Article
Sexually selected male plumage color is testosterone dependent in a tropical passerine bird, the red-backed fairy-wren (Malurus melanocephalus).
PloS one - 1 Jan 2011
Lindsay Willow R, Webster Michael S, Schwabl Hubert
Abstract excerpt
BACKGROUND: Sexual signals, such as bright plumage coloration in passerine birds, reflect individual quality, and testosterone (T) may play a critical role in maintaining signal honesty. Manipulations of T during molt have yielded mixed effects on passerine plumage color, in most cases delaying molt or leading to production of drab plumage. However, the majority of these studies have been conducted on species...
Topics
- Androgens
- Animals
- Corticosterone
- Feathers
- Female
- Male
- Organ Size
- Passeriformes
- Phenotype
- Pigmentation
- Sexual Behavior, Animal
- Testosterone