In ring-necked pheasants (Phasianus colchicus), long spurs on the lower legs of males are genetically linked to a gene that influences the bird's susceptibility to disease (birds with longer spurs have histocompatibility complex genes that are linked to longer life spans). This is called

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CAn honest signal is a trait that provides accurate information about an individual's fitness or quality, such as the long spurs in ring-necked pheasants indicating better health and longer lifespan. The handicap principle suggests that only the fittest individuals can afford to bear the cost of such traits, making them reliable signals of quality.

In Ring-Necked Pheasants (Phasianus Colchicus), Long Spurs on the Lower