January 2020: New Publication on the Araripe Manakin Mating System
In a recently released paper in The Royal Society Open Science, Milene Gaiotti and co-authors Michael Webster and Regina Macedo describe a "unique evolutionary development" of the mating system of Antilophia bokermanni within manakins. Araripe manakin males hold territories, in which females nest, but few territorial males were the sires of offspring raised within their territories. More than 90% of offspring were sired by males from other territories or by non-territorial males. This extreme decoupling of territoriality and paternity has not been reported before and is argued here to be driven by selective pressures from novel environmental context. To see more access the publication here.
In a recently released paper in The Royal Society Open Science, Milene Gaiotti and co-authors Michael Webster and Regina Macedo describe a "unique evolutionary development" of the mating system of Antilophia bokermanni within manakins. Araripe manakin males hold territories, in which females nest, but few territorial males were the sires of offspring raised within their territories. More than 90% of offspring were sired by males from other territories or by non-territorial males. This extreme decoupling of territoriality and paternity has not been reported before and is argued here to be driven by selective pressures from novel environmental context. To see more access the publication here.
October 2019: New Publications on the Araripe Manakin
Congratulations to RCN participants Milene Gaiotti, Regina Macedo and their co-authors for two recent publications on the highly endangered Araripe Manakin (Antilophia bokermanni). Their 2019 paper published in the Wilson Journal of Ornithology reports on the breeding biology including nest survival. Like many manakin species, the nesting period is spread over many months with females producing clutch sizes of 1-2 eggs. Females also are responsible for all parental care. Learn more about the Araripe manakin here.
Gaiotti, M. G., J. H. Oliveira, and R. H. Macedo. 2019. Breeding biology of the critically endangered Araripe Manakin (Antilophia bokermanni) in Brazil. The Wilson Journal of Ornithology 131:571-582. Find the paper here.
See also:
Gaiotti, M. G., W. Mascarenhas, and R. H. Macedo. 2017. The critically endangered and endemic Araripe Manakin (Antilophia bokermanni): dietary assessment for conservation purposes. The Wilson Journal of Ornithology 129:783-791. Find the paper here.
Congratulations to RCN participants Milene Gaiotti, Regina Macedo and their co-authors for two recent publications on the highly endangered Araripe Manakin (Antilophia bokermanni). Their 2019 paper published in the Wilson Journal of Ornithology reports on the breeding biology including nest survival. Like many manakin species, the nesting period is spread over many months with females producing clutch sizes of 1-2 eggs. Females also are responsible for all parental care. Learn more about the Araripe manakin here.
Gaiotti, M. G., J. H. Oliveira, and R. H. Macedo. 2019. Breeding biology of the critically endangered Araripe Manakin (Antilophia bokermanni) in Brazil. The Wilson Journal of Ornithology 131:571-582. Find the paper here.
See also:
Gaiotti, M. G., W. Mascarenhas, and R. H. Macedo. 2017. The critically endangered and endemic Araripe Manakin (Antilophia bokermanni): dietary assessment for conservation purposes. The Wilson Journal of Ornithology 129:783-791. Find the paper here.
October 2019: Manakin Genomics RCN Group Gathers in the Atlantic Forest of Brazil at the Salto Morato Reserve
After an exciting day at the Federal University of Parana, the Manakin Genomics RCN group headed to the field where we were graciously hosted by Fundação Grupo Boticário at the Salto Morato Reserve in the Atlantic forests of Brazil. Forty participants from seven countries were on hand, with scientists of all career stages and multiple disciplines, including behavior, ecology, population biology/genetics/genomics, phylogenetics, genomics, bioinformaticians, neurobiology/endocrinology, physiology, evolution, among others. Major outcomes of the meeting were a series of talks related to the group's genomic work including updates on the manakin genomes, comparative paper examining genomes across species, and applications of genomes to understand ecological and evolutionary processes, including outcomes of sexual selection. In addition, we heard updates from existing working groups, and developed new ideas to focus our attention during an iterative process we called an "Ideas Fair". Of course, we also managed to get into the field during early morning hours where our expert local participants led us to three manakin species - Pin-tailed manakins (Ilicura militaris), Swallow-tailed (or Blue) manakins (Chiroxiphia caudata), and White-bearded manakins (Manacus manacus)! Learn more about these species here.
After an exciting day at the Federal University of Parana, the Manakin Genomics RCN group headed to the field where we were graciously hosted by Fundação Grupo Boticário at the Salto Morato Reserve in the Atlantic forests of Brazil. Forty participants from seven countries were on hand, with scientists of all career stages and multiple disciplines, including behavior, ecology, population biology/genetics/genomics, phylogenetics, genomics, bioinformaticians, neurobiology/endocrinology, physiology, evolution, among others. Major outcomes of the meeting were a series of talks related to the group's genomic work including updates on the manakin genomes, comparative paper examining genomes across species, and applications of genomes to understand ecological and evolutionary processes, including outcomes of sexual selection. In addition, we heard updates from existing working groups, and developed new ideas to focus our attention during an iterative process we called an "Ideas Fair". Of course, we also managed to get into the field during early morning hours where our expert local participants led us to three manakin species - Pin-tailed manakins (Ilicura militaris), Swallow-tailed (or Blue) manakins (Chiroxiphia caudata), and White-bearded manakins (Manacus manacus)! Learn more about these species here.
September 2019: Manakin RCN Meeting in Brazil
The 2019 meeting of the Manakin Genomics RCN begins on September 30th in Curitiba, Brazil with invited talks at the Federal University of Paraná (UFPR) by Dr. Emily DuVal from Florida State University and Dr. Claudio Mello from Oregon Health and Science University.
Never trust a manakin: surprises from a long-term study of mate choice, and implications for future research on sexual selection, Dr. Emily DuVal
3:45-5pm, UFPR Anfiteatro 10
Learning from tropical hummingbirds and parrots about communication and the genomics of cognition and longevity, Dr. Claudio Mello
5-6pm, UFPR Anfiteatro 10
The meeting will then move to the Salto Morato Natural Reserve in Guaraqueçaba, which is managed by Fundação Grupo Boticário. At the reserve we will hear updates on genomic analyses by various RCN members, continue with working group projects, and develop ideas for future projects and proposals.
The 2019 meeting of the Manakin Genomics RCN begins on September 30th in Curitiba, Brazil with invited talks at the Federal University of Paraná (UFPR) by Dr. Emily DuVal from Florida State University and Dr. Claudio Mello from Oregon Health and Science University.
Never trust a manakin: surprises from a long-term study of mate choice, and implications for future research on sexual selection, Dr. Emily DuVal
3:45-5pm, UFPR Anfiteatro 10
Learning from tropical hummingbirds and parrots about communication and the genomics of cognition and longevity, Dr. Claudio Mello
5-6pm, UFPR Anfiteatro 10
The meeting will then move to the Salto Morato Natural Reserve in Guaraqueçaba, which is managed by Fundação Grupo Boticário. At the reserve we will hear updates on genomic analyses by various RCN members, continue with working group projects, and develop ideas for future projects and proposals.
July 2019: New Study Examines Stability in Social Networks
Rosyln Dakin and T. Brandt Ryder recently posted a preprint of their work entitled "Reciprocity and behavioral heterogeneity govern the stability of social networks". Using the wire-tailed manakin (Pipra filicauda) they found that the interaction frequency and connectedness among males influence social network stability, with decreasing interaction frequency and increasing connectedness destabilizing the social network. They discuss their surprising results in terms of within-individual behavioral trade-offs. Learn more and download a copy of the preprint here.
Rosyln Dakin and T. Brandt Ryder recently posted a preprint of their work entitled "Reciprocity and behavioral heterogeneity govern the stability of social networks". Using the wire-tailed manakin (Pipra filicauda) they found that the interaction frequency and connectedness among males influence social network stability, with decreasing interaction frequency and increasing connectedness destabilizing the social network. They discuss their surprising results in terms of within-individual behavioral trade-offs. Learn more and download a copy of the preprint here.
May 2019: A Brief Digression About Science and Beauty - Blog Post by RCN Scientist Laura Schaedler
Laura is a graduate student at Federal University of Paraná studying the amazing swallow-tailed manakin (Chiroxiphia caudata) in the Atlantic forests of Brazil. She has also been blogging - check out her newest blog post here. Don't miss her videos of male swallow-tailed manakins performing their cooperative dance!
Laura is a graduate student at Federal University of Paraná studying the amazing swallow-tailed manakin (Chiroxiphia caudata) in the Atlantic forests of Brazil. She has also been blogging - check out her newest blog post here. Don't miss her videos of male swallow-tailed manakins performing their cooperative dance!
January 2019: Public Release of Five Manakin Genome Assemblies
A primary goal of the Manakin Genomics Research Coordination Network (RCN) is to facilitate new interdisciplinary research collaborations that will advance our understanding of the genomic underpinnings of evolutionary processes important in shaping the ecology, physiology, behavior and diversification of organisms.
The Manakin Genomics RCN is pleased to announce the release of five new genome assemblies that promises to meet a critical first step in accomplishing our consortium's objectives.
We have publicly released the genomes in order to facilitate research on these species. As with other consortia, we request users abide by the following data use policy (which is drawn from that of the B10K and VGP projects). Two of the genome assemblies have been formally shared with the B10K and are bound by their policies as well.
The Manakin Genomics RCN has released the raw reads, assembled genomes, transcriptome sequence data, and annotations (forthcoming) as a service to the research community. We encourage others to use these data, but hope that they will respect our right to first presentation (including journal publications, pre-prints such as in bioRxiv, public conference talks, and press releases) of a genome-wide analysis of the data we generate, including the use of genome-wide data for phylogenetic and evolutionary analysis, on behalf of ourselves as data producers, the sample providers and collaborators. Therefore, please respect the embargo on the presentation of analyses using pre-publication data that we release via the relevant archives. Exceptions to the policy are for analyses of either a single locus, or a single gene family in a species, or for use as a reference for mapping reads from independent studies.
For any queries about using the data, referencing/publishing analyses based on pre-publication data from this project please contact Chris Balakrishnan. For the full list of team members please see the RCN member bios page.
The genomes:
Manacus vitellinus: Golden-collared Manakin (upgraded assembly)
Lepidothrix coronata: Blue-crowned Manakin
Pipra filicauda: Wire-tailed Manakin
Corapipo altera: White-ruffed Manakin
Neopelma chrysocephalum: Saffron-crested tyrant manakin
Check out our manakin resources to learn more about these species.
A primary goal of the Manakin Genomics Research Coordination Network (RCN) is to facilitate new interdisciplinary research collaborations that will advance our understanding of the genomic underpinnings of evolutionary processes important in shaping the ecology, physiology, behavior and diversification of organisms.
The Manakin Genomics RCN is pleased to announce the release of five new genome assemblies that promises to meet a critical first step in accomplishing our consortium's objectives.
We have publicly released the genomes in order to facilitate research on these species. As with other consortia, we request users abide by the following data use policy (which is drawn from that of the B10K and VGP projects). Two of the genome assemblies have been formally shared with the B10K and are bound by their policies as well.
The Manakin Genomics RCN has released the raw reads, assembled genomes, transcriptome sequence data, and annotations (forthcoming) as a service to the research community. We encourage others to use these data, but hope that they will respect our right to first presentation (including journal publications, pre-prints such as in bioRxiv, public conference talks, and press releases) of a genome-wide analysis of the data we generate, including the use of genome-wide data for phylogenetic and evolutionary analysis, on behalf of ourselves as data producers, the sample providers and collaborators. Therefore, please respect the embargo on the presentation of analyses using pre-publication data that we release via the relevant archives. Exceptions to the policy are for analyses of either a single locus, or a single gene family in a species, or for use as a reference for mapping reads from independent studies.
For any queries about using the data, referencing/publishing analyses based on pre-publication data from this project please contact Chris Balakrishnan. For the full list of team members please see the RCN member bios page.
The genomes:
Manacus vitellinus: Golden-collared Manakin (upgraded assembly)
Lepidothrix coronata: Blue-crowned Manakin
Pipra filicauda: Wire-tailed Manakin
Corapipo altera: White-ruffed Manakin
Neopelma chrysocephalum: Saffron-crested tyrant manakin
Check out our manakin resources to learn more about these species.
May 2018: The Manakin Genomics RCN meeting in Gamboa Panama was a success!
Highlights from the meeting included several half-day workshops related to videography from all perspectives led by Mike Webster and Ed Scholes from Cornell, Leo Fusani from University of Vienna, Emily DuVal from Florida State University, and others. We learned about how to archive and manage large amounts of data, tips for capturing good field videos, high-speed and 3D videos, and automatic processing of video files. The working groups made progress on analyzing data and writing manuscripts, and began planning future collaborative projects. We also toured the STRI facilities and new aviaries in Gamboa and enjoyed some early morning birding trips on "Pipeline Road" in Parque Nacional Soberania.
Upcoming Manakin RCN events include:
Genome curation workshop
Physiological data collection workshop
Check back for more information on the next Manakin RCN meeting in Brazil.
Highlights from the meeting included several half-day workshops related to videography from all perspectives led by Mike Webster and Ed Scholes from Cornell, Leo Fusani from University of Vienna, Emily DuVal from Florida State University, and others. We learned about how to archive and manage large amounts of data, tips for capturing good field videos, high-speed and 3D videos, and automatic processing of video files. The working groups made progress on analyzing data and writing manuscripts, and began planning future collaborative projects. We also toured the STRI facilities and new aviaries in Gamboa and enjoyed some early morning birding trips on "Pipeline Road" in Parque Nacional Soberania.
Upcoming Manakin RCN events include:
Genome curation workshop
Physiological data collection workshop
Check back for more information on the next Manakin RCN meeting in Brazil.