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An update on the honesty of melanin‐based color signals in birds
Author(s) -
McGraw Kevin J.
Publication year - 2008
Publication title -
pigment cell and melanoma research
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.618
H-Index - 105
eISSN - 1755-148X
pISSN - 1755-1471
DOI - 10.1111/j.1755-148x.2008.00454.x
Subject(s) - melanin , honesty , computational biology , biology , artificial intelligence , microbiology and biotechnology , computer science , genetics , psychology , social psychology
Summary The control mechanisms and information content of melanin‐based color signals in birds have generated much recent interest and controversy among evolutionary biologists. Initial experimental studies on this topic manipulated coarse metrics of an individual’s condition (i.e. food intake, disease state) and failed to detect significant condition‐dependence of melanin ornament expression. However, three new lines of research appear profitable and target specific factors associated with the production of melanin pigments. These include the role of (i) metals, (ii) amino acids, and (iii) testosterone and social interactions in shaping the extent and intensity of melanin‐colored plumage patches. Here, I review recent studies of and evidence for these honesty‐reinforcing mechanisms.