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Revisiting the condition-dependence of melanin-based plumage.
- Source :
-
Journal of Avian Biology . Jan2014, Vol. 45 Issue 1, p29-33. 5p. - Publication Year :
- 2014
-
Abstract
- Support against the condition-dependence of melanin plumage signals has relied on data from species exhibiting both melanin- and carotenoid-based plumage ornaments. As the mechanisms leading to variation in carotenoid- and melanin-based plumage differ fundamentally, these systems may not be ideal to assess the condition-dependence of melanin signals. Instead, we hypothesized that melanin-plumage is more likely to signal condition in purely achromatic species. We performed a meta-analysis reviewing evidence for condition-dependent melanic plumage: we compared the net effect size for the relationship between melanin traits and condition in species that are achromatic versus species that also display a carotenoid-based trait. Our results indicate that melanin plumage is condition-dependent in species of both plumage types. Contrarily to our prediction, this finding suggests that melanin ornament condition-dependence is not conditional on the context of other ornaments within a species. Instead, melanin ornaments should be viewed as potential condition-dependent signals in all species. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
Details
- Language :
- English
- ISSN :
- 09088857
- Volume :
- 45
- Issue :
- 1
- Database :
- Academic Search Index
- Journal :
- Journal of Avian Biology
- Publication Type :
- Academic Journal
- Accession number :
- 93789061
- Full Text :
- https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1600-048X.2013.00190.x