On the heritability of blue-green eggshell coloration

Journal of Evolutionary Biology
Judith MoralesJuan Moreno

Abstract

Avian blue-green eggshell coloration has been proposed as a female signal of genetic or phenotypic quality to males. However, little is known about the relative importance of additive genetic and environmental effects as sources of eggshell colour variation in natural populations. Using 5 years of data and animal models, we explored these effects in a free-living population of pied flycatchers. Permanent environmental and year effects were negligible, although year environmental variance (V(Year)) was significant for all but one of the traits. However, we found high-moderate narrow-sense heritabilities for some colour parameters. Within-clutch colour variability showed the highest coefficient of additive genetic variation (i.e. evolvability). Previous evidence suggests that eggshell colour is sexually selected in this species, males enhancing parental effort in clutches with higher colour variability and peak values. Eggshell colour could be driven by good-genes selection in pied flycatchers although further genetic studies should confirm this possibility.

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Citations

Mar 13, 2012·Journal of Evolutionary Biology·W LiangF Takasu
Dec 30, 2017·Journal of Evolutionary Biology·P de VillemereuilH Schielzeth
May 13, 2020·Biological Journal of the Linnean Society·Kara E HodgesCharles F Thompson

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