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Differential visual ornamentation between brood parasitic and parental cuckoos
M Hasegawa1, E Arai1
1Department of Evolutionary Studies of Biosystems, Sokendai (the Graduate University for Advanced Studies), Hayama-machi, Kanagawa, Japan.
Journal of Evolutionary Biology
|January 17, 2018
Summary
Brood parasitism in cuckoos influences adult traits. Nonparasitic cuckoos exhibit juvenile-like plumage and bare skin, supporting sexual selection theories linked to parental care.
Area of Science:
- Evolutionary Biology
- Ornithology
- Behavioral Ecology
Background:
- Sexual selection theory predicts distinct adult phenotypes in brood parasites versus parental species.
- Parental species may retain juvenile-like traits to attract mates, while brood parasites evolve extravagant characteristics.
- Evolutionary trade-offs exist between parental investment and sexually selected traits.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the impact of brood parasitism on adult phenotypic traits in cuckoos (family Cuculidae).
- To test predictions of sexual selection theory regarding plumage and bare-part characteristics in relation to brood parasitism.
- To explore the co-evolutionary pathways between brood parasitism and phenotypic traits.
Main Methods:
- Phylogenetic comparative analysis of adult plumage and bare-part characteristics in cuckoos.
- Comparison of traits between parasitic and nonparasitic cuckoo species.
- Examination of evolutionary pathways using a family-tree approach.
Main Results:
- Nonparasitic cuckoos displayed plumage more similar to juveniles than brood parasitic cuckoos.
- Nonparasitic cuckoos were more likely to possess additional bare skin, a hatchling-like trait, compared to brood parasites.
- Evidence suggests an interdependent evolution between additional bare skin and brood parasitism.
Conclusions:
- Findings support the link between parental care strategies and sexual selection pressures in cuckoos.
- Brood parasitism may hinder the maintenance of juvenile-like phenotypes, and vice versa.
- Parasite-host interactions may also influence observed trait evolution.
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