DOI
https://doi.org/10.25772/0707-TJ71
Defense Date
2009
Document Type
Thesis
Degree Name
Master of Science
Department
Biology
First Advisor
Ghislaine Mayer
Abstract
Yellow avian plumage is a direct result of carotenoid pigments obtained in a bird’s diet and may act as an indicator for individual health, parasite resistance, and status. This study describes breast feather reflectance of adult Prothonotary Warblers (Protonotaria citrea) (n=169), insectivorous Neotropical migrant passerines, throughout the Ultraviolet (UV) and human visible light spectra and examines the relationship between Haemosporidia (pathogen causing Avian Malaria) infection and feather reflectance (n=41). Reflectance was characterized using a Principle Component Analysis evaluating Intensity, Brightness, Hue, UV Intensity, UV Brightness, and UV Chroma. UV and visible light reflectance was higher in birds sampled earlier in the field season (early clutch) (p=0.0017 and p=0.0743 respectively). There was no relationship between infection and either visible light or hue. However, UV reflectance was lower in infected birds (p=0.0843). This study suggests that UV reflectance is an important indicator for the infection status of a Neotropical migrant passerine.
Rights
© The Author
Is Part Of
VCU University Archives
Is Part Of
VCU Theses and Dissertations
Date of Submission
December 2009