Conspicuous plumage does not increase predation risk: a continent-wide test using model songbirds

The forces shaping female plumage color have long been debated but remain unresolved. Females may benefit from conspicuous colors but are also expected to suffer costs. Predation is one potential cost, but few studies have explicitly investigated the relationship between predation risk and coloration. The fairy-wrens show pronounced variation in female coloration and reside in a wide variety of habitats across Australasia. Species with more conspicuous females are found in denser habitats, suggesting that conspicuousness in open habitat increases vulnerability to predators. To test this, we measured attack rates on 3D printed models mimicking conspicuously colored males and females, and dull females, in eight different fairy-wren habitats across Australia. Attack rates were higher in open habitats, and at higher latitudes. Contrary to our predictions, dull female models were attacked at similar rates to the conspicuous models. Further, the probability of attack in open habitats increas...长期以来，学界围绕塑造雌性鸟类羽色的演化压力始终存在争议，且尚未达成共识。雌性个体或可凭借鲜艳羽色获得适应性收益，但同时也需承担相应的生存代价。捕食压力是潜在代价之一，但目前鲜有研究直接探讨捕食风险与羽色之间的关联。细尾鹩莺（fairy-wrens）属鸟类的雌性羽色存在显著变异，且广泛分布于澳大拉西亚地区的各类生境中。雌性羽色更鲜艳的物种多栖息于植被更茂密的生境，这提示在开阔生境中羽色鲜艳会提升个体被捕食的概率。为验证这一假说，我们在澳大利亚境内8处不同的细尾鹩莺栖息生境中，针对模拟鲜艳羽色雄性、鲜艳羽色雌性以及暗淡羽色雌性的3D打印模型，测定了其被攻击的概率。研究结果显示，开阔生境以及高纬度地区的模型被攻击率更高。与我们的初始预测相悖的是，暗淡羽色雌性模型与鲜艳羽色模型的被攻击率并无显著差异。此外，开阔生境中的被捕食概率……