Abstract
The relationship previously studied by Webster (1992) among sexual size dimorphism, mating system and body size in the icterids (Icteridae) was analyzed by using the original data, but also phylogenetically independent contrasts and a new molecular phylogeny. Sexual size dimorphism was positively related with body size as well as with harem size of the species. However, the relationship between body size and sexual dimorphism would be the result of the relationship between body size and poliginy degree and between poliginy degree and sexual dimorphism. These results agree with those found by Webster (1992).
References
ALEXANDER RD, HOOGLAND JL, HOWARD RD, NOONAN KM Y SHERMAN PW (1979) Sexual dimorphisms and breeding systems in pinnipeds, ungulates, primates, and humans. Pp. 402–435 en: CHAGNON NA E IRONS W (eds) Evolutionary biology and human social behavior: an anthropological approach. Duxbury Press, North Scituate.
BJÖRKLUND M (1991) Evolution, phylogeny, sexual dimorphism and mating system in the grackles (Quiscalus spp.: Icterinae). Evolution 45:608–621.
BLAKE ER (1968) Family Icteridae. Pp. 138–202 en: PAYNTER RA JR (ed) Check list of birds of the world. Volume 14. Museum of Comparative Zoology, Cambridge.
BLUMSTEIN DT Y ARMITAGE KB (1998) Life history consequences of social complexity: a comparative study of ground-dwelling sciurids. Behavioral Ecology 9:8–19.
BRASHARES JS, GARLAND T JR Y ARCESE P (2000) Phylogenetic analysis of coadaptation in behavior, diet, and body size in the African antelope. Behavioral Ecology 11:452–463.

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International License.
