Meeting Abstract
Birds exhibit a tremendous range of diversity in plumage color that spans the visual spectrum and is likely unmatched by any extant taxa group. Among closely related species that occur sympatrically, phenotypic variation in coloration is predicted to be relatively distinct, either because of sexual selection or in response to ecological factors, such as predation risk, sensory bias, hybridization avoidance, and interspecific aggression. Yet, when in allopatry, variation in sexual selection or ecological factors may drive further phenotypic distinction between sister taxa. These color signals may act in social interactions and have implications for both natural and sexual selection. Australo-Papuan fairywrens (Maluridae: Malurus) exhibit substantial diversity in plumage coloration and are a model system in studying sexual selection. Our research focuses on the degree to which ecological factors (here, social and habitat structure) may influence the expression of ornamented phenotypes in the white-shouldered fairywren (M. alboscapulatus). This species is notable because males are qualitatively similar in appearance across populations, whereas variation in coloration is found in females; female coloration ranges from drab to ornamented. We studied two populations of fairywrens in Papua New Guinea, representing either drab or ornamented female plumage. We used behavioral observations of color-banded individuals from both populations in combination with spatial analysis to explore how both sexes within the social pair use available habitat. Our findings are consistent with the idea that ornamentation is correlated with differences in habitat use and movement, and we discuss potential implications for the evolution of female ornamentation.
