Reconstructing the evolution of sexual dichromatism: current color diversity does not reflect past rates of male and female change.

Abstract excerpt

Males of sexually dimorphic species often appear more divergent among taxa than do females, so it is often assumed that evolutionary changes have occurred primarily in males. Yet, sexual dimorphisms can result from historical changes in either or both of the sexes, and few previous studies have investigated such patterns using phylogenetic methods. Here, we describe the evolution of male and female plumage colors...

Topics

• Animals
• Color Perception
• Evolution, Molecular
• Female
• Genetic Variation
• Male
• Mating Preference, Animal
• Passeriformes
• Pigmentation
• Sex Characteristics