Open AccessColoured ornamental traits could be effective and non-invasive indicators of pollution exposure for wildlife
Author(s) -
Natalia Lifshitz,
Colleen Cassady St. Clair
Publication year - 2016
Publication title -
conservation physiology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.942
H-Index - 37
ISSN - 2051-1434
DOI - 10.1093/conphys/cow028
Subject(s) - biology , threatened species , habitat , wildlife , ornamental plant , ecology , abiotic component , pollution , pollutant , conservation biology
Sub-lethal impacts of environmental pollution are difficult to detect and usually require invasive methods. We review the evidence that changes in ornamental colour in fish and birds can be associated with a variety of pollutants. Although these ornaments evolved for mate choice, they could also provide a non-invasive indicator of pollution exposure.