Data for Evolution of the preformative molt in Cardinalidae

We explored adaptive factors affecting the preformative molt in the passerine family Cardinalidae, and concluded that the ancestor inhabited forest habitats and underwent a partial preformative molt that included wing coverts but not primaries. Later radiations within the family appeared to be characterized by transitions from forests toward more open habitats, and such transitions also correlated positively with increased preformative molt investment, plumage signaling, and flight. While previous studies had highlighted the role of time and energy constraints in the evolution of the preformative molt in passerines, we conclude that adaptation to the physical environment has had a greater influence than constraints on the evolution of this molt in Cardinalidae. Using molt data from 430 individuals from 41 of the 51 Cardinalidae species, we tested whether social and environmental factors (delayed plumage maturation and habitat openness), as well as that of physiological and time constrai...