A1 Refereed original research article in a scientific journal
Melanin coloration has temperature-dependent effects on breeding performance that may maintain phenotypic variation in a passerine bird
Authors: Sirkiä P, Virolainen M, Laaksonen T
Publication year: 2010
Journal: Journal of Evolutionary Biology
Journal name in source: Journal of Evolutionary Biology
Number in series: 11
Volume: 23
Issue: 11
First page : 2385
Last page: 2396
Number of pages: 12
ISSN: 1010-061X
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1420-9101.2010.02100.x
Web address : http://api.elsevier.com/content/abstract/scopus_id:77958572975
Abstract
Fluctuating selection pressure may maintain phenotypic variation because of different types of individuals being adapted to different environmental conditions. We show that the extensive variation in the coloration of male pied flycatchers (Ficedula hypoleuca) can be maintained through differences in the reproductive success of male phenotypes under different conditions. The effects of weather conditions on the relative success of different male phenotypes varied between different phases of breeding. The reproductive output of black males was the highest when it was cold during egg-laying but warm during the nestling period, whereas the fledgling production of brown males was highest when it was continuously warm. In addition, male forehead and wing patch sizes had context-dependent effects on timing of breeding and nestling mortality, respectively. These results indicate that environmental heterogeneity plays a role in maintaining phenotypic variation. As melanin-based coloration is heritable, climate change may alter phenotype frequencies depending on the patterns of warming. © 2010 The Authors. Journal Compilation © 2010 European Society For Evolutionary Biology.
Fluctuating selection pressure may maintain phenotypic variation because of different types of individuals being adapted to different environmental conditions. We show that the extensive variation in the coloration of male pied flycatchers (Ficedula hypoleuca) can be maintained through differences in the reproductive success of male phenotypes under different conditions. The effects of weather conditions on the relative success of different male phenotypes varied between different phases of breeding. The reproductive output of black males was the highest when it was cold during egg-laying but warm during the nestling period, whereas the fledgling production of brown males was highest when it was continuously warm. In addition, male forehead and wing patch sizes had context-dependent effects on timing of breeding and nestling mortality, respectively. These results indicate that environmental heterogeneity plays a role in maintaining phenotypic variation. As melanin-based coloration is heritable, climate change may alter phenotype frequencies depending on the patterns of warming. © 2010 The Authors. Journal Compilation © 2010 European Society For Evolutionary Biology.
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