Seeing spots: Measuring, quantifying heritability, and assessing fitness consequences of coat pattern traits in a wild population of giraffes (Giraffa camelopardalis)

摘要: Little is known about the heritability and fitness consequences of polymorphic variation in mammalian coat pattern traits wild populations. Understanding evolution patterns requires reliably measuring traits, quantifying identifying specific phenotypes. Giraffe markings are highly variable it has been hypothesized that most likely affects by camouflaging neonates against predators. We quantified spot Masai giraffes using image analysis software, determined whether were heritable, assessed heritable was related to as measured juvenile survival. The methods we described comprise a framework for objective quantification based on photographic data, trait measurements from individuals could be used input cluster taxonomic or other group classifications. demonstrated characteristics giraffe shape color heritable. did not find evidence survival, suggesting currently under strong directional stabilizing selection neonate camouflage our study population. This may due either reduced predation pressure area, because more relevant components fitness, such adult survival fecundity.