Ecological and social implications of sexual dimorphism in five melanerpine woodpeckers

Publication Type:

Journal Article

Authors:

Wallace, Robert A.

Source:

Condor, Cooper Ornithological Society, Volume 76, Issue 3, p.238-248 (1974)

Call Number:

A74WAL01IDUS

URL:

https://sora.unm.edu/node/102390

Keywords:

Centurus aurifrons, Centurus carolinus, Centurus radiolatus, Centurus striatus, Cuban Green Woodpecker, Goldenfronted Woodpecker, Hispaniolan Woodpecker, Jamaican Woodpecker, Melanerpes portoricensis, Puerto Rican Woodpecker, Red-bellied Woodpecker, Sphyrapicus varius, Xyphidiopicus percussus, Yellow-bellied Sapsucker

Abstract:

Sexual differences within species have provided material for debate on a number of issues. Recently, several reports have indicated the ecological importance of sexual dimorphism in certain species, primarily birds and lizards. These discussions have indicated certain relationships between sexual differences in size of trophic appendages and specialization in foraging patterns. This report considers the ecological effects of sexual dimorphism as related to foraging behavior in five species of melanerpine woodpeckers and suggests certain social implications of such differences which have thus far received little attention. The subjects of this study are three insular species of melanerpine woodpeckers occurring in the West Indies and two melanerpines of the continental United States. Following the nomenclature of Selander and Giller and Selander, the insular species are the Puerto Rican Woodpecker (Melanerpes portoricensis), the Hispaniolan Woodpecker (Centurus striatus), and the Jamaican Woodpecker (C. radiolatus). Each of these is the sale resident representative of the melanerpine group on its respective island. Rare sightings of the Cuban Green Woodpecker (Xyphidiopicus percussus) on Jamaica and Hispaniola have been reported and the Yellow-bellied Sapsucker (Sphyrapicus varius) is an uncommon winter visitor on all three islands. The two continental forms are the Goldenfronted Woodpecker (Centurus aurifrons) which ranges from Honduras north to central Texas, and the Red-bellied Woodpecker (C. carolinus ), which ranges from central Texas to the east coast of the United States.