Repeatability of an extended phenotype: causes and consequences of nest variation in a free-living songbird

Abstract

LAY SUMMARYO_LIRepeatability of construction behaviors in the wild is understudied C_LIO_LIHouse Wrens are a cavity-nesting songbird C_LIO_LIHouse Wren nests are highly variable in their morphology C_LIO_LIFemale House Wrens are repeatable in cup composition, but not nest dimensions C_LIO_LIThe dimensions of the nest are built to match the dimensions of the cavity C_LIO_LIHouse Wren nests are unrelated to nestling survival or female condition C_LIO_LIFemale preferences for nest building may explain nest variation C_LI Construction behavior is an aspect of the extended phenotype that allows organisms to build structures that alter their environments in potentially beneficial ways. Although individuals vary in the expression of this extended phenotype (e.g., structure morphology), the repeatability of construction behaviors remain understudied, especially among free-living populations. Many oviparous taxa construct nests, making them of particular interest because variation in nest architecture may directly affect fitness. Using a free-living, cavity-nesting songbird, the Northern House Wren (Troglodytes aedon aedon), as our model, we estimated the contribution of the primary builder (the female) to nest variability by measuring the repeatability of nest morphology between successive clutches. We further examined whether nest morphology was related to the dimensions of the nesting cavity, breeding date, or nest success. We found the composition of the cup lining to be a highly repeatable behavior for the nesting female, although the size and composition of the structural platform appeared more related to the dimensions of the cavity. Nest morphology remained variable throughout the breeding season, showing no significant correlations with breeding date, and it was unrelated to clutch size or offspring survival. Our study suggests that variation in construction behavior is likely the product of multiple factors including the preferences of the builder and physical constraints. The absence of any clear links between construction behavior and fitness indicates that nest morphology is not under strong selection. As a result, diverse female building preferences may explain the extreme among-individual variation in nest structure in this species.