Female choice, parasite load and male ornamentation in wild turkeys
Article Abstract:
Various ornamental characters of wild turkeys, such as a bare, brilliantly colored head covered with bumpy caruncles and a black hair-like beard, are maintained by female choice. The good genes model for female choice indicates that these ornaments are suitable indicators of parasite resistance, fat deposition and age. Males with broad skullcaps, long snoods and low coccidian oocyte are preferred by females. Beard and frontal caruncles exert no influence on female choice. The good genes model and aesthetic models are discussed.
Publication Name: Animal Behaviour
Subject: Zoology and wildlife conservation
ISSN: 0003-3472
Year: 1995
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A test of sensory bias for long tails in the house finch
Article Abstract:
The sensory bias hypothesis in sexual selection is tested in elongated tail feathers in male house finches, Carpodacus mexicanus, which are a widespread sexually selected trait in birds. The sensory bias model states that female preferences for certain male traits are a result of biases in the female sensory system existing before the evolution of the preferred trait. Results did not support the hypothesis that elongation of tail feathers resulted from a pre-existing female bias.
Publication Name: Animal Behaviour
Subject: Zoology and wildlife conservation
ISSN: 0003-3472
Year: 1998
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The effect of coccidial infection on iridescent plumage coloration in wild turkeys
Article Abstract:
The effect of experimental inoculation with coccidian parasites on the expression of iridescent structural coloration in yearling male turkeys, Meleagris gallopavo, is examined. The experiments provide evidence about parasites suppressing the expression of structural coloration and results show that in wild turkeys, iridescent coloration could serve as a condition-dependent signal of male health.
Publication Name: Animal Behaviour
Subject: Zoology and wildlife conservation
ISSN: 0003-3472
Year: 2005
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