An atypical mating system in a neotropical manakin.

Area of Science:

• Avian reproductive strategies
• Evolutionary biology
• Behavioral ecology

Background:

• Mating systems in animals show significant diversity, often at higher taxonomic levels.
• Divergent selective pressures are expected to drive mating system divergence in closely related species, but opportunities to study this are rare.
• The Araripe manakin (Antilophia bokermanni), endemic to a Brazilian forest enclave, provides a unique case study.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the mating system of the Araripe manakin, a species with a unique ecological context.
• To understand the evolutionary divergence in mating systems within the manakin clade.
• To examine the relationship between territoriality and paternity in this species.

Main Methods:

• Field observations of Araripe manakin behavior, including territorial defense and nesting.
• Paternity analysis of nestlings to determine sire contribution.
• Comparison of mating system with other manakin species.

Main Results:

• Male Araripe manakins defend exclusive territories, a deviation from typical manakin lekking systems.
• Territoriality is dissociated from paternity; males sired only 7% of nestlings within their territories.
• Female polyandry is common, with most broods showing mixed paternity, and non-territorial males sired numerous offspring.

Conclusions:

• The Araripe manakin's territoriality functions uniquely, differing from lekking arenas and resource-based territories.
• This dissociation of territoriality and paternity represents a novel evolutionary development within manakins.
• Environmental pressures in novel contexts can drive significant divergences in animal mating systems.