| Relatedness information is important in understanding and predicting social interactions and is essential in managing breeding programs. In captivity, insights from behavioral and genetic research guide managers in providing animals with the best experience possible. I studied behavioral and genetic aspects of reproduction in two captive colonies of ibis (Waldrapp Ibis, Geronticus eremita, and Scarlet Ibis, Eudocimus ruber). I addressed two questions about their mating strategies: (1) Do extra-pair copulations (EPCs) occur in captive colonies, and if so, can they be predicted? In the Scarlet This colony, EPCs did occur, but males guarded their mates from extra-pair fertilization. Unpaired females engaged in EPCs, but they did not reproduce. Scarlet This copulations, during four breeding seasons, increased starting in early April through mid-June and decreased from the mid-June through early August, coinciding with two peaks of nesting behavior. In general, copulation was low, with only 362 pair copulations and 175 EPCs during 800 hours of colony observation. EPCs peaked during egg laying and incubation. Despite a rate of 0.5 EPCs per pair copulation, DNA profiles indicate no extra-pair offspring resulted. (2) Does mate fidelity or nest site fidelity play a more important role in reproduction success? Results from 13 years of breeding data indicated that Waldrapp Ibis rarely switched mates without switching nests as well; birds switched mates on average every two years. Males had significantly higher reproductive success if they remained with their mate and at the same nest. Females had no significant reproductive success effect from switching mates or nest site.;Genetic diversity is important in maintaining healthy breeding populations, but genetic identity of founders is rarely known. I used band sharing data from DNA fingerprints and traditional pedigrees to examine genetic similarity of birds known to be related and birds known to be unrelated, e.g. acquired from different source populations. For both ibis species, presumed related birds had significant band sharing values; band sharing values for birds from the same source populations were not significant. Exhibit design, genetic composition, and individual mating behavior all impact the dynamics of monogamous, colonial-nesting ibis in captivity. |
