Sexual selection in the northern pintail (Anas acuta): the importance of female choice versus male-male competition in the evolution of sexually-selected traits

Sorenson, Lisa Guminski; Derrickson, Scott R.

doi:10.1007/bf00165841

Cited by 56 publications

(34 citation statements)

References 55 publications

(61 reference statements)

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“…In several aviary studies male-male competition and female choice have appeared to favour different traits (e.g. Johnson 1988;Sorenson & Derrickson 1994). In contrast, the same ornament (mask size) appeared to be involved in female choice and male-male competition in common yellowthroats, despite the presence of two other prominent ornaments.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Dual functions of a melanin-based ornament in the common yellowthroat

2005

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Melanin-based ornaments often function as signals in male-male competition, whereas carotenoid-based ornaments appear to be important in female mate choice. This difference in function is thought to occur because carotenoid pigments are more costly to produce than melanins and are thus more reliable indicators of male quality. We examined the role of melanin-and carotenoid-based ornaments in malemale competition and female choice in the common yellowthroat Geothlypis trichas, a sexually dichromatic passerine. Males display a black facial mask produced by melanin pigmentation and a bright yellow bib (throat, breast and belly) produced by carotenoid pigmentation. In controlled aviary experiments, mask size was the best predictor of both male-male competition and female mate choice, and, therefore, mask size may be regarded as an ornament of dual function. These dual functions may help to maintain the reliability of mask size as an indicator of male quality, despite the potentially low cost of production. The size of the bib was unrelated to male-male competition or female choice, but there was a tendency for females to prefer males with more colourful bibs. We propose that the black mask is important in competition for territories with other males and for attracting females. Our results highlight the need for more studies of the mechanisms of sexual selection in species with ornaments composed of different pigment types.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Dual functions of a melanin-based ornament in the common yellowthroat

2005

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“…Sorenson & Derrickson, 1994;Møller et al, 1998;Hill et al, 1999). For example, Birkhead, Fletcher & Pellatt (1998) found two sexual signals of zebra finches (Taeniopygia guttata), song rate and beak colour, to be uncorrelated after 11 weeks of food and exercise manipulation in the laboratory.…”

Section: (A) Estimation Of Overall Qualitymentioning

confidence: 99%

The use of multiple cues in mate choice

2003

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An increasing number of studies find females to base their mate choice on several cues. Why this occurs is debated and many different hypotheses have been proposed. Here I review the hypotheses and the evidence in favour of them. At the same time I provide a new categorisation based on the adaptiveness of the preferences and the information content of the cues. A few comparative and empirical studies suggest that most multiple cues are Fisherian attractiveness cues or uninformative cues that occur alongside a viability indicator and facilitate detection, improve signal reception, or are remnants from past selection pressures. However, much evidence exists for multiple cues providing additional information and serving as multiple messages that either indicate general mate quality or enable females that differ in mate preferences to choose the most suitable male. Less evidence exists for multiple cues serving as back-up signals. The importance of receiver psychology, multiple sensory environments and signal interaction in the evolution of multiple cues and preferences has received surprisingly little attention but may be of crucial importance. Similarly, sexual conflict has been proposed to result in maladaptive preferences for manipulative cues, and in neutral preferences for threshold cues, but no reliable evidence exists so far. An important factor in the evolution of multiple preferences is the cost of using additional cues. Most theoretical work assumes that the cost of choice increases with the number of cues used, which restricts the conditions under which preferences for multiple cues are expected to evolve. I suggest that in contrast to this expectation, the use of multiple cues can reduce mate choice costs by decreasing the number of mates inspected more closely or the time and energy spent inspecting a set of mates. This may be one explanation for why multiple cues are more common than usually expected. Finally I discuss the consequences that the use of multiple cues may have for the process of sexual selection, the maintenance of genetic variation, and speciation.

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“…For example, males tend to dominate females, older birds tend to dominate younger birds, and paired birds tend to dominate unpaired birds (Paulus 1983;Hepp & Hair 1984;Lamprecht 1986;Alexander 1987;Sorenson & Derrickson 1994). These factors, however, are unlikely to be important in the observed pattern of dominance between black ducks and mallards.…”

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confidence: 99%