Experimental manipulation of a signal trait reveals complex phenotype-behaviour coordination.

ABSTRACT: Animals use morphological signals such as ornamental traits or weaponry to mediate social interactions, and the extent of signal trait elaboration is often positively associated with reproductive success. By demonstrating relationships between signal traits and fitness, researchers often make inferences about how behaviour operates to shape those outcomes. However, detailed information about fine-scale individual behaviour, and its physiological basis, can be difficult to obtain. Here we show that experimental manipulations to exaggerate a signal trait (plumage colour) and concomitant changes in testosterone and stress-induced corticosterone levels altered social interactivity between manipulated males and their social mates. On average, darkened males did not have higher levels of interac

SUBMITTER: Levin II 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC6195576 | biostudies-literature | 2018 Oct

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature