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Mizuno A, Soma M. Pre-existing visual preference for white dot patterns in estrildid finches: a comparative study of a multi-species experiment. ROYAL SOCIETY OPEN SCIENCE 2023; 10:231057. [PMID: 37859833 PMCID: PMC10582589 DOI: 10.1098/rsos.231057] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/24/2023] [Accepted: 09/28/2023] [Indexed: 10/21/2023]
Abstract
The diverse characteristics of animal signal designs can be explained by the sensory bias hypothesis, which suggests that natural selection shapes sensory bias and preferences associated with signal design. Traditionally, this hypothesis has focused on female sensory biases and male sexual traits. However, considering shared sensory systems between males and females in non-sexual contexts, existing sensory bias possibly contributes to the evolution of shared social and sexual traits. Our previous studies on the family Estrildidae supported this idea. An evolutionary relationship probably existed between diet and white dot plumage, and a species of estrildid finches showed a visual preference for white dot patterns. To investigate this further, we examined hunger-related visual preferences using phylogenetic comparative methods and behavioural experiments. Specifically, we compared the gazing responses of 12 species of estrildids to monochromatic printed white dot and stripe patterns, considering their phylogenetic relationships. The results support our idea that the common estrildid ancestor had a hunger-related visual preference for white dot patterns. Subject species generally preferred white dots to stripes. Furthermore, males and females showed a similar preference towards dots. Our findings provide insights into the role of sensory bias in the evolution of mutual ornamentation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ayumi Mizuno
- Department of Biology, Faculty of Science, Hokkaido University, Sapporo, Hokkaido, Japan
| | - Masayo Soma
- Department of Biology, Faculty of Science, Hokkaido University, Sapporo, Hokkaido, Japan
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2
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Mizuno A, Soma M. Star finches Neochmia ruficauda have a visual preference for white dot patterns: a possible case of trypophilia. Anim Cogn 2022; 25:1271-1279. [PMID: 35294684 PMCID: PMC9617841 DOI: 10.1007/s10071-022-01609-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/08/2021] [Revised: 12/03/2021] [Accepted: 03/01/2022] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
Abstract
Many animals have polka dot patterns on their body surface, some of which are known to have signalling functions; however, their evolutionary origins remain unclear. Dot patterns can trigger a fear response (trypophobia) in humans and are known to function as aposematic signals in non-human animals, suggesting that dots may deserve attention for biological reasons. Interestingly in many birds, plumage dot patterns serve for social/sexual signalling. To understand their evolution, we have focused on the sensory bias hypothesis, which predicts the role of pre-existing sensory preference driven by natural selection in shaping signal design. Our previous phylogenetic comparative study supported the hypothesis and showed that diet-driven visual preference promoted the evolution of plumage patterns, as there was an evolutionary correlation between termite-eating (white roundish gregarious prey) and the presence of plumage dot patterns in species of the family Estrildidae. This suggests that these species possess an intrinsic preference for dots. To test this, we compared the responses of an Estrildid species with dot plumage pattern (star finch Neochmia ruficauda) towards simultaneously presented monochrome-printed white dot vs white stripe patterns under both food-deprived and -supplied conditions. Overall, star finches preferred dots to stripes. They showed foraging-like behaviours almost only toward dots when hungry and gazed at dots frequently even when food was available, suggesting both hunger-related and hunger-neutral dot preferences. These results are rather surprising, given how strongly the subjects were attracted to abstract dot patterns without organic structure, but provided good support for the sensory bias hypothesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ayumi Mizuno
- Biosystems Science Course, The Graduate School of Life Science, Hokkaido University, Sapporo, Hokkaido, Japan
| | - Masayo Soma
- Department of Biology, Faculty of Science, Hokkaido University, Kita 10 Nishi 8, Kita-ku, Sapporo, Hokkaido, 060-0810, Japan.
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3
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Gatto E, Bruzzone M, Lucon-Xiccato T. Innate visual discrimination abilities of zebrafish larvae. Behav Processes 2021; 193:104534. [PMID: 34755638 DOI: 10.1016/j.beproc.2021.104534] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/16/2021] [Revised: 10/23/2021] [Accepted: 10/27/2021] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
The ability to discriminate between objects visually plays a key role in animals' interactions with their environment because it enables them to recognise companions, prey, and predators. In the zebrafish, Danio rerio, hatching occurs early on during development (48-72 h post fertilisation), and the larvae must forage and evade predators despite their immature sensory and cognitive systems. Using a preference paradigm, we investigated whether larval zebrafish are nonetheless capable of discriminating between visual stimuli. We found that larvae discriminated not only between figures with different colours or different shapes, but also between two identical figures with different orientations and between sets of figures with different numerosities. By manipulating larvae's exposure to objects before the test, we demonstrated that their discrimination abilities are innate and do not depend upon experience. This study highlighted that zebrafish possess relatively sophisticated visual discrimination abilities even at the larval stage. These abilities likely improve larval survival via the recognition of biologically relevant stimuli.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elia Gatto
- Department of General Psychology, University of Padova, Padova, Italy.
| | - Matteo Bruzzone
- Department of General Psychology, University of Padova, Padova, Italy; Padua Neuroscience Center - PNC, University of Padova, Padova, Italy
| | - Tyrone Lucon-Xiccato
- Department of Life Sciences and Biotechnology, University of Ferrara, Ferrara, Italy
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4
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Graves EE, Eadie JM. White eye patches of female wood ducks, Aix sponsa, vary markedly in size and may reflect individual status or condition. Anim Behav 2020. [DOI: 10.1016/j.anbehav.2020.06.023] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/24/2022]
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5
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Mizuno A, Soma M. Potential role of sensory bias in plumage pattern evolution: termite-eating and polka-dots in estrildid finches. ETHOL ECOL EVOL 2020. [DOI: 10.1080/03949370.2020.1803414] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/23/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Ayumi Mizuno
- Biosystems Science Course, The Graduate School of Life Science, Hokkaido University, Kita 10 Nishi 8, Kita-ku, Sapporo, Hokkaido 060-0810, Japan
| | - Masayo Soma
- Department of Biology, Faculty of Science, Hokkaido University, Kita 10 Nishi 8, Kita-ku, Sapporo, Hokkaido 060-0810, Japan
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6
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Morales J, Cuervo JJ, Moreno J, Soler JJ. Juvenile plumage whiteness is associated with the evolution of clutch size in passerines. Behav Ecol 2019. [DOI: 10.1093/beheco/arz058] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Abstract
The offspring of many animals are conspicuous during parental dependence, despite juveniles generally suffering from high predation risk. However, to date, it is unclear whether offspring structural ornaments play a role in intrafamily communication. This is the case of conspicuous plumage in young birds, which is worn unchanged during a long period after fledging, when they still depend on their parents. If plumage color facilitates intrafamily interactions, its role should be more important in large-brooded species, where the strength of intrafamily conflict is potentially stronger. We therefore performed a comparative study in 210 passerine bird species to test whether an offspring structural trait, white plumage, evolves more frequently in lineages with larger clutches. We also explored the number of broods raised per year as another source of intrafamily conflict. First, we found that juvenile whiteness was more frequent in open-nesting species. Moreover, in agreement with our prediction, the presence of juvenile white tail/wing patches was strongly and positively associated with clutch size. This relationship was not due to the strong resemblance between offspring and adult plumage, which was controlled for in the statistical analyses. Moreover, the association remained significant after taking into account predation risk, for which there was information for a subset of species. In contrast, juvenile whiteness was not associated with the number of broods raised per year. These results may suggest that the evolution of juvenile conspicuousness is favored in species with potentially stronger intrabrood sibling conflict.
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Affiliation(s)
- Judith Morales
- National Museum of Natural Sciences (MNCN-CSIC), c/ José Gutiérrez Abascal, Madrid, Spain
| | - José Javier Cuervo
- National Museum of Natural Sciences (MNCN-CSIC), c/ José Gutiérrez Abascal, Madrid, Spain
| | - Juan Moreno
- National Museum of Natural Sciences (MNCN-CSIC), c/ José Gutiérrez Abascal, Madrid, Spain
| | - Juan José Soler
- Estación Experimental de Zonas Áridas (EEZA-CSIC), Ctra. de Sacramento s/n, La Cañada de San Urbano, Almería, Spain
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7
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Leitão AV, Hall ML, Delhey K, Mulder RA. Female and male plumage colour signals aggression in a dichromatic tropical songbird. Anim Behav 2019. [DOI: 10.1016/j.anbehav.2019.01.025] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/26/2022]
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8
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Enbody ED, Boersma J, Schwabl H, Karubian J. Female ornamentation is associated with elevated aggression and testosterone in a tropical songbird. Behav Ecol 2018. [DOI: 10.1093/beheco/ary079] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Erik D Enbody
- Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, Tulane University, New Orleans, LA, USA
| | - Jordan Boersma
- School of Biological Sciences, Washington State University, Pullman, WA, USA
| | - Hubert Schwabl
- School of Biological Sciences, Washington State University, Pullman, WA, USA
| | - Jordan Karubian
- Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, Tulane University, New Orleans, LA, USA
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Fitzpatrick CL, Servedio MR. The evolution of male mate choice and female ornamentation: a review of mathematical models. Curr Zool 2018; 64:323-333. [PMID: 30402075 PMCID: PMC6007321 DOI: 10.1093/cz/zoy029] [Citation(s) in RCA: 39] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/28/2017] [Accepted: 03/29/2018] [Indexed: 11/14/2022] Open
Abstract
The evolution of male preferences and of female ornaments in species with traditional sex roles (i.e., polygyny) have been highlighted as areas in need of more active research by an accumulation of recent findings. The theoretical literature on these topics is relatively small and has centered on the evolution of male choice. Mathematical models have emphasized that, under polygyny, the evolution of male preferences faces much greater competition costs than does the evolution of female preferences. We discuss ways in which costly male choice can nonetheless evolve, via (1) direct selection that favors preferences, primarily through mating with highly fecund females, (2) mechanisms that rely on indirect selection, which weakly counters competitive costs of male preferences, and (3) genetic constraints, primarily in the form of pleiotropy of male and female preferences and traits. We also review a variety of mathematical models that have elucidated how costs to male preferences can be avoided. Finally, we turn our attention to the relatively scant theoretical literature on the effects of male mate choice on the evolution of female traits. We emphasize the finding that the presence of male preferences cannot be assumed to lead to the evolution of female ornaments during polygyny, and point out situations where models have elucidated ways in which female ornaments can nevertheless evolve.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Maria R Servedio
- Department of Biology, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC 27516, USA
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10
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Soma M, Garamszegi LZ. Evolution of patterned plumage as a sexual signal in estrildid finches. Behav Ecol 2018. [DOI: 10.1093/beheco/ary021] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/25/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Masayo Soma
- Department of Biology, Faculty of Science, Hokkaido University, Kita-ku, Sapporo, Hokkaido, Japan
| | - László Zsolt Garamszegi
- Department of Evolutionary Ecology, Estación Biológica de Doñana-CSIC, c/Americo Vespucio, Seville, Spain
- MTA-ELTE, Theoretical Biology and Evolutionary Ecology Research Group, Department of Plant Systematics, Ecology and Theoretical Biology, Eötvös Loránd University, Pázmány Péter sétány, Budapest, Hungary
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11
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Møller AP. Experimental manipulation of size and shape of tail spots and sexual selection in barn swallows. Curr Zool 2018; 63:569-572. [PMID: 29492016 PMCID: PMC5804199 DOI: 10.1093/cz/zow098] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/14/2016] [Accepted: 09/23/2016] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Barn swallows Hirundo rustica have white spots on their tail feathers, and they have been hypothesized to be a handicap because white spots are prone to feather breakage, ectoparasites are disproportionately common in white spots, and size of white spots increases with tail length. Here I test for attractiveness of narrow and long tail spots by manipulation of their shape while using complete painting of spots and an absence of treatment as a control. Female barn swallows are known to differentially invest in reproduction when mated to attractive males. Spot manipulation took place during laying of the first clutch, and there were no effects of treatment on clutch size or brood size of first or second broods. In contrast, the incidence of second clutches and the total number of eggs and fledglings produced during the breeding season was larger in males with painting of the side of tail spots rather than painting of the tip of spots, painting of entire spots, or no treatment. These findings are consistent with the hypothesis that it is the shape rather than the size of tail spots that affects differential reproductive effort by female barn swallows.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anders P Møller
- Ecologie Systématique Evolution, CNRS, Université Paris-Sud, AgroParisTech, Université Paris-Saclay, Orsay F-91400, France
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12
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Female incubation attendance and nest vigilance reflect social signaling capacity: a field experiment. Behav Ecol Sociobiol 2018. [DOI: 10.1007/s00265-017-2423-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/18/2022]
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13
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Queller PS, Murphy TG. Seasonal variation in the utility of a status signaling system: Plumage ornament predicts foraging success only during periods of high competition. PLoS One 2017; 12:e0185584. [PMID: 28973029 PMCID: PMC5626437 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0185584] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/22/2017] [Accepted: 09/17/2017] [Indexed: 11/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Status signals allow competitors to assess each other’s resource holding potential and reduce the occurrence of physical fights. Because status signals function to mediate competition over resources, a change in the strength of competition may affect the utility of a status signaling system. Status signals alter competitor behavior during periods of high competition, and thus determine access to resources; however, when competition is reduced, we expect these signals to become disassociated from access to resources. We investigated seasonal changes in status signaling of the male black-crested titmouse (Baeolophus atricristatus), a species that experiences substantial changes in population density and competition for food over the annual cycle. We compared the size of the prominent head-crest to foraging success at community-used feeding stations; we tested this relationship when competition was seasonally high, and when competition was seasonally low. We then experimentally decreased the number of feeders to increase competition (during the season of low-competition), and again tested whether male crest size predicted access to feeders. When competition was seasonally high, males with longer crests had greater access to feeders, but this pattern was not apparent when competition was seasonally low. When competition was experimentally increased, males with longer crests were again more successful at maintaining access to feeders. These findings provide evidence of a context-dependent status signaling system, where the status signal only mediates access to resources during periods of high competition. We discuss possible hypotheses for why the signaling system may not be functional, or detectable, during periods of low competition, including that competitors may interact less frequently and so have reduced opportunity for signaling, or that status signals are disregarded by receivers during periods of low competition because signalers are unlikely to escalate a contest into a fight. In any case, these results indicate that resource availability affects a status signaling system, and that the potential for status signaling persists in this system between seasons, even though such signaling may not be overtly present or detectable during periods of low competition.
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Affiliation(s)
- Philip S. Queller
- Department of Biology, Trinity University, San Antonio, Texas, United States of America
| | - Troy G. Murphy
- Department of Biology, Trinity University, San Antonio, Texas, United States of America
- * E-mail:
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14
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Stern CA, Servedio MR. Evolution of a mating preference for a dual-utility trait used in intrasexual competition in genetically monogamous populations. Ecol Evol 2017; 7:8008-8016. [PMID: 29043052 PMCID: PMC5632625 DOI: 10.1002/ece3.3145] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/14/2016] [Revised: 05/02/2017] [Accepted: 05/10/2017] [Indexed: 11/07/2022] Open
Abstract
The selection pressures by which mating preferences for ornamental traits can evolve in genetically monogamous mating systems remain understudied. Empirical evidence from several taxa supports the prevalence of dual-utility traits, defined as traits used both as armaments in intersexual selection and ornaments in intrasexual selection, as well as the importance of intrasexual resource competition for the evolution of female ornamentation. Here, we study whether mating preferences for traits used in intrasexual resource competition can evolve under genetic monogamy. We find that a mating preference for a competitive trait can evolve and affect the evolution of the trait. The preference is more likely to persist when the fecundity benefit for mates of successful competitors is large and the aversion to unornamented potential mates is strong. The preference can persist for long periods or potentially permanently even when it incurs slight costs. Our results suggest that, when females use ornaments as signals in intrasexual resource competition, males can evolve mating preferences for those ornaments, illuminating both the evolution of female ornamentation and the evolution of male preferences for female ornaments in monogamous species.
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Affiliation(s)
- Caitlin A. Stern
- Department of BiologyCB 3280 Coker HallUniversity of North CarolinaChapel HillNCUSA
- Present address:
Caitlin A. Stern, Santa Fe InstituteSanta FeNMUSA
- Present address:
Interacting Minds CentreAarhus UniversityAarhus CDenmark
| | - Maria R. Servedio
- Department of BiologyCB 3280 Coker HallUniversity of North CarolinaChapel HillNCUSA
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15
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Rubalcaba JG, Fuentes D, Veiga JP, Polo V. Nest decoration as social signals by males and females: greenery and feathers in starling colonies. Behav Ecol 2017. [DOI: 10.1093/beheco/arx101] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/14/2022] Open
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16
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Gomes ACR, Funghi C, Soma M, Sorenson MD, Cardoso GC. Multimodal signalling in estrildid finches: song, dance and colour are associated with different ecological and life‐history traits. J Evol Biol 2017; 30:1336-1346. [DOI: 10.1111/jeb.13102] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/05/2016] [Accepted: 04/12/2017] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- A. C. R. Gomes
- CIBIO – Centro de Investigação em Biodiversidade e Recursos Genéticos Campus Agrário de Vairão Universidade do Porto Vairão Portugal
| | - C. Funghi
- CIBIO – Centro de Investigação em Biodiversidade e Recursos Genéticos Campus Agrário de Vairão Universidade do Porto Vairão Portugal
| | - M. Soma
- Department of Biology Faculty of Science Hokkaido University Sapporo Hokkaido Japan
| | | | - G. C. Cardoso
- CIBIO – Centro de Investigação em Biodiversidade e Recursos Genéticos Campus Agrário de Vairão Universidade do Porto Vairão Portugal
- Behavioural Ecology Group Department of Biology University of Copenhagen Copenhagen Ø Denmark
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17
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Cantarero A, López-Arrabé J, Palma A, Moreno J. Oxidative status in nestlings shows different associations with parental carotenoid-based plumage ornaments depending on parental sex and year: a study of rock sparrowsPetronia petronia. ETHOL ECOL EVOL 2017. [DOI: 10.1080/03949370.2016.1260059] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/20/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Alejandro Cantarero
- Museo Nacional de Ciencias Naturales – CSIC, Dpto Ecología Evolutiva, C/José Gutiérrez Abascal 2, 28006 Madrid, Spain
| | - Jimena López-Arrabé
- Museo Nacional de Ciencias Naturales – CSIC, Dpto Ecología Evolutiva, C/José Gutiérrez Abascal 2, 28006 Madrid, Spain
| | - Antonio Palma
- Estación Biológica de Doñana – CSIC, Dpto Ecología Evolutiva, Avda. Américo Vespucio s/n, Isla de la Cartuja, 41092 Sevilla, Spain
| | - Juan Moreno
- Museo Nacional de Ciencias Naturales – CSIC, Dpto Ecología Evolutiva, C/José Gutiérrez Abascal 2, 28006 Madrid, Spain
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18
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López-Idiáquez D, Vergara P, Fargallo J, Martínez-Padilla J. Female plumage coloration signals status to conspecifics. Anim Behav 2016. [DOI: 10.1016/j.anbehav.2016.08.020] [Citation(s) in RCA: 35] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/05/2023]
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19
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Simpson RK, Johnson MA, Murphy TG. Migration and the evolution of sexual dichromatism: evolutionary loss of female coloration with migration among wood-warblers. Proc Biol Sci 2016; 282:20150375. [PMID: 26019159 DOI: 10.1098/rspb.2015.0375] [Citation(s) in RCA: 35] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/12/2022] Open
Abstract
The mechanisms underlying evolutionary changes in sexual dimorphism have long been of interest to biologists. A striking gradient in sexual dichromatism exists among songbirds in North America, including the wood-warblers (Parulidae): males are generally more colourful than females at northern latitudes, while the sexes are similarly ornamented at lower latitudes. We use phylogenetically controlled comparative analysis to test three non-mutually exclusive hypotheses for the evolution of sexual dichromatism among wood-warblers. The first two hypotheses focus on the loss of female coloration with the evolution of migration, either owing to the costs imposed by visual predators during migration, or owing to the relaxation of selection for female social signalling at higher latitudes. The third hypothesis focuses on whether sexual dichromatism evolved owing to changes in male ornamentation as the strength of sexual selection increases with breeding latitude. To test these hypotheses, we compared sexual dichromatism to three variables: the presence of migration, migration distance, and breeding latitude. We found that the presence of migration and migration distance were both positively correlated with sexual dichromatism, but models including breeding latitude alone were not strongly supported. Ancestral state reconstruction supports the hypothesis that the ancestral wood-warblers were monochromatic, with both colourful males and females. Combined, these results are consistent with the hypotheses that the evolution of migration is associated with the relaxation of selection for social signalling among females and that there are increased predatory costs along longer migratory routes for colourful females. These results suggest that loss of female ornamentation can be a driver of sexual dichromatism and that social or natural selection may be a stronger contributor to variation in dichromatism than sexual selection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Richard K Simpson
- Department of Biology, Trinity University, San Antonio, TX 78212, USA
| | - Michele A Johnson
- Department of Biology, Trinity University, San Antonio, TX 78212, USA
| | - Troy G Murphy
- Department of Biology, Trinity University, San Antonio, TX 78212, USA
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20
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Cline MH, Hatt JL, Conroy MJ, Cooper RJ. Experimental evidence for a phenotypic trait as an age-dependent intrasexual social signal between familiar individuals. Anim Behav 2016. [DOI: 10.1016/j.anbehav.2015.11.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
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21
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Bath E, Wigby S, Vincent C, Tobias JA, Seddon N. Condition, not eyespan, predicts contest outcome in female stalk-eyed flies, Teleopsis dalmanni. Ecol Evol 2015; 5:1826-36. [PMID: 26140199 PMCID: PMC4485964 DOI: 10.1002/ece3.1467] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/13/2015] [Revised: 02/12/2015] [Accepted: 02/16/2015] [Indexed: 11/06/2022] Open
Abstract
In contests among males, body condition is often the key determinant of a successful outcome, with fighting ability signaled by so-called armaments, that is, exaggerated, condition-dependent traits. However, it is not known whether condition and exaggerated traits function in the same way in females. Here, we manipulated adult condition by varying larval nutrition in the stalk-eyed fly, Teleopsis dalmanni, a species in which eyespan is exaggerated in both sexes, and we measured the outcome of contests between females of similar or different body condition and relative eyespan. We found that females in higher condition, with both larger bodies and eyespan, won a higher proportion of encounters when competing against rivals of lower condition. However, when females were of equal condition, neither eyespan nor body length had an effect on the outcome of a contest. An analysis of previously published data revealed a similar pattern in males: individuals with large relative eyespan did not win significantly more encounters when competing with individuals of a similar body size. Contrary to expectations, and to previous findings in males, there was no clear effect of differences in body size or eyespan affecting contest duration in females. Taken together, our findings suggest that although eyespan can provide an honest indicator of condition, large eyespans provide no additional benefit to either sex in intrasexual aggressive encounters; body size is instead the most important factor.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eleanor Bath
- Department of Zoology, Edward Grey Institute, University of OxfordOxford, OX1 3PS, UK
| | - Stuart Wigby
- Department of Zoology, Edward Grey Institute, University of OxfordOxford, OX1 3PS, UK
| | - Claire Vincent
- Department of Zoology, Edward Grey Institute, University of OxfordOxford, OX1 3PS, UK
| | - Joseph A Tobias
- Department of Zoology, Edward Grey Institute, University of OxfordOxford, OX1 3PS, UK
| | - Nathalie Seddon
- Department of Zoology, Edward Grey Institute, University of OxfordOxford, OX1 3PS, UK
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22
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Same trait, different receiver response: unlike females, male American goldfinches do not signal status with bill colour. Anim Behav 2014. [DOI: 10.1016/j.anbehav.2014.04.034] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/18/2022]
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Female-female competition is influenced by forehead patch expression in pied flycatcher females. Behav Ecol Sociobiol 2014. [DOI: 10.1007/s00265-014-1730-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/08/2023]
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Costs and benefits of competitive traits in females: aggression, maternal care and reproductive success. PLoS One 2013; 8:e77816. [PMID: 24204980 PMCID: PMC3813731 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0077816] [Citation(s) in RCA: 37] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/16/2013] [Accepted: 09/04/2013] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Recent research has shown that female expression of competitive traits can be advantageous, providing greater access to limited reproductive resources. In males increased competitive trait expression often comes at a cost, e.g. trading off with parental effort. However, it is currently unclear whether, and to what extent, females also face such tradeoffs, whether the costs associated with that tradeoff overwhelm the potential benefits of resource acquisition, and how environmental factors might alter those relationships. To address this gap, we examine the relationships between aggression, maternal effort, offspring quality and reproductive success in a common songbird, the dark-eyed junco (Junco hyemalis), over two breeding seasons. We found that compared to less aggressive females, more aggressive females spent less time brooding nestlings, but fed nestlings more frequently. In the year with better breeding conditions, more aggressive females produced smaller eggs and lighter hatchlings, but in the year with poorer breeding conditions they produced larger eggs and achieved greater nest success. There was no relationship between aggression and nestling mass after hatch day in either year. These findings suggest that though females appear to tradeoff competitive ability with some forms of maternal care, the costs may be less than previously thought. Further, the observed year effects suggest that costs and benefits vary according to environmental variables, which may help to account for variation in the level of trait expression.
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Zanollo V, Griggio M, Robertson J, Kleindorfer S. Males with a Faster Courtship Display have More White Spots and Higher Pairing Success in the Diamond Firetail,Stagonopleura guttata. Ethology 2013. [DOI: 10.1111/eth.12071] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Valeria Zanollo
- School of Biological Sciences; Flinders University of South Australia; Adelaide; SA; Australia
| | - Matteo Griggio
- Konrad Lorenz Institute of Ethology; Department of Integrative Biology and Evolution; University of Veterinary Medicine Vienna; Vienna; Austria
| | - Jeremy Robertson
- School of Biological Sciences; Flinders University of South Australia; Adelaide; SA; Australia
| | - Sonia Kleindorfer
- School of Biological Sciences; Flinders University of South Australia; Adelaide; SA; Australia
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Tobias JA, Montgomerie R, Lyon BE. The evolution of female ornaments and weaponry: social selection, sexual selection and ecological competition. Philos Trans R Soc Lond B Biol Sci 2012; 367:2274-93. [PMID: 22777016 PMCID: PMC3391421 DOI: 10.1098/rstb.2011.0280] [Citation(s) in RCA: 319] [Impact Index Per Article: 26.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Ornaments, weapons and aggressive behaviours may evolve in female animals by mate choice and intrasexual competition for mating opportunities-the standard forms of sexual selection in males. However, a growing body of evidence suggests that selection tends to operate in different ways in males and females, with female traits more often mediating competition for ecological resources, rather than mate acquisition. Two main solutions have been proposed to accommodate this disparity. One is to expand the concept of sexual selection to include all mechanisms related to fecundity; another is to adopt an alternative conceptual framework-the theory of social selection-in which sexual selection is one component of a more general form of selection resulting from all social interactions. In this study, we summarize the history of the debate about female ornaments and weapons, and discuss potential resolutions. We review the components of fitness driving ornamentation in a wide range of systems, and show that selection often falls outside the limits of traditional sexual selection theory, particularly in females. We conclude that the evolution of these traits in both sexes is best understood within the unifying framework of social selection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joseph A Tobias
- Edward Grey Institute, Department of Zoology, University of Oxford, Oxford OX1 3PS, UK.
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