It has been recently proposed that avian egg coloration is a post-mating sexually selected signal related to genetic or phenotypic quality of females and those males should invest differentially in reproduction in relation to colour intensity. This hypothesis is based on the fact that pigments used by females to colour the eggs have a high antioxidant activity (biliverdins for blue and green colour) or are toxic (protoporphirins for red and brown colours). The aims of this project are to test different general hypotheses and predictions related to the evolution and functions of post-mating secondary sexual characters.
Supervisor: Dr.Juan Jose Soler
Financial support: Spanish Ministry of Science and Technology (CGL2004-01777/BOS)
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The colours of eggs and sexual selection in birds (2005 – 2007) Financial support: Spanish Ministry of Science and Technology
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Relation between survival, migration and haemoparasites in the senescence of birds (Hirundinidae). (2004-2005) Financial support: Spanish Ministry of Science and Technology
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Biología de la reproducción de especies vegetales arbustivas de SW de España. (2003-2004) Financial support: Spanish Ministry of Science and Technology
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Experimental study of the health and the body condition of wild birds: a model in the House martins and Swallows . (2000-2003) Financial support: Junta de Extremadura
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Sexual selection and parasitism: phenotypic and genotypic conditions. (2000-2003) Financial support: Spanish Ministry of Science and Technology
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Feeding behaviour in reintroduced populations of griffon vulture Gyps fulvus: lessons for conservation and evolutionary ecology. (October,1999)
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Host - parasitic coevolution: an experimental study on the secondary development of the immune defence and sexual characters". (1998-1999) Financial support: Spanish Ministry of Science and Technology
Journal of Avian Biology
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Blue-green eggshell coloration reflects yolk antioxidant content in spotless starlings Sturnus unicolor
Journal of Ornithology
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Experimental feeding affects the relationship between hematocrit and body weight in spotless starling (Sturnus unicolor) nestlings
Behavioral Ecology and Sociobiology
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Beak colour reflects circulating carotenoid and vitamin A levels in spotless starlings (Sturnus unicolor)
Naturwinschaften
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Do spotless starlings place feathers at their nests by ultraviolet colour?
Animal Behaviour
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Male spotless starlings adjust feeding effort based on egg spots revealing ecto-parasite load
Functional Ecology
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Fine morphology of experimental ta¡l streamers and flight manoeuvrability in the House Martin (Delichon urbica)
American Naturalist
Dark nests and conspicuousness in color patterns of nestlings of altricial birds
American Naturalist
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Dark nests and nestling conspicuousness in color patterns of altricial birds
American Naturalist
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Sexually selected egg coloration in spotless starlings
Ethology
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Effects of an immune challenge on multiple components of song display in barn swallows Hirundo rustica: implications for sexual selection
Behavioral Ecology
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Digit ratios, secondary sexual characters and condition in barn swallows Hirundo rustica
Animal Behaviour
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Spotless starlings rely on public information while visiting conspecific nests: an experiment
Behavioral Ecology
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Distress calls reflect pox-virus infection in lesser short-toed lark Calandrella rufescens.
Behavioral Ecology and Sociobiology
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Digit ratios (2D:4D), secondary sexual characters and cell-mediated immunity in house sparrows
Passer domesticus
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Ecological interactions among protozoan parasites and their avian hosts: an approach.In:Recent Research Developments in Multidisciplinary Applied Microbiology.ed.Wiley-VCH
Oecologia
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Malarial parasites decrease reproductive success: An experimental study an a passerine bird.
Parasitology Research (Short Communication)
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Double gametocyte infections in Apicomplexan parasites of birds and reptiles.
Behavioural Ecology
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Predation risk, host immune response and parasitism.
Oikos
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Dynamics of an immune response in house sparrows Passer domesticus in relation to time of day, body condition and blood parasite infection.