Behavioral Ecology Advance Access originally published online on July 22, 2008
Behavioral Ecology 2008 19(6):1208-1216; doi:10.1093/beheco/arn085
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The roles of ecological factors and sexual selection in the evolution of white wing patches in ducks
a Behavioural Ecology Group, Department of Systematic Zoology and Ecology, Eötvös Loránd University, Pázmány Péter sétány 1/C, H-1117 Budapest, Hungary b Department of Biology, University of Antwerp, Campus Drie Eiken, Universiteitsplein 1, 2610 Wilrijk, Belgium
Address correspondence to G. Hegyi. E-mail: everest{at}ludens.elte.hu.
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Abstract |
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Most studies of the evolution of sexual ornamentation have dealt with plumage attributes. White plumage patches are widespread in birds, the disproportionate role of wearing costs makes their evolutionary trajectories unique, and their visual assessment is less biased than that of other color categories. Still, comparative studies of white patches are very rare. We examined the evolution of white wing patches in ducks (Anatinae), assessing both sex-specific trait expression and dichromatism. Habitat openness, nest site (cavity or open), or the length of the incubation period did not predict white patch expression. Patch size on the wing coverts of females increased with parental care contribution by males. Covert patch size relative to the wing surface was positively related to body size in males, suggesting a role in sexual competition. White wing patch expression was unrelated to the frequency of social mate change or testis size, a measure of general sperm competition intensity. However, covert patch size in both sexes showed strong negative correlation with the phallus length of males, an indicator of the prevalence of forced copulations. Further studies are needed to clarify the role of flight feather patches and the factors that limit the exaggeration of white wing patches in this and other groups.
Key words: Anatinae, forced copulation, intrasexual competition, parental care, predation, social mating system, white plumage ornament.
Received 1 November 2007; revised 23 June 2008; accepted 23 June 2008.
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