Absence of status signalling by structurally based ultraviolet plumage in wintering blue tits (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Cyanistes caeruleus</Emphasis>) |
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Authors: | Peter Korsten Oscar Vedder István Szentirmai Jan Komdeur |
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Institution: | 1.Animal Ecology Group, Centre for Ecological and Evolutionary Studies,University of Groningen,Haren,The Netherlands;2.Department of Ethology,E?tv?s University,Budapest,Hungary |
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Abstract: | Structurally based ultraviolet (UV)-reflective plumage parts can be important cues in mate choice. However, it remains largely
unknown if UV plumage variation can also function as a signal of social status during competitive interactions. In blue tits
(Cyanistes caeruleus), the UV-reflective crown plumage functions as a female mate choice cue that probably indicates male quality, as males with
higher UV reflectance have been shown to have better chances of over-winter survival. Possibly, the UV crown plumage acts
as a status signal in the competition over scarce food sources during winter. To test this idea, we related dominance of individuals
at an artificial food source during adverse winter conditions to spectrophotometric measurements of their crown plumage. However,
while controlling for the confounding effects of sex, age, and distance from territory, we found no significant effect of
crown UV reflectance on dominance. Consistent with this result, we also found no relation between crown UV reflectance and
over-winter survival. We conclude that the structurally based UV reflectance of the blue tit crown feathers plays little role
in competition between individuals during winter despite its importance as a cue in mate choice. |
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Keywords: | Ultraviolet plumage Status signalling Site-dependent dominance Winter flocks Blue tit Cyanistes (formerly Parus) caeruleus |
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