Comment on "Illusions promote mating success in great bowerbirds".

Borgia, Gerald; Coyle, Brian J; Keagy, Jason · Science · 2012

editorial · Level V

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Abstract

Kelley and Endler (Reports, 20 January 2012, p. 335) claim that male great bowerbirds construct a visual illusion, using display object gradients, that affects mating success. We argue that they provide inadequate statistical support for their hypothesis, inappropriately exclude important data, and do not consider other display traits that explain mating success. We propose a more plausible alternative hypothesis to explain display object patterns.

Medical subject headings