Glossary
Adaptive value- the measure of how useful a specific structure or function of an animal is in the animal’s native environment; the ways in which a phenotype confers fitness within a particular environment
Conspecific- animal belong to the same species as another animal
Co-opted- having developed some purpose different from the original purpose
Copulation- sexual intercourse
Evolution- change in relative trait proportions in a group of animals over time
Female choice- females’ preference for males with particular traits
Fitness- the ability of an animal to survive and reproduce in a given environment, relative to others of the same species
Forced perspective- an optical illusion that can make objects appear closer, farther away, larger, or smaller than they actually are
Home range- an area over which an animal regularly travels in order to obtain resources, such as food or mates
Lek- aggregation of males engaging in competitive displays
Marauding- a term referring to the partial or complete destruction of a male’s bower or theft of a male’s bower decorations by another male
Masticated- chewed
Monogamous- having only one mate for the duration of a mating season or longer
Nuchal crest- the colorful crest located on the nape of the neck
Phylogenetic models- models that show the evolutionary history of species and the relationships between them
Plumage- feathers
Polygynous- a male having multiple female mates during a single mating season
Runaway sexual selection- females’ preference for ornamented males, resulting in the evolution of exaggerated male ornamentation
Sapling- a young tree
Spire- a tapering, conical structure
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