Meta-analysis challenges a textbook example of status signalling and demonstrates publication bias
File(s)
Published version
OA Location
Author(s)
Type
Journal Article
Abstract
The status signalling hypothesis aims to explain within-species variation in
ornamentation by suggesting that some ornaments signal dominance status. Here, we use
multilevel meta-analytic models to challenge the textbook example of this hypothesis, the black bib
of male house sparrows (Passer domesticus). We conducted a systematic review, and obtained
primary data from published and unpublished studies to test whether dominance rank is positively
associated with bib size across studies. Contrary to previous studies, the overall effect size (i.e.
meta-analytic mean) was small and uncertain. Furthermore, we found several biases in the literature
that further question the support available for the status signalling hypothesis. We discuss several
explanations including pleiotropic, population- and context-dependent effects. Our findings call for
reconsidering this established textbook example in evolutionary and behavioural ecology, and
should stimulate renewed interest in understanding within-species variation in ornamental traits.
ornamentation by suggesting that some ornaments signal dominance status. Here, we use
multilevel meta-analytic models to challenge the textbook example of this hypothesis, the black bib
of male house sparrows (Passer domesticus). We conducted a systematic review, and obtained
primary data from published and unpublished studies to test whether dominance rank is positively
associated with bib size across studies. Contrary to previous studies, the overall effect size (i.e.
meta-analytic mean) was small and uncertain. Furthermore, we found several biases in the literature
that further question the support available for the status signalling hypothesis. We discuss several
explanations including pleiotropic, population- and context-dependent effects. Our findings call for
reconsidering this established textbook example in evolutionary and behavioural ecology, and
should stimulate renewed interest in understanding within-species variation in ornamental traits.
Date Issued
2018-11-13
Date Acceptance
2018-10-11
Citation
eLife, 2018, 7, pp.1-26
ISSN
2050-084X
Publisher
eLife Sciences Publications Ltd
Start Page
1
End Page
26
Journal / Book Title
eLife
Volume
7
Copyright Statement
© Copyright Sa´ nchez-To´ jar et al.
This article is distributed under
the terms of the Creative
Commons Attribution License,
which permits unrestricted use
and redistribution provided that
the original author and source are
credited.
This article is distributed under
the terms of the Creative
Commons Attribution License,
which permits unrestricted use
and redistribution provided that
the original author and source are
credited.
Sponsor
Volkswagen Foundation
Identifier
http://gateway.webofknowledge.com/gateway/Gateway.cgi?GWVersion=2&SrcApp=PARTNER_APP&SrcAuth=LinksAMR&KeyUT=WOS:000449916500001&DestLinkType=FullRecord&DestApp=ALL_WOS&UsrCustomerID=1ba7043ffcc86c417c072aa74d649202
Grant Number
Volkswagen Fellowship
Subjects
Science & Technology
Life Sciences & Biomedicine
Biology
Life Sciences & Biomedicine - Other Topics
SPARROWS PASSER-DOMESTICUS
MALE HOUSE SPARROWS
WASP POLISTES-DOMINULUS
BADGE SIZE
PAPER WASP
SOCIAL-STATUS
SEXUAL SELECTION
QUALITY SIGNALS
PRACTICAL GUIDE
PREDATION RISK
Publication Status
Published
Article Number
ARTN e37385
Date Publish Online
2018-11-13