Coloration, Paternity, and Assortative Mating in Western Bluebirds

Jacobs, Anne C.; Fair, Jeanne M.; Zuk, Marlene

doi:10.1111/eth.12327

Cited by 13 publications

(15 citation statements)

References 57 publications

Supporting

Mentioning

Contrasting

Order By: Relevance

“…2013; Jacobs et al. 2015; Charmantier et al. 2017), and many studies have compared CVs between traits with different dimensions or statistical distribution.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

On the use of the coefficient of variation to quantify and compare trait variation

et al. 2020

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Meaningful comparison of variation in quantitative trait requires controlling for both the dimension of the varying entity and the dimension of the factor generating variation. Although the coefficient of variation (CV; standard deviation divided by the mean) is often used to measure and compare variation of quantitative traits, it only accounts for the dimension of the former, and its use for comparing variation may sometimes be inappropriate. Here, we discuss the use of the CV to compare measures of evolvability and phenotypic plasticity, two variational properties of quantitative traits. Using a dimensional analysis, we show that contrary to evolvability, phenotypic plasticity cannot be meaningfully compared across traits and environments by mean‐scaling trait variation. We further emphasize the need of remaining cognizant of the dimensions of the traits and the relationship between mean and standard deviation when comparing CVs, even when the scales on which traits are expressed allow meaningful calculation of the CV.

show abstract

“…2013; Jacobs et al. 2015; Charmantier et al. 2017), and many studies have compared CVs between traits with different dimensions or statistical distribution.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

On the use of the coefficient of variation to quantify and compare trait variation

et al. 2020

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

show abstract

“…My results are consistent with a previous study in western bluebirds that reported no relationship between female coloration and the rate of extra-pair paternity within broods (Jacobs et al, 2015). In contrast, female yellow warblers displaying plumage with greater melanin coverage, but lower carotenoid pigmentation had a higher proportion of extra-pair offspring in their broods compared to females with plumage that had both high melanin coverage and carotenoid pigmentation (Grunst and Grunst, 2014).…”

Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 91%

“…Finally, it is also possible that the ornamentation of females is unrelated to the proportion of extra-pair paternity, as previously demonstrated in western bluebirds (Sialia mexicana; Jacobs et al, 2015).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 90%

“…In many avian species, males and females show assortative mating for phenotypic traits, such as plumage colour (e.g., Jawor et al, 2003;Rowe and Weatherhead, 2011;Jacobs et al, 2015). One mechanism by which assortative mating may occur is mutual mate choice, where both sexes have a preference for mates displaying similar attractive ornamentation (Johnstone et al, 1996).…”

Section: Female Ornamentation As a Signal Of Attractiveness To Malesmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Empirical studies examining extra-pair mating have generally focused on the benefits and costs of extra-pair mating to females (reviewed in Patrick et al, 2012), but fewer studies have examined whether the ornamentation or behaviour of females underlies a female's success at gaining extra-pair copulations (e.g., García-Vigón et al, 2008;van Oers et al, 2008;Grunst and Grunst, 2014;Jacobs et al, 2015). Ornamental traits may influence a female's opportunity to engage in extra-pair copulations by attracting extra-pair mates (Torres and Velando, 2005) or enabling females to invade the territories of other females in search of extra-pair mates (Smith, 1988).…”

Section: Female Ornamentation and Behaviour As Proximate Causes Of Exmentioning

confidence: 99%

See 2 more Smart Citations

Determinants of making success in female Tree Swallows (Tachycineta Bicolor)

Berzins¹

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Females from a wide variety of taxa display elaborate ornaments and aggressive behaviours that are similar to those expressed by males. Although recent empirical investigation has demonstrated that ornamental traits and behaviours of females may function by attracting mates or signalling competitive ability when competing against conspecifics for access to mates and resources, less is known about how such traits influence the mating success of free-living female birds. For my research, I experimentally examined how variation in plumage brightness and behaviour of female tree swallows (Tachycineta bicolor) influenced their mating success.Plumage brightness of females had no influence on investment in parental care or mating strategies of males, or the quality of social mate paired to the female. These results suggest that bright plumage is not a signal of attractiveness preferred by male tree swallows.In contrast, I report evidence that plumage brightness of female tree swallows is involved in agonistic interactions with conspecifics. Females whose plumage brightness was enhanced to signal high quality were less able to retain their nest site than females whose plumage brightness was reduced to signal low quality. This suggests that females displaying bright plumage may be challenged by conspecifics of high quality to test the quality signalled by bright plumage, and is supported by the finding that females displaying enhanced plumage brightness suffered social costs, such as delaying breeding and producing low-quality nestlings. Despite these costs, females in the enhanced plumage brightness treatment mated with extra-pair males that were higher quality than their social mate.Behaviour of females, manipulated by elevating testosterone (T), lowered the proportion of extra-pair offspring in the broods of T-treated females. Females manipulated so that the androgenic and estrogenic actions of T were blocked also produced fewer extra-pair iii offspring, and suggest that the androgenic and/or estrogenic actions of T influence extra-pair copulation behavior of female tree swallows. In conclusion, my results show that plumage brightness and behaviour of female tree swallows influence their mating success, and highlight the importance of studies experimentally manipulating ornamental and behavioural traits of free-living female birds prior to breeding.iv

show abstract

Long-term phenology of two North American secondary cavity-nesters in response to changing climate conditions

Wysner

Bartlow

Hathcock

et al. 2019

Sci Nat

Self Cite

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Wildlife populations can respond to changes in climate conditions by either adapting or moving to areas with preferred climate regimes. We studied nesting responses of two bird species, western bluebird (Sialia mexicana) and ash-throated flycatcher (Myiarchus cinerascens), to changing climate conditions (i.e., rising temperatures and increased drought stress) over 21 years in northern New Mexico. We used data from 1649 nests to assess whether the two species responded to changing climate conditions through phenological shifts in breeding time or shifts in nesting elevation. We also examined changes in reproductive output (i.e., clutch size). Our data show that western bluebirds significantly increased nesting elevation over a 19-year period by approximately 5 m per year. Mean spring temperature was the best predictor of western bluebird nesting elevation. Higher nesting elevations were not correlated with hatch dates or clutch sizes in western bluebirds, suggesting that nesting at higher elevations does not affect breeding time or reproductive output. We did not observe significant changes in nesting elevation or breeding dates in ash-throated flycatchers. Nesting higher in elevation may allow western bluebirds to cope with the increased temperatures and droughts. However, this climate niche conservatism may pose a risk for the conservation of the species if climate change and habitat loss continue to occur. The lack of significant changes detected in nesting elevation, breeding dates, and reproductive output in ash-throated flycatchers suggests a higher tolerance for changing environmental conditions in this species. This is consistent with the population increases reported for flycatchers in areas experiencing dramatic climate changes.

show abstract

Coloration, Paternity, and Assortative Mating in Western Bluebirds

Cited by 13 publications

References 57 publications

On the use of the coefficient of variation to quantify and compare trait variation

On the use of the coefficient of variation to quantify and compare trait variation

Determinants of making success in female Tree Swallows (Tachycineta Bicolor)

Long-term phenology of two North American secondary cavity-nesters in response to changing climate conditions

Contact Info

Product

Resources

About