Evol Ecol Res 11: 889-904 (2009)     Full PDF if your library subscribes.

Sexual selection and the fate of introduced pigeons and doves (Aves: Columbidae)

Michael P. Moulton1, D.K. McLain2 and Linda E. Moulton3

1Department of Wildlife Ecology and Conservation, University of Florida, Gainesville, Florida, 2Department of Biology, Georgia Southern University, Statesboro, Georgia and 3Interlochen Arts Academy, ICA, Interlochen, Michigan, USA

Correspondence: M.P. Moulton, Department of Wildlife Ecology and Conservation, PO Box 110430, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL 32611-0430, USA.
e-mail: moultonm@ufl.edu

ABSTRACT

Background: Recent research has indicated that a response to sexual selection as manifested by plumage dichromatism predicts the introduction success of passeriform birds but not that of galliform birds.

Question: Does the response to sexual selection predict patterns of introduction success in species of the family Columbidae?

Data description: We compiled lists of introduced columbids using published references for ten island systems. We examined specimens of introduced columbid species housed at the Museum of Natural History in Tring, England. We measured wing lengths of individuals of each species and we categorized species as being either plumage dichromatic or monochromatic. We also compared success with native range size and wing length.

Conclusions: We found no difference in introduction success rates of monochromatic versus dichromatic columbids. Moreover, we found no significant differences in wing lengths between the two groups or in sizes of geographic ranges.

Keywords: Columbidae, introduced birds, sexual selection

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