A healthy ecosystem relies on biodiversity which in turn relies on effective signal divergence to keep closely related, coexisting species distinct. For example, species-specific avian colour patterns allow birds to distinguish potential mates of their own species, maintaining distinct species in nature. Interestingly, closely related sympatric bird species (i.e., species that overlap their ranges) display greater colour pattern divergence than their non-sympatric counterparts. However, the drivers of sympatric avian colour pattern divergence are relatively unknown.
Queen’s Biology graduate student Haley Kenyon (Martin lab) used painted 3D-printed models to investigate aggression as a selective pressure for avian colour pattern divergence. Their lifelike models were used to simulate interactions between chickadee species in the wild to measure competition for territory and females, during breeding seasons, and in competition for access to food, during winter flocking seasons.
This unique study leveraging accessible, 3D-printed, and highly accurately painted bird models found that male black-capped chickadees attacked both sympatric and allopatric species during breeding seasons; however, were equally likely to visit feeders occupied by both sympatric and allopatric species during winter seasons. Inter-species relationships are complex, and these results suggest that colour pattern divergence does not reduce aggression between species. This study simultaneously demonstrates the effectiveness of 3D-printed models for use in simulating measurable species-specific interactions in the wild opening the doors for fascinating future investigations! Find their article in the Journal of Evolutionary Biology.
