DOI: 10.5061/dryad.ffbg79csb
title: Fine-scale genetic structure reflects limited and coordinated dispersal in the colonial monk parakeet, Myiopsitta monachus

description: The genetic structure of animal populations has considerable behavioural,
 ecological and evolutionary implications and may arise from various
 demographic traits. Here, we use observational field data and molecular
 genetics to determine the genetic structure of an invasive population of
 monk parakeets, Myiopsitta monachus, at a range of spatial scales, and
 investigate the demographic processes that generate the observed
 structure. Monk parakeets construct large nests that can house several
 pairs occupying separate chambers; these nests are often aggregated within
 nesting trees. We determined patterns of relatedness within compound
 nests, within nesting trees and between trees. Spatial autocorrelation
 analyses of pairwise genetic relatedness revealed fine-scale genetic
 structure with relatives of both sexes spatially clustered within, but not
 beyond, nesting trees. In addition, males were more related to males
 sharing their compound nests than to other males occupying the same
 nesting tree. By contrast, males and females within compound nests were
 not significantly more closely related than elsewhere in the same tree,
 and we found no evidence for inbreeding. Adults showed high breeding site
 fidelity between years despite considerable disturbance of nest sites.
 Natal dispersal was female-biased, but dispersal distances were relatively
 short with some natal philopatry observed in both sexes. Sibling
 coalitions, typically of males, were observed amongst both philopatric and
 dispersing birds. Our results show significant clustering of kin within
 compound nests and nesting trees resulting from limited and coordinated
 natal dispersal, with subsequent breeding site fidelity. The resulting
 genetic structure has implications for social behaviour in this unusual
 parrot species.
description: <strong>Breeding dispersal distances for
 <em>Myiopsitta monachus</em></strong>
 Contains breeding dispersal distances: see ReadMe file
 DawsonPell_2021_A_Breeding_dispersal.xlsx
 <strong>Natal dispersal distances for <em>Myiopsitta
 monachus</em></strong> Contains natal
 dispersal distances: see ReadMe file
 DawsonPell_2021_B_Natal_dispersal.xlsx
 <strong>Microsatellite genotypes and nest locations
 of <em>Myiopsitta monachus</em></strong>
 Contains genotypes and nest locations for all individuals: see
 ReadMe file
 DawsonPell_2021_C_Genotypes_spatial_autocorrelation_analyses.xlsx <strong>Microsatellite genotypes and nest locations of <em>Myiopsitta monachus, </em>with only one male from each compound nest</strong> Contains genotypes and nest locations, data includes only one male from each compound nest: see ReadMe file DawsonPell_2021_D_Genotypes_spatial_autocorrelation_analyses_compound_males_removed.xlsx <strong>Relatedness within compound nests and nesting trees for male <em>Myiopsitta monachus</em></strong> Contains nesting tree information and relatedness between males sharing a compound nest and between males that occupy a compound nest and males that occupy other nests in the same nesting tree. Includes all male comparisons: see ReadMe file DawsonPell_2021_E_Compound_nests_all_males_comparisons.xlsx <strong>Relatedness within compound nests and nesting trees for male <em>Myiopsitta monachus </em>excluding within chamber comparisons</strong> Contains nesting tree information and relatedness between males sharing a compound nest and between males that occupy a compound nest and males that occupy other nests in the same nesting tree. Excluding within chamber comparisons: see ReadMe file DawsonPell_2021_F_Compound_nests_no_within_chamber.xlsx <strong>Relatedness within compound nests and nesting trees for male <em>Myiopsitta monachus </em>excluding within chamber comparisons and with random selection from multi-male chambers</strong> Contains nesting tree information and relatedness between males sharing a compound nest and between males that occupy a compound nest and males that occupy other nests in the same nesting tree. Excluding within chamber comparisons and with random selection of a single male from a multi-male chamber: see ReadMe file DawsonPell_2021_G_Compound_nests_no_within_chamber_random_selection.xlsx <strong>Relatedness within compound nests and nesting trees for male-female comparison - <em>Myiopsitta monachus</em></strong> Contains nesting tree information and relatedness between males and females sharing a compound nest and between males that occupy a compound nest and females that occupy other nests in the same nesting tree. Includes all male comparisons: see ReadMe file DawsonPell_2021_H_Compound_nests_males_vs_females.xlsx