Article
Ornithology
Anastasia H. Dalziell, Justin A. Welbergen
Summary: This study reports on the complex multimodal displays exhibited by male Superb Lyrebirds after copulation, indicating the presence of sexual selection even after mating. This finding highlights the importance of complex courtship choreography in birds in various contexts.
Article
Biology
Logan S. James, Wouter Halfwerk, Kimberly L. Hunter, Rachel A. Page, Ryan C. Taylor, Preston S. Wilson, Michael J. Ryan
Summary: This study examined the relationship between components of communication systems in female tungara frogs and fringelipped bats. The results showed that vocal sac volume, call amplitude, and water ripple height were correlated, with vocal sac volume and call amplitude showing the strongest association. Multimodal models were found to predict the mass of calling males better than unimodal models, providing a foundation for future studies on complex displays integration and comparison by receivers.
JOURNAL OF EXPERIMENTAL BIOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Kaspar Delhey, Mihai Valcu, Christina Muck, James Dale, Bart Kempenaers, Jonathan Losos
Summary: Animal coloration is a conspicuous aspect of organismal diversity, but its mechanisms remain largely unknown. This study examines bird species and finds that black, white, gray, and brown are the most common colors, while green, blue, purple, and red are the rarest. The study supports existing theories of color evolution, including sexual selection in males and social selection for red and black colors. However, there is still much variation in coloration that is not explained. Overall, the study provides important insights into the evolution of animal coloration.
PROCEEDINGS OF THE NATIONAL ACADEMY OF SCIENCES OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
(2023)
Article
Behavioral Sciences
Clementine Mitoyen, Cliodhna Quigley, Thibault Boehly, Leonida Fusani
Summary: This study investigated the association between multimodal courtship signals of male ring doves and immediate behavioral responses by females. It found that certain courtship components, such as male calls, courtship duration, and bout duration, influenced female tail-quivering behavior, while variables like courtship rate did not affect female response. Additionally, repeated encounters with individuals of the opposite sex had an effect on male courtship variables and female sexual responses. Further research is needed to understand how different male courtship elements impact female behavior and mating decisions.
Article
Ornithology
Alois Robert, Thierry Lengagne, Martim Melo, Doris Gomez, Claire Doutrelant
Summary: Oceanic islands may exhibit parallel evolutionary trends in life-history traits, morphology, and visual signals, but the extent to which acoustic signals change in parallel remains unclear. A study on 11 insular species and their mainland relatives did not find a clear relationship between island environment and song traits, potentially due to factors such as relaxation of interspecific competition on islands. More research on island species is needed to understand divergence patterns and unique song characteristics in islands beyond confounding ecological factors.
JOURNAL OF AVIAN BIOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Ecology
Kaspar Delhey, Mihai Valcu, James Dale, Bart Kempenaers
Summary: This study investigates the evolution of yellow and red carotenoid-based plumage colors in passerines. It finds that these colors are more likely to evolve in smaller species and species with carotenoid-rich diets. Yellow plumage is more prevalent in environments with higher primary productivity and closed vegetation, while red plumage is more likely to be the result of metabolization. Females are more likely to have yellow plumage, while males are more likely to have red plumage, consistent with sexual selection. The study provides evidence for a directional evolutionary trend from yellow to red plumage colors.
JOURNAL OF ANIMAL ECOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Ecology
Kees Wanders, Guangji Chen, Shaohong Feng, Guojie Zhang, Tamas Szekely, Mike Bruford, Zsolt Vegvari, Gotz Eichhorn, Araxi Urrutia
Summary: Good genes theories predict that polygamy is associated with more efficient purifying selection, while runaway selection theories expect less efficient purifying selection in polygamous species. In an analysis of 150-bird genome assemblies, we found that polygamous species have significantly fewer non-synonymous polymorphisms than monogamous bird species. This effect is independent of population size, consistent with the alignment of natural selection with sexual selection and good genes theories. Polyandry has a marginal impact on genetic diversity, while smaller body mass and larger geographic range size are associated with more efficient purifying selection and greater genetic diversity.
Article
Ecology
Nicole M. Moody, Emma K. Vivlamore, Matthew J. Fuxjager
Summary: This study explores the coevolution of the woodpecker drum display components among and within species, finding strong coevolution of drum speed and length among species, and largely independent variation within species. The relationship between drum speed and length is positive at both macro- and microevolutionary scales, indicating mutual elaboration of display components.
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Sergio Nolazco, Kaspar Delhey, Shinichi Nakagawa, Anne Peters
Summary: This article examines the ornament traits and adaptive signals in birds. The study finds that although female ornaments are often less elaborate than male ornaments, both sexes show similar associations between ornaments and indicators of health and reproductive success.
NATURE COMMUNICATIONS
(2022)
Review
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Ines Orfao, Constanca Carvalho, Ines Rodrigues, Leonor Ascensao, Marie Pedaccini, Luis Vicente, Miguel Barbosa, Susana A. M. Varela
Summary: This study hypothesizes that male-male courtship display evolved as a response to intrasexual competition, and the research found more evidence of eavesdropping, exploitation, and audience effect related to this competition.
Article
Behavioral Sciences
Jeffrey Podos
Summary: This essay explores the roles of costs and constraints in the evolution of sexual traits. The author suggests that the relative influence of costs and constraints shifts over different stages of sexual trait elaboration, with constraints ultimately becoming the dominant factor.
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
David M. Logue, Tyler R. Bonnell
Summary: This study proposes a conceptual model of performance under constraint and validates it through experiments using sports data. The results indicate that motor constraints tend to generate skewed behavior, and skew normal models can be used to estimate constraints from a single axis of behavioral data.
ROYAL SOCIETY OPEN SCIENCE
(2023)
Article
Biology
America Hernandez, Margarita Martinez-Gomez, Rene Beamonte-Barrientos, Bibiana Montoya
Summary: Research suggests that colourful traits in female birds have evolved and are maintained by sexual selection, as they are positively associated with residual mass, immune response, clutch size, and male mate preference. These traits are likely condition-dependent signals in sexual communication.
Article
Zoology
Yating Liu, Zhengjun Wu, Wenbo Liao
Summary: This study examined the relationship between extra-pair paternity (EPP) and brain size, testis size, and life histories among bird species. The findings indicate that birds with larger brains, which are associated with enhanced cognitive abilities, are more inclined to maintain long-term stable relationships with their mates and engage in mutualism, rather than increasing the frequency of EPP.
INTEGRATIVE ZOOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Biology
Michael S. S. Reichert, Ivan de la Hera
Summary: By studying the preferences of both sexes in response to novel mating signals in grey treefrogs, evidence of sensory bias was found in both males and females: males exhibited more intense responses to complex stimuli, while females sometimes preferred complex stimuli.
PROCEEDINGS OF THE ROYAL SOCIETY B-BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES
(2022)
Article
Zoology
Lucas Roberto Pereira Gomes, Rafael de Oliveira Fratoni, Gabriel Massaccesi De La Torre, Fernando Ferneda Freitas, Gustavo Graciolli, Claudio Jose Barros de Carvalho, Lilian Tonelli Manica
Summary: In this study, we described the larva of the louse fly Stilbometopa podopostyla and conducted the first ultrastructural analysis of its spiracular plate. We also documented the first record of S. podopostyla in the state of Parana and identified a new host species, Geotrygon montana.
STUDIES ON NEOTROPICAL FAUNA AND ENVIRONMENT
(2021)
Article
Psychology, Biological
Leonardo B. Castilho, Maydianne C. B. Andrade, Regina H. Macedo
Summary: In the tropical jumping spider Hasarius adansoni, males did not show evidence of mating effort or a clear relationship between female quality and offspring quality/quantity. However, the amount of sperm invested in a particular female was found to depend on the total sperm load available to the male at the time of mating.
Article
Behavioral Sciences
L. M. Schaedler, P. H. L. Ribeiro, L. T. Manica
Summary: This study used phenotype networks to evaluate the courtship displays of swallow-tailed manakins in different social contexts, finding that practice networks were more modular than courtship networks. It suggests that juvenile males display a strict stereotypical behavior due to developmental constraints, while adult males show higher variability in response to female preferences. The study sheds light on the importance of social context in altering the relationship between traits and provides future directions for further exploration of this complex display function.
Article
Ornithology
Carlos Biagolini-Jr, Regina H. Macedo
Summary: Parasitic botfly larvae were found in nests of blue-black grassquit nestlings, with higher tarsus asymmetry observed in infected chicks. While the impact on offspring survival was small, infection may affect fitness in adulthood. Higher food supply in nesting areas was associated with lower larval infestation rates.
JOURNAL OF AVIAN BIOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Behavioral Sciences
Carlos Biagolini-Jr, Edvaldo F. Silva-Jr, Claysson H. de Aguiar Silva, Regina H. Macedo
Summary: The study found that vegetation characteristics and human disturbance can influence the display behavior of blue-black grassquit. Factors influencing display quality include seed abundance and shadow intensity, with leap rate highest at dawn and reduced after a fire event. This highlights the importance of understanding the impact of human activities on animal reproductive behaviors.
BEHAVIORAL ECOLOGY AND SOCIOBIOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Ornithology
Pedro Diniz, Edvaldo F. Silva-Jr, Regina H. Macedo
Summary: The study found that urban-dwelling Rufous Hornero birds showed minimal and statistically insignificant differences in behavior between weekdays and weekends, suggesting that these birds may have already habituated to or be indifferent to periodic changes in human activity levels.
Article
Behavioral Sciences
Edvaldo F. Silva-Jr, Pedro Diniz, Regina H. Macedo
Summary: A study found that bird songs of tropical birds are usually simpler at higher latitudes and in variable climates and/or species-poor environments. These findings contradict the traditional hypotheses. The study also revealed a positive correlation between song complexity and bird species richness, and between the proportion of vibratos and latitude and seasonality.
BEHAVIORAL ECOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Ornithology
Leilton Willians Luna, Sofia Marques Silva, Weber Andrade de Girao e Silva, Milene Garbim Gaiotti, Regina H. Macedo, Juliana Araripe, Pericles Sena do Rego
Summary: Genetic information is often overlooked in conservation policies, but monitoring changes in genetic diversity can provide important insights for the management of endangered species. This study presents the first fine-scale spatio-temporal genetic monitoring for the Critically Endangered Araripe Manakin. The results show relatively stable genetic diversity over time, with limited signs of population structure and evidence of non-random mating. However, ongoing habitat loss and degradation pose a threat to the species, highlighting the need for habitat restoration and connectivity to ensure its survival.
ORNITHOLOGICAL APPLICATIONS
(2022)
Article
Agriculture, Dairy & Animal Science
Andre de Camargo Guaraldo, Juliane Coimbra Bczuska, Lilian Tonelli Manica
Summary: Few studies have been conducted on altitudinal migration in South American birds. This study focuses on the Yellow-legged Thrush and finds that altitude and rainfall influence its migratory behavior, providing new insights into the altitudinal migration of birds in the region. Further research is needed to explore the altitudinal migration system in South America and the general validity of hypotheses regarding the mechanisms underlying this behavior and its evolution.
AVIAN BIOLOGY RESEARCH
(2022)
Article
Parasitology
Victor Aguiar de Souza Penha, Fabricius Maia Chaves Bicalho Domingos, Alan Fecchio, Jeffrey A. Bell, Jason D. Weckstein, Robert E. Ricklefs, Erika Martins Braga, Patricia de Abreu Moreira, Leticia Soares, Steven Latta, Graziela Tolesano-Pascoli, Renata Duarte Alquezar, Kleber Del-Claro, Lilian Tonelli Manica
Summary: This study explored the relationship between avian life-history traits, climate, and the prevalence of Plasmodium and Parahaemoproteus parasites. The results showed that species inhabiting open habitats and species with longer incubation periods had higher parasite prevalence. Additionally, species without migratory behavior, engaging in mixed-species flocks, and with an omnivorous or animal-derived diet had higher prevalence of Plasmodium infection.
Article
Biology
Victor Aguiar de Souza Penha, Fabricius Maia Chaves Bicalho Domingos, Alan Fecchio, Jeffrey A. Bell, Jason D. Weckstein, Robert E. Ricklefs, Erika Martins Braga, Patricia de Abreu Moreira, Leticia Soares, Steven Latta, Graziela Tolesano-Pascoli, Renata Duarte Alquezar, Kleber Del-Claro, Lilian Tonelli Manica
Summary: Birds use plumage coloration as an important signaling trait in social communication, and sexual dichromatism is usually attributed to female choice. However, plumage coloration is also influenced by other selective pressures such as parasites and life-history traits. This study found that bird species with a higher prevalence of haemosporidian parasites had more pronounced plumage dichromatism, and high plumage coloration complexity in female tanagers was associated with a longer incubation period.
PROCEEDINGS OF THE ROYAL SOCIETY B-BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES
(2022)
Review
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Julie N. Oswald, Amy M. Van Cise, Angela Dassow, Taffeta Elliott, Michael T. Johnson, Andrea Ravignani, Jeffrey Podos
Summary: The field of bioacoustics is rapidly developing with diverse methodologies, approaches, and aims. This paper reviews key papers that embody best practices in several bioacoustic subfields, covering topics such as species identification, population structure, biodiversity, and predator-prey dynamics. The importance of appropriate recording parameters and experimental design is emphasized. The paper concludes by highlighting common best practices and calling for the standardization of procedures to enhance compatibility and cross-disciplinary collaboration in bioacoustic studies.
APPLIED SCIENCES-BASEL
(2022)
Review
Ornithology
Leticia Soares, Kristina L. Cockle, Ernesto Ruelas Inzunza, Jose Tomas Ibarra, Carolina Isabel Mino, Santiago Zuluaga, Elisa Bonaccorso, Juan Camilo Rios-Orjuela, Flavia A. Montano-Centellas, Juan F. Freile, Maria A. Echeverry-Galvis, Eugenia Bianca Bonaparte, Luisa Maria Diele-Viegas, Karina Speziale, Sergio A. Cabrera-Cruz, Orlando Acevedo-Charry, Enriqueta Velarde, Cecilia Cuatianquiz Lima, Valeria S. Ojeda, Carla S. Fontana, Alejandra Echeverri, Sergio A. Lambertucci, Regina H. Macedo, Alberto Esquivel, Steven C. Latta, Irene Ruvalcaba-Ortega, Maria Alice S. Alves, Diego Santiago-Alarcon, Alejandro Bodrati, Fernando Gonzalez-Garcia, Nestor Farina, Juan Esteban Martinez-Gomez, Ruben Ortega-Alvarez, Maria Gabriela Nunez Montellano, Camila C. Ribas, Carlos Bosque, Adrian S. Di Giacomo, Juan Areta, Carine Emer, Lourdes Mugica Valdes, Clementina Gonzalez, Maria Emilia Rebollo, Giselle Mangini, Carlos Lara, Jose Cristobal Pizarro, Victor R. Cueto, Pablo Rafael Bolanos-Sittler, Juan Francisco Ornelas, Martin Acosta, Marcos Cenizo, Miguel Angelo Marini, Leopoldo D. Vazquez-Reyes, Jose Antonio Gonzalez-Oreja, Leandro Bugoni, Martin Quiroga, Valentina Ferretti, Lilian T. Manica, Juan M. Grande, Flor Rodriguez-Gomez, Soledad Diaz, Nicole Buettner, Lucia Mentesana, Marconi Campos-Cerqueira, Fernando Gabriel Lopez, Andre C. Guaraldo, Ian MacGregor-Fors, Francisca Helena Aguiar-Silva, Cristina Y. Miyaki, Silvina Ippi, Emilse Merida, Cecilia Kopuchian, Cintia Cornelius, Paula L. Enriquez, Natalia Ocampo-Penuela, Katherine Renton, Jhan C. Salazar, Luis Sandoval, Jorge Correa Sandoval, Pedro X. Astudillo, Ancilleno O. Davis, Nicolas Cantero, David Ocampo, Oscar Humberto Marin Gomez, Sergio Henrique Borges, Sergio Cordoba-Cordoba, Alejandro G. Pietrek, Carlos B. de Araujo, Guillermo Fernandez, Horacio de la Cueva, Joao Marcos Guimaraes Capurucho, Nicole A. Gutierrez-Ramos, Ariane Ferreira, Lilian Mariana Costa, Cecilia Soldatini, Hannah M. Madden, Miguel Angel Santillan, Gustavo Jimenez-Uzcategui, Emilio A. Jordan, Guilherme Henrique Silva Freitas, Paulo C. Pulgarin-R, Roberto Carlos Almazan-Nunez, Tomas Altamirano, Milka R. Gomez, Myriam C. Velazquez, Rebeca Irala, Facundo A. Gandoy, Andrea C. Trigueros, Carlos A. Ferreyra, Yuri Vladimir Albores-Barajas, Markus Tellkamp, Carine Dantas Oliveira, Andrea Weiler, Ma del Coro Arizmendi, Adrianne G. Tossas, Rebecca Zarza, Gabriel Serra, Rafael Villegas-Patraca, Facundo Gabriel Di Sallo, Cleiton Valentim, Jorge Ignacio Noriega, Giraldo Alayon Garcia, Martin R. de la Pena, Rosendo M. Fraga, Pedro Vitor Ribeiro Martins
Summary: To advance Neotropical ornithology, it is crucial to address systemic exclusion, improve research practices, and provide better funding and professional development opportunities. Collaborative leadership, investment in basic field biology research, and the promotion of anti-colonial agendas are key to progress.
ORNITHOLOGICAL APPLICATIONS
(2023)
Article
Psychology, Biological
Carlos Biagolini Jr, Pedro Diniz, Regina H. Macedo
Summary: This study examined the interactions between blue-black grassquits and Philornis spp. It was found that the presence of parents at the nest did not affect the parasitism status of the nestlings. However, parents visited parasitized nests more frequently to compensate for energy loss and spent more time on nest maintenance.
Article
Ornithology
Lia Nahomi Kajiki, Mariana de-Carvalho, Paulo Victor Resende Dos Santos, Samara de Albuquerque Teixeira, Regina H. Macedo
Summary: Males of the Helmeted Manakin hold individual territories with nesting sites and exhibit aggressive responses in central areas. The species has a polygamous mating system but is better classified as a resource-defence exploded-lek mating system. The distinct environmental conditions in which the species evolved may have played a significant role in modifying its behavior, resulting in patterns that deviate from the typical lekking system found among manakins. This study highlights the importance of investigating atypical manakins to further our understanding of alternative reproductive tactics among birds.
EMU-AUSTRAL ORNITHOLOGY
(2023)