Spatial memory is as important as weapon and body size for territorial ownership in a lekking hummingbird.

ABSTRACT: Advanced cognitive abilities have long been hypothesized to be important in mating. Yet, most work on sexual selection has focused on morphological traits and its relevance for cognitive evolution is poorly understood. We studied the spatial memory of lekking long-billed hermits (Phaethornis longirostris) and evaluated its role in lek territory ownership, the magnitude of its effect compared to phenotypic traits expected to influence sexual selection, and whether its variation is indicated in the structure of mating vocal signal. Spatial memory (the ability to recall the position of a rewarding feeder) was compared between "territorial" and "floater" males. Interestingly, although spatial memory and body size both positively affected the probability of lek territory ownership, our results

SUBMITTER: Araya-Salas M 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC5792557 | biostudies-literature | 2018 Jan

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature