Fluctuating environments, sexual selection and the evolution of flexible mate choice in birds.

ABSTRACT: Environmentally-induced fluctuation in the form and strength of natural selection can drive the evolution of morphology, physiology, and behavior. Here we test the idea that fluctuating climatic conditions may also influence the process of sexual selection by inducing unexpected reversals in the relative quality or sexual attractiveness of potential breeding partners. Although this phenomenon, known as 'ecological cross-over', has been documented in a variety of species, it remains unclear the extent to which it has driven the evolution of major interspecific differences in reproductive behavior. We show that after controlling for potentially influential life history and demographic variables, there are significant positive associations between the variability and predictability of annual

SUBMITTER: Botero CA 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC3281128 | biostudies-literature | 2012

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature