Melanin-specific life-history strategies

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dc.contributor.authorEmaresi, Guillaume
dc.contributor.authorBize, Pierre
dc.contributor.authorAltwegg, Res
dc.contributor.authorHenry, Isabelle
dc.contributor.authorvan den Brink, Valentijn
dc.contributor.authorGasparini, Julien
dc.contributor.authorRoulin, Alexandre
dc.date.accessioned2021-10-08T07:20:33Z
dc.date.available2021-10-08T07:20:33Z
dc.date.issued2014
dc.description.abstractAbstract The maintenance of genetic variation is a long-standing issue because the adaptive value of life-history strategies associated with each genetic variant is usually unknown. However, evidence for the coexistence of alternative evolutionary fixed strategies at the population level remains scarce. Because in the tawny owl (Strix aluco) heritable melanin-based coloration shows different physiological and behavioral norms of reaction, we investigated whether coloration is associated with investment in maintenance and reproduction. Light melanic owls had lower adult survival compared to dark melanic conspecifics, and color variation was related to the trade-off between offspring number and quality. When we experimentally enlarged brood size, light melanic males produced more fledglings but in poorer condition, and they were less often recruited in the local breeding population than those of darker melanic conspecifics. Our results also suggest that dark melanic males allocate a constant effort to raise their brood independently of environmental conditions, whereas lighter melanic males finely adjust reproductive effort in relation to changes in environmental conditions. Color traits can therefore be associated with life-history strategies, and stochastic environmental perturbation can temporarily favor one phenotype over others. The existence of fixed strategies implies that some phenotypes can sometimes display a "maladapted" strategy. Long-term population monitoring is therefore vital for a full understanding of how different genotypes deal with trade-offs.
dc.identifier.apacitationEmaresi, G., Bize, P., Altwegg, R., Henry, I., van den Brink, V., Gasparini, J., & Roulin, A. (2014). Melanin-specific life-history strategies. <i>The American Naturalist</i>, 183(2), 269 - 280. http://hdl.handle.net/11427/34951en_ZA
dc.identifier.chicagocitationEmaresi, Guillaume, Pierre Bize, Res Altwegg, Isabelle Henry, Valentijn van den Brink, Julien Gasparini, and Alexandre Roulin "Melanin-specific life-history strategies." <i>The American Naturalist</i> 183, 2. (2014): 269 - 280. http://hdl.handle.net/11427/34951en_ZA
dc.identifier.citationEmaresi, G., Bize, P., Altwegg, R., Henry, I., van den Brink, V., Gasparini, J. & Roulin, A. 2014. Melanin-specific life-history strategies. <i>The American Naturalist.</i> 183(2):269 - 280. http://hdl.handle.net/11427/34951en_ZA
dc.identifier.issn0003-0147
dc.identifier.issn1537-5323
dc.identifier.ris TY - Journal Article AU - Emaresi, Guillaume AU - Bize, Pierre AU - Altwegg, Res AU - Henry, Isabelle AU - van den Brink, Valentijn AU - Gasparini, Julien AU - Roulin, Alexandre AB - Abstract The maintenance of genetic variation is a long-standing issue because the adaptive value of life-history strategies associated with each genetic variant is usually unknown. However, evidence for the coexistence of alternative evolutionary fixed strategies at the population level remains scarce. Because in the tawny owl (Strix aluco) heritable melanin-based coloration shows different physiological and behavioral norms of reaction, we investigated whether coloration is associated with investment in maintenance and reproduction. Light melanic owls had lower adult survival compared to dark melanic conspecifics, and color variation was related to the trade-off between offspring number and quality. When we experimentally enlarged brood size, light melanic males produced more fledglings but in poorer condition, and they were less often recruited in the local breeding population than those of darker melanic conspecifics. Our results also suggest that dark melanic males allocate a constant effort to raise their brood independently of environmental conditions, whereas lighter melanic males finely adjust reproductive effort in relation to changes in environmental conditions. Color traits can therefore be associated with life-history strategies, and stochastic environmental perturbation can temporarily favor one phenotype over others. The existence of fixed strategies implies that some phenotypes can sometimes display a "maladapted" strategy. Long-term population monitoring is therefore vital for a full understanding of how different genotypes deal with trade-offs. DA - 2014 DB - OpenUCT DP - University of Cape Town IS - 2 J1 - The American Naturalist LK - https://open.uct.ac.za PY - 2014 SM - 0003-0147 SM - 1537-5323 T1 - Melanin-specific life-history strategies TI - Melanin-specific life-history strategies UR - http://hdl.handle.net/11427/34951 ER - en_ZA
dc.identifier.urihttp://hdl.handle.net/11427/34951
dc.identifier.vancouvercitationEmaresi G, Bize P, Altwegg R, Henry I, van den Brink V, Gasparini J, et al. Melanin-specific life-history strategies. The American Naturalist. 2014;183(2):269 - 280. http://hdl.handle.net/11427/34951.en_ZA
dc.language.isoeng
dc.publisher.departmentDepartment of Statistical Sciences
dc.publisher.facultyFaculty of Science
dc.sourceThe American Naturalist
dc.source.journalissue2
dc.source.journalvolume183
dc.source.pagination269 - 280
dc.source.urihttps://dx.doi.org/10.1086/674444
dc.subject.otherAnimals
dc.subject.otherBiological Evolution
dc.subject.otherFeathers
dc.subject.otherFemale
dc.subject.otherMale
dc.subject.otherMelanins
dc.subject.otherPhenotype
dc.subject.otherPigmentation
dc.subject.otherReproduction
dc.subject.otherStrigiformes
dc.subject.otherMelanins
dc.titleMelanin-specific life-history strategies
dc.typeJournal Article
uct.type.publicationResearch
uct.type.resourceJournal Article
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