Parentage and host preference in the common cuckoo Cuculus canorus

Abstract

Microsatellite DNA markers were used to investigate parentage relationships in a population of common cuckoo Cuculus canorus. Thirty adults and 55 nestlings were genotyped at six loci from blood samples collected over a four-year period. To test whether each cuckoo female specialises in parasitising one single host species (Host Preference Hypothesis), the maternal relationships were used to record each female's host choice. The results supported the Host Preference Hypothesis since no female (N = 3) was recorded to have parasitised more than one of four congeneric host species breeding in the area. In contrast, the males (N = 4) did not show such specialisation since two of them sired offspring reared by different host species.