A partly coverable badge signalling avian virus resistance

摘要: Abstract: We investigated whether the sexually selected forehead patch of collared flycatcher Ficedula albicollis is an honest badge status indicating quality expressed as immunological response. used both manual measurements and digital measurements, latter based on photographs. Badge-size data were collected during mating period nestling feeding to capture trait plasticity. Concomitant with first sample collection, birds inoculated a novel antigen. Antibody response was strongly positively correlated expression increase in compared outside this period. The results support Hansen Rohwer theory coverable badges, are consistent immunocompetence handicap hypothesis good genes model suggesting that, population level, secondary sexual traits should be signal associated that beneficial for survival. also suggest type sufficiently exact.