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Chen S, Han C, Wang S, Liu X, Wang B, Wei R, Lei X. Hearing the physical condition: The relationship between sexually dimorphic vocal traits and underlying physiology. Front Psychol 2022; 13:983688. [DOI: 10.3389/fpsyg.2022.983688] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/01/2022] [Accepted: 10/17/2022] [Indexed: 11/06/2022] Open
Abstract
A growing amount of research has shown associations between sexually dimorphic vocal traits and physiological conditions related to reproductive advantage. This paper presented a review of the literature on the relationship between sexually dimorphic vocal traits and sex hormones, body size, and physique. Those physiological conditions are important in reproductive success and mate selection. Regarding sex hormones, there are associations between sex-specific hormones and sexually dimorphic vocal traits; about body size, formant frequencies are more reliable predictors of human body size than pitch/fundamental frequency; with regard to the physique, there is a possible but still controversial association between human voice and strength and combat power, while pitch is more often used as a signal of aggressive intent in conflict. Future research should consider demographic, cross-cultural, cognitive interaction, and emotional motivation influences, in order to more accurately assess the relationship between voice and physiology. Moreover, neurological studies were recommended to gain a deeper understanding of the evolutionary origins and adaptive functions of voice modulation.
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2
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Tibbetts EA, Pardo-Sanchez J, Weise C. The establishment and maintenance of dominance hierarchies. Philos Trans R Soc Lond B Biol Sci 2022; 377:20200450. [PMID: 35000449 PMCID: PMC8743888 DOI: 10.1098/rstb.2020.0450] [Citation(s) in RCA: 49] [Impact Index Per Article: 24.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/22/2021] [Accepted: 10/17/2021] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Animal groups are often organized hierarchically, with dominant individuals gaining priority access to resources and reproduction over subordinate individuals. Initial dominance hierarchy formation may be influenced by multiple interacting factors, including an animal's individual attributes, conventions and self-organizing social dynamics. After establishment, hierarchies are typically maintained over the long-term because individuals save time, energy and reduce the risk of injury by recognizing and abiding by established dominance relationships. A separate set of behaviours are used to maintain dominance relationships within groups, including behaviours that stabilize ranks (punishment, threats, behavioural asymmetry), as well as signals that provide information about dominance rank (individual identity signals, signals of dominance). In this review, we describe the behaviours used to establish and maintain dominance hierarchies across different taxa and types of societies. We also review opportunities for future research including: testing how self-organizing behavioural dynamics interact with other factors to mediate dominance hierarchy formation, measuring the long-term stability of social hierarchies and the factors that disrupt hierarchy stability, incorporating phenotypic plasticity into our understanding of the behavioural dynamics of hierarchies and considering how cognition coevolves with the behaviours used to establish and maintain hierarchies. This article is part of the theme issue 'The centennial of the pecking order: current state and future prospects for the study of dominance hierarchies'.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Chloe Weise
- Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
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3
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Does song overlap signal aggressiveness? An experimental study with repeated measures in free-ranging great tits. Anim Behav 2021. [DOI: 10.1016/j.anbehav.2021.07.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/08/2023]
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4
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Elevated recognition accuracy for low-pitched male voices in men with higher threat potential: Further evidence for the retaliation-cost model in humans. EVOL HUM BEHAV 2021. [DOI: 10.1016/j.evolhumbehav.2020.08.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/10/2023]
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5
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Zhang J, Hodges-Simeon C, Gaulin SJ, Reid SA. Pitch lowering enhances men's perceived aggressive intent, not fighting ability. EVOL HUM BEHAV 2021. [DOI: 10.1016/j.evolhumbehav.2020.07.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/10/2023]
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6
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Akçay Ç, Beecher MD. Multi-modal communication: song sparrows increase signal redundancy in noise. Biol Lett 2019; 15:20190513. [PMID: 31662064 DOI: 10.1098/rsbl.2019.0513] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Although the effects of anthropogenic noise on animal communication have been studied widely, most research on the effect of noise in communication has focused on signals in a single modality. Consequently, how multi-modal communication is affected by anthropogenic noise is relatively poorly understood. Here, we ask whether song sparrows (Melospiza melodia) show evidence of plasticity in response to noise in two aggressive signals in acoustic and visual modalities. We test two hypotheses: (i) that song sparrows will shift signalling effort to the visual modality (the multi-modal shift hypothesis) and (ii) that they will increase redundancy of their multi-modal signalling (the back-up signal hypothesis). We presented male song sparrows with song playback and a taxidermic mount with or without a low-frequency acoustic noise from a nearby speaker. We found that males did not switch their signalling effort to visual modality (i.e. wing waves) in response to the noise. However, the correlation between warbled soft songs and wing waves increased in the noise treatment, i.e. signals became more redundant. These results suggest that when faced with anthropogenic noise, song sparrows can increase the redundancy of their multi-modal signals, which may aid in the robustness of the communication system.
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Affiliation(s)
- Çağlar Akçay
- Department of Psychology, Koç University, Istanbul 34450, Turkey.,Department of Biological Sciences, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, VA 24061, USA
| | - Michael D Beecher
- Department of Psychology, University of Washington, Seattle, WA 98195, USA.,Department of Biology, University of Washington, Seattle, WA 98195, USA
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7
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Akçay Ç, Beck ML, Sewall KB. Are signals of aggressive intent less honest in urban habitats? Behav Ecol 2019. [DOI: 10.1093/beheco/arz179] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Abstract
How anthropogenic change affects animal social behavior, including communication is an important question. Urban noise often drives shifts in acoustic properties of signals but the consequences of noise for the honesty of signals—that is, how well they predict signaler behavior—is unclear. Here we examine whether honesty of aggressive signaling is compromised in male urban song sparrows (Melospiza melodia). Song sparrows have two honest close-range signals: the low amplitude soft songs (an acoustic signal) and wing waves (a visual signal), but whether the honesty of these signals is affected by urbanization has not been examined. If soft songs are less effective in urban noise, we predict that they should predict attacks less reliably in urban habitats compared to rural habitats. We confirmed earlier findings that urban birds were more aggressive than rural birds and found that acoustic noise was higher in urban habitats. Urban birds still sang more soft songs than rural birds. High rates of soft songs and low rates of loud songs predicted attacks in both habitats. Thus, while urbanization has a significant effect on aggressive behaviors, it might have a limited effect on the overall honesty of aggressive signals in song sparrows. We also found evidence for a multimodal shift: urban birds tended to give proportionally more wing waves than soft songs than rural birds, although whether that shift is due to noise-dependent plasticity is unclear. These findings encourage further experimental study of the specific variables that are responsible for behavioral change due to urbanization.
Soft song, the low amplitude songs given in close range interactions, is an honest threat signal in urban song sparrows. Given its low amplitude, soft songs may be a less effective signal in noisy urban habitats. However, we found that soft song remained an honest signal predicting attack in urban habitats. We also found that birds may use more visual signals (rapid fluttering of wings) in urban habitats to avoid masking from acoustic noise.
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Affiliation(s)
- Çağlar Akçay
- Department of Psychology, Koç University, Rumelifeneri Kampusu, Sariyer Istanbul, Turkey
- Department of Biological Sciences, Virginia Tech, 2125 Derring Hall, Blacksburg, VA, USA
| | - Michelle L Beck
- Department of Biological Sciences, Virginia Tech, 2125 Derring Hall, Blacksburg, VA, USA
- Department of Biology, Rivier University, Nashua, NH, USA
| | - Kendra B Sewall
- Department of Biological Sciences, Virginia Tech, 2125 Derring Hall, Blacksburg, VA, USA
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8
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Elfström TS. Vocal and visual communication in territorial rock pipit males (Anthus petrosus), focused on playback experiments. A study of the information content of displays. BIOACOUSTICS 2019. [DOI: 10.1080/09524622.2019.1621775] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/26/2022]
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9
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Acoustic signalling of aggressive intent in the agonistic encounters of female Asian particoloured bats. Anim Behav 2019. [DOI: 10.1016/j.anbehav.2019.01.012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/18/2022]
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10
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Jakubowska A, Osiejuk TS. Sing softly to evoke a response only from a recent intruder. Behav Processes 2018; 157:244-249. [PMID: 30366107 DOI: 10.1016/j.beproc.2018.10.012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/27/2018] [Revised: 08/22/2018] [Accepted: 10/22/2018] [Indexed: 01/07/2023]
Abstract
Low-amplitude soft songs have been described in many birds, but in most species, research has addressed only broadcast songs. Soft songs may have a similar or distinctive structure in comparison to broadcast songs produced in order to defend a territory and attract females. In some species, such soft songs were found to be produced in an aggressive context and were the best predictors of conflict escalation and later physical attack. However, such observations are not consistent across all species studied. Several hypotheses have been put forward to explain the function(s) of soft songs and why they are so quiet. Studies on the ortolan bunting (Emberiza hortulana) show that males produce soft songs similar in structure to broadcast songs during close interactions with conspecific intruders. However, experiments with the playback of loud and soft songs as well as taxidermic mount presentation revealed that soft song in this species does not fulfil aggressive signal criteria. Here we performed an experiment with two loudspeakers simulating movements of the intruder in order to test whether the soft songs are used to evoking a response from a nearby but not localised rival. We found that males responded with similar strength to songs played back from single and double speaker systems. Simultaneously, males produced more soft songs during and just after the phase of the experiment in which we simulated short flights of the intruder. Our results indicate that soft songs might be used during close interactions with rivals without being an aggressive signal and are used as short-range signals to check if the rival is still around. Our results also provide an alternative explanation of soft song behaviour in comparison to the hypotheses of eavesdropping avoidance and readiness to fight.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aleksandra Jakubowska
- Department of Behavioural Ecology, Institute of Environmental Biology, Faculty of Biology, Adam Mickiewicz University, Umultowska 89, 61-614 Poznań, Poland
| | - Tomasz S Osiejuk
- Department of Behavioural Ecology, Institute of Environmental Biology, Faculty of Biology, Adam Mickiewicz University, Umultowska 89, 61-614 Poznań, Poland.
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11
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Moran IG, Doucet SM, Newman AEM, Ryan Norris D, Mennill DJ. Quiet violence: Savannah Sparrows respond to playback-simulated rivals using low-amplitude songs as aggressive signals. Ethology 2018. [DOI: 10.1111/eth.12805] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Ines G. Moran
- Department of Biological Sciences; University of Windsor; Windsor Ontario Canada
| | - Stéphanie M. Doucet
- Department of Biological Sciences; University of Windsor; Windsor Ontario Canada
| | - Amy E. M. Newman
- Department of Integrative Biology; University of Guelph; Guelph Ontario Canada
| | - D. Ryan Norris
- Department of Integrative Biology; University of Guelph; Guelph Ontario Canada
| | - Daniel J. Mennill
- Department of Biological Sciences; University of Windsor; Windsor Ontario Canada
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12
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Affiliation(s)
- Jinguang Zhang
- Department of Communicology, University of Hawaii, Honolulu, HI, United States
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13
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Számadó S. When honesty and cheating pay off: the evolution of honest and dishonest equilibria in a conventional signalling game. BMC Evol Biol 2017; 17:270. [PMID: 29281957 PMCID: PMC5745956 DOI: 10.1186/s12862-017-1112-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/30/2017] [Accepted: 12/08/2017] [Indexed: 11/27/2022] Open
Abstract
Background The reliability of signals is a key issue in the study of animal communication. Both empirical work and theoretical models show that communication need not be entirely honest, and thus signals can be deceitful. Aggressive communication appears to be a prime candidate for such deceitful communication, because bluffing has been described in several species. Bluffing in these situations are supposed to be maintained by frequency dependent selection where the fitness of a given type depends on the frequencies of the other types in the population. Previous efforts to model such a scenario through individual based simulations have yielded conflicting results. Studies have either found a rich set of polymorphic strategies including the traditional cheating scenario or found none. Thus, the modelling assumptions responsible for these diverging conclusions remain unclear. Results In this study, I investigate the effects of four modelling assumptions: the role of an extended strategy set, the initial population composition (seeding), the differences in pay-offs and finally different parameter spaces. I investigate the effects of these factors on the evolvability of both honest and mixed cheating strategies. I show that both honest and cheating equilibria readily evolve and that the investigated parameter range and the seeding of the starting populations have the greatest influence on the outcome. Conclusions Both honest signalling and polymorphic cheating equilibria are more likely to evolve from a narrow strategy set than from a random mixture of strategies. A large potential strategy set is not a setback for the evolution of communication -honest or cheating- as long as the initial population is seeded with only a few strategies. In addition, different sections of the parameter space show consistently different behaviour. Thus, frequency dependent selection has the potential to explain various empirical observations that show consistent differences in aggressive behaviour. Electronic supplementary material The online version of this article (10.1186/s12862-017-1112-y) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.
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Affiliation(s)
- Szabolcs Számadó
- MTA TK "Lendület" Research Center for Educational and Network Studies (RECENS), Tóth Kálmán u. 4, Budapest, H-1097, Hungary.
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Zhang J, Reid SA. Aggression in young men high in threat potential increases after hearing low-pitched male voices: two tests of the retaliation-cost model. EVOL HUM BEHAV 2017. [DOI: 10.1016/j.evolhumbehav.2017.02.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/20/2022]
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15
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Snijders L, van Oers K, Naguib M. Sex-specific responses to territorial intrusions in a communication network: Evidence from radio-tagged great tits. Ecol Evol 2017; 7:918-927. [PMID: 28168028 PMCID: PMC5288255 DOI: 10.1002/ece3.2686] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/22/2016] [Revised: 11/14/2016] [Accepted: 11/17/2016] [Indexed: 11/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Signals play a key role in the ecology and evolution of animal populations, influencing processes such as sexual selection and conflict resolution. In many species, sexually selected signals have a dual function: attracting mates and repelling rivals. Yet, to what extent males and females under natural conditions differentially respond to such signals remains poorly understood, due to a lack of field studies that simultaneously track both sexes. Using a novel spatial tracking system, we tested whether or not the spatial behavior of male and female great tits (Parus major) changes in relation to the vocal response of a territorial male neighbor to an intruder. We tracked the spatial behavior of male and female great tits (N = 44), 1 hr before and 1 hr after simulating territory intrusions, employing automatized Encounternet radio-tracking technology. We recorded the spatial and vocal response of the challenged males and quantified attraction and repulsion of neighboring males and females to the intrusion site. We additionally quantified the direct proximity network of the challenged male. The strength of a male's vocal response to an intruder induced sex-dependent movements in the neighborhood, via female attraction and male repulsion. Stronger vocal responders were older and in better body condition. The proximity networks of the male vocal responders, including the number of sex-dependent connections and average time spent with connections, however, did not change directly following the intrusion. The effects on neighbor movements suggest that the strength of a male's vocal response can provide relevant social information to both the males and the females in the neighborhood, resulting in both sexes adjusting their spatial behavior in contrasting ways, while the social proximity network remained stable. This study underlines the importance of "silent" eavesdroppers within communication networks for studying the dual functioning and evolution of sexually selected signals.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lysanne Snijders
- Behavioural Ecology Group Wageningen University & Research Wageningen The Netherlands; Netherlands Institute of Ecology (NIOO-KNAW) Wageningen The Netherlands
| | - Kees van Oers
- Netherlands Institute of Ecology (NIOO-KNAW) Wageningen The Netherlands
| | - Marc Naguib
- Behavioural Ecology Group Wageningen University & Research Wageningen The Netherlands
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16
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Snijders L, Naguib M. Communication in Animal Social Networks. ADVANCES IN THE STUDY OF BEHAVIOR 2017. [DOI: 10.1016/bs.asb.2017.02.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/21/2023]
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17
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Akçay Ç, Campbell SE, Beecher MD. The fitness consequences of honesty: Under-signalers have a survival advantage in song sparrows. Evolution 2015; 69:3186-93. [PMID: 26573880 DOI: 10.1111/evo.12818] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/26/2015] [Revised: 10/24/2015] [Accepted: 10/31/2015] [Indexed: 01/28/2023]
Abstract
How honest or reliable signaling can evolve and be maintained has been a major question in evolutionary biology. The question is especially puzzling for a particular class of signals used in aggressive interactions: threat signals. Here, we report a study on song sparrows (Melospiza melodia) in which we assayed males with playbacks on their territories to quantify their aggressiveness (flights and close proximity) and aggressive signaling levels (rates of soft song, a close-range signal reliably predicting attack) and asked whether these traits affect individuals' survival on territory. We found that the effect of aggressive signaling via soft song interacted with aggressive behaviors such that there was a negative correlational selection: among males with low aggression, those males that signaled at higher levels (over-signalers) had higher survival whereas among males with high aggression those that signaled at low levels (under-signalers) survived longer. In other words, males that deviate from reliable signaling have a survival advantage. These results, along with previous research that suggested most of the deviation from reliable signaling in this system is in the form of under-signaling (high-aggression males signaling at low levels) pose a puzzle for future research on how this reliable signaling system is maintained.
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Affiliation(s)
- Çağlar Akçay
- Department of Psychology, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington, 98195. .,Department of Biological Sciences, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, Virginia, 24061.
| | | | - Michael D Beecher
- Department of Psychology, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington, 98195.,Department of Biology, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington, 98195
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Akçay Ç, Clay A, Campbell SE, Beecher MD. The sparrow and the hawk: aggressive signaling under risk of predation. Behav Ecol 2015. [DOI: 10.1093/beheco/arv196] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
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Ronald KL, Skillman T, Lin A, Li Q, Fernandez‐Juricic E, Lucas JR. Watch Your Tone: Social Conditions Modulate Singing Strategies. Ethology 2015. [DOI: 10.1111/eth.12425] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Andy Lin
- Purdue University West Lafayette IN USA
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20
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Reichard DG, Anderson RC. Why signal softly? The structure, function and evolutionary significance of low-amplitude signals. Anim Behav 2015. [DOI: 10.1016/j.anbehav.2015.04.017] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/04/2023]
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21
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Akçay Ç, Anderson RC, Nowicki S, Beecher MD, Searcy WA. Quiet threats: soft song as an aggressive signal in birds. Anim Behav 2015. [DOI: 10.1016/j.anbehav.2015.03.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/06/2023]
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Belinsky KL, Nemes CE, Schmidt KA. Two novel vocalizations are used by veeries (Catharus fuscescens) during agonistic interactions. PLoS One 2015; 10:e0120933. [PMID: 25798825 PMCID: PMC4370839 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0120933] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/26/2014] [Accepted: 02/09/2015] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Avian vocalizations are common examples of the complex signals used by animals to negotiate during agonistic interactions. In this study, we used two playback experiments to identify agonistic signals in a songbird species with several acoustically complex songs and calls, the veery. In the first experiment, we compared veery singing behavior in response to simulated territorial intrusions including playback of three variations of veery song: 1) song alone as a control, 2) songs with added whisper calls, and 3) songs with introductory notes removed. In the second experiment, we used multimodal stimuli including songs, whisper calls and songs with introductory notes removed, along with a robotic veery mount. Focal males readily responded to all of the playback stimuli, approached the speaker and/or robotic mount, and vocalized. Male veeries gave more whisper calls, and sang more songs without the introductory note in response to all types of playback. However, veeries responded similarly to all types of stimuli presented, and they failed to physically attack the robotic mount. These results indicate that rival veeries use two different types of novel vocalizations: whisper calls and songs lacking the introductory note as agonistic signals, but do not allow us to discern the specific functions of these two vocalizations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kara L. Belinsky
- Biology Department, State University of New York New Paltz, New Paltz, New York, United States of America
| | - Claire E. Nemes
- Department of Biology, Ball State University, Muncie, Indiana, United States of America
| | - Kenneth A. Schmidt
- Department of Biological Sciences, Texas Tech University, Lubbock, Texas United States of America
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Dittrich F, Ramenda C, Grillitsch D, Frankl-Vilches C, Ko MC, Hertel M, Goymann W, ter Maat A, Gahr M. Regulatory mechanisms of testosterone-stimulated song in the sensorimotor nucleus HVC of female songbirds. BMC Neurosci 2014; 15:128. [PMID: 25442096 PMCID: PMC4261767 DOI: 10.1186/s12868-014-0128-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/15/2014] [Accepted: 11/13/2014] [Indexed: 01/04/2023] Open
Abstract
Background In male birds, influence of the sex steroid hormone testosterone and its estrogenic metabolites on seasonal song behavior has been demonstrated for many species. In contrast, female song was only recently recognized to be widespread among songbird species, and to date, sex hormone effects on singing and brain regions controlling song development and production (song control nuclei) have been studied in females almost exclusively using domesticated canaries (Serinus canaria). However, domesticated female canaries hardly sing at all in normal circumstances and exhibit only very weak, if any, song seasonally under the natural photoperiod. By contrast, adult female European robins (Erithacus rubecula) routinely sing during the winter season, a time when they defend feeding territories and show elevated circulating testosterone levels. We therefore used wild female European robins captured in the fall to examine the effects of testosterone administration on song as well as on the anatomy and the transcriptome of the song control nucleus HVC (sic). The results obtained from female robins were compared to outcomes of a similar experiment done in female domesticated canaries. Results Testosterone treatment induced abundant song in female robins. Examination of HVC transcriptomes and histological analyses of song control nuclei showed testosterone-induced differentiation processes related to neuron growth and spacing, angiogenesis and neuron projection morphogenesis. Similar effects were found in female canaries treated with testosterone. In contrast, the expression of genes related to synaptic transmission was not enhanced in the HVC of testosterone treated female robins but was strongly up-regulated in female canaries. A comparison of the testosterone-stimulated transcriptomes indicated that brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) likely functions as a common mediator of the testosterone effects in HVC. Conclusions Testosterone-induced singing of female robins correlated with cellular differentiation processes in the HVC that were partially similar to those seen in the HVC of testosterone-treated female canaries. Other modes of testosterone action, notably related to synaptic transmission, appeared to be regulated in a more species-specific manner in the female HVC. Divergent effects of testosterone on the HVC of different species might be related to differences between species in regulatory mechanisms of the singing behavior. Electronic supplementary material The online version of this article (doi:10.1186/s12868-014-0128-0) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.
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Affiliation(s)
- Falk Dittrich
- Max Planck Institute for Ornithology, Department of Behavioural Neurobiology, Eberhard-Gwinner Strasse, Haus 6a, Seewiesen, 82319, Germany.
| | - Claudia Ramenda
- Max Planck Institute for Ornithology, Department of Behavioural Neurobiology, Eberhard-Gwinner Strasse, Haus 6a, Seewiesen, 82319, Germany.
| | - Doris Grillitsch
- Max Planck Institute for Ornithology, Department of Behavioural Neurobiology, Eberhard-Gwinner Strasse, Haus 6a, Seewiesen, 82319, Germany.
| | - Carolina Frankl-Vilches
- Max Planck Institute for Ornithology, Department of Behavioural Neurobiology, Eberhard-Gwinner Strasse, Haus 6a, Seewiesen, 82319, Germany.
| | - Meng-Ching Ko
- Max Planck Institute for Ornithology, Department of Behavioural Neurobiology, Eberhard-Gwinner Strasse, Haus 6a, Seewiesen, 82319, Germany.
| | - Moritz Hertel
- Max Planck Institute for Ornithology, Department of Behavioural Neurobiology, Eberhard-Gwinner Strasse, Haus 6a, Seewiesen, 82319, Germany.
| | - Wolfgang Goymann
- Max Planck Institute for Ornithology, Department of Behavioural Neurobiology, Eberhard-Gwinner Strasse, Haus 6a, Seewiesen, 82319, Germany.
| | - Andries ter Maat
- Max Planck Institute for Ornithology, Department of Behavioural Neurobiology, Eberhard-Gwinner Strasse, Haus 6a, Seewiesen, 82319, Germany.
| | - Manfred Gahr
- Max Planck Institute for Ornithology, Department of Behavioural Neurobiology, Eberhard-Gwinner Strasse, Haus 6a, Seewiesen, 82319, Germany.
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Rodríguez RL, Araya-Salas M, Gray DA, Reichert MS, Symes LB, Wilkins MR, Safran RJ, Höbel G. How acoustic signals scale with individual body size: common trends across diverse taxa. Behav Ecol 2014. [DOI: 10.1093/beheco/aru174] [Citation(s) in RCA: 48] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/14/2022] Open
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Tibbetts EA. The evolution of honest communication: integrating social and physiological costs of ornamentation. Integr Comp Biol 2014; 54:578-90. [PMID: 24944118 DOI: 10.1093/icb/icu083] [Citation(s) in RCA: 40] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Much research on animal communication has addressed how costs such as social costs or physiological costs favor the accuracy of signals. Previous work has largely considered these costs separately, but we may be missing essential connections by studying costs in isolation. After all, social interactions produce rapid changes in hormone titers which can then affect individual behavior and physiology. As a result, social costs are likely to have widespread physiological consequences. Here, I present a new perspective on the factors that maintain honest signals by describing how the interplay between social costs and physiological costs may maintain an accurate link between an animal's abilities and ornament elaboration. I outline three specific mechanisms by which the interaction between social behavior and hormones could favor honest signals and present specific predictions for each of the three models. Then, I review how ornaments alter agonistic behavior, agonistic behavior influences hormones, and how these hormonal effects influence fitness. I also describe the few previous studies that have directly tested how ornaments influence hormones. Finally, opportunities for future work are discussed. Considering the interaction between social behavior and physiology may address some challenges associated with both social and physiological models of costs. Understanding the dynamic feedbacks between physiology and social costs has potential to transform our understanding of the stability of animals' communication systems.
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Searcy WA, Akçay C, Nowicki S, Beecher MD. Aggressive Signaling in Song Sparrows and Other Songbirds. ADVANCES IN THE STUDY OF BEHAVIOR 2014. [DOI: 10.1016/b978-0-12-800286-5.00003-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 39] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
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27
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Soft calls and broadcast calls in the corncrake as adaptations to short and long range communication. Behav Processes 2013; 99:121-9. [DOI: 10.1016/j.beproc.2013.07.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/01/2013] [Revised: 06/14/2013] [Accepted: 07/06/2013] [Indexed: 11/24/2022]
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Xia C, Liu J, Alström P, Wu Q, Zhang Y. Is the Soft Song of the Brownish-Flanked Bush Warbler an Aggressive Signal? Ethology 2013. [DOI: 10.1111/eth.12104] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Canwei Xia
- Ministry of Education Key Laboratory for Biodiversity and Ecological Engineering; College of Life Sciences; Beijing Normal University; Beijing; China
| | - Jiayu Liu
- Ministry of Education Key Laboratory for Biodiversity and Ecological Engineering; College of Life Sciences; Beijing Normal University; Beijing; China
| | - Per Alström
- Swedish Species Information Centre; Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences; Uppsala; Sweden
| | - Qiao Wu
- Ministry of Education Key Laboratory for Biodiversity and Ecological Engineering; College of Life Sciences; Beijing Normal University; Beijing; China
| | - Yanyun Zhang
- Ministry of Education Key Laboratory for Biodiversity and Ecological Engineering; College of Life Sciences; Beijing Normal University; Beijing; China
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29
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Male response to an aggressive visual signal, the wing wave display, in swamp sparrows. Behav Ecol Sociobiol 2013. [DOI: 10.1007/s00265-013-1478-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
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Tibbetts EA. The Function, Development, and Evolutionary Stability of Conventional Signals of Fighting Ability. ADVANCES IN THE STUDY OF BEHAVIOR 2013. [DOI: 10.1016/b978-0-12-407186-5.00002-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/02/2023]
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Templeton CN, Akçay Ç, Campbell SE, Beecher MD. Soft song is a reliable signal of aggressive intent in song sparrows. Behav Ecol Sociobiol 2012. [DOI: 10.1007/s00265-012-1405-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/27/2022]
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Maddison CJ, Anderson RC, Prior NH, Taves MD, Soma KK. Soft song during aggressive interactions: seasonal changes and endocrine correlates in song sparrows. Horm Behav 2012; 62:455-63. [PMID: 22902893 DOI: 10.1016/j.yhbeh.2012.08.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/09/2012] [Revised: 07/26/2012] [Accepted: 08/01/2012] [Indexed: 01/21/2023]
Abstract
It is well known that songbirds produce high amplitude songs ("broadcast songs"). Songbirds also produce low amplitude songs ("soft songs") during courtship or territorial aggression in the breeding season. Soft songs are important social signals but have been studied far less than broadcast songs. To date, no studies have examined seasonal changes in soft song or its endocrine regulation. Here, in male song sparrows, we examined soft songs during a simulated territorial intrusion in the breeding season and non-breeding season. We also measured plasma testosterone and dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA) levels in subjects immediately after the aggressive encounter. The total number of songs produced (broadcast+soft songs) did not vary between seasons. However, there was a dramatic increase in the percentage of soft song in the non-breeding season. Further, the percentage of soft song was negatively correlated with plasma testosterone levels in the non-breeding season. There were seasonal differences in the acoustic structure of two major elements of soft song, trills and buzzes. The minimum frequency of trills was lower in the non-breeding season, and the element repetition rate of buzzes was lower in the non-breeding season. To our knowledge, this is the first study to (1) examine soft songs outside of the breeding season and (2) to identify endocrine correlates of soft songs, which are important social signals in songbirds.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chris J Maddison
- Department of Psychology, University of British Columbia, Vancouver BC, Canada
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