Egg investment is influenced by male attractiveness in the mallard

摘要: Why females prefer to copulate with particular males is a contentious issue. Attention currently focused on whether choose the basis of their genetic quality, in order produce more viable offspring1. Support for this hypothesis birds has come from studies showing that preferred tend father offspring better condition or increased survivorship2,3,4,5,6,7,8. Before attributing greater viability male's heritable however, it important discount effects arising confounding sources, including maternal effects. This generally been addressed by comparing two different breeding attempts same female: one when are sired male, and less male. However, here we show individual female mallard (Anas platyrhynchos) lay larger eggs after copulating smaller males. As result, produced body paired After controlling these differences investment, found no effect paternity condition. shows between half-sibs cannot always be attributed paternal