Title

Plumage reflectance signals dominance in Florida scrub-jay, Aphelocoma coerulescens, juveniles

Authors

Authors

A. Tringali;R. Bowman

Comments

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Abbreviated Journal Title

Anim. Behav.

Keywords

Aphelocoma coerulescens; dominance; juvenile plumage; ornament; scrub-jay; status signalling; structural coloration; MALE BLUE TITS; STRUCTURAL COLORATION; CYANISTES-CAERULEUS; ULTRAVIOLET; PLUMAGE; EASTERN BLUEBIRDS; BADGE SIZE; FEMALE; TRAITS; CHOICE; ABSENCE; Behavioral Sciences; Zoology

Abstract

Although sexual selection is undeniably important in the evolution and maintenance of ornamental traits, it remains an unsuitable explanation for juvenile ornamentation. Maleemale competition has been important in the evolution of UV-blue plumage ornamentation in birds, suggesting that this type of plumage may signal status more generally. In the present study, we compared dominance status of juvenile Florida scrub-jays before and after experimental plumage manipulation and found that plumage reflectance signalled status. Maleemale competition is important in maintaining UV-blue plumage ornamentation in adults of other species. However, our evidence shows that sexually dimorphic ornamentation can also mediate competition over food resources in juvenile Florida scrub-jays. Understanding status signalling among juveniles may yield insights into differences in fitness, especially in species with cohesive social systems where early interactions are likely to influence future competitions over resources or mates. (C) 2012 The Association for the Study of Animal Behaviour. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Journal Title

Animal Behaviour

Volume

84

Issue/Number

6

Publication Date

1-1-2012

Document Type

Article

Language

English

First Page

1517

Last Page

1522

WOS Identifier

WOS:000311953200029

ISSN

0003-3472

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