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Allopreening in the Black‐browed Albatross (Thalassarche melanophris): an exploration of patterns and possible functions
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Advisor(s)
Abstract(s)
The functions of display between breeding pairs of animals have been given little attention
outside of sexual selection. Yet evidence suggests that display between partners is in
fact most commonly observed following mate choice, and is often just as elaborate. In
many bird species, allopreening, when one member of a pair preens the other, is a major
component of display both pre- and post-pair formation. Despite this, there has been little
investigation into its functions. Explanations that have been put forward tend to focus
on its role in feather hygiene, which has limited phylogenetic support, or its function in
the maintenance of the pair bond, though how this might occur or indeed what this
actually represents has not been adequately explained. Phylogenetic evidence reveals that
allopreening is most commonly observed in those species exhibiting high levels of partner
retention and biparental care, and it appears to be functional in maintaining cooperation
in parental behaviour in at least one species. In our observational study, we
explored the patterns and putative functions of allopreening during the nest-relief displays
of breeding pairs of Black-browed Albatrosses Thalassarche melanophris during
incubation and chick-provisioning. Allopreening was an important feature of displays,
constituting 30% of display time. We found that the bird returning from its foraging trip
usually initiated allopreening, and preened more than its partner prior to change-over of
nesting duties. We further found a positive relationship between the amount of time the
pair spent in display and the duration of the subsequent foraging trip, providing tentative
support for a function in maintaining cooperative parental behaviour between the parents.
Although we cannot be conclusive as to its exact functions, we add to a limited literature
the first exploration of functions for this conspicuous behaviour in albatrosses.
Description
Keywords
Display Foraging Negotiation Parental care
Citation
Gillies, N., Guilford, T. Catry, P.(2021). Allopreening in the Black‐browed Albatross (Thalassarche melanophris): an exploration of patterns and possible functions. IBIS,
Publisher
Wiley-Blackwell Publishing Ltd