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The effect of capture-and-handling stress on carotenoid-based beak coloration in zebra finches.

Authors :
McGraw KJ
Lee K
Lewin A
Source :
Journal of comparative physiology. A, Neuroethology, sensory, neural, and behavioral physiology [J Comp Physiol A Neuroethol Sens Neural Behav Physiol] 2011 Jun; Vol. 197 (6), pp. 683-91. Date of Electronic Publication: 2011 Feb 23.
Publication Year :
2011

Abstract

Stress can have widespread effects on animal behaviors and phenotypes, including sexually selected traits. Ornamental colors have long been studied as honest signals of condition, but few studies have been conducted on how the physiological stress response (i.e., corticosterone (CORT) elevation) impacts color expression. We used a traditional capture-and-restraint technique to examine the effect of repeated handling stress on carotenoid-dependent beak coloration in male and female zebra finches (Taeniopygia guttata). Birds subjected to daily, 10-min handling treatments, which elevated circulating CORT levels, for a four-week period displayed deeper orange/red beak coloration than did control animals. Stressed males lost body mass during the experiment and marginally decreased in circulating carotenoid concentrations. Hence, handling stress may have reduced food intake or induced mobilization of body stores (i.e., fat) of carotenoids. In contrast to males, stressed females maintained orange beak color, while control females faded in color. This study highlights sex- and pigment-specific mechanisms by which stress may temporarily enhance the expression of sexual traits, but at the expense of other key fitness traits (e.g., body mass maintenance, reproduction).

Details

Language :
English
ISSN :
1432-1351
Volume :
197
Issue :
6
Database :
MEDLINE
Journal :
Journal of comparative physiology. A, Neuroethology, sensory, neural, and behavioral physiology
Publication Type :
Academic Journal
Accession number :
21344204
Full Text :
https://doi.org/10.1007/s00359-011-0631-z