1
|
How king penguins advertise their sexual maturity. Anim Behav 2021. [DOI: 10.1016/j.anbehav.2021.05.015] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/18/2022]
|
2
|
Niida T, Koshikawa S. No evidence for contribution of sexually monomorphic wing pigmentation pattern to mate choice in
Drosophila guttifera. Ethology 2021. [DOI: 10.1111/eth.13157] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/15/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Takuma Niida
- Graduate School of Environmental Science Hokkaido University Sapporo Japan
| | - Shigeyuki Koshikawa
- Graduate School of Environmental Science Hokkaido University Sapporo Japan
- Faculty of Environmental Earth Science Hokkaido University Sapporo Japan
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
A kestrel without hooked beak and talons is not a kestrel for the red-backed shrike (Lanius collurio). Anim Cogn 2021; 24:957-968. [PMID: 33742355 DOI: 10.1007/s10071-020-01450-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/24/2020] [Revised: 10/06/2020] [Accepted: 11/13/2020] [Indexed: 10/21/2022]
Abstract
Birds are strongly motivated to recognize various predators to secure survival and reproductive success. Thus, predator recognition provides a useful tool for the investigation of the process of discrimination and categorization in non-trained animals. The most important role in this process is usually attributed to the prominent unique features shared by all members within the wider category of predators (sharp teeth or beaks, claws, talons and conspicuous eyes). However, birds are also able to discriminate between particular predator species according to their species-specific features (based mainly on colouration). We manipulated general raptor salient features (hooked beak, talons with claws and eyes with supraorbital ridges) and/or species-specific plumage colouration on the dummy of a Eurasian kestrel (Falco tinnunculus) to investigate their importance in the recognition process of the red-backed shrikes (Lanius collurio) during nest defence. We showed that the presence of general raptor salient features is necessary for the recognition of a predator. The kestrel dummy with natural species-specific colouration with altered raptor salient features was treated by shrikes as a harmless bird. Nevertheless, pronounced changes in colouration also prevented successful recognition of the dummy as a kestrel, even when raptor salient features of a raptor were present.
Collapse
|
4
|
Wiens JJ, Tuschhoff E. Songs versus colours versus horns: what explains the diversity of sexually selected traits? Biol Rev Camb Philos Soc 2020; 95:847-864. [PMID: 32092241 DOI: 10.1111/brv.12593] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/14/2019] [Revised: 01/25/2020] [Accepted: 02/10/2020] [Indexed: 01/14/2023]
Abstract
Papers on sexual selection often highlight the incredible diversity of sexually selected traits across animals. Yet, few studies have tried to explain why this diversity evolved. Animals use many different types of traits to attract mates and outcompete rivals, including colours, songs, and horns, but it remains unclear why, for example, some taxa have songs, others have colours, and others horns. Here, we first conduct a systematic survey of the basic diversity and distribution of different types of sexually selected signals and weapons across the animal Tree of Life. Based on this survey, we describe seven major patterns in trait diversity and distributions. We then discuss 10 unanswered questions raised by these patterns, and how they might be addressed. One major pattern is that most types of sexually selected signals and weapons are apparently absent from most animal phyla (88%), in contrast to the conventional wisdom that a diversity of sexually selected traits is present across animals. Furthermore, most trait diversity is clustered in Arthropoda and Chordata, but only within certain clades. Within these clades, many different types of traits have evolved, and many types appear to have evolved repeatedly. By contrast, other major arthropod and chordate clades appear to lack all or most trait types, and similar patterns are repeated at smaller phylogenetic scales (e.g. within insects). Although most research on sexual selection focuses on female choice, we find similar numbers of traits (among sampled species) are involved in male contests (44%) and female choice (55%). Overall, these patterns are largely unexplained and unexplored, as are many other fundamental questions about the evolution of these traits. We suggest that understanding the diversity of sexually selected traits may require a shift towards macroevolutionary studies at relatively deep timescales (e.g. tens to hundreds of millions of years ago).
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- John J Wiens
- Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ, 85721-0088, U.S.A
| | - E Tuschhoff
- Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ, 85721-0088, U.S.A
| |
Collapse
|
5
|
Lemaire BS, Viblanc VA, Jozet‐Alves C. Sex‐specific lateralization during aggressive interactions in breeding king penguins. Ethology 2019. [DOI: 10.1111/eth.12868] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/28/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Bastien S. Lemaire
- Normandie Univ, UNICAEN, Université de Rennes, CNRS, EthoS UMR 6552 Caen France
- Center for Mind/Brain Sciences University of Trento Rovereto Italy
| | | | | |
Collapse
|
6
|
Chen BJ, Liu K, Zhou LJ, Gomes-Silva G, Sommer-Trembo C, Plath M. Personality differentially affects individual mate choice decisions in female and male Western mosquitofish (Gambusia affinis). PLoS One 2018; 13:e0197197. [PMID: 29763435 PMCID: PMC5953439 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0197197] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/29/2017] [Accepted: 04/27/2018] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Consistent individual differences in behavioral tendencies (animal personality) can affect individual mate choice decisions. We asked whether personality traits affect male and female mate choice decisions similarly and whether potential personality effects are consistent across different mate choice situations. Using western mosquitofish (Gambusia affinis) as our study organism, we characterized focal individuals (males and females) twice for boldness, activity, and sociability/shoaling and found high and significant behavioral repeatability. Additionally, each focal individual was tested in two different dichotomous mate choice tests in which it could choose between computer-animated stimulus fish of the opposite sex that differed in body size and activity levels, respectively. Personality had different effects on female and male mate choice: females that were larger than average showed stronger preferences for large-bodied males with increasing levels of boldness/activity (i.e., towards more proactive personality types). Males that were larger than average and had higher shoaling tendencies showed stronger preferences for actively swimming females. Size-dependent effects of personality on the strength of preferences for distinct phenotypes of potential mating partners may reflect effects of age/experience (especially in females) and social dominance (especially in males). Previous studies found evidence for assortative mate choice based on personality types or hypothesized the existence of behavioral syndromes of individuals’ choosiness across mate choice criteria, possibly including other personality traits. Our present study exemplifies that far more complex patterns of personality-dependent mate choice can emerge in natural systems.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Bo-jian Chen
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Northwest A&F University, Yangling, P.R. China
| | - Kai Liu
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Northwest A&F University, Yangling, P.R. China
| | - Lin-jun Zhou
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Northwest A&F University, Yangling, P.R. China
| | - Guilherme Gomes-Silva
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Northwest A&F University, Yangling, P.R. China
- Department of Geography (“Saude Ambiental”), Universidade Federal de Uberlândia, Minas Gerais, Brazil
| | - Carolin Sommer-Trembo
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Northwest A&F University, Yangling, P.R. China
- Department of Ecology and Evolution, J.W. Goethe University Frankfurt, Max-von-Laue-Straße, Frankfurt am Main, Germany
| | - Martin Plath
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Northwest A&F University, Yangling, P.R. China
- * E-mail:
| |
Collapse
|
7
|
A brown Adélie Penguin Pygoscelis adeliae breeding at King George Island, Maritime Antarctica. Polar Biol 2018. [DOI: 10.1007/s00300-018-2326-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/17/2022]
|
8
|
Schull Q, Robin JP, Dobson FS, Saadaoui H, Viblanc VA, Bize P. Experimental stress during molt suggests the evolution of condition-dependent and condition-independent ornaments in the king penguin. Ecol Evol 2017; 8:1084-1095. [PMID: 29375781 PMCID: PMC5773310 DOI: 10.1002/ece3.3677] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/28/2017] [Revised: 10/26/2017] [Accepted: 10/27/2017] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Sexual selection and social selection are two important theories proposed for explaining the evolution of colorful ornamental traits in animals. Understanding signal honesty requires studying how environmental and physiological factors during development influence the showy nature of sexual and social ornaments. We experimentally manipulated physiological stress and immunity status during the molt in adult king penguins (Aptenodytes patagonicus), and studied the consequences of our treatments on colourful ornaments (yellow‐orange and UV beak spots and yellow‐orange auricular feather patches) known to be used in sexual and social contexts in this species. Whereas some ornamental features showed strong condition‐dependence (yellow auricular feather chroma, yellow and UV chroma of the beak), others were condition‐independent and remained highly correlated before and after the molt (auricular patch size and beak UV hue). Our study provides a rare examination of the links between ornament determinism and selection processes in the wild. We highlight the coexistence of ornaments costly to produce that may be honest signals used in mate choice, and ornaments for which honesty may be enforced by social mediation or rely on genetic constraints.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
| | | | - F Stephen Dobson
- Department of Biological Sciences Auburn University Auburn AL USA
| | - Hédi Saadaoui
- Université de Strasbourg CNRS, IPHC Strasbourg France
| | | | - Pierre Bize
- Institute of Biological and Environmental Sciences University of Aberdeen Scotland, UK
| |
Collapse
|
9
|
Wang D, Forstmeier W, Kempenaers B. No mutual mate choice for quality in zebra finches: Time to question a widely held assumption. Evolution 2017; 71:2661-2676. [PMID: 28857165 DOI: 10.1111/evo.13341] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/30/2017] [Revised: 07/26/2017] [Accepted: 08/23/2017] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
Studies of mate choice typically assume that individuals prefer high quality mates and select them based on condition-dependent indicator traits. In species with biparental care, mutual mate choice is expected to result in assortative mating for quality. When assortment is not perfect, the lower quality pair members are expected to compensate by increased parental investment to secure their partner (positive differential allocation). This framework has been assumed to hold for monogamous species like the zebra finch (Taeniopygia guttata), but progress has been hampered by the difficulty to define individual quality. By combining multiple measures of causes (inbreeding, early nutrition) and consequences (ornaments, displays, fitness components) of variation in quality into a single principal component, we here show that quality variation can be quantified successfully. We further show that variation in quality indeed predicts individual pairing success, presumably because it reflects an individual's vigor or ability to invest in reproduction. However, despite high statistical power, we found no evidence for either assortative mating or for positive differential allocation. We suggest that zebra finch ornaments and displays are not sufficiently reliable for the benefits of choosiness to exceed the costs of competition for the putative best partner. To assess the generality of these findings unbiased quantification of signal honesty and preference strength is required, rather than selective reporting of significant results.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Daiping Wang
- Department of Behavioural Ecology and Evolutionary Genetics, Max Planck Institute for Ornithology, 82319 Seewiesen, Germany
| | - Wolfgang Forstmeier
- Department of Behavioural Ecology and Evolutionary Genetics, Max Planck Institute for Ornithology, 82319 Seewiesen, Germany
| | - Bart Kempenaers
- Department of Behavioural Ecology and Evolutionary Genetics, Max Planck Institute for Ornithology, 82319 Seewiesen, Germany
| |
Collapse
|
10
|
Rojas B. Behavioural, ecological, and evolutionary aspects of diversity in frog colour patterns. Biol Rev Camb Philos Soc 2016; 92:1059-1080. [DOI: 10.1111/brv.12269] [Citation(s) in RCA: 68] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/21/2015] [Revised: 02/26/2016] [Accepted: 02/29/2016] [Indexed: 02/03/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Bibiana Rojas
- Centre of Excellence in Biological Interactions, Department of Biology and Environmental Sciences; University of Jyvaskyla; PO Box 35 Jyväskylä FI 40001 Finland
| |
Collapse
|
11
|
Viblanc VA, Dobson FS, Stier A, Schull Q, Saraux C, Gineste B, Pardonnet S, Kauffmann M, Robin JP, Bize P. Mutually honest? Physiological ‘qualities’ signalled by colour ornaments in monomorphic king penguins. Biol J Linn Soc Lond 2015. [DOI: 10.1111/bij.12729] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Vincent A. Viblanc
- Department of Ecology and Evolution; University of Lausanne; Lausanne CH-1015 Switzerland
- Centre d'Ecologie Fonctionnelle et Evolutive; Equipe Ecologie Comportementale; UMR 5175 CNRS; 1919 route de Mende Montpellier 34293 France
| | - F. Stephen Dobson
- Centre d'Ecologie Fonctionnelle et Evolutive; Equipe Ecologie Comportementale; UMR 5175 CNRS; 1919 route de Mende Montpellier 34293 France
- Department of Biological Sciences; Auburn University; 311 Funchess Hall Auburn AL 36849 USA
| | - Antoine Stier
- Université de Strasbourg; IPHC; 23 rue Becquerel Strasbourg 67087 France
- CNRS; UMR 7178; Strasbourg 67087 France
| | - Quentin Schull
- Université de Strasbourg; IPHC; 23 rue Becquerel Strasbourg 67087 France
- CNRS; UMR 7178; Strasbourg 67087 France
| | - Claire Saraux
- IFREMER; UMR MARBEC; Avenue Jean Monnet BP 171 Sète Cedex 34203 France
| | - Benoit Gineste
- Université de Strasbourg; IPHC; 23 rue Becquerel Strasbourg 67087 France
- CNRS; UMR 7178; Strasbourg 67087 France
| | - Sylvia Pardonnet
- Université de Strasbourg; IPHC; 23 rue Becquerel Strasbourg 67087 France
- CNRS; UMR 7178; Strasbourg 67087 France
| | - Marion Kauffmann
- Université de Strasbourg; IPHC; 23 rue Becquerel Strasbourg 67087 France
- CNRS; UMR 7178; Strasbourg 67087 France
| | - Jean-Patrice Robin
- Université de Strasbourg; IPHC; 23 rue Becquerel Strasbourg 67087 France
- CNRS; UMR 7178; Strasbourg 67087 France
| | - Pierre Bize
- Department of Ecology and Evolution; University of Lausanne; Lausanne CH-1015 Switzerland
- Institute of Biological and Environmental Sciences; University of Aberdeen; Scotland UK
| |
Collapse
|
12
|
Keddar I, Altmeyer S, Couchoux C, Jouventin P, Dobson FS. Mate Choice and Colored Beak Spots of King Penguins. Ethology 2015. [DOI: 10.1111/eth.12419] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Ismaël Keddar
- CNRS; UMR 5175; Centre d'Ecologie Fonctionnelle et Evolutive; Montpellier France
| | - Sophie Altmeyer
- CNRS; UMR 5175; Centre d'Ecologie Fonctionnelle et Evolutive; Montpellier France
| | - Charline Couchoux
- Département des Sciences Biologiques; Université du Québec à Montréal; Montréal QC Canada
| | - Pierre Jouventin
- CNRS; UMR 5175; Centre d'Ecologie Fonctionnelle et Evolutive; Montpellier France
| | | |
Collapse
|
13
|
Color ornaments and territory position in king penguins. Behav Processes 2015; 119:32-7. [PMID: 26168874 DOI: 10.1016/j.beproc.2015.07.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/17/2015] [Revised: 06/22/2015] [Accepted: 07/03/2015] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
King penguins exhibit mutual color ornamentation of feathers and beak color. They breed in dense colonies and produce a single chick every 2 years. Thus, males and females must choose partners carefully to be reproductively successful, and auricular patches of males and UV coloration of beak spots have been shown to influence mate choice. Position in the breeding colony is also important to reproductive success, with pairs on the edge of the colony less successful than those in the center. We studied the mutual ornaments, individual condition, and position of pairs in their breeding colony. Males were significantly larger than females in size, body mass, and auricular patch size. Within pairs, auricular patch size of males and females were significantly correlated, and male auricular patch size and body mass were significantly associated, suggesting a link between this ornament and male body condition. Moving from the edge to the center of the colony, pairs had larger yellow-orange auricular patches, indicating a link between this ornament and settlement in higher quality territories in the center of the colony. Pairs were also less brightly brown colored on the breast and less saturated in UV color of the beak spot. Since we observed pairs that were settling for egg laying, location in the colony may have reflected aspects of pair condition, rather than later jockeying for positioning using ornaments as signals of behavioral dominance.
Collapse
|
14
|
Keddar I, Couchoux C, Jouventin P, Dobson FS. Variation of mutual colour ornaments of king penguins in response to winter resource availability. BEHAVIOUR 2015. [DOI: 10.1163/1568539x-00003299] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
Abstract
We studied the influence of marine resources during a year of abundance and another of extreme scarcity, on sexually selected ornaments of the king penguin (Aptenodytes patagonicus), a seabird with striking coloured ornaments in both sexes. Displaying birds started their breeding cycle with similar mean body mass each year, but both sexes had significantly larger yellow/orange auricular patches in the year of abundant resources. Colours of the auricular patches and breast were more pure in the good year, and both UV and yellow/orange colours of beak spots were brighter. Comparison of the mating process suggested lower levels of choosiness in both sexes during the unfavourable year, perhaps in order to pair more quickly and partly compensate for a marked delay in breeding initiation. Our results suggest that the expression of sexual traits may substantially vary under different environmental conditions, a predication of some models of mate choice and sexual selection.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Ismaël Keddar
- aCentre d’Ecologie Fonctionnelle et Evolutive, CNRS, UMR 5175, Montpellier, France
| | - Charline Couchoux
- bDépartement des Sciences Biologiques, Université du Québec à Montréal, Montréal, QC, Canada
| | - Pierre Jouventin
- aCentre d’Ecologie Fonctionnelle et Evolutive, CNRS, UMR 5175, Montpellier, France
| | - F. Stephen Dobson
- cDepartment of Biological Sciences, Auburn University, Auburn, AL, USA
| |
Collapse
|
15
|
Bordier C, Saraux C, Viblanc VA, Gachot-Neveu H, Beaugey M, Le Maho Y, Le Bohec C. Inter-Annual Variability of Fledgling Sex Ratio in King Penguins. PLoS One 2014; 9:e114052. [PMID: 25493708 PMCID: PMC4262204 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0114052] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/22/2014] [Accepted: 10/28/2014] [Indexed: 11/29/2022] Open
Abstract
As the number of breeding pairs depends on the adult sex ratio in a monogamous species with biparental care, investigating sex-ratio variability in natural populations is essential to understand population dynamics. Using 10 years of data (2000–2009) in a seasonally monogamous seabird, the king penguin (Aptenodytes patagonicus), we investigated the annual sex ratio at fledging, and the potential environmental causes for its variation. Over more than 4000 birds, the annual sex ratio at fledging was highly variable (ranging from 44.4% to 58.3% of males), and on average slightly biased towards males (51.6%). Yearly variation in sex-ratio bias was neither related to density within the colony, nor to global or local oceanographic conditions known to affect both the productivity and accessibility of penguin foraging areas. However, rising sea surface temperature coincided with an increase in fledging sex-ratio variability. Fledging sex ratio was also correlated with difference in body condition between male and female fledglings. When more males were produced in a given year, their body condition was higher (and reciprocally), suggesting that parents might adopt a sex-biased allocation strategy depending on yearly environmental conditions and/or that the effect of environmental parameters on chick condition and survival may be sex-dependent. The initial bias in sex ratio observed at the juvenile stage tended to return to 1∶1 equilibrium upon first breeding attempts, as would be expected from Fisher’s classic theory of offspring sex-ratio variation.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Célia Bordier
- Université de Strasbourg, Institut Pluridisciplinaire Hubert Curien, Laboratoire International Associé LIA-647 BioSensib, Strasbourg, France
- CNRS, UMR-7178, LIA-647 BioSensib, Strasbourg, France
- * E-mail:
| | - Claire Saraux
- Université de Strasbourg, Institut Pluridisciplinaire Hubert Curien, Laboratoire International Associé LIA-647 BioSensib, Strasbourg, France
- CNRS, UMR-7178, LIA-647 BioSensib, Strasbourg, France
- AgroParisTech ENGREF, Paris, France
- IFREMER – UMR 212– Ecosystème Marin Exploité, Sète, France
| | - Vincent A. Viblanc
- Université de Strasbourg, Institut Pluridisciplinaire Hubert Curien, Laboratoire International Associé LIA-647 BioSensib, Strasbourg, France
- CNRS, UMR-7178, LIA-647 BioSensib, Strasbourg, France
- Centre d’Ecologie Fonctionnelle et Evolutive, Equipe Ecologie Comportementale, UMR 5175 CNRS, Montpellier, France
| | - Hélène Gachot-Neveu
- Université de Strasbourg, Institut Pluridisciplinaire Hubert Curien, Laboratoire International Associé LIA-647 BioSensib, Strasbourg, France
- CNRS, UMR-7178, LIA-647 BioSensib, Strasbourg, France
| | - Magali Beaugey
- Université de Strasbourg, Institut Pluridisciplinaire Hubert Curien, Laboratoire International Associé LIA-647 BioSensib, Strasbourg, France
- CNRS, UMR-7178, LIA-647 BioSensib, Strasbourg, France
| | - Yvon Le Maho
- Université de Strasbourg, Institut Pluridisciplinaire Hubert Curien, Laboratoire International Associé LIA-647 BioSensib, Strasbourg, France
- CNRS, UMR-7178, LIA-647 BioSensib, Strasbourg, France
- Centre Scientifique de Monaco, LIA-647 BioSensib, Principality of Monaco
| | - Céline Le Bohec
- Université de Strasbourg, Institut Pluridisciplinaire Hubert Curien, Laboratoire International Associé LIA-647 BioSensib, Strasbourg, France
- CNRS, UMR-7178, LIA-647 BioSensib, Strasbourg, France
- Centre Scientifique de Monaco, LIA-647 BioSensib, Principality of Monaco
- University of Oslo, Centre for Ecological and Evolutionary Synthesis, Department of Biosciences, Blindern, Norway
| |
Collapse
|
16
|
The role of key features in predator recognition by untrained birds. Anim Cogn 2014; 17:963-71. [PMID: 24458458 DOI: 10.1007/s10071-014-0728-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/23/2013] [Revised: 01/13/2014] [Accepted: 01/14/2014] [Indexed: 01/21/2023]
Abstract
The most important role in the recognition and categorization of predators (as well as other animals) is usually attributed to so-called key features. Under laboratory conditions, we tested the role of yellow eyes (specific for the genus Accipiter in European raptors) and hooked beak (common for all European birds of prey) in the recognition of the sparrowhawk (Accipiter nisus) by untrained great tits (Parus major) caught in the wild. Using wooden dummies, we interchanged either one of these potential key features or the body of the sparrowhawk (predator) and domestic pigeon (harmless bird). The tested tits showed three types of behaviour in the presence of the dummies: fear, interest without fear, and lack of interest. Eye interchange lowered fear of the sparrowhawk, but did not cause fear of the pigeon. Beak interchange did not lower fear of the sparrowhawk. Eye interchange caused increased interest in both species. Thus, a specific sparrowhawk feature is necessary for correct sparrowhawk dummy recognition but a general raptor feature is not. On the other hand, a specific sparrowhawk feature on a pigeon dummy is not enough to prompt sparrowhawk recognition. Thus, key features play an important, but not exclusive, role in predator recognition. An increased interest in some of the modified dummies implies that the tits have a general concept of a sparrowhawk. The individual variability in behaviour of tits is discussed.
Collapse
|
17
|
Thomas DB, McGoverin CM, McGraw KJ, James HF, Madden O. Vibrational spectroscopic analyses of unique yellow feather pigments (spheniscins) in penguins. J R Soc Interface 2013; 10:20121065. [PMID: 23516063 DOI: 10.1098/rsif.2012.1065] [Citation(s) in RCA: 39] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Many animals extract, synthesize and refine chemicals for colour display, where a range of compounds and structures can produce a diverse colour palette. Feather colours, for example, span the visible spectrum and mostly result from pigments in five chemical classes (carotenoids, melanins, porphyrins, psittacofulvins and metal oxides). However, the pigment that generates the yellow colour of penguin feathers appears to represent a sixth, poorly characterized class of feather pigments. This pigment class, here termed 'spheniscin', is displayed by half of the living penguin genera; the larger and richer colour displays of the pigment are highly attractive. Using Raman and mid-infrared spectroscopies, we analysed yellow feathers from two penguin species (king penguin, Aptenodytes patagonicus; macaroni penguin, Eudyptes chrysolophus) to further characterize spheniscin pigments. The Raman spectrum of spheniscin is distinct from spectra of other feather pigments and exhibits 17 distinctive spectral bands between 300 and 1700 cm(-1). Spectral bands from the yellow pigment are assigned to aromatically bound carbon atoms, and to skeletal modes in an aromatic, heterocyclic ring. It has been suggested that the penguin pigment is a pterin compound; Raman spectra from yellow penguin feathers are broadly consistent with previously reported pterin spectra, although we have not matched it to any known compound. Raman spectroscopy can provide a rapid and non-destructive method for surveying the distribution of different classes of feather pigments in the avian family tree, and for correlating the chemistry of spheniscin with compounds analysed elsewhere. We suggest that the sixth class of feather pigments may have evolved in a stem-lineage penguin and endowed modern penguins with a costly plumage trait that appears to be chemically unique among birds.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Daniel B Thomas
- Department of Vertebrate Zoology, National Museum of Natural History, Smithsonian Institution, Washington, DC 20013, USA.
| | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
18
|
Keddar I, Andris M, Bonadonna F, Dobson FS. Male-Biased Mate Competition in King Penguin Trio Parades. Ethology 2013. [DOI: 10.1111/eth.12076] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Ismaël Keddar
- Centre d'Ecologie Fonctionnelle et Evolutive; CNRS; UMR 5175; Montpellier; France
| | | | - Francesco Bonadonna
- Centre d'Ecologie Fonctionnelle et Evolutive; CNRS; UMR 5175; Montpellier; France
| | | |
Collapse
|
19
|
|
20
|
|
21
|
|
22
|
Van Rooij EP, Griffith SC. Are Monomorphic Species Really Sexually Indistinguishable: No Evidence in Wild Long-Tailed Finches (Poephila acuticauda). Ethology 2010. [DOI: 10.1111/j.1439-0310.2010.01808.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
|
23
|
Nolan PM, Stephen Dobson F, Nicolaus M, Karels TJ, McGraw KJ, Jouventin P. Mutual Mate Choice for Colorful Traits in King Penguins. Ethology 2010. [DOI: 10.1111/j.1439-0310.2010.01775.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
|