Copulation Behavior, Mate Guarding, and Paternity in the Semipalmated Plover

• Published in: The Condor
• Main Authors: Zharikov, Yuri, Nol, Erica
• Format: Article in Journal/Newspaper
• Language: English
• Published: Oxford University Press (OUP) 2000
• Subjects: Animal Science and Zoology; Ecology, Evolution, Behavior and Systematics; Arctic
• Online Access: http://dx.doi.org/10.1093/condor/102.1.231; http://academic.oup.com/condor/article-pdf/102/1/231/29709865/condor0231.pdf

Abstract We present behavioral observations and multilocus DNA fingerprinting data on Semipalmated Plovers (Charadrius semipalmatus) breeding in the sub-Arctic. We predicted that, where a large time/energy investment by males during incubation and chick-rearing is crucial for successful reproduction, both extra-pair copulation and fertilization rates would be low. Extra-pair copulations were infrequent (7% of total copulations), as were within pair copulations (0.44 hr−1). Copulations occurred, on average 6.2 days prior to clutch initiation. Males spent 64% of their time in visual contact with their mates. Mate guarding during the laying period was significantly more pronounced in coastal neighborhoods of breeding birds than among solitary-nesting pairs. Extra-pair fertilizations occurred in 4% of families resulting in an extra-pair paternity rate of 4.7%.