News — polymorphism
Male-like ornamentation in female hummingbirds results from social harassment rather than sexual selection
Posted by Douglas douglas@hummingbirdmarket.com on
Jay J. Falk. Michael S. Webster, Dustin R. RubensteinPublished: August 26, 2021 DOI:https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cub.2021.07.043 Highlights Female white-necked jacobins are polymorphic—30% have male-like plumage All juveniles have male-like plumage, excluding sexual selection as an explanation Male-like females receive less con- and heterospecific social harassment Thus, male-like ornamentation in females can arise purely through non-sexual means