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Correlated evolution of distinct signals associated with increased social selection in female white-shouldered fairywrens
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  • John Jones,
  • Karan Odom,
  • Ian Hoppe,
  • Doka Nason,
  • Serena Ketaloya,
  • Jordan Karubian
John Jones
Tulane University

Corresponding Author:[email protected]

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Karan Odom
University of Maryland at College Park
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Ian Hoppe
University of Nebraska-Lincoln
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Doka Nason
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Serena Ketaloya
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Jordan Karubian
Tulane University
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Abstract

Conspicuous female signals have recently received substantial scientific attention, but the degree to which female-specific selection drives their evolution remains unclear. Species that express female-specific phenotypic variation among populations represent a useful opportunity to address this knowledge gap. White-shouldered fairywrens (Malurus alboscapulatus) are tropical songbirds with a well-resolved phylogeny where female, but not male, coloration varies allopatrically across subspecies. We explored how four distinct signaling modalities, each putatively associated with increased social selection, are expressed in two populations that vary in competitive pressure on females. Females in a derived subspecies (M. a. moretoni) have evolved more ornamented plumage, more complex vocalizations, and shorter tails (a signal of social dominance) relative to an ancestral subspecies (M. a. lorentzi) with drab females. Moreover, in response to simulated territorial intrusions broadcasting female song, female M. a. moretoni are more aggressive and more coordinated with their mate in both movement and vocalizations. These results suggest that correlated phenotypic shifts in female color, morphology, song complexity, and behavior may have occurred in response to changes in social selection, consistent with the idea that female-specific selection has driven the evolution of these signals.
11 Aug 2021Submitted to Ecology and Evolution
12 Aug 2021Submission Checks Completed
12 Aug 2021Assigned to Editor
16 Aug 2021Reviewer(s) Assigned
01 Oct 2021Review(s) Completed, Editorial Evaluation Pending
07 Oct 2021Editorial Decision: Revise Minor
28 Oct 20211st Revision Received
29 Oct 2021Submission Checks Completed
29 Oct 2021Assigned to Editor
29 Oct 2021Review(s) Completed, Editorial Evaluation Pending
02 Nov 2021Editorial Decision: Accept
Dec 2021Published in Ecology and Evolution volume 11 issue 23 on pages 17352-17363. 10.1002/ece3.8370