Very low rate of multiple paternity detected in clutches of a wild agamid lizard

Abstract

Genetic mating systems described for squamate reptiles range from primarily monogamous to completely polygynandrous. The presence of female multiple mating is almost ubiquitous among squamates and even occurs, albeit at a low rate, in socially monogamous species. Here we examine the genetic mating system of the territorial tawny dragon lizard (Ctenophorus decresii). Paternity was assigned to captive-born hatchlings using eight microsatellite loci, revealing a 4% rate of multiple paternity. One-quarter of males sired more than one clutch, although multiple mating by males is likely underestimated. The rate of multiple paternity in C. decresii represents one of the lowest among squamates and may be a result of successful male territoriality. However, the observed low rate of multiple paternity does not eliminate the possibility of widespread female multiple mating due to the potential for sperm storage and sperm competition. We conclude that the tawny dragon lizard employs a predominantly polygynous genetic mating system.

Specific MHC class I supertype associated with parasite infection and color morph in a wild lizard population

“…Microsatellite genotypes presented in Hacking, Stuart‐Fox et al. () were used to estimate relatedness between each mother, her mate, and all available males, using Coancestry ver. 1.0.1.5 (Wang, ).…”

“…Correlation analyses were undertaken using the glm function in R (R Core Team ). For both relatedness and genomewide diversity estimates, eight microsatellite loci were used, seven of which have high polymorphic information content values (≥0.85) (Hacking, Stuart‐Fox, et al., ). Note, however, that it is difficult to gain an accurate estimation of genomewide diversity and these microsatellite loci may not be adequate (DeWoody & DeWoody, ; Väli, Einarsson, Waits, & Ellegren, ), although see (Ljungqvist, Akesson, & Hansson, ).…”

“…We focussed on sampling adult males within the population and only sampled gravid females for captive hatching. Captive hatching and subsequent paternity analysis presented in Hacking, Stuart-Fox, and Gardner (2018) produced 21 complete family groups, within which there was no evidence for multiple paternity. The tawny dragon employs a mostly polygynous genetic mating system (Hacking, Stuart-Fox et al, 2018), with males patrolling territories of 213 m 2 , on average (Yewers, 2016).…”

“…Captive hatching and subsequent paternity analysis presented in Hacking, Stuart-Fox, and Gardner (2018) produced 21 complete family groups, within which there was no evidence for multiple paternity. The tawny dragon employs a mostly polygynous genetic mating system (Hacking, Stuart-Fox et al, 2018), with males patrolling territories of 213 m 2 , on average (Yewers, 2016). Male territories likely contain the home ranges of several females, and a female's home range could overlap the territory of more than one male.…”

“…Therefore, we tested for correlations between MHC diversity (number of MHC alleles) and an estimate of genomewide diversity, and betweenrelatedness estimates and percent genetic (amino acid) distance among MHC I alleles shared between pairs. Microsatellite genotypes presented in Hacking, Stuart-Fox et al (2018) were used to estimate relatedness between each mother, her mate, and all available males, using Coancestry ver. 1.0.1.5 (Wang, 2007).…”