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Sexual selection affects local extinction and turnover in bird communities
Paul F Doherty1, Gabriele Sorci, J Andrew Royle
1Laboratoire d'Ecologie, Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique-Unité Mixte de Recherche 7625, Université Pierre et Marie Curie, 7 Quai Saint Bernard, F-75252 Paris Cedex 05, France. doherty@cnr.colostate.edu
Summary
Species with strong sexual selection face higher local extinction risks. However, bird communities maintain stability through high turnover rates, suggesting metacommunity dynamics are crucial for persistence.
Area of Science:
- Ecology
- Evolutionary Biology
- Conservation Biology
Background:
- Predicting extinction risks is vital for understanding population and community dynamics.
- Ecological and life history traits, such as sexual selection, influence extinction probabilities.
- Strong sexual selection can impose costs, potentially increasing extinction rates.
Purpose of the Study:
- To test the prediction that species with intense sexual selection exhibit higher local extinction rates.
- To investigate the impact of sexual selection on the dynamics of natural bird communities.
- To explore the role of metacommunity processes in species persistence.
Main Methods:
- Analysis of continental-scale bird community dynamics over 21 years (1975-1996).
- Statistical examination of local extinction rates in relation to sexual selection intensity (dichromatism vs. monochromaticity).
- Assessment of local turnover rates and community stability.
Main Results:
- Species with intense sexual selection (dichromatic birds) showed a 23% higher local extinction rate compared to monochromatic species.
- Despite higher local extinction, the abundance of dichromatic species remained stable.
- Higher local turnover rates in dichromatic species compensated for extinctions, maintaining community stability.
Conclusions:
- Sexual selection is a significant factor increasing local extinction risk in bird populations.
- Bird communities function as metacommunities, with local extinctions balanced by colonization.
- Anthropogenic impacts on dispersal could threaten the global persistence of sexually selected species.