Age-related variation in carotenoid-based plumage ornaments of male Red Bishops Euplectes orix

Journal of Ornithology - Tập 153 - Trang 413-420 - 2011
Alice U. Edler1, Thomas W. P. Friedl1
1Department of Biology and Environmental Sciences, Animal Physiology and Behaviour Group, Carl von Ossietzky University Oldenburg, Oldenburg, Germany

Tóm tắt

Males in many bird species develop elaborate carotenoid-based plumage ornaments which often play an important role as signals of individual quality in intra- or intersexual selection. However, knowledge of the pattern of age-related variation in plumage traits is crucial to interpret results on associations between plumage signals and reproductive performance. We investigated how age is related to brightness and carotenoid saturation of the orange-red breeding plumage in males of known age in the Red Bishop (Euplectes orix), a polygynous and sexually dimorphic weaverbird species. We found that the relationships of both plumage brightness and carotenoid saturation with age were best explained by a quadratic function, with males in their prime (i.e. 3–5 years old) having a brighter and more carotenoid-saturated plumage than both very young and very old males. The implications of our results for studies in the context of animal signalling are discussed.

Tài liệu tham khảo

Andersson S, Prager M (2006) Quantifying colors. In: Hill GE, McGraw KJ (eds) Bird coloration: mechanisms and measurements, vol 1. Harvard University Press, Cambridge, pp 41–89

Bonneaud C, Mazuc J, Chastel O, Westerdahl H, Sorci G (2004) Terminal investment induced by immune challenge and fitness traits associated with major histocompatibility complex in the house sparrow. Evolution 58:2823–2830

Freeman-Gallant CR, Taff CC, Morin DF, Dunn PO, Whittingham LA, Tsang SM (2010) Sexual selection, multiple male ornaments, and age- and condition-dependent signalling in the common yellowthroat. Evolution 64:1007–1017

Friedl TWP (2004) Breeding behaviour of the red bishop (Euplectes orix): a synthesis and new observations. Vogelwarte 42:178–190

Johnstone RA (1995) Sexual selection, honest advertisement and the handicap principle, reviewing the evidence. Biol Rev 70:1–65

Montgomerie R (2006) Analyzing colors. In: Hill GE, McGraw KJ (eds) Bird coloration: mechanisms and measurements, vol 1. Harvard University Press, Cambridge, pp 90–147

Sundberg J (1995) Parasites, plumage coloration and reproductive success in the yellowhammer, Emberiza citronella. Oikos 74:331–339