Ornamental traits expressed in both sexes are widespread among birds. Many studies have indicated that male ornaments develop through sexual selection. Female ornaments may be correlated effects of selection on males or have signaling functions in their own right. In the facultatively polygynous...

It is an established fact that the spectacular bioluminescent displays of adult fireflies and glow-worms are used as courtship signals; however, the survival value of the glowing behavior of their larvae remained the subject of speculation for many years. Our study is the first that demonstrates...

Inbreeding depression has been hypothesized to drive the evolution of mating systems and dispersal. Some studies have shown that inbreeding strongly affects survival and/or fecundity, but other studies suggest that fitness consequences of inbreeding are less detrimental or more complex. We...