The effects of life history and sexual selection on male and female plumage colouration

Nature, Journal Year: 2015, Volume and Issue: 527(7578), P. 367 - 370

Published: Nov. 4, 2015

Language: Английский

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A genetic mechanism for sexual dichromatism in birds

Science, Journal Year: 2020, Volume and Issue: 368(6496), P. 1270 - 1274

Published: June 11, 2020

Sexual dichromatism, a difference in coloration between males and females, may be due to sexual selection for ornamentation mate choice. Here, we show that carotenoid-based dichromatism mosaic canaries, hybrid phenotype arises offspring of the sexually dichromatic red siskin monochromatic is controlled by gene encodes carotenoid-cleaving enzyme β-carotene oxygenase 2 (BCO2). Dichromatism canaries explained differential carotenoid degradation integument, rather than sex-specific variation physiological functions such as pigment uptake or transport. Transcriptome analyses suggest integument might common mechanism contributing across finches. These results differences ornamental sexes can evolve through simple molecular mechanisms genes major effect.

Language: Английский

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Evolutionary predictors of the specific colors of birds

Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, Journal Year: 2023, Volume and Issue: 120(34)

Published: Aug. 14, 2023

Animal coloration is one of the most conspicuous aspects human-perceived organismal diversity, yet also least understood. In particular, explaining why species have specific colors (e.g., blue vs. red) has proven elusive. Here, we quantify for nearly all bird species, proportion body covered by each 12 human-visible color categories, and test whether existing theory can predict direction evolution. The common are black, white, gray brown, while rarest green, blue, purple, red. Males more red, or whereas females yellow, gray. Sexual dichromatism partly due to sexual selection favoring ornamental in males but not females. However, correlated positively with brown both sexes. Strong social favors red used agonistic signaling, strongest effects Reduced predation risk selects against cryptic brown) black). Nocturnality mainly associated brown. habitat use support sensory drive camouflage signaling. Darker living wet cold climates, matching ecogeographical rules. Our study unambiguously supports theories evolution across an entire class vertebrates, much variation remains unexplained.

Language: Английский

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The role of sexual and natural selection in shaping patterns of sexual dichromatism in the largest family of songbirds (Aves: Thraupidae)

Evolution, Journal Year: 2017, Volume and Issue: 71(4), P. 1061 - 1074

Published: Feb. 7, 2017

Males and females can be under different evolutionary pressures if sexual natural selection is differentially operating in each sex. As a result, many species have evolved dichromatism, or differences coloration between sexes. Although dichromatism often used as an index of the magnitude selection, composite trait. Here, we examine evolution one largest most ecologically diverse families birds, tanagers, using avian visual perspective species-level phylogeny. Our results demonstrate that decreases are more associated with larger frequent changes male plumage coloration, increases not either Furthermore, show crown ventral regions correlated males, only complexity positively dichromatism. Finally, light environment important shaping both brilliance complexity. By conducting multilevel analysis males females, evolves via mosaic

Language: Английский

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Female Song Occurs in Songbirds with More Elaborate Female Coloration and Reduced Sexual Dichromatism

Frontiers in Ecology and Evolution, Journal Year: 2016, Volume and Issue: 4

Published: March 15, 2016

Elaborate plumages and songs in male birds provide classic evidence for Darwinian sexual selection. However, trait elaboration is not gender-restricted: female song has recently been revealed as a taxonomically-widespread within the songbirds (oscine Passerines), prompting increased research into likely functions social/ecological correlates. Here we use phylogenetically-informed comparative analysis to test an evolutionary association between plumage color songbirds. If there trade-off signaling modes, predict negative correlation acoustic visual elaboration. This hypothesis commonly proposed males but mixed empirical support. Alternatively, if have similar or overlapping evolve under selection pressures, positive We published data on 1,023 species of novel approach that allows reliable objective comparison genders. Our results reveal significant colorfulness presence. In where females sing, (but males) are average more colorful – with concomitantly reduced dichromatism. These suggest evolved together pressures their respective reinforcing. discuss potential roles versus social driving this relationship, implications future signals.

Language: Английский

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Rethinking our assumptions about the evolution of bird song and other sexually dimorphic signals

Frontiers in Ecology and Evolution, Journal Year: 2015, Volume and Issue: 3

Published: April 14, 2015

Bird song is often cited as a classic example of sexually-selected ornament, in part because historically it has been considered primarily male trait. Recent evidence that females also sing many songbird species and sexual dimorphism the result losses rather than gains males therefore appears to challenge our understanding evolution bird through selection. Here I propose these new findings do not necessarily contradict previous research, but they disagree with some assumptions about dimorphisms general female particular. These include misconceptions current patterns elaboration diversity each sex reflect past rates change levels Using New World blackbirds (Icteridae) an example, critically evaluate light phylogenetic evidence. Understanding mechanisms underlying such sexually dimorphic traits requires clear their evolutionary histories. Only then can we begin ask right questions.

Language: Английский

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RECONSTRUCTING THE EVOLUTION OF SEXUAL DICHROMATISM: CURRENT COLOR DIVERSITY DOES NOT REFLECT PAST RATES OF MALE AND FEMALE CHANGE

Evolution, Journal Year: 2014, Volume and Issue: 68(7), P. 2026 - 2037

Published: April 1, 2014

Males of sexually dimorphic species often appear more divergent among taxa than do females, so it is assumed that evolutionary changes have occurred primarily in males. Yet, sexual dimorphisms can result from historical either or both the sexes, and few previous studies investigated such patterns using phylogenetic methods. Here, we describe evolution male female plumage colors grackles allies (Icteridae), a songbird clade with broad range levels dichromatism. Using model avian perceptual color space, calculated distances within on molecular phylogeny. Our results show changed dramatically past, yet are significantly today. Historical increases dichromatism involved whereas decreases nearly always females evolving rapidly to look like Dichromatism also associated mating system this group, monogamous tending exhibit relatively low findings suggest that, despite appearances, plays prominent role generally assumed.

Language: Английский

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Sexual Dichromatism Drives Diversification within a Major Radiation of African Amphibians

Systematic Biology, Journal Year: 2019, Volume and Issue: 68(6), P. 859 - 875

Published: April 11, 2019

Abstract Theory predicts that sexually dimorphic traits under strong sexual selection, particularly those involved with intersexual signaling, can accelerate speciation and produce bursts of diversification. Sexual dichromatism (sexual dimorphism in color) is widely used as a proxy for selection associated rapid diversification several animal groups, yet studies using phylogenetic comparative methods to explicitly test an association between have produced conflicting results. rare frogs, but it both striking prevalent African reed major component the diverse frog radiation termed Afrobatrachia. In contrast most other vertebrates, frogs display female-biased which females undergo color transformation, often resulting more ornate coloration than males. We robust phylogeny Afrobatrachia investigate evolutionary origins this examine whether presence increased rates net find evolved once within hyperoliids was followed by numerous independent reversals monochromatism. detect significant rate heterogeneity dichromatic lineages double average monochromatic lineages. By conducting trait simulations on our empirical phylogeny, we demonstrate inference trait-dependent robust. Although hyperoliid linked their supports macroevolutionary predictions function remains unclear. propose are compelling system studying roles natural evolution across micro- timescales.

Language: Английский

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Selection, constraint, and the evolution of coloration in African starlings

Evolution, Journal Year: 2016, Volume and Issue: 70(5), P. 1064 - 1079

Published: April 13, 2016

Colorful plumage plays a prominent role in the evolution of birds, influencing communication (sexual/social selection), and crypsis (natural selection). Comparative studies have focused primarily on these selective pressures, but mechanisms underlying color production can also be important by constraining gamut upon which selection acts. Iridescence is particularly interesting to study interaction between color-producing because broad range colors produced with shared template, innovations this template further expand increasing parameters interacting produce colors. We examine patterns ornamentation dichromatism African starlings, group remarkably diverse mechanisms, social systems, ecologies. find that presence iridescence ancestral group, being predominantly lost females cooperative breeders, as well species less labile templates. Color-producing interact are main predictors elaboration, little influence pressures their evolution. Dichromatism, however influenced system loss iridescence. Our results show importance considering both constraints, different roles they may have, dimorphism.

Language: Английский

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Female ornamentation is associated with elevated aggression and testosterone in a tropical songbird

Behavioral Ecology, Journal Year: 2018, Volume and Issue: 29(5), P. 1056 - 1066

Published: May 9, 2018

In males, testosterone plays a key role in ornament production and linking ornamentation with reproductive behaviors other traits to produce an integrated phenotype. Less is known about whether females couple testosterone, ornamentation, aggressive achieve female-specific combinations of traits. Ornamentation may be the result correlated expression male or female could arise as sex-specific selection pressures. Resolving between these alternatives necessary understand degree which acts on The White-shouldered Fairywren (Malurus alboscapulatus) provides useful context address questions because populations vary derived trait, whereas constant across both populations. We found that ornamented have higher levels circulating respond more aggressively experimental territorial intrusions than do unornamented females. These findings are consistent idea that, among Fairywrens, mechanistically link plumage behavioral competitive phenotype, has been reported for males closely related species. contrast, did not differ significantly More broadly, our ongoing mechanisms underlying ornaments, likely via social selection.

Language: Английский

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