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Evidence for sexy sons in European starlings (Sturnus vulgaris)

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Abstract

The “sexy son” hypothesis suggests that females obtain future fitness benefits from mating with polygynous males through the inheritance by their sons of traits contributing to mating success. We tested this hypothesis in the facultatively polygynous European starling (Sturnus vulgaris) in two ways. We first compared sons of monogynous and polygynous free-living males for their abilities in nest site acquisition and female-directed behaviors in controlled aviary tests. We then investigated eggs laid in monogynous and polygynous matings for concentrations of maternal steroid hormones that could affect behavioral differentiation of sons. Sons of polygynous fathers defended more nest boxes and produced more courtship song than sons of monogynous fathers. Mean concentrations of maternal androstenedione (A4), 5α-dihydrotestosterone (DHT), testosterone (T), and 17β-estradiol (E) in yolks were not affected by mating status. However, the within-clutch pattern of A4 depended on mating status, with higher concentrations in last than in first eggs of clutches of monogynous but not polygynous matings. These results suggest that (1) sons may inherit from their fathers behavioral qualities for the successful acquisition of nest sites and attraction of mates; (2) differential exposure to maternal steroid hormones during development in the egg is unlikely the cause of the behavioral differences between adult sons of monogynous and polygynous fathers; and (3) females adjust the within-clutch pattern of androgen to mating status, possibly in response to the expected contribution of their mate to nestling care.

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Acknowledgement

We are very grateful to E. Gwinner for many valuable discussions and his general support. B. Kempenaers, B. Helm, the Associate editor W. Searcy and two referees provided productive comments on earlier versions of the manuscript. F. Merkel helped regarding various aspects of starling life history. J. Schuller, K. Etzold, Ch. Clapier and J. Jäger assisted in the field and in data processing

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Max-Planck-Institute for Ornithology, von-der Tann-Strasse 7, D-82346, Andechs, Germany

    Helga Gwinner

  2. Center of Reproductive Biology, School of Biological Sciences, Washington State University, Pullman, WA, 99164–4236, USA

    Hubert Schwabl

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  1. Helga Gwinner
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  2. Hubert Schwabl
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Correspondence to Helga Gwinner.

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Communicated by W.A. Searcy

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Gwinner, H., Schwabl, H. Evidence for sexy sons in European starlings (Sturnus vulgaris). Behav Ecol Sociobiol 58, 375–382 (2005). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00265-005-0948-0

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00265-005-0948-0

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