Sexual Selection and Complex Signals

  • Cockburn, Andrew (PI)

    Project: Research

    Project Details

    Description

    Displays that males use to attract females are the most rapidly evolving traits, and influence important evolutionary processes like speciation. Displays may be extravagant because they honestly represent the quality of a male as a sire or social partner. However, many displays are extremely complex. Theory has struggled to provide models that predict that all elements of displays should be equally honest and useful to females. I will use the bizarre courtship displays and mating system of Malurus cyaneus to contrast predictions of honest signalling theory with the alternative view that complex messages enhance detectability and memorability.
    StatusFinished
    Effective start/end date1/01/0131/12/03

    Fingerprint

    Explore the research topics touched on by this project. These labels are generated based on the underlying awards/grants. Together they form a unique fingerprint.