Strong, silent types: the rapid, adaptive disappearance of a sexual signal

2007 ◽  
Vol 22 (5) ◽  
pp. 226-228 ◽  
Author(s):  
Amanda Bretman ◽  
Tom Tregenza
Keyword(s):  
Sexual Signal

scholarly journals The dark-ventral-patch of male red deer, a sexual signal that conveys the degree of involvement in rutting behavior

BMC Zoology ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 6 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Eva de la Peña ◽  
Javier Pérez-González ◽  
José Martín ◽  
Giovanni Vedel ◽  
Juan Carranza
Keyword(s):  
Sexual Behaviors ◽  
Red Deer ◽  
Decisive Role ◽  
Female Mate Choice ◽  
Doñana National Park ◽  
Sexual Signal ◽  
Mating Competition ◽  
Dark Patch ◽  
Rutting Behavior

Abstract Background In polygynous mammals, signalling may play a decisive role in mating behavior, mediating the intensity of male fights and female mate choice. During the rutting season, male red deer may show a visible dark patch in their ventral fur. Recently, this patch has been suggested to act as a flexible sexual signal, due to its relationships with other variables such as age, body size, antler development, volatile compounds, or the competitive environment. The analysis of fur pigmentation at the ventral patch suggests that this might also visually indicate the male intrinsic predisposition to take part in mating competition. Results To assess the possible role of this trait as a communicative signal related to mate competition, we used red deer behavioral observations during the rut in Doñana National Park (Spain) to examine the link between the degree of expression of the dark ventral patch and the rutting activity (assessed from both intra-and-inter-sexual behaviors). Consistent with our predictions, we found in a field study that males with large dark patches showed a higher frequency of rutting behaviors (mainly roaring and flehmen), more interactions with females, and attained larger harem sizes. Conclusions The dark ventral patch was a better predictor of male behavior than antler tines or territory holding, thus standing as a short-term indicator of male willingness to invest in mating competition.

Sexual signal loss, pleiotropy, and maintenance of a male reproductive polymorphism in crickets

Evolution ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 74 (5) ◽  
pp. 1002-1009
Author(s):  
Justa L. Heinen‐Kay ◽  
Rachel E. Nichols ◽  
Marlene Zuk
Keyword(s):  
Signal Loss ◽  
Sexual Signal

Spermatophore retention may accommodate sexual signal loss in Pacific field crickets

2020 ◽  
Vol 74 (8) ◽  
Author(s):  
Mounica V. Kota ◽  
Ellen M. Urquhart ◽  
Marlene Zuk
Keyword(s):  
Signal Loss ◽  
Sexual Signal ◽  
Field Crickets

Condition dependence of a multicomponent sexual signal in the field cricket Gryllus campestris

2003 ◽  
Vol 65 (4) ◽  
pp. 721-727 ◽  
Author(s):  
Hannes Scheuber ◽  
Alain Jacot ◽  
Martin W.G. Brinkhof
Keyword(s):  
Field Cricket ◽  
Condition Dependence ◽  
Sexual Signal ◽  
Gryllus Campestris

scholarly journals A trade-off between natural and sexual selection underlies diversification of a sexual signal

2014 ◽  
Vol 26 (2) ◽  
pp. 533-542 ◽  
Author(s):  
Justa L. Heinen-Kay ◽  
Kirstin E. Morris ◽  
Nicole A. Ryan ◽  
Samantha L. Byerley ◽  
Rebecca E. Venezia ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Sexual Selection ◽  
Sexual Signal ◽  
Trade Off ◽  
Natural And Sexual Selection

A new sexual signal in rutting male red deer: Age related chemical scent constituents in the belly black spot

2014 ◽  
Vol 79 (6) ◽  
pp. 362-368 ◽  
Author(s):  
José Martín ◽  
Juan Carranza ◽  
Pilar López ◽  
Susana Alarcos ◽  
Javier Pérez-González
Keyword(s):  
Red Deer ◽  
Black Spot ◽  
Sexual Signal ◽  
Age Related

scholarly journals Ultraviolet reflectance by the cere of raptors

2006 ◽  
Vol 2 (2) ◽  
pp. 173-176 ◽  
Author(s):  
François Mougeot ◽  
Beatriz E Arroyo
Keyword(s):  
Mate Choice ◽  
Body Mass ◽  
Male Body ◽  
Sexual Signal ◽  
Future Studies ◽  
Circus Pygargus ◽  
Ultraviolet Reflectance ◽  
Uv Reflectance ◽  
Sexual Signalling ◽  
Carotenoid Pigmentation

Ultraviolet (UV) signals have been shown to play key roles in social and sexual signalling in birds. Using a spectrophotometer, we analysed the colour of the cere (skin above the beak) of a diurnal raptor, the Montagu's harrier ( Circus pygargus ), and show that it reflects in the UV part of the spectrum. The cere is a well-known sexual signal in raptors, with carotenoid based pigmentation being indicative of quality. We thus hypothesized that UV reflectance also signals quality. Accordingly, we found that in our sample of wild males, the location of the UV peak was related to the orangeness of cere and correlated with male body mass and condition (mass corrected for size). Also, males with brighter UV were mated to females that laid earlier, as expected if UV reflectance relates to a male's quality and attractiveness. Future studies should investigate the relationships between UV reflectance and carotenoid pigmentation of cere, and test how UV reflectance influences mate choice.

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