Elias, Matz, Tiernan & Herrick, LLP, 11th Floor, 734 15th Street, N. W., Washington D.C. 20005, USA.
Biol Rev Camb Philos Soc. 2012 May;87(2):257-74. doi: 10.1111/j.1469-185X.2011.00193.x. Epub 2011 Jul 27.
Delayed plumage maturation is the delayed acquisition of a definitive colour and pattern of plumage until after the first potential breeding period in birds. Here we provide a comprehensive overview of the numerous studies of delayed plumage maturation and a revised theoretical framework for understanding the function of delayed plumage maturation in all birds. We first distinguish between hypotheses that delayed plumage maturation is attributable to a moult constraint with no adaptive function and hypotheses that propose that delayed plumage maturation is a component of an adaptive life-history strategy associated with delayed reproductive investment. We then recognize three potential benefits of delayed plumage maturation: crypsis, mimicry and status signaling. Evidence suggests that delayed plumage maturation is not a consequence of developmental constraints and instead represents a strategy to maximize reproductive success in circumstances where young adults cannot effectively compete with older adults for limited resources, particularly breeding opportunities. A multi-factorial explanation that takes into account lifespan and the degree of competition for limited breeding resources and that combines the benefits of an inconspicuous appearance with the benefits of honest signaling of reduced competitiveness provides a general explanation for the function of delayed plumage maturation in most bird species. Delayed plumage maturation should be viewed as a component of alternative reproductive strategies that can include delay in both plumage and sexual development. Such strategies are frequently facultative, with individuals breeding prior to the acquisition of definitive plumages when conditions are favourable. Presumably, the benefits of delayed plumage maturation ultimately enhance lifetime reproductive success, and studying delayed plumage maturation within the context of lifetime reproductive success should be a goal of future studies.
性成熟延迟是指鸟类在首次潜在繁殖期之后才获得明确的羽毛颜色和图案。在这里，我们提供了对大量关于性成熟延迟研究的综合概述，并对理解所有鸟类性成熟延迟功能的理论框架进行了修订。我们首先区分了两种假说，一种假说认为性成熟延迟是由于换羽受到限制而没有适应性功能，另一种假说则认为性成熟延迟是与延迟生殖投资相关的适应性生活史策略的组成部分。然后，我们认识到性成熟延迟的三个潜在好处：保护色、拟态和地位信号。有证据表明，性成熟延迟不是发育限制的结果，而是一种在年轻个体无法有效与年长个体竞争有限资源（特别是繁殖机会）的情况下，最大限度地提高繁殖成功的策略。一种多因素的解释，考虑到寿命和对有限繁殖资源的竞争程度，并将不显眼的外观的好处与降低竞争力的诚实信号的好处结合起来，为大多数鸟类物种的性成熟延迟功能提供了一个普遍的解释。性成熟延迟应被视为替代生殖策略的一个组成部分，这些策略既可以包括羽毛发育的延迟，也可以包括性发育的延迟。这些策略通常是兼性的，当条件有利时，个体在获得明确的羽毛之前就会繁殖。据推测，性成熟延迟的好处最终会提高终生繁殖成功率，因此，在终生繁殖成功率的背景下研究性成熟延迟应该是未来研究的目标。
