Female Variability and the Nature of Male Quality

摘要ZUK 9514055这个项目将研究两性在行为和生理上的差异，集中在女性之间的差异在决定性别选择结果方面的作用，以及在广泛的情况下可以用来评估条件或活力的男性素质的定义。通过检查女性的行为和形态，并使用免疫能力指数来分析男性的素质，这项研究将扩大对普遍性的认识，这是一种反映免疫系统能力的条件或素质的衡量标准，显然与个人S的健康状况有关。利用圈养的红色丛林家禽，这项研究建立在之前的研究基础上，该研究表明，雌性更喜欢与有着巨大而五颜六色的梳子的雄性交配，而雄性感染肠道寄生虫会阻碍雌性在选择配偶时使用的相同特征的发育。此外，高度装饰的个体，循环中的淋巴细胞较少，这表明这些雄性付出了因外表和免疫反应而降低的免疫能力的代价，并将整合行为和免疫学的基础和应用研究。结果将是更好地理解行为，包括攻击性行为和应激经历，是如何反映在与所有动物的健康相关的免疫系统参数中的。

Abstract Zuk 9514055 This project will examine the ways in which the sexes differ in both behavior and physiology, concentrating on the role of variation among females in determining the out come of sexual selection, and a definition of male quality that can be used to assess condition or vigor under a wide range of circumstances. By examining female behavior and morphology, and by using indices of immunocompetence to analyze male quality, the research will extend knowledge of universal, a measure of condition or quality which reflects immune system competence is clearly linked to an individual s fitness. Using captive red jungle fowl, the work builds on previous studies showing that females prefer to mate with males with large, colorful combs, and that infection of males with an intestinal parasite hampers the development of the same characters used by females in choosing mates. In addition, highly ornamented individuals, have fewer circulating lymphocytes, suggesting that such males pay a price in terms of reduced immune competence by appearance, and immune response, and will integrate basic and applied research in behavior and immunology. The outcome will be a better understanding of how behavior, including aggressive behavior and stressful experiences, is reflected in immune system parameters that are relevant to the health of all animals.