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 causes and implications of sex role diversity in shorebird breeding systems

Ibis, Journal Year: 2023, Volume and Issue: 166(2), P. 357 - 385

Published: Oct. 11, 2023

Males and females often exhibit different behaviours during mate acquisition, pair‐bonding parenting, a convenient label to characterize these is sex role. The diverse roles that male female shorebirds (plovers, sandpipers allies) in mating parenting have played key role advancing mainstream theories avian ecology behavioural biology including sexual selection, conflict parental cooperation. Recent advances shorebird research also highlighted the significance of social environment driving by linking adult ratio with breeding behaviour population demography. Here we review using as an ecological model system. We identify knowledge gaps argue untapped potential accelerate fields evolutionary genomics, movement ecology, networks environmental changes. Future studies will benefit from individual‐based monitoring advanced tracking technologies, multi‐team collaborations are facilitated standardized data collection methodologies across species field. These not only contribute our understanding reproductive strategies, but they knock‐on effects on predicting resilience changes prioritizing for conservation.

Language: Английский

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The island syndrome in birds

Journal of Biogeography, Journal Year: 2023, Volume and Issue: 51(9), P. 1607 - 1622

Published: Sept. 16, 2023

Abstract The island syndrome is a widespread biological phenomenon that describes suite of morphological, behavioural, demographic and life‐history changes associated with dwelling. These similar evolutionary responses among disparate groups animals plants represent remarkable case convergent evolution. Among animals, birds are highly suitable group to study the syndrome; they comparatively data‐rich taxon, frequent colonisers, sometimes display extreme adaptations such as loss flight. However, avian literature fragmented, multiple components rarely considered together even though many inextricably linked. We reviewed multi‐species comparative studies, single‐species or population‐level studies anecdotal accounts, summarise assess support for individual birds, identify suites traits should be together. weight evidence patterns in morphology substantial, but more partial various aspects behaviour, life history physiology. Full validation will require less‐studied treated framework, covarying examined an integrated way. An improved description scope pave way understanding its drivers.

Language: Английский

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Macrobehaviour: behavioural variation across space, time, and taxa

Trends in Ecology & Evolution, Journal Year: 2023, Volume and Issue: 38(12), P. 1177 - 1188

Published: Sept. 1, 2023

We explore how integrating behavioural ecology and macroecology can provide fundamental new insight into both fields, with particular relevance for understanding ecological responses to rapid environmental change. outline the field of macrobehaviour, which aims unite these disciplines explicitly, highlight examples research in this space. Macrobehaviour be envisaged as a spectrum, where ecologists macroecologists use data borrow tools approaches from one another. At heart interdisciplinary considers selection context large-scale factors lead systematic patterns variation across space, time, taxa, turn, influence macroecological processes. has potential enhance forecasts future biodiversity

Language: Английский

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Start and end of daily activity predict extrapair siring success independently of age in male blue tits

Animal Behaviour, Journal Year: 2023, Volume and Issue: 198, P. 21 - 31

Published: Feb. 22, 2023

Copulations outside the pair bond are common among socially monogamous birds, but males differ in their extrapair siring success. A large body of research has focused on ultimate causes and consequences this variation, behavioural mechanisms underlying success remain poorly understood. Previous work showed that male songbirds start singing earlier at dawn sire more offspring, suggesting early morning activity influences likelihood obtaining copulations. However, pattern may be confounded by age, because adult typically have higher than yearling males. We used data from an automated monitoring system to examine whether males' end daily activity, is, time exiting roosting cavity entering roost evening, relates patterns paternity a population blue tits, Cyanistes caeruleus. In line with previous work, we found emerged nestbox had males, whereas loss was unaffected age class timing activity. effect emergence gain not simply due emerging even after controlling for variation class. Males ended evening were also likely independently discuss potential can explain how mating highlight need experimental manipulation test causality reported relationship.

Language: Английский

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The Importance of Olfaction for Mixed Paternity in Birds

Ecology and Evolution, Journal Year: 2025, Volume and Issue: 15(1)

Published: Jan. 1, 2025

ABSTRACT Olfaction can aid individuals in finding genetically compatible mates many animals, while high levels of mixed paternity may result from a limited ability to evaluate their mate's genetic profile against own before mating. To test this suggestion and explore if olfaction indeed influence mating patterns birds, we combined published measures olfactory with data on pattern the same species, across phylogenetically broad range species. We used three olfaction: (1) bulb diameter, (2) volume (3) number receptor genes (148, 134 48 respectively). These were then matched species‐specific estimates pattern, measured as percentage broods (> 1 male siring offspring brood). Limited overlaps between datasets resulted 30 species for 31 15 genes. Controlling brain size (telencephalon), correlated found that bigger relative lower proportion paternity. In contrast, there was no significant correlation or This study thus indicates birds be influenced by ability, diameter. Next, suggest expanding collecting olfactory‐focused measures, targeting which already exist, allow full phylogenetic analysis.

Language: Английский

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When Older Males Sire More Offspring—Increased Attractiveness or Higher Fertility?

Behavioral Ecology and Sociobiology, Journal Year: 2022, Volume and Issue: 76(5)

Published: April 23, 2022

In birds with extrapair mating, older males usually have higher fertilization success than younger males. Two hypotheses can potentially explain this pattern: 1) females prefer older, and often more ornamented males, or 2) invest in reproduction fertility Here we studied factors associated age-related male a population of barn swallows Hirundo rustica Canada. We document that increased gradually up to minimum age four-year old. The effect was especially strong for the number offspring obtained occurrence second brood. also an early start breeding spring. length elongated outermost tail feathers, postulated ornament preferred by females, (in both sexes), but it not significant predictor within classes. Male traits, testis size, sperm motility velocity, significantly across groups. Our results suggest is due their reproductive investments longer tails are adaptation arrival on grounds.The swallow socially monogamous passerine extensive mating. found become successful siring withinpair as they older. Their effort indicated larger testes, motile sperm, earlier outer feathers sexes, long did enhance among same age. Long probably rapid migration grounds. findings commonly observed increase better explained life history theory sexual selection theory.The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s00265-022-03170-0.

Language: Английский

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How much multiple paternity should we expect? A study of birds and contrast with mammals

Ecology and Evolution, Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: 14(3)

Published: March 1, 2024

Abstract Parentage analyses via molecular markers have revealed multiple paternity within the broods of polytocous species, reshaping our understanding animal behavior, ecology, and evolution. In a meta‐analysis in bird mammal we conducted literature search found 138 64 populations with microsatellite DNA results. Bird averaged 19.5% mammals more than twice that level (46.1%). We used Bayesian approach to construct null model for how should behave at random among under assumption all mated males equal likelihood siring success, given mean brood size number sires. compared differences between actual probabilities paternity. While few fell close model, most did not, averaging 34.0‐percentage points below predictions; had an average probability 13.6‐percentage model. Differences species were also subjected comparative phylogenetic generally confirmed not adjust estimated historical relationships. Birds exhibited extremely low paternity, only but relative other major taxa. The birds might be produced by variety factors, including behaviors reflect sexual selection (extreme mate guarding or unifocal female choice) sperm competition (e.g., precedence effects favoring fertilization early late matings).

Language: Английский

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Sexual dichromatism increases with altitude in birds with ultraviolet sensitive vision

Journal of Zoology, Journal Year: 2025, Volume and Issue: unknown

Published: Feb. 21, 2025

Abstract The harsher environment of higher altitudes increases selection for biparental care and extrinsic mortality, both which are expected to reduce the strength sexual selection. intensity is often studied using dimorphism as a proxy, especially dichromatism. In birds, multiple studies have shown that dichromatism decreases with increasing altitude. However, those either used small datasets or human scoring dichromatism, potentially missing out on significant levels cryptic This study includes measure subjective Vorobyev‐Osorio colour discrimination model in 758 species bird UV‐sensitive visual systems tests whether relationship exists between altitude We found positive relation when accounting vision Passeriformes, Charadriiformes, Psittaciformes Struthioniformes, but not measured scoring. suggests there might be greater pressure females select high‐quality males harsher, altitude, environments this signalling primarily done ultraviolet range. suggest macroecologists should pay closer attention receiver psychology signals even studying large number doing so could lead misleading spurious macroecological and/or macroevolutionary patterns.

Language: Английский

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Multiple paternity is related to adult sex ratio and sex determination system in reptiles

Journal of Evolutionary Biology, Journal Year: 2023, Volume and Issue: 36(6), P. 935 - 944

Published: June 1, 2023

Abstract The adult sex ratio (ASR, the proportion of males in population) is an emerging predictor reproductive behaviour, and recent studies birds humans suggest it a major driver social mating systems parental care. ASR may also influence genetic systems. For instance male-skewed ASRs are expected to increase frequency multiple paternity (defined here as clutch or litter sired by two more males) due higher rates coercive copulations males, and/or females exploiting opportunity copulation with diversity their offspring. Here, we evaluate this hypothesis reptiles that often exhibit high although its ecological life-history predictors have remained controversial. Using comprehensive dataset 81 species representing all four non-avian reptile orders, show increased predicted ASR, relationship robust simultaneous effects several predictors. Additionally, varies determination system: female heterogamety (ZZ/ZW chromosomes) levels than male (XY/XX) temperature-dependent determination. Thus, our across-species comparative study provides first evidence system depends on reptiles. We call for further investigations uncover complex evolutionary associations between systems, ASR. "Phylogenetic analyses clutches associated ratio. species."

Language: Английский

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