Phylogenetic constraint on male parental care in the dabbling ducks

Kevin P. Johnson, Frank McKinney, Michael D. Sorenson

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

Abstract

Phylogenetic constraint and inertia, i.e. limitations on future evolutionary trajectories imposed by previous adaptation, are often invoked to explain behavioural, morphological and physiological traits that defy explanation in an adaptive context. We reconstructed historical changes in male parental care behaviour in the dabbling ducks (family: Anatidae; tribe: Anatini) using a phylogeny based on mitochondrial DNA sequences. Male parental care is observed in many tropical and Southern hemisphere dabbling ducks but is lacking in all Northern hemisphere species. Southern hemisphere species that are very recently derived from Northern hemisphere ancestors, however, are exceptions to this general pattern. Lack of male parental care in these species can be attributed to phylogenetic constraint.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)759-763
Number of pages5
JournalProceedings of the Royal Society B: Biological Sciences
Volume266
Issue number1421
DOIs
StatePublished - Apr 22 1999
Externally publishedYes

Keywords

  • Adaptation
  • Anas
  • Comparative analysis
  • Constraint

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • General Immunology and Microbiology
  • General Biochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology
  • General Environmental Science
  • General Agricultural and Biological Sciences

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