Host nest defence does not act as selective agent against plumage polymorphism in brood parasites

Result code in IS VaVaI

<a href="https://www.isvavai.cz/riv?ss=detail&h=RIV%2F68081766%3A_____%2F24%3A00600909" target="_blank" >RIV/68081766:_____/24:00600909 - isvavai.cz</a>

Alternative codes found

RIV/00216208:11310/24:10496397

Result on the web

<a href="https://royalsocietypublishing.org/doi/10.1098/rspb.2024.1135" target="_blank" >https://royalsocietypublishing.org/doi/10.1098/rspb.2024.1135</a>

DOI - Digital Object Identifier

<a href="http://dx.doi.org/10.1098/rspb.2024.1135" target="_blank" >10.1098/rspb.2024.1135</a>

Result language

angličtina

Original language name

Host nest defence does not act as selective agent against plumage polymorphism in brood parasites

Original language description

Batesian mimicry in brood parasites is often viewed as an evolutionary strategy to mitigate host aggression. Female common cuckoos (Cuculus canorus) exhibit two morphs: the hawk-like grey and the rufous one, potentially maintained by apostatic selection. It was hypothesized that the grey morph’s predator-like appearance deters host defences, while the rufous morph benefits from its rarity by evading host attention. Previous research predominantly utilized static cuckoo dummies, lacking insights into real-world interactions. We investigated the effectiveness of the cuckoo morphs in accessing great reed warbler (Acrocephalus arundinaceus) nests under natural conditions. Analysing video-recorded cuckoo attempts, we found no significant difference in nest-access success between the morphs. Both experienced a similar probability of physical attacks when hosts were present, and the rufous morph did not evade host detection morenoften compared with the grey morph. These results fail to support the assumptions of (a) Batesian mimicry, that hawk-like mimicry enhances nest access or reduces host aggression, and (b) apostatic selection, that the rarity of the rufous morph confers an advantage in successfully accessing the host nest. Future research should aim to identify stages in the cuckoo’s life cycle or host interactions where colour polymorphism provides an evolutionary benefit.

Czech name

—

Czech description

—

Type

J_imp - Article in a specialist periodical, which is included in the Web of Science database

CEP classification

—

OECD FORD branch

10615 - Ornithology

Project

<a href="/en/project/GA22-26812S" target="_blank" >GA22-26812S: Coevolutionary struggle between a highly virulent brood parasite and its major host</a><br>

Continuities

I - Institucionalni podpora na dlouhodoby koncepcni rozvoj vyzkumne organizace

Publication year

2024

Confidentiality

S - Úplné a pravdivé údaje o projektu nepodléhají ochraně podle zvláštních právních předpisů

Name of the periodical

Proceedings of the Royal Society B-Biological Sciences

ISSN

0962-8452

e-ISSN

1471-2954

Volume of the periodical

291

Issue of the periodical within the volume

2034

Country of publishing house

GB - UNITED KINGDOM

Number of pages

10

Pages from-to

20241135

UT code for WoS article

001353022700002

EID of the result in the Scopus database

2-s2.0-85209371418