Stress and sexual signaling: a systematic review and meta-analysis

Moore, F. R., Shuker, D. M. and Dougherty, L. (2016) Stress and sexual signaling: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Behavioral Ecology, 27(2), pp. 363-371. (doi: 10.1093/beheco/arv195)

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Abstract

The vertebrate stress response has been shown to suppress investment in reproductive and immune function and may also lead to a reduced investment in the production of secondary sexual traits. However, it has been difficult to model roles of stress in sexual selection due to the inconsistent results seen in empirical studies testing for the effect of stress on the expression of secondary sexual traits. We conducted a phylogenetically controlled meta-analysis of published associations between physiological correlates of stress and sexual signaling in vertebrates in order to identify any consistent patterns. Our analysis included signaling in both males and females, 4 stress measures, and 4 categories of sexually selected traits (vocalizations, traits that varied in size, traits that varied in coloration, and opposite-sex preference). Across 38 studies of 26 species, there was no significant relationship between physiological correlates of stress and the expression of sexual signals. Mean effect size, however, varied significantly across the 4 types of sexually selected trait. We propose development of a model that incorporates the nuanced effects of species ecology, trait type, ecological context, and the complex nature of the physiological stress response, on the expression of sexually selected traits.

Item Type:Articles
Additional Information:We like to thank the Natural Environment Research Council for funding.
Status:Published
Refereed:Yes
Glasgow Author(s) Enlighten ID:Moore, Fhionna
Authors: Moore, F. R., Shuker, D. M., and Dougherty, L.
College/School:College of Medical Veterinary and Life Sciences > School of Health & Wellbeing > Mental Health and Wellbeing
Journal Name:Behavioral Ecology
Publisher:Oxford University Press
ISSN:1045-2249
ISSN (Online):1465-7279
Published Online:18 November 2015

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