Genome size markedly displays variation across taxa. Genome size variation is affected by two principally different mechanisms (such as whole‐genome duplication events (polyploidization) and accumulation of noncoding elements). In addition, genome size variation is also affected by the phylogenetic signal, life‐history traits and environmental factors. Here, we studied the relationships between genome size and life‐history traits (e.g. clutch size, hatching time, fledging time, age at sexual maturity, longevity and body mass) among 240 species of birds using a phylogenetic comparative analysis and path analysis. We found that genome size was positively correlated with both body mass and hatching time. We also found that body mass was positively correlated with hatching time, age at sexual maturity and longevity in birds. Our findings suggest that although genome size was directly linked to body mass, evolution of larger genomes was also associated with larger bodies by the prolonged hatching time.

中文翻译：

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基因组大小变异与鸟类的生活史特征有关

基因组大小显着显示整个分类单元的变异。基因组大小变异受两个主要不同机制的影响（例如全基因组复制事件（多倍化）和非编码元件的积累）。此外，基因组大小的变化也受到系统发育信号，生活史特征和环境因素的影响。在这里，我们使用系统发育比较分析和路径分析研究了240种鸟类的基因组大小与生活史特征（例如离合器大小，孵化时间，成年时间，性成熟年龄，寿命和体重）之间的关系。我们发现基因组大小与体重和孵化时间均呈正相关。我们还发现，体重与家禽的孵化时间，性成熟年龄和寿命呈正相关。