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A PHYLOGENETIC PERSPECTIVE ON THE EVOLUTION OF SEXUAL DICHROMATISM IN TANAGERS (THRAUPIDAE): THE ROLE OF FEMALE VERSUS MALE PLUMAGE
Author(s) -
Burns Kevin J.
Publication year - 1998
Publication title -
evolution
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.84
H-Index - 199
eISSN - 1558-5646
pISSN - 0014-3820
DOI - 10.1111/j.1558-5646.1998.tb01849.x
Subject(s) - plumage , biology , sexual dimorphism , phylogenetic tree , evolutionary biology , phylogenetics , sexual selection , zoology , genetics , gene
The evolution of sexual dichromatism in tanagers (family Thraupidae) was studied from a phylogenetic perspective using a molecular‐based phylogeny. Mapping patterns of sexual dimorphism in plumage onto the phylogeny reveals that changes in female plumage occur more frequently than changes in male plumage. Possible explanations for this pattern include sexual selection acting on female plumage and natural selection for background matching. The results of this study and other recent phylogenetic and comparative studies suggest that factors affecting female plumage are important in shaping patterns of sexual dimorphism.