Revista Chilena de Historia Natural 81 (1): 21-31, 2008
RESEARCH ARTICLE
Intra-specific brood parasitism revealed by DNA micro-satellite analyses in a sub-oscine bird,
the vermilion flycatcher
Extra-pair reproduction is known to occur in many avian species. However, among
passerines, the majority of studies on extra-pair reproduction have been carried out in oscine birds from temperate regions.
Conversely, sub-oscines species, and particularly, species that inhabit tropical regions, have been studied to a much lesser extent.
Given that a majority of avian species live in the tropics, it is important to study more tropical and sub-oscine species to have a more
accurate picture of the rates of extra-pair reproduction among passerines, and a better understanding of the adaptive function of extra-
pair reproduction in birds. Tropical species differ from temperate species in several ecological and life history traits, that may influence
the occurrence of different modes of extra-pair reproduction and their prevalence. In this study we asked whether extra-pair
reproduction occur in a sexually dimorphic and socially monogamous sub-oscine, the vermilion flycatcher (Pyrocephalus
rubinus). We report cases of extra-pair paternity, extra-pair maternity and intra-specific brood parasitism, and discuss our
results in the view of other studies with passerines.
Key words:
extra-pair reproduction,
vermilion flycatcher, Pyrocephalus rubinus, sub-oscine, intra specific brood parasitism
