Experimental tests on tail elongation and sexual selection in swallows (Hirundo rustica) do not affect the tail streamer and cannot test its function

Behavioral Ecology

Volumn 8, Issue 5, 1997, Pages 580-581

  Thomas, Adrian L R ^a   Rowe, Louise ^b  

^a UNIVERSITY OF OXFORD   (United Kingdom)

^b UNIVERSITY OF STIRLING   (United Kingdom)

Author keywords

Aerodynamics and evolution; Bird flight; Bird tails; Hirundo rustica; Sexual selection; Swallows; Tail manipulations

Indexed keywords

AVES; HIRUNDINIDAE; HIRUNDO RUSTICA;

EID: 0031458668     PISSN: 10452249     EISSN: None     Source Type: Journal    
DOI: 10.1093/beheco/8.5.580     Document Type: Review

References (10)

1. Cuervo JJ, de Lope F, Møller AP, 1996. The function of long tails in female barn swallows (Hirundo rustica) : an experimental study. Behav Ecol 7:132-136.
2. Evans MR, Thomas ALR, 1992. The aerodynamic and mechanical consequences of elongated tails in the scarlet tufted malachite sunbird: measuring the cost of a handicap. Anim Behav 43:337-347.
3. Møller AP, 1989. Viability costs of male tail ornaments in a swallow. Nature 339:132-135.
4. Møller AP, 1994. Sexual selection and the barn swallow. Oxford: Oxford University Press.
5. Møller AP, de Lope F, Lopez-Caballero JM, 1995. Foraging costs of a tail ornament: experimental evidence from two populations of barn swallows Hirundo rustica with different degrees of sexual size dimorphism. Behav Ecol Sociobiol 37:289-295.
6. Norberg RÅ, 1994. Swallow tail streamer is a mechanical device for self-deflection of tail leading edge, enhancing aerodynamic efficiency and flight manoeuvrability. Proc R Soc Lond B 257:227-233.
7. Thomas ALR, 1993. On the aerodynamics of birds' tails. Phil Trans R Soc Lond B 340:361-380.
8. Thomas ALR 1996a. The flight of birds that have wings and a tail: Variable geometry expands the envelope of flight performance. J Theor Biol 183:237-245.
9. Thomas ALR 1996b. Why do birds have tails? The tail as a drag reducing flap and trim control. J Theor Biol 183:247-253.
10. Thomas ALR, Balmford A, 1995. How natural selection shapes birds' tails. Am Nat 146:848-868.