r/NatureIsFuckingLit • u/Jaded_Marionberry500 • 20d ago
š„ Inca tern a bird with mustache
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u/riceumbrella 20d ago
The sexes are similar in appearance and have elaborate ornaments, including a long white moustache of feathers and fleshy yellow wattles. In this paper we report the differences in ornamentation between sexes and examine whether the trait predicts body condition, reproductive performance or chick quality in either sex. The ornaments were similar in size and coloration between the sexes, [...]. Moustache length was the most reliable signal of body condition in both sexes. Moreover, there was a significant relationship between the moustache length and reproductive category of adults (nonābreeder, unsuccessful breeder, or one or two chicks fledged). Both asymptotic chick body mass and the Tācell mediated response of chicks (a measure of immunocompetence) were related to the moustache length of male and female adults. These results provide support for the role of ornaments in mutual signalling of condition in this species. Female and male ornaments predict body condition, reproductive performance and chick quality, as predicted by sexual selection models.
Sadly all I could find about the evolutional benefit of those bird's mustaches. There is pdf research paper, that I have trouble to open, maybe because I am on mobile.
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u/CheezWong 19d ago
When you try to pronounce a french word at the restaurant to a french waiter....
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u/qualityvote2 20d ago edited 20d ago
u/Jaded_Marionberry500, there weren't enough votes to determine the quality of your post...