A female adult Nephila clavipes slowly approaches a smaller conspecific on the left, and a brief aggressive encounter ensues. Photograph taken in La Selva Tropical Field Station, Costa Rica, and reproduced by permission of Meghan Fitzgerald.
(Source: Ethology)
Source: Ethology - January 19, 2017 Category: Zoology Tags: Front Cover Source Type: research
Adult Male Density Influences Juvenile Microhabitat Use in a Territorial Lizard
This study highlights the complexity of juvenile perching behavior and demonstrates the role of intraspecific interactions in shaping habitat use by juvenile animals. (Source: Ethology)
Source: Ethology - January 18, 2017 Category: Zoology Authors: David M. Delaney, Daniel A. Warner Tags: Research Paper Source Type: research
Multiple Plumage Ornaments as Signals of Intrasexual Communication in Golden ‐Winged Warblers
Abstract
Avian plumage represents some of the greatest diversity in integument coloration of all animals. Plumage signals are diverse in function, including those that allow for assessing potential mates or the mitigation of agonistic interactions between rivals. Many bird species possess multiple ornamental traits that have the potential to serve as multiple or redundant signals. For example, male golden‐winged warblers (Vermivora chrysoptera) have brilliant carotenoid‐based yellow crowns, melanin‐based black throats, and structurally based white patches on their outer tail feathers. Using a correlative approach, we...
Source: Ethology - January 18, 2017 Category: Zoology Authors: John Anthony Jones, Anna C. Tisdale, Marja H. Bakermans, Jeffery L. Larkin, Curtis G. Smalling, Lynn Siefferman Tags: Research Paper Source Type: research
In Space and Time: Territorial Animals are Attracted to Conspecific Chemical Cues
Abstract
Territorial animals lay scent marks around their territories to broadcast their presence, but these olfactory signals can both attract and repel conspecifics. Attraction or aversion can have a profound impact in terms of space use and thereby influence an individual's access to resources and mates. Here, we test the impact of chemical signals on the long‐term space use and activity of receivers, comparing the response of males and females, territory holders, and temporary visitors in Sceloporus undulatus lizards in the field. We placed either male femoral gland secretions (chemical) or blank (control) cues on re...
Source: Ethology - January 18, 2017 Category: Zoology Authors: Stephanie M. Campos, Chloe Strauss, Em ília P. Martins Tags: Research Paper Source Type: research
Relative Amplitude of Courtship Song Chirp and Trill Components Does Not Alter Female Teleogryllus oceanicus Mating Behavior
Abstract
Low‐amplitude acoustic signals intended for short‐range communication, often called soft songs, remain poorly studied, especially among acoustically communicating invertebrates. Some insects do employ low‐amplitude acoustic signals, but it remains unclear what the specific function, if any, is of quietness per se. Male Teleogryllus oceanicus, or Pacific field crickets, produce a two component, short‐distance courtship song consisting of a high‐amplitude series of chirps followed by a lower‐amplitude trill. We investigated whether female T. oceanicus prefer to mate with males that sing courtship songs ...
Source: Ethology - December 28, 2016 Category: Zoology Authors: Susan L. Balenger, Laura M. Lara, Marlene Zuk Tags: Research Paper Source Type: research
