Endocrine correlates of gender and throat coloration in the southern ground-hornbill (Bucorvus leadbeateri).

摘要: The southern ground-hornbill (SGH) is a cooperatively breeding bird endemic to eastern and Africa, but endangered in its distributional range. national conservation restoration program harvests redundant chicks for captive reintroduction; with sexing social grouping of the species evaluated by throat-skin coloration, adult males displaying completely red color compared dark blue within observed females. However, recent findings indicate that dominant subordinate exhibit patches throat-skin. To optimize SGH management practices, it vital determine role as well possible drivers thereof. As prerequisite, an enzyme immunoassay monitoring fecal androgen metabolite (fAM) concentrations was established. Following this, fresh samples were collected from 78 SGH, various demographics origin, across 12 institutions, whether fAM differ between (B), partially (sB), fully (R) colored SGH. Furthermore, housed different groups age sex classes. Individual median B, sB, R did not significantly considerably higher B sB males. Social dynamics captivity, example, dominance, played no driver male gonadal activity or throat skin coloration. results study androgens apparent are primary determinants coloration