Stressful events are known to initiate a cascade of physiological mechanisms that are
potentially costly for metabolic processes. Although these mechanisms are well understood, the …

The function of the immune system of an animal is to provide defence against infection, in
order to maximize fitness. Understanding this and, particularly, how limiting resources are …

Sexually selected signals of individual dominance have profound effects on access to
resources, mate choice and gene flow. However, why such signals should honestly reflect …

Recent models of animal signalling emphasize the evolution of complex displays containing
‘multiple messages’. A variety of potential cues used in female choice were investigated …

There is now considerable evidence that female choice drives the evolution of song
complexity in many songbird species. However, the underlying basis for such choice remains …

Songbirds sing complex songs as a result of evolution through sexual selection. The
evolution of such sexually selected traits requires genetic control, as well as selection on their …

Biologists have long appreciated the critical role that energy turnover plays in understanding
variation in performance and fitness among individuals. Whole-organism metabolic studies …

Vertebrates respond to environmental stressors through the neuro‐endocrine stress
response, which involves the production of glucocorticoids. We have selected independent, …

Across taxa, both neural growth and cognitive function show considerable developmental
plasticity. Data from studies of decision making, learning, and discrimination demonstrate that …

Repertoire size has been found to be a sexually selected trait in a number of bird species,
although the advantages of mating with a male who possesses a complex song remain …