scholarly journals Sex-specific signalling of individual personality by a mutual plumage ornament in a passerine

2021 ◽  
Vol 75 (2) ◽  
Author(s):  
Attila Fülöp ◽  
Dóra Lukács ◽  
Péter Imre Fábián ◽  
Bianka Kocsis ◽  
Gabriella Csöppü ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Innate Immunity ◽  
Sexual Dimorphism ◽  
Body Condition ◽  
Physiological Stress ◽  
Passer Montanus ◽  
Individual Personality ◽  
Eurasian Tree Sparrow ◽  
Interesting Possibility ◽  
Males And Females ◽  
Colour Signals

Abstract The significance of colour signals in species with strong sexual dimorphism and/or elaborated visual ornaments is rather well-understood. Less attention has, however, been devoted to study colour signals in species with weak or no apparent sexual dimorphism. In such species, an interesting possibility arises as both sexes can bear the same colour ornament(s) (i.e. sexes are mutually ornamented), but their signalling value might differ in males and females. We aimed to explore this possibility by investigating the phenotypic correlates of the black bib, a melanin-based plumage ornament, in the Eurasian tree sparrow (Passer montanus). More specifically, we studied the sex-dependent relationships between bib size and three aspects of individuals’ phenotype: body condition (i.e. size-corrected body mass), physiology (i.e. cellular innate immunity/inflammation status, expressed through total leucocyte counts, and chronic physiological stress, expressed through the ratio of heterophils to lymphocytes) and individual personality (i.e. activity in a novel environment). We found that bib size was not associated with body condition and cellular innate immunity/inflammation status, but was positively related to physiological stress levels independent of sex. Furthermore, bib size was negatively associated with activity in males but positively in females. Our findings bring important correlative evidence that mutual ornamental traits may have sex-specific signalling value. Significance statement The signalling role of elaborated colourful ornaments, that are usually possessed only by males in sexually dimorphic species, is well-established. The function of various colour traits which are borne by both sexes (i.e. mutual ornaments), however, is less obvious. Do they have a signalling value in both sexes? If yes, do they signal the same information in males and females? Or, most intriguingly, can they convey different information in the two sexes? To test these alternatives, we studied the signalling value of the black bib, a melanin-based mutual plumage ornament, in Eurasian tree sparrows (Passer montanus). Apart from being correlated with chronic stress in both sexes, bib size was positively related to activity in females but negatively in males. Our results suggest that the information content of the same colour trait in males and females can be different in mutually ornamented species.

scholarly journals Influence of growing up in the city or near an airport on the physiological stress of tree sparrow nestlings (Passer montanus)

2021 ◽  
Vol 67 (4) ◽  
Author(s):  
Iraida Redondo ◽  
Jaime Muriel ◽  
Cristina de Castro Díaz ◽  
José I. Aguirre ◽  
Diego Gil ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Antioxidant Capacity ◽  
Rural Area ◽  
Body Condition ◽  
Physiological Stress ◽  
Noise Pollution ◽  
Anthropogenic Pollution ◽  
Aircraft Noise ◽  
Natural Habitats ◽  
Tree Sparrow ◽  
Passer Montanus

AbstractUrbanization constitutes one of the major transformations of natural habitats, creating new areas characterized by multiple potential wildlife stressors. Birds that live in highly anthropized zones are confronted with physiological and behavioural challenges caused by these stressors. Here, we investigated if several health parameters differed between three subpopulations of tree sparrow nestlings subjected to different levels of anthropogenic pollution, and particularly noise pollution: a quiet rural area, a noisy rural area adjacent to an airport and a heavily urbanized area. We compared body condition, oxidative stress markers and baseline corticosterone levels, expecting urban nestlings to be in overall worse condition as compared to rural (rural and rural airport) birds. In addition, we expected nestlings exposed to aircraft noise to show intermediate stress levels. We found that rural-airport nestlings had the highest levels of antioxidant capacity of plasma and did not differ from rural counterparts in the rest of the parameters. By contrast, urban nestlings were in slightly worse body condition and had lower antioxidant capacity than rural and rural-airport individuals. Our results suggest that aircraft noise does not constitute a significant stressor for nestlings. In contrast, urban conditions constitute a more challenging situation, negatively impacting different physiological systems. Although nestlings seem able to buffer these challenges in the short-term, further research should explore the long-term potential consequences of early exposure to these conditions.

The biology of banded (Lagostrophus fasciatus) and rufous (Lagorchestes hirsutus) hare-wallabies (Diprotodontia : Macropodidae) on Dorre and Bernier Islands, Western Australia

2001 ◽  
Vol 28 (3) ◽  
pp. 311 ◽  
Author(s):  
J. D. Richards ◽  
Jeff Short ◽  
R. I. T. Prince ◽  
J. A. Friend ◽  
J. M. Courtenay
Keyword(s):  
Body Size ◽  
Sexual Dimorphism ◽  
Sex Ratio ◽  
Body Condition ◽  
Regional Variation ◽  
Reproductive Age ◽  
Island Populations ◽  
Shark Bay ◽  
Males And Females ◽  
Bay Islands

Sex ratio, reproduction, body condition and morphology of banded (Lagostrophus fasciatus) and rufous (Lagorchestes hirsutus) hare-wallabies were assessed on Dorre and Bernier Islands. Data are derived from 236 banded hare-wallabies and 161 rufous hare-wallabies captured between 1959 and 1999. The sex ratio of captured banded hare-wallabies tended to be female-biased (0.79: 1 male: female) but was not a significant departure from parity. In contrast, pouch young tended towards a male bias at 1.35: 1. Females produced 1–2 young per year. They were capable of producing young at 1000 g, but the incidence of females carrying pouch young or lactating increased from 39% for females of 1000–1400 g to 80% for females of 1401–1800 g, then decreased slightly to 76% for females >1800 g. Births occurred throughout the year but there was some indication of a decline in the latter half of the year. Captured banded hare-wallabies ranged in weight from 850 to 2300 g. Animals on Dorre Island were in significantly better body condition than those on Bernier Island, although this could be an artefact of their shorter pes length. There was no evidence of sexual dimorphism and no differences in morphological measurements taken, other than pes length, between the two island populations. The sex ratio of captured rufous hare-wallabies was close to parity at 0.99: 1 and for pouch young tended to be male-biased at 2: 1. The smallest female with young weighed 1215 g, but the incidence of females carrying pouch young or lactating increased from 43% for females of 1215–1660 g to 61% for females of 1661–2015 g and 100% for females >2015 g. Females carried pouch young in all months sampled (March–September) and one incidence of twinning was noted. Captured rufous hare-wallabies weighed 600–2550 g. Body condition was similar for males and females and between islands, but smaller females of reproductive age were in poorer body condition than larger females. There was no evidence of sexual dimorphism but pes lengths of animals on Dorre Island were significantly shorter, head lengths longer and tail lengths shorter, than those on Bernier Island. Rufous hare-wallabies appear to show regional variation in body size, being smaller in the wetter and warmer Tanami/Alice Springs region and larger on the drier and cooler Shark Bay islands.

Observation on the breeding biology of Polypedates teraiensis (Dubois, 1987) (Amphibia: Rhacophoridae)

2017 ◽  
Vol 17 (1) ◽  
pp. 25-32
Author(s):  
Jacinta Lalchhanhimi ◽  
Lalremsanga H.T.
Keyword(s):  
Sexual Dimorphism ◽  
Breeding Season ◽  
Sound Production ◽  
Reproductive Function ◽  
Breeding Biology ◽  
Tree Frog ◽  
University Campus ◽  
Morphometric Measurements ◽  
Advertisement Calls ◽  
Males And Females

The breeding biology of tree frog, Polypedates teraiensis was studied during the breeding season at Mizoram University Campus. It was found that sound production by male during the breeding season was primarily a reproductive function and advertisement calls attract females to the breeding areas and announce other males that a given territory is occupied. The aim of this study was to provide the detailed information on the breeding behaviour and the advertisement calls of Polypedates teraiensis. The morphometric measurements of the amplecting pairs (males and females) for sexual dimorphism along with clutch sizes were also studied.

Sexual Dimorphism among the Kathmandu University Students Assessed by Anthropometric Studies

2018 ◽  
Vol 9 (05) ◽  
pp. 20469-20472
Author(s):  
Shakya R ◽  
Bhattacharya SC ◽  
Shrestha R
Keyword(s):  
Young Adults ◽  
Sexual Dimorphism ◽  
Young Adult ◽  
University Students ◽  
Plastic Surgery ◽  
Age Group ◽  
Adult Age ◽  
Clinically Normal ◽  
Crime Detection ◽  
Males And Females

Objectives: To observe the sexual dimorphism among the young adult age group ranging from 18-21 years, of Kathmandu University students by measuring craniofacial circumference and canthal distances. Rationale of the study: These data could be useful for establishing the craniofacial standards and adds an implementation on plastic surgery, crime detection as well as in the industrial field. Method: 300 clinically normal students of Kathmandu University aged between 18-21 years were examined for the study. Fronto-occipital circumference, outer and inner canthal distances were measured. All the parameters were compared between males and females. Result: The cranial circumference as well as the inner and outer canthal distance in males was found to be significantly higher as compared to the females. Conclusion: The results concluded that sexual dimorphism remarkably exists in young adults of Kathmandu University students.

Eurasian Tree Sparrow (Passer montanus)

2017 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jon C. Barlow ◽  
Sheridan N. Leckie ◽  
Peter Pyle ◽  
Michael A. Patten
Keyword(s):  
Tree Sparrow ◽  
Passer Montanus ◽  
Eurasian Tree Sparrow

scholarly journals Sexual dimorphism in the long-term stability (10 years) of skeletal Class III treatment

2021 ◽  
Vol 22 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Natalia Tejedor ◽  
Conchita Martín ◽  
José Antonio Alarcón ◽  
María Dolores Oteo-Calatayud ◽  
Juan Carlos Palma-Fernández
Keyword(s):  
Sexual Dimorphism ◽  
Class Iii ◽  
Class Iii Malocclusion ◽  
Skeletal Class ◽  
Term Stability ◽  
Long Term Stability ◽  
Fixed Appliances ◽  
Males And Females ◽  
Class Iii Treatment

Abstract Background Class III malocclusion is associated with high sexual dimorphism, especially in individuals older than 13 years of age, with significant differences in growth between males and females during the pubertal and postpubertal stages, and in adulthood. The aim of this research was to examine differences between males and females in long-term stability (10 years) of treatment for skeletal Class III malocclusion. Methods Thirty patients (15 males and 15 females) with skeletal Class III malocclusion, who had been treated with rapid maxillary expansion (RME) combined with face mask protraction followed by fixed appliances, were selected sequentially. Thirty patients (15 males and 15 females) with skeletal Class I and mesofacial patterns treated only with fixed appliances for dental problems served as the control group. Differences between groups and sexes were evaluated using lateral cephalograms taken at the start of treatment (T0), immediately after the end of treatment (T1), and after 10 years (T2). The long-term treatment success rate was calculated. Results Ten years after Class III treatment, overjet and overbite relapse occurred similarly in females (− 0.68 ± 0.7 mm; − 0.38 ± 0.75 mm, respectively) and males (− 1.09 ± 1.47 mm; − 0.64 ± 0.9 mm, respectively); the ANB angle and Wits appraisal became significantly more negative in males (− 1.37 ± 1.06°; − 2.7 ± 2.53 mm) than in females (− 0.18 ± 1.26°; − 0.46 ± 1.94 mm). The success rate was 73.3% in males and 80% in females. Conclusions Significant differences in the long-term stability of Class III treatment outcomes have been found between males and females, with a larger skeletal Class III relapse and lower long-term success rates in males.

The nanoanatomical basis of sexual dimorphism in iridescent butterfly colouration

2012 ◽  
Vol 60 (2) ◽  
pp. 101 ◽  
Author(s):  
Thomas E. White ◽  
Joseph Macedonia ◽  
Debra Birch ◽  
Judith Dawes ◽  
Darrell J. Kemp
Keyword(s):  
Sex Differences ◽  
Sexual Dimorphism ◽  
Phenotypic Variation ◽  
Functional Variation ◽  
Present Evidence ◽  
Signal Variation ◽  
Common Basis ◽  
Scale Surface ◽  
Colour Signals

Structurally generated colours are at least as commonplace and varied components of animal signals as pigment colours, yet we know far less about the former, both in terms of the patterns and phenotypic variation and of their underlying correlates and causes. Many butterflies exhibit bright and iridescent colour signals that arise from a characteristic ‘ridge-lamellar’ scale surface nanoarchitecture. Although there are multiple axes of functional variation in these traits, few have been investigated. Here we present evidence that sexual dimorphism in the expression of a sexually homologous ridge-lamellar trait (iridescent ultraviolet) is mediated by sex differences in the density of lamellar-bearing scale ridges. This trait – ridge density – has also been causally related to iridescent signal variation in other coliadines (e.g. C. eurytheme), which suggests that it may offer a common basis to both intra- and intersexual differences in ultraviolet wing reflectance among these butterflies.

Are roads and traffic sources of physiological stress for the Florida scrub-jay?

2012 ◽  
Vol 39 (4) ◽  
pp. 301 ◽  
Author(s):  
Gina M. Morgan ◽  
Travis E. Wilcoxen ◽  
Michelle A. Rensel ◽  
Stephan J. Schoech
Keyword(s):  
Body Mass ◽  
Body Condition ◽  
Physiological Stress ◽  
Condition Index ◽  
Physiological Effects ◽  
Negative Effects ◽  
Florida Scrub ◽  
The Road ◽  
Threatened And Endangered Species ◽  
Chronic Stressor

Context Anthropogenic disturbances induce physiological and behavioural responses in numerous species. The negative effects of human disturbance are of special concern to threatened and endangered species. Aims The present study aims to compare physiological stress measures and reproductive success of Florida scrub-jays (Aphelocoma coerulescens) living near roads with jays that live away from roads. Specifically, it aims to test whether roads are stressful. Methods We assessed physiological measures that can serve as indicators of ‘stress’ to determine whether a highway that bisects our study site had physiological effects on adult male Florida scrub-jays. We captured male breeders from three territory types, including scrub habitat that (1) bordered a highway with a grassy shoulder that created an ‘edge’ habitat (roadside), (2) bordered human-maintained habitat (a plowed firebreak of sand with adjacent pasture) that served as a control for the edge-effect of the road (pasture) and (3) contained only natural scrub habitat (interior). We measured baseline concentrations of the stress hormone corticosterone (CORT), body mass, and a suite of longitudinal body measures to generate a body condition index in males from each territory type over three breeding seasons. Key results Roadside jays had greater body mass than did interior and pasture jays, although there were no differences in overall baseline CORT concentrations or body condition among territory classes. There was no difference in clutch initiation date or size and nestling and independent-young survival. Conclusions Our results suggest that the road through our study site has physiological effects on Florida scrub-jays; however, there is mixed evidence as to whether it acts as a chronic stressor. Implications Our findings provide evidence that roads and road-associated disturbance has neutral or potentially beneficial physiological effects of roads on Florida scrub-jays. Knowledge of these effects of roads and disturbance on jays will hopefully provide additional opportunities to improve conservation of this species.

scholarly journals Safe sex: male–female coalitions and pre-copulatory mate-guarding in a fiddler crab

2009 ◽  
Vol 6 (2) ◽  
pp. 180-182 ◽  
Author(s):  
Richard N. C. Milner ◽  
Michael D. Jennions ◽  
Patricia R. Y. Backwell
Keyword(s):  
Sexual Dimorphism ◽  
Reproductive Success ◽  
Observational Data ◽  
Fiddler Crab ◽  
Lower Boundary ◽  
Mate Guarding ◽  
Maintenance Costs ◽  
Boundary Maintenance ◽  
Uca Annulipes ◽  
Males And Females

In fiddler crabs both males and females defend territories that are essential for survival. Given pronounced sexual dimorphism in weaponry, how do weaponless females defend their territory from well-armed males? Using observational data and two simple experiments, we test whether male Uca annulipes protect their female neighbours from conspecific intruders. We show that males defend their female neighbours against male but not female intruders. We also show that females sometimes mate with their immediate neighbours. Male defence of female neighbours appears to represent both pre-copulatory mate-guarding and a territorial coalition. Males who ensure that their neighbour remains female could benefit through increased opportunity for future reproductive success and lower boundary maintenance costs.

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