Dynamic selective environments and evolutionary traps in human-dominated landscapes.

Area of Science:

• Ecology
• Evolutionary Biology
• Animal Behavior

Background:

• Human activities can alter natural selection, potentially creating evolutionary traps.
• Ornamental traits may lose their signaling function as honest indicators of quality.
• The Northern Cardinal (Cardinalis cardinalis) is a sexually dichromatic, socially monogamous bird used as a model species.

Purpose of the Study:

• To test if urbanization erodes the relationship between plumage coloration and reproductive success in Northern Cardinals.
• To investigate the role of exotic Amur honeysuckle (Lonicera maackii) in creating an evolutionary trap.
• To determine if anthropogenic resources in urban areas mitigate negative effects of environmental changes.

Main Methods:

• Field study conducted in 14 Ohio forests from 2006-2008.
• Measured male Northern Cardinal plumage color, monitored reproductive success, and quantified territory habitat.
• Assessed the relationship between coloration, territory attributes, reproduction, and presence of exotic honeysuckle.

Main Results:

• In rural areas, brighter males had earlier breeding and preferred territories, but lower annual reproduction.
• Male plumage color was not associated with territory or reproduction in urban areas.
• Female redness negatively correlated with reproduction across all landscapes.
• Exotic honeysuckle use led to poor reproductive success, especially early in the season.

Conclusions:

• Exotic shrubs like Amur honeysuckle can create an evolutionary trap by linking preferred habitat with reduced reproductive success.
• Urban environments, with anthropogenic resources, can decouple male coloration from reproductive success and phenology, avoiding the trap.
• Modified selective environments in human-dominated landscapes can significantly influence microevolutionary processes in wildlife.