Joanna Sudyka
Ornis Polonica 2012, 53: 202–208
https://doi.org/10.12657/ornis.2012.3.3
Summary: Reproduction of Common Cuckoo Cuculus canorus involves parasitizing broods of other species. Previous studies allowed to identify host-specific gentes (races). Each of them aims in imitating background colour and spot pattern of host eggs. Molecular studies had shown that races appear to be limited to female lineage with cross mating males keeping the cuckoos as one genetic species. The differences are reflected in variation on the level of mtDNA, suggesting that only females are host-specific and genes responsible for this situation may be located on chromosome W. Other work reveals nuclear microsatellite differentiation indicating the possibility that mate choice is not random, but biased towards specific host preference for both males and females. Still, there is not enough evidence to establish solution to the problem. Article gives up to date summary of what is known in the topic.
