Melanin-based colour polymorphism signals aggressive personality in nest and territory defence in the tawny owl (Strix aluco)
Melanin-based colour polymorphism signals aggressive personality in nest and territory defence in the tawny owl (Strix aluco)
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DOI：
10.1007/s00265-013-1529-2
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发表时间：
2013-07-01
影响因子：
2.3
通讯作者：
Roulin, Alexandre
中科院分区：
文献类型：
--
作者：
Da Silva, Arnaud;van den Brink, Valentijn;Roulin, Alexandre
筑巢和领土防御是危险和潜在的危险行为。如果个人对生活史权衡的解决方案不同，那么防御水平也可能因个人而异。因为基于黑色素的颜色特征可能与生活史策略有关，不同肤色的个体可能会表现出不同的巢和领土防御策略。我们研究了颜色多态的黄褐色猫头鹰(Strix Aluco)的这个问题，它的羽毛从深色到浅红黑色不等。因此，我们发现(1)我们的存在引起了深色雌性比浅色雌性更大的反应(飞来飞去)，(2)深红色雄性比浅色雄性捕食率更低。在实验扩大的窝中，如果雌性较浅的红色，在我们回放陌生雄性的叫声后，雌性作出反应的概率更高；相反的模式在实验缩小的窝中发现，深色父母比浅色父母反应更活跃。最后，较黑的雌性在与亮色的雄性配对时比与深色的雄性配对时更频繁地惊慌，这表明伴侣会调整他们的行为以适应彼此。我们还测试了颜色是否被同种生物用作调整其防御行为水平的信号。因此，有繁殖能力的雌性猫头鹰对黑暗的反应比放在巢旁的浅红色填充黄褐色猫头鹰更强烈。我们的结论是，基于黑色素的着色是取决于生态因素的另类巢和领土防御行为的信号。
Nest and territory defence are risky and potentially dangerous behaviours. If the resolution of life history trade-offs differs between individuals, the level of defence may also vary among individuals. Because melanin-based colour traits can be associated with life history strategies, differently coloured individuals may display different nest and territory defence strategies. We investigated this issue in the colour polymorphic tawny owl (Strix aluco) for which plumage varies from dark to light reddish melanic. Accordingly, we found that (1) our presence induced a greater response (flying around) from dark-coloured than light-coloured females and (2) dark reddish males suffered lower nest predation rates than light-coloured males. In experimentally enlarged broods, the probability that females reacted after we played back the hoot calls of a stranger male was higher if these females were lighter reddish; the opposite pattern was found in experimentally reduced broods with dark parents being more reactive than light parents. Finally, darker females alarmed more frequently when paired with a light than with a dark male, suggesting that partners adjust their behaviour to each other. We also tested whether colouration is used as a signal by conspecifics to adjust the level of their defensive behaviour. Accordingly, breeding females responded more vigorously to a dark than a light reddish stuffed tawny owl placed beside their nest. We conclude that melanin-based colouration is a signal of alternative nest and territory defence behaviour that depends on ecological factors.