POSSIBLE MORPHOLOGICAL ADVANTAGES FOR TOLERATING HIGH TEMPERATURE AND HUMIDITY IN A SUBTROPICAL PASSERINE (PEUCAEA AESTIVALIS)

Author

• Billy Abbott

Author Type

Graduate Student

Date of Award

2023

Document Type

Thesis

Publication Status

Version of Record

Submission Date

October 2026

Thesis/Dissertation Advisor [Chair]

Anderson, Rindy

Abstract

Animals face both natural and sexual selection pressures, and at times, these pressures conflict with one another. This results in a tradeoff between sexual and natural selection. In my thesis, I examine aspects of Bachman’s sparrows’ behavior and morphology in relation to weather conditions in light of these two conflicting pressures. Large bill size is selected for by the natural selection pressures of thermoregulation. Smaller bills are selected for by the sexual selection pressures of song quality. Both thermoregulation and song are important behaviors/processes that have fitness implications. By looking at bill size in relation to thermoregulatory ability and song quality I examined the tradeoff between these two selection pressures acting on the bill of Bachman’s sparrows

Extent

72 p.

Comments

Includes bibliography.|Thesis (MS)--Florida Atlantic University, 2023.|FAU Electronic Theses and Dissertations Collection|Includes bibliography.

Recommended Citation

Abbott, Billy, "POSSIBLE MORPHOLOGICAL ADVANTAGES FOR TOLERATING HIGH TEMPERATURE AND HUMIDITY IN A SUBTROPICAL PASSERINE (PEUCAEA AESTIVALIS)" (2023). Electronic Theses and Dissertations 2020 - Present. 1260.
https://digitalcommons.fau.edu/etd_general/1260

Identifier

FA00014203

Format

pdf