Individual Facial Coloration in Male Eulemur fulvus rufus
A Condition-dependent Ornament
Bibliographic Data
| ID | 11279237 |
|---|---|
| Authors | Dagmar Clough (0000-0001-7323-0382, University of Göttingen, corresponding author), Michael Heistermann (0000-0001-9354-1532, German Primate Center), Peter M Kappeler (0000-0002-4801-487X, German Primate Center) |
| Year | 2009 |
| Volume | 30 |
| Issue | 6 |
| Pages | 859-875 |
| Publication date | 2009-12-01 |
| Peer Reviewed | Yes |
| Open Access | Yes |
| Type | ARTICLE |
| Venue | International Journal of Primatology (JOURNAL) |
| Journal identifiers | ISSN: 0164-0291 • E-ISSN: 1573-8604 |
| Publisher | Springer Science and Business Media LLC (PUBLISHER) |
| DOI | 10.1007/s10764-009-9379-5 |
| PMID | 19946601 |
| PMCID | PMC2780611 |
| OpenAlex | W2014809351 |
| Language | EN |
| Citations received | 5 |
| References cited | 66 |
Researchers studying individual variation in conspicuous skin coloration in primates have suggested that color indicates male quality. Although primate fur color can also be flamboyant, the potential condition dependence and thus signaling function of fur remains poorly studied. We studied sources of variation in sexually dichromatic facial hair coloration in red-fronted lemurs (Eulemur fulvus rufus). We collected data on 13 adult males in Kirindy Forest, Madagascar, during two study periods in 2006 and 2007, to determine whether variation in facial hair coloration correlates with male age, rank, androgen status, and reproductive success. We quantified facial hair coloration via standardized digital photographs of each male, assessed androgen status using fecal hormone measurements, and obtained data on reproductive success through genetic paternity analyses. Male facial hair coloration showed high individual variation, and baseline coloration was related to individual androgen status but not to any other parameter tested. Color did not reflect rapid androgen changes during the mating season. However, pronounced long-term changes in androgen levels between years were accompanied by changes in facial hair coloration. Our data suggest that facial hair coloration in red-fronted lemur males is under proximate control of androgens and may provide some information about male quality, but it does not correlate with dominance rank or male reproductive success
Androgen · Animal ecology · Biology · Lemur · Mate choice · Mating · Primate · Sexual selection · Zoology · Animal Behavior and Reproduction · melanin and skin pigmentation · Primate Behavior and Ecology · Ecology · Endocrinology
Sexual Selection
Animal Signals
Heritable True Fitness and Bright Birds
Mate selection—A selection for a handicap
Parasites, Bright Males, and the Immunocompetence Handicap
Circannual changes in the secondary sexual adornments of semifree-ranging male and female mandrills (Mandrillus sphinx)
Hormonal correlates of reproductive seasonality in wild female Hanuman langurs (Presbytis entellus)
Formal method for objective assessment of primate color
The Evolution of Communication
Sexual selection and reproductive competition in primates
Color changes in the haircoat of patas monkeys ( Erythrocebus patas )
Colors of primate pelage and skin
The primate palette
Sexual Dichromatism and Female Preference in Eulemur fulvus Subspecies
Do Female Mandrills Prefer Brightly Colored Males
Females Pay Attention to Female Secondary Sexual Color
What is it going to be? Pattern and potential function of natal coat change in sexually dichromatic redfronted lemurs ( Eulemur fulvus rufus )
| Unique citing works | 5 |
|---|---|
| Citations per year | 0,31 |
| Citation span | 2010 - 2026 (17) |
| Citation velocity | current |
| Highly cited | No |
| Citation types | Neutral: 4 |