Variation in the train morphology of peacocks (Pavo cristatus)
Abstract
A sample of full‐trained adult male peacocks was collected and measured to determine whether or not there were any morphological correlates of train elaboration. Peacocks with longer or heavier trains are those with relatively large fat reserves for their overall body mass. The proportion of feathers in the train which have eyespots is also greater in peacocks with a relatively large muscle. These relationships indicate that train elaboration may be condition‐dependent. Females that prefer males with larger trains may therefore gain good condition males, which may reflect overall genetic quality. There is also a significant tendency for larger‐trained peacocks to have high louse loads, after controlling for body mass. It may be that larger‐trained males are older, and have accrued more lice than younger ones. Alternatively, long‐trained males may have acquired more lice through direct contact with more females than shorter‐trained birds.
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Train length is highly correlated with train mass.
“train length varies considerably among peacocks–and this trait is highly correlated with train mass [24]”
From Biomechanics of the Peacock’s Display: How Feather Structure and Resonance Influence Multimodal Signaling (2016) · cites this paper as [24]
Train length is positively correlated with fat reserves.
“it is positively correlated with fat reserves [24]”
From Biomechanics of the Peacock’s Display: How Feather Structure and Resonance Influence Multimodal Signaling (2016) · cites this paper as [24]
When a peacock displays, it moves the mass of the train (0.3 kg) as well as that of supporting muscular, connective, and dermal tissue.
“When a peacock displays, it moves the mass of the train (0.3 kg; [24]) as well as that of supporting muscular, connective, and dermal tissue.”
From Biomechanics of the Peacock’s Display: How Feather Structure and Resonance Influence Multimodal Signaling (2016) · cites this paper as [24]
Train mass is highly correlated with train length.
“Given that train mass is highly correlated with train length [24]”
From Biomechanics of the Peacock’s Display: How Feather Structure and Resonance Influence Multimodal Signaling (2016) · cites this paper as [24]
Cites
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THE EVOLUTION OF COSTLY MATE PREFERENCES II. THE “HANDICAP” PRINCIPLE
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Peahens prefer peacocks with elaborate trains
Petrie, M., Tim, H., & Carolyn, S. (1991) · Animal Behaviour · doi:10.1016/s0003-3472(05)80484-1 · Cited by 422 · see citing works
Self-citationSmith, J. M. (1991) · Trends in Ecology & Evolution · doi:10.1016/0169-5347(91)90055-3 · Cited by 341 · see citing works
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Experimental and natural changes in the peacock's (Pavo cristatus) train can affect mating success
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Do peacock's trains advertise age?
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Peahens prefer peacocks displaying more eyespots, but rarely
Dakin, R., & Montgomerie, R. (2011) · Animal Behaviour · doi:10.1016/j.anbehav.2011.03.016 · Cited by 48 · see citing works
Harikrishnan, S., Vasudevan, K., & Sivakumar, K. (2010) · The Open Ornithology Journal · doi:10.2174/1874453201003010013 · Cited by 29 · see citing works
Dakin, R., McCrossan, O., Hare, J. F., Montgomerie, R., & Amador Kane, S. (2016) · PLOS ONE · doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0152759 · Cited by 27 · see citing works
- Authors
- Petrie, M., Cotgreave, P., & Stewart, I.
- Affiliations
- University of Oxford (GB)
- University of Leicester (GB)
- ORCID
- Petrie, M.
- Venue
- Journal of Zoology
- Publisher
- Wiley
- Published
- 1996-02
- Volume
- 238
- Issue
- 2
- Pages
- 365-371
- ISSN
- 0952-8369 (ISSN-L)
- 1469-7998
- OpenAlex
- W2075856154
- Cited by
- 22
- References
- 13
- Citations by year
- 2026: 1 · 2025: 1 · 2023: 1 · 2018: 1 · 2016: 1 · 2015: 2 · 2014: 1 · 2013: 1 · 2012: 1
- FWCI
- 0.62
- Type
- journal article
- Language
- en
- Open access
- closed
- Locations
- Journal of Zoology (publishedVersion)
- Topics
- Life Sciences › Agricultural and Biological Sciences › Ecology, Evolution, Behavior and Systematics › Animal Behavior and Reproduction
- Physical Sciences › Environmental Science › Ecology › Avian ecology and behavior
- Social Sciences › Psychology › Experimental and Cognitive Psychology › Evolutionary Psychology and Human Behavior
- Keywords
- peacock, Pavo cristatus, sexual selection, fat reserves, muscle mass, eyespots, female mate choice, pediculosis, body mass, age effects
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