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Running projects Cuckoos are obligate brood parasites showing a specific
preference for their hosts. Within this species 18 distinct
genets have been recognized, differing in egg characteristics adapted to the
range of host species parasitized. The eggs differ in background colour and
pattern. These differences are accompanied by differences in mtDNA,
suggesting a rather low genetic flow between these distinct genets (Gibbs et
al. 2000). Our preliminary data from the genetic studies of cuckoo eggs found
in reed warbler and great reed warbler nests, suggests that even within the
same genet distinguished on the basis of egg characteristics, there might be
a substantial genetic differences at the level of mtDNA. Cooperation with prof. dr hab,. Andrzej Dyrcz ( PhD students involved: Szymon Drobniak, open position Genetic and environmental determinants of immune function
and carotenoid-based plumage coloration We perform the series of experiments on blue tits based involving
cross-fostering and brood size manipulation and assess immune function of the
nestling and plumage coloration of the nestling and the parents. Using modern
quantitative genetic techniques we partition observed phenotypic variance into
its genetic and environmental components. We are also looking for
interactions between these components and genetic correlations between different
traits, sexes and life stages to understand existing constraints to the
evolution of immune function and plumage coloration. PhD students are involved in this project: Szymon Drobniak, Aneta Arct
and Dariusz Wiejaczka, open position Costs and benefits of extra-pair copulations We perform cross-fostering experiment and brood size manipulation in
blue tit to study whether extra-pair young show higher performance in
comparison to within pair young. Many earlier studies failed to show such
difference. We believe that any benefits of extra pair copulations may come
into play only under unfavorable environmental conditions. PhD students involved: Szymon Drobniak and Aneta Arct Kin recognition and reproductive decisions We study zebra finches to reveal if individuals are able to recognize siblings
without prior contact. We do cross-fostering experiment to separate brothers and
sisters to create the situation in which they do not know each other. Then we
mate them to study their reproductive decisions. Project conducted together with Joanna Rutkowska and Aneta Arct (PhD student) Sex-specific maternal effects in zebra finches We conduct experiments on captive zebra finches to study potential sex-specific
consequences of maternal transfer of different egg components. We are
particularly interested in antibody transfer and its consequences. Project conducted together with Joanna Rutkowska Students involved: Rafał Martyka, Giulia Casasole (PhD students) Blood parasite and their effect on reproductive
performance in blue tit Using PCR techniques we assess blood parasites of adult blue tits and
check of whether infected parents are suffering in terms of their
reproductive performance. We also study of whether infection status is
related to carotenoid-based plumage coloration. Cooperation with dr Anna Dubiec ( PhD students involved: Edyta Podmokła, Szymon Drobniak and Aneta Arct MHC genes variation, health status and reproductive
performance We study variation in MHC genes using 454 sequencing
techniques. We are trying to check of whether variation in MHC genes is
related to immune function, parasite load and reproductive performance. We
are particularly interested whether this variation is related to fitness. Cooperation with prof. dr hab. Jacek Radwan ( PhD students involved: Katarzyna Kulma (
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