AVIS-IBIS

Birds of Indian Subcontinent

Polymorphism, mating preferences and sexual selection in the Arctic skua

Publication Type:Journal Article
Year of Publication:1998
Authors:Phillips, RA, Furness, RW
Journal:Journal of Zoology
Volume:245
Issue:3
Date Published:1998
ISBN Number:1469-7998
Keywords:assortative mating, colour morphs, gene flow, phenotype frequency, plumage, polymorphism, sexual selection, Stercorariidae, Stercorarius, Stercorarius parasiticus
Abstract:Abstract The intensive study of the Arctic skua (Stercorarius parasiticus) population on Fair Isle has provided an example of the maintenance of a stable polymorphism by sexual selection in conjunction with assortative mating (O'Donald, 1983). We tested several of O'Donald's hypotheses using data collected from the large colony of Arctic skuas on Foula. There was some evidence for assortative mating of the phenotypes but this did not confer any short-term fitness advantage. In contrast to the situation on Fair Isle, we found little indication that sexual selection took place for dark males since no differences in timing of breeding or productivity were evident between the two male phenotypes in new partnerships. Nor could we detect variation in adult body size, body condition, or any life-history characteristic between melanic and pale birds of either sex. Many of the selection pressures documented on Fair Isle appear to be absent at the neighbouring Foula, despite a fair degree of gene flow between these colonies. The frequency of pale adults on Foula and in Shetland as a whole has declined since the 1970s, indicating that currently directional selection may be favouring the melanic phenotypes at the southern end of the breeding range.
URL:http://dx.doi.org/10.1111/j.1469-7998.1998.tb00098.x
Short Title:Journal of Zoology
Scratchpads developed and conceived by (alphabetical): Ed Baker, Katherine Bouton Alice Heaton Dimitris Koureas, Laurence Livermore, Dave Roberts, Simon Rycroft, Ben Scott, Vince Smith