of inheritance in the investigated loci. Genetic data also revealed evidence for extra-pair paternity in one family. The set of markers that we developed are proven to be valuable for analysis of the breeding biology and population genetics of the European Robin.

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Loyal as a robin: Low frequency of extra-pair paternity in European robin population in the primeval forest of Białowieża National Park

Karpińska,

Gwiazdowska,

Kamionka-Kanclerska

et al. 2024

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0

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Although the robin is a quite common Eurasian bird, little is known about the phenomenon of extra-pair paternity (EPP) within this species, mainly due to its extremely secretive behavior during the breeding season. This study for the first time reveals the level of EPP of the continental subspecies under the primeval forest condition. To analyze the EPP frequency, genetic methods were used (microsatellite genotyping). Three research plots (~30 ha each) were established in a lime-hornbeam and riverine forest, in Białowieża National Park (north-eastern Poland) - the most primeval, lowland forest in the entire temperate zone. The study was conducted in 2018-2019 during the robin’s breeding season (late March - late June) using a combined mapping technique. Upon locating the nests, tail feathers, which were used as a source of DNA, were collected from entire robin families, including adults captured via mist nets. In total genetic material was obtained from a total of 70 robin families. Genotypes of social parents were compared with genotypes of nestlings to assess the occurrence of EPP and identify extra-pair males. We found evidence of EPP in 5.7 % of nests. Accordingly, 5.1 % of nestlings were the offspring of extra-pair males. We accept the assumed hypothesis of the low frequency of extra-pair paternity in the European robin population under the primeval forest condition. The explanations for the low level of EPP can be found in the robins begging behaviour in the pre-breeding period and the female constraint theory.

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Features of reproductive biology of robins (Euithacus rubecula) in anthropogenic habitats (for example, the city of Ryazan)

Cited by 3 publications

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First microsatellite markers for the European Robin (Erithacus rubecula) and their application in analysis of parentage and genetic diversity

First microsatellite markers for the European Robin (Erithacus rubecula) and their application in analysis of parentage and genetic diversity

First microsatellite markers for the European Robin (Erithacus rubecula) and their application in analysis of parentage and genetic diversity

Loyal as a robin: Low frequency of extra-pair paternity in European robin population in the primeval forest of Białowieża National Park

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