Ultraviolet plumage colors predict mate preferences in starlings.
Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A
; 94(16): 8618-21, 1997 Aug 05.
Article
en En
| MEDLINE
| ID: mdl-9238026
ABSTRACT
Avian plumage has long been used to test theories of sexual selection, with humans assessing the colors. However, many birds see in the ultraviolet (<400 nm), to which humans are blind. Consequently, it is important to know whether natural variation in UV reflectance from plumage functions in sexual signaling. We show that female starlings rank males differently when UV wavelengths are present or absent. Principal component analysis of approximately 1300 reflectance spectra (300-700 nm) taken from sexually dimorphic plumage regions of males predicted preference under the UV+ treatment. Under UV- conditions, females ranked males in a different and nonrandom order, but plumage reflectance in the human visible spectrum did not predict choice. Natural variation in UV reflectance is thus important in avian mate assessment, and the prevailing light environment can have profound effects on observed mating preferences.
Texto completo:
1
Colección:
01-internacional
Base de datos:
MEDLINE
Asunto principal:
Conducta Sexual Animal
/
Aves
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Percepción de Color
Tipo de estudio:
Prognostic_studies
/
Risk_factors_studies
Límite:
Animals
/
Female
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Humans
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Male
Idioma:
En
Revista:
Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A
Año:
1997
Tipo del documento:
Article
País de afiliación:
Reino Unido