Author ORCID Identifier
https://orcid.org/0009-0003-3432-7036
Date Available
7-20-2026
Year of Publication
2025
Document Type
Master's Thesis
Degree Name
Master of Science (MS)
College
Arts and Sciences
Department/School/Program
Biology
Faculty
Dr. David Westneat
Faculty
Dr. Jessica Santollo
Abstract
Cooperative breeding systems represent an array of varied reproductive strategies and remain a topic of interest in behavioral ecology (i.e., Riehl 2013, Cornwallis et al. 2017). Different manifestations of cooperative breeding, such as cooperative polyandry, no doubt have unique evolutionary pressures tied to local ecologies which have led to their proliferation. Of particular interest are species that show flexibility in their use of reproductive strategies, wherein individuals may choose one strategy over another given a specific circumstance. Here, I used double-digest restriction site-associated DNA sequencing (i.e., ddRAD-seq) to investigate bushtit (Psaltriparus minimus) reproductive strategies and the relatedness between interacting adults. Specifically, I investigated two questions: i) do bushtit females engage in extra-pair copulations? (EPCs), and ii) are additional conspecifics at a nest (i.e., supernumeraries) relatives or parents? Using six years of behavioral data in conjunction with five years of genetic data, I found that while bushtits are primarily monogamous, they also engage in EPCs, cooperative polyandry, and kin-directed helping. Comparisons are made to other species, but ultimately further research and understanding of species that showcase a flexible array of reproductive strategies is needed and could elucidate the evolutionary pathways leading to and from cooperation.
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)
https://doi.org/10.13023/etd.2025.258
Funding Information
This study was supported by the following:
1) The Gertrude F. Ribble Trust's Ribble Pilot Grant in 2024
2) The Biology Department of the University of Kentucky in 2024
3) The University of Maine at Farmington from 2018-2023
Recommended Citation
Connelly, Fiona Skye, "INVESTIGATING RELATEDNESS WITHIN BREEDING UNITS OF THE HIGHLY SOCIAL BUSHTIT (PSALTRIPARUS MINIMUS)" (2025). Theses and Dissertations--Biology. 113.
https://uknowledge.uky.edu/biology_etds/113
