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In colonial breeding species, preventive measures to reduce the risks of extra-pair
copulations (EPCs) should reflect the actual risk perceived by males (e.g., proximity
of neighbors, intrusions into the nest) mainly during the fertile period. In colonial
vultures, specific studies examining the preventive measures that minimize the risks
of EPCs occurring within the competitive context of colonial breeding have not been
conducted. Here we tested at Eurasian Griffon Vulture (Gyps fulvus) nesting sites the
intensity of paternity assurance behavior, shown as frequency and duration of withinpair
copulations (WPCs), potential mate vigilance or nest attendance, and levels of
aggressivity. This was measured according to the frequency of territorial intrusions
and comparison of the fertile vs. the non-fertile period. Our findings suggest that the
frequency of WPCs and their duration increased significantly during the presumed
fertile period, regarded as the period when Griffon pairs spent significantly more time
together at their nests. In addition, low levels of territorial intrusions were observed, an
aggressive response of pairs towards intruders, and a relatively high presence of pairs
at the nests during the fertile period. Thus, although nesting sites are subject to low
exposure to EPC attempts, the increased frequency and duration of copulations during
the fertile period suggests that, under pressure from the colonial breeding system, a
higher rate of copulations is the most effective preventive mechanism against relative
uncertainty of paternity.
AM was supported by a Ramón y Cajal research contract from the Ministry of Economy and Competitiveness (RYC-2012-11867). The funders had no role in study design, data collection and analysis, decision to publish, or preparation of the manuscript |