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Multiple sexually selected traits in the Serin. Are coloration and song signalling the same features? [abstract]

Costa, M. & Mota, P. G. (2012). Multiple sexually selected traits in the Serin. Are coloration and song signalling the same features? [abstract]. Bioacoustics, Volume 21 (1): 69

 

Abstract: 

After many studies conducted in bird species, it is now understood that most sexually selected traits are evolutionary signals that females use to select males with particular characteristics. The presence of multiple traits, such as song and coloration, can either signal different characteristics or be redundant. In the latter case, traits should be strongly correlated between individuals. Previous studies conducted in our laboratory have shown that both coloration and male song are sexually selected traits in the Serin (Serinus serinus), a small cardueline finch. The species is sexually dichromatic, with males presenting intense yellow coloration, with high concentration of carotenoids. Also, male serins sign songs at a very fast rate of sound production, maintaining high frequency amplitude, sustaining the production of very complex elements far beyond the Podos triangle. We recorded songs of a group of males of a wild population during breeding and measured their coloration by spectrophotometry in order to assess if the two traits were correlated between individuals. We found that song variables and coloration were not correlated in our sample, indicating that these two traits signal distinct things for their conspecifics.

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