Mate choice for a male carotenoid-based ornament is linked to female dietary carotenoid intake and accumulation.

ABSTRACT:

Background

The coevolution of male traits and female mate preferences has led to the elaboration and diversification of sexually selected traits; however the mechanisms that mediate trait-preference coevolution are largely unknown. Carotenoid acquisition and accumulation are key determinants of the expression of male sexually selected carotenoid-based coloration and a primary mechanism maintaining the honest information content of these signals. Carotenoids also influence female health and reproduction in ways that may alter the costs and benefits of mate choice behaviours and thus provide a potential biochemical link between the expression of male traits and female preferences. To test this hypothesis, we manipulated the dietary carotenoid levels of captive female house finches (C

SUBMITTER: Toomey MB 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC3315416 | biostudies-literature | 2012 Jan

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature