The evolution of the multicoloured face of mandrills: insights from the perceptual space of colour vision.

ABSTRACT: Multicomponent signals consist of several traits that are perceived as a whole. Although many animals rely on multicomponent signals to communicate, the selective pressures shaping these signals are still poorly understood. Previous work has mainly investigated the evolution of multicomponent signals by studying each trait individually, which may not accurately reflect the selective pressures exerted by the holistic perception of signal receivers. Here, we study the design of the multicoloured face of an Old World primate, the mandrill (Mandrillus sphinx), in relation to two aspects of signalling that are expected to be selected by receivers: conspicuousness and information. Using reflectance data on the blue and red colours of the faces of 34 males and a new method of hue vectorisation in

SUBMITTER: Renoult JP 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC3244440 | biostudies-literature | 2011

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature