A1 Journal article (refereed)
Full spectra coloration and condition-dependent signaling in a skin-based carotenoid sexual ornament (2020)

Harris, S., Kervinen, M., Lebigre, C., Pike, T. W., & Soulsbury, C. D. (2020). Full spectra coloration and condition-dependent signaling in a skin-based carotenoid sexual ornament. Behavioral Ecology, 31(3), 834-843. https://doi.org/10.1093/beheco/araa031

JYU authors or editors

Publication details

All authors or editors: Harris, Sarah; Kervinen, Matti; Lebigre, Christophe; Pike, Thomas W; Soulsbury, Carl D.

Journal or series: Behavioral Ecology

ISSN: 1045-2249

eISSN: 1465-7279

Publication year: 2020

Publication date: 01/05/2020

Volume: 31

Issue number: 3

Pages range: 834-843

Publisher: Oxford University Press (OUP)

Publication country: United Kingdom

Publication language: English

DOI: https://doi.org/10.1093/beheco/araa031

Publication open access: Not open

Publication channel open access: 

Abstract

Carotenoid-based traits commonly act as condition-dependent signals of quality to both males and females. Such colors are typically quantified using summary metrics (e.g., redness) derived by partitioning measured reflectance spectra into blocks. However, perceived coloration is a product of the whole spectrum. Recently, new methods have quantified a range of environmental factors and their impact on reflection data at narrow wavebands across the whole spectrum. Using this approach, we modeled the reflectance of red integumentary eye combs displayed by male black grouse (Lyrurus tetrix) as a function of ornament size and variables related to male quality. We investigated the strength and direction of effect sizes of variables at each waveband. The strongest effect on the spectra came from eye comb size, with a negative effect in the red part of the spectrum and a positive effect in ultraviolet reflectance. Plasma carotenoid concentration and body mass were also related to reflectance variance in differing directions across the entire spectra. Comparisons of yearlings and adults showed that the effects were similar but stronger on adult reflectance spectra. These findings suggest that reflectance in different parts of the spectrum is indicative of differing components of quality. This method also allows a more accurate understanding of how biologically relevant variables may interact to produce perceived coloration and multicomponent signals and where the strongest biological effects are found.

Keywords: carotenoids; selecting a couple

Free keywords: condition dependence; carotenoids; handicap hypothesis; mate choice; sexual selection

Contributing organizations

Ministry reporting: Yes

Reporting Year: 2020

JUFO rating: 2