Digit ratios have poor indicator value in a wild bird population |
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Authors: | Suvi Ruuskanen Samuli Helle Markus Ahola Freya Adamczyck Erich Möstl Toni Laaksonen |
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Institution: | (1) Section of Ecology, Department of Biology, University of Turku, Turku, Finland;(2) Department of Animal Population Biology, Netherlands Institute of Ecology (NIOO-KNAW), Heteren, The Netherlands;(3) University of Veterinary Medicine, Vienna, Austria;(4) Finnish Museum of Natural History, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland |
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Abstract: | Early androgen exposure is known to have long-lasting effects on phenotype, behaviour and even fitness, but difficulties in
measuring the exposure hinders the study of its importance in evolutionary context. Digit ratios have been highlighted as
a potential easy-to-measure indicator of early steroid exposure, as they have been suggested to reflect steroid, mainly testosterone
levels during prenatal development. However, evidence for digit ratios reflecting early steroid levels is weak, as experimental
studies, especially in wild populations, are scarce. We studied the association between maternally derived yolk androgens
and digit ratios (2D:4D, 2D:3D and 3D:4D) using both correlative data and a rather high level of experimental elevation of
yolk androgens in a passerine bird, the pied flycatcher (Ficedula hypoleuca). We also examined whether digit ratios have indicator value in an evolutionary context by studying correlations between
digit ratios and reproductive traits, secondary sexual traits and exploratory behaviour. We did not find any association between
digit ratios and yolk androgen level either in correlative or experimental data. Digit ratios were neither related to any
of the reproductive and secondary sexual traits or exploratory behaviour measured. There was, however, a sex difference in
2D:3D and 3D:4D of adult birds (due to second and fourth digits being shorter in females), which was not apparent in fledglings
or captivity-raised juveniles. This suggests that either the sex difference may develop as late as during the sexual maturation
for breeding. These results indicate that, in this species, digit ratios are not reliable markers of maternally derived yolk
androgen exposure and that they bear little relevance as correlates of the adaptive traits we measured. |
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