10.5061/DRYAD.TMPG4F4X5
Hernández, América
National Autonomous University of Mexico
Martínez-Gomez, Margarita
National Autonomous University of Mexico
Beamonte-Barrientos, René
Autonomous University of Tlaxcala
Montoya, Bibiana
Autonomous University of Tlaxcala
Colorful traits in avian females, individual condition, reproductive
performance, and male mate preferences: A meta-analytic approach
Dryad
dataset
2020
Animal behavior
CONACyT*
10907 - 220418
Consejo Nacional de Humanidades, Ciencias y Tecnologías
https://ror.org/059ex5q34
10907 - 220418
2020-11-09T00:00:00Z
2020-11-09T00:00:00Z
en
25779 bytes
2
CC0 1.0 Universal (CC0 1.0) Public Domain Dedication
Colorful ornaments in females are suggested to have evolved and be
maintained by sexual selection. Although several studies have evaluated
this idea evidence is still equivocal. Results from empirical studies have
been compilated in reviews, but quantitative analyses have seldom been
performed. Here, using a meta-analytic approach, we show that evidence
from empirical studies conducted in birds, supports the ideas that
colorful female ornaments are positively associated with individual
condition, reproductive performance, and male-mate preferences. Hence,
females’ colorful traits, in birds, likely evolved and are maintained by
sexual selection.
A systematic search of literature was performed using PRISMA method
(Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses). We
looked for literature trough the search engines Scholar Google and Web of
Science, using the keywords: “female bird ornament”, “female bird
ornamentation”, “female bird traits”, “female bird quality”, “female bird
condition”, “female bird attractiveness”, “female bird color”, “female
bird colour”, “female bird coloration”, “male bird choice”, “male bird
preference”. References within papers were also checked. Last search was
conducted on October 2020. Studies with missing reports on statistical
values, independent estimates for each sex, and type of coloration were
excluded. Seventy-six studies were found but only 52 satisfied the
inclusion criteria. Studies included were performed in 37 species with
monogamous mating system, four with facultative polygamous, and only one
with polygamous (eight species were used in more than one study).
Carotenoid-dependent ornaments were present in 25 species, melanin based
in 16, and structural colorations in 10. Intensity of coloration was
estimated as number and/or size of colored structures/patches,
spectrophotometry, digital image analysis (RGB or LBA), and visual rank
scales (color charts and visual rank score). Through independent
meta-analyses we evaluated evidence for the association of colorful female
ornaments with condition, reproductive performance, and male preferences.
Studies assessing more than one of these associations were included in
more than one meta-analysis. Effect sizes reported as Pearson’s
correlation coefficients (r) were directly extracted from papers,
otherwise were calculated using the square root of determination
coefficients in regression models (R2). Pearson’s coefficients were
subsequently transformed to Fisher’s z-values for statistical analyses.
When studies reported t or F values, Hedges’ g was calculated to obtain
effect size. All effect sizes were weighted using the variance value.