1
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Gedman GL, Kimball TH, Atkinson LL, Factor D, Vojtova G, Farias-Virgens M, Wright TF, White SA. CHIRP-Seq: FoxP2 transcriptional targets in zebra finch brain include numerous speech and language-related genes. RESEARCH SQUARE 2024:rs.3.rs-4542378. [PMID: 38978588 PMCID: PMC11230500 DOI: 10.21203/rs.3.rs-4542378/v1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 07/10/2024]
Abstract
Background Vocal learning is a rare, convergent trait that is fundamental to both human speech and birdsong. The Forkhead Box P2 (FoxP2) transcription factor appears necessary for both types of learned signals, as human mutations in FoxP2 result in speech deficits, and disrupting its expression in zebra finches impairs male-specific song learning. In juvenile and adult male finches, striatal FoxP2 mRNA and protein decline acutely within song-dedicated neurons during singing, indicating that its transcriptional targets are also behaviorally regulated. The identities of these targets in songbirds, and whether they differ across sex, development and/or behavioral conditions, are largely unknown. Results Here we used chromatin immunoprecipitation followed by sequencing (ChIP-Seq) to identify genomic sites bound by FoxP2 in male and female, juvenile and adult, and singing and non-singing birds. Our results suggest robust FoxP2 binding concentrated in putative promoter regions of genes. The number of genes likely to be bound by FoxP2 varied across conditions, suggesting specialized roles of the candidate targets related to sex, age, and behavioral state. We validated these binding targets both bioinformatically, with comparisons to previous studies and biochemically, with immunohistochemistry using an antibody for a putative target gene. Gene ontology analyses revealed enrichment for human speech- and language-related functions in males only, consistent with the sexual dimorphism of song learning in this species. Fewer such targets were found in juveniles relative to adults, suggesting an expansion of this regulatory network with maturation. The fewest speech-related targets were found in the singing condition, consistent with the well-documented singing-driven down-regulation of FoxP2 in the songbird striatum. Conclusions Overall, these data provide an initial catalog of the regulatory landscape of FoxP2 in an avian vocal learner, offering dozens of target genes for future study and providing insight into the molecular underpinnings of vocal learning.
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2
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Mangiamele LA, Dawn A, LeCure KM, Mantica GE, Racicot R, Fuxjager MJ, Preininger D. How new communication behaviors evolve: Androgens as modifiers of neuromotor structure and function in foot-flagging frogs. Horm Behav 2024; 161:105502. [PMID: 38382227 DOI: 10.1016/j.yhbeh.2024.105502] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/03/2023] [Revised: 12/08/2023] [Accepted: 02/05/2024] [Indexed: 02/23/2024]
Abstract
How diverse animal communication signals have arisen is a question that has fascinated many. Xenopus frogs have been a model system used for three decades to reveal insights into the neuroendocrine mechanisms and evolution of vocal diversity. Due to the ease of studying central nervous system control of the laryngeal muscles in vitro, Xenopus has helped us understand how variation in vocal communication signals between sexes and between species is produced at the molecular, cellular, and systems levels. Yet, it is becoming easier to make similar advances in non-model organisms. In this paper, we summarize our research on a group of frog species that have evolved a novel hind limb signal known as 'foot flagging.' We have previously shown that foot flagging is androgen dependent and that the evolution of foot flagging in multiple unrelated species is accompanied by the evolution of higher androgen hormone sensitivity in the leg muscles. Here, we present new preliminary data that compare patterns of androgen receptor expression and neuronal cell density in the lumbar spinal cord - the neuromotor system that controls the hind limb - between foot-flagging and non-foot-flagging frog species. We then relate our work to prior findings in Xenopus, highlighting which patterns of hormone sensitivity and neuroanatomical structure are shared between the neuromotor systems underlying Xenopus vocalizations and foot-flagging frogs' limb movement and which appear to be species-specific. Overall, we aim to illustrate the power of drawing inspiration from experiments in model organisms, in which the mechanistic details have been worked out, and then applying these ideas to a non-model species to reveal new details, further complexities, and fresh hypotheses.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lisa A Mangiamele
- Department of Biological Sciences, Smith College, Northampton, MA 01063, United States of America.
| | - AllexAndrya Dawn
- Department of Biological Sciences, Smith College, Northampton, MA 01063, United States of America
| | - Kerry M LeCure
- Department of Biological Sciences, Smith College, Northampton, MA 01063, United States of America
| | - Gina E Mantica
- Department of Biological Sciences, Smith College, Northampton, MA 01063, United States of America
| | - Riccardo Racicot
- Department of Biological Sciences, Smith College, Northampton, MA 01063, United States of America
| | - Matthew J Fuxjager
- Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, Brown University, Providence, RI 02912, United States of America
| | - Doris Preininger
- Department of Evolutionary Biology, University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria; Vienna Zoo, Vienna, Austria
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3
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Parks BMB, McVea K, Phillmore LS. Vernal growth of vocal control nucleus Area X, but not HVC, precedes gonadal recrudescence in wild black-capped chickadees (Poecile atricapillus). J Neuroendocrinol 2024:e13375. [PMID: 38379225 DOI: 10.1111/jne.13375] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/31/2023] [Revised: 01/15/2024] [Accepted: 01/30/2024] [Indexed: 02/22/2024]
Abstract
In temperate-zone songbirds, the neuroanatomical changes which occur in advance of breeding, including the growth of nuclei of the vocal control system, are believed to occur downstream of gonadal recrudescence. However, evidence from wild birds is mixed. Here, we captured black-capped chickadees from the wild in early spring (March-April), summer (August-September), and winter (December-January); in addition to measuring the volumes of two vocal control nuclei (Area X and HVC), we also quantified two indicators of reproductive state (gonads and circulating gonadal steroids). Most birds captured in early spring had regressed gonads and low levels of circulating gonadal steroids, indicating these birds were not yet in full breeding condition. However, these early spring birds still had a significantly larger Area X than winter birds, while HVC did not differ in size across groups. Using data from a previously published seasonal study of black-capped chickadees (Phillmore et al., Developmental Neurobiology, 2015;75:203-216), we then compared Area X and HVC volumes from our early spring group to a breeding group of chickadees captured 3-4 weeks later in the spring. While Area X volume did not differ between the studies, breeding males in Phillmore et al. (2015) had a significantly larger HVC. Taken together, this suggests that the vernal growth of Area X occurs ahead of HVC in black-capped chickadees, and that the overall vernal changes in the vocal control system occur at least partially in advance of the breeding-associated upregulation of the hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal axis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Broderick M B Parks
- Department of Psychology and Neuroscience, Dalhousie University, Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada
| | - Kyle McVea
- Department of Psychology and Neuroscience, Dalhousie University, Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada
| | - Leslie S Phillmore
- Department of Psychology and Neuroscience, Dalhousie University, Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada
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4
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Tripp JA, Phelps SM. Females counter-sing, but response to male song differs by sex in Alston's singing mouse. Biol Lett 2024; 20:20230484. [PMID: 38195056 PMCID: PMC10776218 DOI: 10.1098/rsbl.2023.0484] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/17/2023] [Accepted: 12/04/2023] [Indexed: 01/11/2024] Open
Abstract
Vocal display behaviours are common throughout the animal kingdom, play important roles in both courtship and aggression, and are frequent subjects of behavioural research. Although females of many species vocalize, an overwhelming fraction of behavioural research has focused on male display. We investigated vocal display behaviours in female singing mice (Scotinomys teguina), small muroid rodents in which both sexes produce songs consisting of trills of rapid, downward frequency sweeps. Previous research established that male singing mice increase song production and engage in precisely timed counter-singing behaviour in response to playback of conspecific male song. We tested whether female singing mice also increased their rate of singing in response to playback of male song, whether they counter-sing, and whether there are sexual dimorphisms in song effort. Our results demonstrate that much like males, female singing mice increase their song effort and counter-sing in response to playback of male song; however, females sing fewer and shorter songs compared to males. This study further informs the understanding of female vocal behaviour and establishes the singing mouse as a valuable model for investigating female vocal display.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joel A. Tripp
- Department of Integrative Biology, University of Texas at Austin, Austin, TX 78712, USA
| | - Steven M. Phelps
- Department of Integrative Biology, University of Texas at Austin, Austin, TX 78712, USA
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5
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Ruth KA, Berkeley LI, Strickfaden KM, Dreitz VJ. Density dependence of songbird demographics in grazed sagebrush steppe. PLoS One 2023; 18:e0289605. [PMID: 38134130 PMCID: PMC10745192 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0289605] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/01/2022] [Accepted: 07/21/2023] [Indexed: 12/24/2023] Open
Abstract
Sagebrush steppe is one of the most threatened ecosystems in North America. Adult density of songbirds within sagebrush steppe is a metric used to evaluate conservation actions. However, relying on only adult density to guide conservation may be misleading. Information on how conservation actions influence the nest density and nest survival of songbird species, in addition to adult density, are needed. We evaluated the relationships between nest density, nest survival, and adult density of Brewer's sparrow (Spizella breweri) and vesper sparrow (Pooecetes gramineus) over 3 breeding seasons in central Montana. Our findings suggest that adult pairs of both species were often present in higher numbers than nests, and this relationship was most prominent for Brewer's sparrows. However, our results do not support density dependence when considering nest survival. This discrepancy suggests that songbirds may not breed every year and that density dependence may be operating on nest densities within these populations differently than we examined. This study provides information on relationships between population demographics for 2 songbird species in grazed sagebrush steppe that will improve monitoring and management activities of conservation efforts.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kayla A. Ruth
- Wildlife Biology Program and Avian Science Center, W.A. Franke College of Forestry and Conservation, University of Montana, Missoula, Montana, United States of America
- Department of Animal and Rangeland Sciences, Oregon State University, Corvallis, Oregon, United States of America
| | - Lorelle I. Berkeley
- Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks, Helena, Montana, United States of America
- SWCA Environmental Consultants, Salt Lake City, Utah, United Stated of America
| | - Kaitlyn M. Strickfaden
- Wildlife Biology Program and Avian Science Center, W.A. Franke College of Forestry and Conservation, University of Montana, Missoula, Montana, United States of America
| | - Victoria J. Dreitz
- Wildlife Biology Program and Avian Science Center, W.A. Franke College of Forestry and Conservation, University of Montana, Missoula, Montana, United States of America
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6
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Oud MD, Mahoney SM, Pageau C, de Menezes MA, Smith N, Briskie JV, Reudink MW. Global patterns of plumage color evolution in island-living passeriform birds. PLoS One 2023; 18:e0294338. [PMID: 38100474 PMCID: PMC10723677 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0294338] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/06/2023] [Accepted: 10/30/2023] [Indexed: 12/17/2023] Open
Abstract
Island environments have the potential to change evolutionary trajectories of morphological traits in species relative to their mainland counterparts due to habitat and resource differences, or by reductions in the intensity of social or sexual selection. Latitude, island size, and isolation may further influence trait evolution through biases in colonization rates. We used a global dataset of passerine plumage color as a model group to identify selective pressures driving morphological evolution of island animals using phylogenetically-controlled analyses. We calculated chromaticity values from red and blue scores extracted from images of the majority of Passeriformes and tested these against the factors hypothesized to influence color evolution. In contrast to predictions based on sexual and social selection theory, we found consistent changes in island female color (lower red and higher blue chromaticity), but no change in males. Instead, island size and distance from mainland and other islands influenced color in both sexes, reinforcing the importance of island physiognomy in shaping evolutionary processes. Interactions between ecological factors and latitude also consistently influenced color for both sexes, supporting a latitudinal gradient hypothesis. Finally, patterns of color evolution varied among families, indicating taxon-specific microevolutionary processes in driving color evolution. Our results show island residency influences color evolution differently between sexes, but the patterns in both sexes are tempered by ecological, island characteristics, and phylogenetic effects that further vary in their importance among families. The key role of environmental factors in shaping bird plumage on islands further suggests a reduced importance of sexual and social factors in driving color evolution.
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Affiliation(s)
- Madison D. Oud
- Department of Biological Sciences, Thompson Rivers University, Kamloops, BC, Canada
| | - Sean M. Mahoney
- Department of Biological Sciences, Thompson Rivers University, Kamloops, BC, Canada
- School of Natural Resources and the Environment, The University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ, United States of America
| | - Claudie Pageau
- Department of Biological Sciences, Thompson Rivers University, Kamloops, BC, Canada
| | - Marcio Argollo de Menezes
- Physics Institute, Fluminense Federal University, Niteroi, Brazil
- National Institute of Science and Technology on Complex Systems, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Nathan Smith
- Department of Biological Sciences, Thompson Rivers University, Kamloops, BC, Canada
| | - James V. Briskie
- School of Biological Sciences, University of Canterbury, Christchurch, New Zealand
| | - Matthew W. Reudink
- Department of Biological Sciences, Thompson Rivers University, Kamloops, BC, Canada
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7
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Adam I, Riebel K, Stål P, Wood N, Previs MJ, Elemans CPH. Daily vocal exercise is necessary for peak performance singing in a songbird. Nat Commun 2023; 14:7787. [PMID: 38086817 PMCID: PMC10716414 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-023-43592-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/24/2023] [Accepted: 11/13/2023] [Indexed: 12/18/2023] Open
Abstract
Vocal signals, including human speech and birdsong, are produced by complicated, precisely coordinated body movements, whose execution is fitness-determining in resource competition and mate choice. While the acquisition and maintenance of motor skills generally requires practice to develop and maintain both motor circuitry and muscle performance, it is unknown whether vocal muscles, like limb muscles, exhibit exercise-induced plasticity. Here, we show that juvenile and adult zebra finches (Taeniopygia castanotis) require daily vocal exercise to first gain and subsequently maintain peak vocal muscle performance. Experimentally preventing male birds from singing alters both vocal muscle physiology and vocal performance within days. Furthermore, we find females prefer song of vocally exercised males in choice experiments. Vocal output thus contains information on recent exercise status, and acts as an honest indicator of past exercise investment in songbirds, and possibly in all vocalising vertebrates.
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Affiliation(s)
- Iris Adam
- Department of Biology, University of Southern Denmark, Odense, Denmark.
| | - Katharina Riebel
- Institute of Biology, Animal Sciences & Health, Leiden University, Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - Per Stål
- Department of Integrative Medical Biology, Umea University, Umeå, Sweden
| | - Neil Wood
- Department of Molecular Physiology and Biophysics, Larner College of Medicine, University of Vermont, Burlington, NJ, USA
| | - Michael J Previs
- Department of Molecular Physiology and Biophysics, Larner College of Medicine, University of Vermont, Burlington, NJ, USA
| | - Coen P H Elemans
- Department of Biology, University of Southern Denmark, Odense, Denmark.
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8
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Budka M, Uyeme JE, Osiejuk TS. Females occasionally create duets with males but they never sing solo-year-round singing behaviour in an Afrotropical songbird. Sci Rep 2023; 13:11405. [PMID: 37452177 PMCID: PMC10349113 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-023-38552-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/03/2023] [Accepted: 07/11/2023] [Indexed: 07/18/2023] Open
Abstract
Our knowledge of birdsong mainly comes from studies focused on male songs produced in a short breeding period, even though we know that sedentary species sing year-round, female song is quite widespread and many species sing collectively creating duets and choruses. In this study we focused on daily and seasonal changes in singing activity of an endemic, sedentary, duetting, Afrotropical songbird-the Bangwa forest warbler. We collected soundscape recordings in six recording locations and used singing activity index to examine how vocal activity of males and females varies daily and seasonally and how it correlates with the rainfall. We found that Bangwa forest warblers sing year-round, yet they do it more in wet than in dry season. The rapid increase of singing activity occurs after first rain, at the beginning of the rainy season. Males sing significantly more than females. Females never sing solo, however, in 13% of songs they create duets by joining male solos. The pattern of daily singing activity is sex-specific and seasonally variable, with two peaks (dawn and dusk) observed in males and only one in females (dawn). In Bangwa forest warbler male singing behaviour is similar to that of many songbirds, suggesting that territory defence and female attraction as main functions of singing. Females, which create duets and never sing solo may use songs in mate guarding, signalling commitment, resource defence or intersex territory defence. Duets observed year-round may suggest cooperative resource defence. Results of the study show that examining year-round singing behaviour is crucial to fully understand the evolution and functions of male and female songs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michał Budka
- Department of Behavioural Ecology, Faculty of Biology, Adam Mickiewicz University in Poznań, Uniwersytetu Poznańskiego 6, 61614, Poznań, Poland.
| | - John Emenike Uyeme
- Department of Behavioural Ecology, Faculty of Biology, Adam Mickiewicz University in Poznań, Uniwersytetu Poznańskiego 6, 61614, Poznań, Poland
| | - Tomasz Stanisław Osiejuk
- Department of Behavioural Ecology, Faculty of Biology, Adam Mickiewicz University in Poznań, Uniwersytetu Poznańskiego 6, 61614, Poznań, Poland
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9
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Rose EM, Haakenson CM, Patel A, Gaind S, Shank BD, Ball GF. Song system neuroanatomy, and immediate early gene expression in a finch species with extensive male and female song. J Comp Physiol A Neuroethol Sens Neural Behav Physiol 2023:10.1007/s00359-023-01651-9. [PMID: 37436439 DOI: 10.1007/s00359-023-01651-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/02/2022] [Revised: 06/14/2023] [Accepted: 06/17/2023] [Indexed: 07/13/2023]
Abstract
Birdsong is a relatively well-studied behavior, both due to its importance as a model for vocal production learning and as an intriguing complex social behavior. Until the last few decades, work on birdsong focused almost exclusively on males. However, it is now widely accepted that female song not only exists, but is fairly common throughout the oscine passerines. Despite this, and the large number of researchers who have begun exploring female song in the field, researchers in the lab have been slow to adopt model species with female song. Studying female song in the lab is critical for our understanding of sex-specific factors in the physiology controlling this fascinating behavior. Additionally, as a model for vocal production learning in humans, understanding the mechanistic and neuroendocrine control of female song is clearly important. In this study, we examined the red-cheeked cordon bleu (RCCB), an Estrildid finch species with extensive female song. Specifically, we found that there were no significant sex differences in circulating levels of testosterone and progesterone, nor in song production rate. There were no significant differences in cell densities in the three nuclei of the song control system we examined. Additionally, the volume of the robust nucleus of the arcopallium was not significantly different and we report the smallest sex difference in HVC yet published in a songbird. Finally, we demonstrated similar levels of motor driven immediate early gene expression in both males and females after song production.
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Affiliation(s)
- Evangeline M Rose
- Department of Psychology, University of Maryland, College Park, MD, USA.
- Program in Neuroscience and Cognitive Science, University of Maryland, College Park, MD, USA.
| | - Chelsea M Haakenson
- Department of Psychology, University of Maryland, College Park, MD, USA
- Program in Neuroscience and Cognitive Science, University of Maryland, College Park, MD, USA
| | - Aliyah Patel
- Department of Psychology, University of Maryland, College Park, MD, USA
| | - Shivika Gaind
- Department of Psychology, University of Maryland, College Park, MD, USA
| | | | - Gregory F Ball
- Department of Psychology, University of Maryland, College Park, MD, USA
- Program in Neuroscience and Cognitive Science, University of Maryland, College Park, MD, USA
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10
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Fargevieille A, Grégoire A, Gomez D, Doutrelant C. Evolution of female colours in birds: The role of female cost of reproduction and paternal care. J Evol Biol 2023; 36:579-588. [PMID: 36702760 DOI: 10.1111/jeb.14150] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/21/2022] [Revised: 11/10/2022] [Accepted: 12/11/2022] [Indexed: 01/28/2023]
Abstract
Female ornamentation is frequently observed in animal species and is sometimes found as more evolutionary labile than male ornamentation. A complex array of factors may explain its presence and variation. Here we assessed the role of female cost of reproduction and paternal care. Both factors have been pinpointed as important by theoretical studies but have not been investigated yet in details at the interspecific level. We worked on 133 species of North temperate Passeriformes bird species for which both the clutch volume - here taken as the proxy of female cost of reproduction - and amount of paternal care are relatively well known. Using spectrometry, we measured the whole-body coloured plumage patches and quantified three metrics corresponding to brightness (i.e. achromatic component), colour chromaticity (i.e. intensity) and colour volume (i.e. diversity). We found a strong association between male and female colour metrics. Controlling for this association, we found additional small but detectable effects of both cost of reproduction and paternal care. First, females of species with more paternal care were slightly brighter. Second, the interaction between the level of paternal care and egg volume was correlated with female colour intensity: females with more paternal care were more chromatic, with this association mostly present when their investment in reproduction was low. Together these results suggest that female cost of reproduction and paternal care are part of the multiple factors explaining variation of female coloration, besides the strong covariation between male and female coloration.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Arnaud Grégoire
- CEFE-CNRS UMR 5175, Université de Montpellier, Montpellier Cedex 5, France
| | - Doris Gomez
- CEFE-CNRS UMR 5175, Université de Montpellier, Montpellier Cedex 5, France
| | - Claire Doutrelant
- CEFE-CNRS UMR 5175, Université de Montpellier, Montpellier Cedex 5, France
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11
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Birdsong: Not all contest but also cooperation? Curr Biol 2023; 33:R67-R69. [PMID: 36693311 DOI: 10.1016/j.cub.2022.12.015] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/24/2023]
Abstract
Birdsong generally functions to defend territories from same-sex competitors and to attract mates. Wild zebra finch males now are shown to sing prolifically outside the breeding season and without defending territories, suggesting potential social functions for birdsong beyond competition.
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12
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Loning H, Verkade L, Griffith SC, Naguib M. The social role of song in wild zebra finches. Curr Biol 2023; 33:372-380.e3. [PMID: 36543166 DOI: 10.1016/j.cub.2022.11.047] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/13/2022] [Revised: 09/23/2022] [Accepted: 11/21/2022] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Abstract
Male songbirds sing to establish territories and to attract mates.1,2 However, increasing reports of singing in non-reproductive contexts3 and by females4,5 show that song use is more diverse than previously considered. Therefore, alternative functions of song, such as social cohesion3 and synchronization of breeding, by and large, were overlooked even in such well-studied species such as the zebra finch (Taeniopygia guttata). In these social songbirds, only the males sing, and pairs breed synchronously in loose colonies,6,7 following aseasonal rain events in their arid habitat.8,9 As males are not territorial, and pairs form long-term monogamous bonds early in life, conventional theory predicts that zebra finches should not sing much at all; however, they do and their song is the focus of hundreds of lab-based studies.10,11,12,13,14,15,16,17,18,19,20,21,22 We hypothesize that zebra finch song functions to maintain social cohesion and to synchronize breeding. Here, we test this idea using data from 5 years of field studies, including observational transects, focal and year-round audio recordings, and a large-scale playback experiment. We show that zebra finches frequently sing while in groups, that breeding status influences song output at the nest and at aggregations, that they sing year round, and that they predominantly sing when with their partner, suggesting that the song remains important after pair formation. Our playback reveals that song actively features in social aggregations as it attracts conspecifics. Together, these results demonstrate that birdsong has important functions beyond territoriality and mate choice, illustrating its importance in coordination and cohesion of social units within larger societies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hugo Loning
- Behavioural Ecology Group, Department of Animal Sciences, Wageningen University & Research, De Elst 1, 6708 WD Wageningen, the Netherlands.
| | - Laura Verkade
- Behavioural Ecology Group, Department of Animal Sciences, Wageningen University & Research, De Elst 1, 6708 WD Wageningen, the Netherlands
| | - Simon C Griffith
- School of Natural Sciences, Macquarie University, 205A Culloden Road Marsfield, Sydney, NSW 2109, Australia; School of Biological, Earth & Environmental Sciences, University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW 2052, Australia
| | - Marc Naguib
- Behavioural Ecology Group, Department of Animal Sciences, Wageningen University & Research, De Elst 1, 6708 WD Wageningen, the Netherlands
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13
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Dickerson AL, Jones TM, Moore KB, Hall ML. Male‐specific nocturnal song functions similarly to day song in a diurnal bird species. Ethology 2023. [DOI: 10.1111/eth.13359] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/21/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Ashton L. Dickerson
- School of BioSciences The University of Melbourne Parkville Victoria Australia
- Leibniz Institute of Freshwater Ecology and Inland Fisheries Berlin Germany
| | - Therésa M. Jones
- School of BioSciences The University of Melbourne Parkville Victoria Australia
| | - Kaya B. Moore
- School of BioSciences The University of Melbourne Parkville Victoria Australia
- Bardee Sunshine North Victoria Australia
| | - Michelle L. Hall
- School of BioSciences The University of Melbourne Parkville Victoria Australia
- Bush Heritage Australia Melbourne Victoria Australia
- School of Biological Sciences University of Western Australia Crawley Western Australia Australia
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14
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Provost KL, Yang J, Carstens BC. The impacts of fine-tuning, phylogenetic distance, and sample size on big-data bioacoustics. PLoS One 2022; 17:e0278522. [PMID: 36477744 PMCID: PMC9728902 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0278522] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/11/2022] [Accepted: 11/17/2022] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Vocalizations in animals, particularly birds, are critically important behaviors that influence their reproductive fitness. While recordings of bioacoustic data have been captured and stored in collections for decades, the automated extraction of data from these recordings has only recently been facilitated by artificial intelligence methods. These have yet to be evaluated with respect to accuracy of different automation strategies and features. Here, we use a recently published machine learning framework to extract syllables from ten bird species ranging in their phylogenetic relatedness from 1 to 85 million years, to compare how phylogenetic relatedness influences accuracy. We also evaluate the utility of applying trained models to novel species. Our results indicate that model performance is best on conspecifics, with accuracy progressively decreasing as phylogenetic distance increases between taxa. However, we also find that the application of models trained on multiple distantly related species can improve the overall accuracy to levels near that of training and analyzing a model on the same species. When planning big-data bioacoustics studies, care must be taken in sample design to maximize sample size and minimize human labor without sacrificing accuracy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kaiya L. Provost
- Department of Evolution, Ecology and Organismal Biology, The Ohio State University, Columbus, Ohio, United States of America
| | - Jiaying Yang
- Department of Evolution, Ecology and Organismal Biology, The Ohio State University, Columbus, Ohio, United States of America
| | - Bryan C. Carstens
- Department of Evolution, Ecology and Organismal Biology, The Ohio State University, Columbus, Ohio, United States of America
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15
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Kelley DB. Convergent and divergent neural circuit architectures that support acoustic communication. Front Neural Circuits 2022; 16:976789. [PMID: 36466364 PMCID: PMC9712726 DOI: 10.3389/fncir.2022.976789] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/23/2022] [Accepted: 10/19/2022] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Vocal communication is used across extant vertebrates, is evolutionarily ancient, and been maintained, in many lineages. Here I review the neural circuit architectures that support intraspecific acoustic signaling in representative anuran, mammalian and avian species as well as two invertebrates, fruit flies and Hawaiian crickets. I focus on hindbrain motor control motifs and their ties to respiratory circuits, expression of receptors for gonadal steroids in motor, sensory, and limbic neurons as well as divergent modalities that evoke vocal responses. Hindbrain and limbic participants in acoustic communication are highly conserved, while forebrain participants have diverged between anurans and mammals, as well as songbirds and rodents. I discuss the roles of natural and sexual selection in driving speciation, as well as exaptation of circuit elements with ancestral roles in respiration, for producing sounds and driving rhythmic vocal features. Recent technical advances in whole brain fMRI across species will enable real time imaging of acoustic signaling partners, tying auditory perception to vocal production.
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16
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Leitão AV, Mulder RA, Hall ML. Song functions for joint territory defence and within-pair communication in female and male lovely fairy-wrens. Anim Behav 2022. [DOI: 10.1016/j.anbehav.2022.08.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/01/2022]
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17
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Smiley KO, Lipshutz SE, Kimmitt AA, DeVries MS, Cain KE, George EM, Covino KM. Beyond a biased binary: A perspective on the misconceptions, challenges, and implications of studying females in avian behavioral endocrinology. Front Physiol 2022; 13:970603. [PMID: 36213250 PMCID: PMC9532843 DOI: 10.3389/fphys.2022.970603] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/16/2022] [Accepted: 08/18/2022] [Indexed: 12/04/2022] Open
Abstract
For decades, avian endocrinology has been informed by male perspectives and male-focused research, leaving significant gaps in our understanding of female birds. Male birds have been favored as research subjects because their reproductive behaviors are considered more conspicuous and their reproductive physiology is presumably less complex than female birds. However, female birds should not be ignored, as female reproductive behavior and physiology are essential for the propagation of all avian species. Endocrine research in female birds has made much progress in the last 20 years, but a substantial disparity in knowledge between male and female endocrinology persists. In this perspective piece, we provide examples of why ornithology has neglected female endocrinology, and we propose considerations for field and laboratory techniques to facilitate future studies. We highlight recent advances that showcase the importance of female avian endocrinology, and we challenge historic applications of an oversimplified, male-biased lens. We further provide examples of species for which avian behavior differs from the stereotypically described behaviors of male and female birds, warning investigators of the pitfalls in approaching endocrinology with a binary bias. We hope this piece will inspire investigators to engage in more comprehensive studies with female birds, to close the knowledge gap between the sexes, and to look beyond the binary when drawing conclusions about what is ‘male’ versus ‘female’ biology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kristina O. Smiley
- Centre for Neuroendocrinology and Department of Anatomy, School of Biomedical Sciences, University of Otago, Dunedin, New Zealand
- Center for Neuroendocrine Studies and Department of Psychological and Brain Sciences, University of Massachusetts-Amherst, Amherst, MA, United States
- *Correspondence: Kristina O. Smiley,
| | - Sara E. Lipshutz
- Biology Department, Loyola University Chicago, Chicago, IL, United States
| | - Abigail A. Kimmitt
- Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, United States
| | - M. Susan DeVries
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Wisconsin-Whitewater, Whitewater, WI, United States
| | - Kristal E. Cain
- School of Biological Sciences, University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand
| | - Elizabeth M. George
- Biology Department, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX, United States
| | - Kristen. M. Covino
- Biology Department, Loyola Marymount University, Los Angeles, CA, United States
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18
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Sierro J, de Kort SR, Riebel K, Hartley IR. Female blue tits sing frequently: a sex comparison of occurrence, context, and structure of song. Behav Ecol 2022; 33:912-925. [PMID: 36382229 PMCID: PMC9639586 DOI: 10.1093/beheco/arac044] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/01/2021] [Revised: 04/01/2022] [Accepted: 04/25/2022] [Indexed: 07/29/2023] Open
Abstract
In species with mutual mate choice, we should expect adaptive signaling in both sexes. However, the role of female sexual signals is generally understudied. A case in point is female birdsong that has received considerably less attention than male song. This holds even for well-studied species such as the blue tit (Cyanistes caeruleus), an important model in evolutionary ecology. Although there have been anecdotal reports of female song from three populations, there are no quantitative studies on female song in this species. Here, we report systematic sampling from a population of individually marked blue tits over 3 years, revealing that females sang frequently throughout the sampling period. Notably, daytime singing of females occurred in functionally similar contexts as in males (agonistic, solo song, and alarm contexts) but females had lower song output than males and were not observed singing dawn song, while males showed long singing displays at dawn before copulations take place. Female and male song overlapped substantially in acoustic structure (i.e., same song types or peak frequency) but females had smaller individual song-type repertoires, shorter trills, and lower vocal consistency. Differential selection pressures related to functional differences in male and female song might explain the observed variation in acoustic structure. With the first quantitative study of female song in such a well-studied species, we hope to stimulate further investigations into the functions of female singing, especially in the Northern temperate zones where female song may have been overlooked, not only in this but perhaps in other monomorphic species.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Selvino R de Kort
- Ecology and Environment Research Centre, Department of Natural Sciences, Manchester Metropolitan University, E437 John Dalton Building, Manchester Campus, Manchester, UK
| | - Katharina Riebel
- Institute of Biology (IBL), Leiden University, Room number 7.4.17, Sylvius Building, Sylviusweg 72, Leiden 2333 BE, The Netherlands
| | - Ian R Hartley
- Lancaster Environment Centre, Lancaster University, LEC Building, Lancaster, UK
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19
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Langmore NE. Female song can be over-looked in even the most intensively studied songbirds. Behav Ecol 2022. [DOI: 10.1093/beheco/arac062] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/14/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Naomi E Langmore
- Research School of Biology, Australian National University , Canberra, ACT 2600 , Australia
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20
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Theuerkauf J, Villavicencio CP, Adreani NM, Attisano A, Craig A, D'Amelio PB, Gula R, Lee ATK, Mentesana L, Quillfeldt P, Quirici V, Quispe R, Vásquez RA, Wingfield JC, Masello JF. Austral birds offer insightful complementary models in ecology and evolution. Trends Ecol Evol 2022; 37:759-767. [PMID: 35691772 DOI: 10.1016/j.tree.2022.05.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/15/2021] [Revised: 05/09/2022] [Accepted: 05/11/2022] [Indexed: 11/18/2022]
Abstract
The Southern Hemisphere differs from the Northern Hemisphere in many aspects. However, most ecological and evolutionary research is conducted in the Northern Hemisphere and its conclusions are extrapolated to the entire globe. Therefore, unique organismal and evolutionary characteristics of the south are overlooked. We use ornithology to show the importance of including a southern perspective. We present examples of plumage pigmentation, brood-parasitic nestling ejection, flightlessness, female song, and female aggression modulated by progesterone as complementary models for investigating fundamental biological questions. More research in the Southern Hemisphere, together with increased cooperation among researchers across the hemispheres and within the Southern Hemisphere, will provide a greater global outlook into ecology and evolution.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jörn Theuerkauf
- Museum and Institute of Zoology, Polish Academy of Sciences, 00-679 Warsaw, Poland.
| | - Camila P Villavicencio
- Institute of Ecology and Biodiversity, Department of Ecological Sciences, Faculty of Sciences, University of Chile, 7800003 Santiago, Chile
| | - Nicolas M Adreani
- KLF Core Facility for Behaviour and Cognition, University of Vienna, 4645 Grünau im Almtal, Austria; Max Planck Institute for Ornithology, 82319 Seewiesen, Germany
| | - Alfredo Attisano
- Museum and Institute of Zoology, Polish Academy of Sciences, 00-679 Warsaw, Poland
| | - Adrian Craig
- Department of Zoology and Entomology, Rhodes University, Makhanda 6140, South Africa
| | - Pietro B D'Amelio
- FitzPatrick Institute of African Ornithology, University of Cape Town, Rondebosch 7701, South Africa
| | - Roman Gula
- Museum and Institute of Zoology, Polish Academy of Sciences, 00-679 Warsaw, Poland
| | - Alan T K Lee
- FitzPatrick Institute of African Ornithology, University of Cape Town, Rondebosch 7701, South Africa; Centre for Functional Biodiversity, School of Life Sciences, University of KwaZulu-Natal, Scottsville 3209, South Africa; BirdLife South Africa, Pinegowrie 2123, South Africa
| | - Lucía Mentesana
- Max Planck Institute for Ornithology, 82319 Seewiesen, Germany
| | - Petra Quillfeldt
- Department of Animal Ecology and Systematics, Justus Liebig University Giessen, 35392 Giessen, Germany
| | - Veronica Quirici
- Centro de Investigación para la Sustentabilidad, Facultad de Ciencias de la Vida, Universidad Andres Bello, 8370251 Santiago, Chile
| | - René Quispe
- Department of Marine Biology, Faculty of Ocean Sciences, Universidad Catolica del Norte, 1781421 Coquimbo, Chile; Department of Animal Biological Sciences, Faculty of Veterinary Sciences, University of Chile, 8820808 Santiago, Chile
| | - Rodrigo A Vásquez
- Institute of Ecology and Biodiversity, Department of Ecological Sciences, Faculty of Sciences, University of Chile, 7800003 Santiago, Chile; Cape Horn International Center (CHIC), Puerto Williams, Magallanes, Chile
| | - John C Wingfield
- Department of Neurobiology, Physiology, and Behavior, University of California, Davis, CA 95616, USA
| | - Juan F Masello
- Department of Animal Ecology and Systematics, Justus Liebig University Giessen, 35392 Giessen, Germany.
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21
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22
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Prior NH, Bentz EJ, Ophir AG. Reciprocal processes of sensory perception and social bonding: an integrated social-sensory framework of social behavior. GENES, BRAIN, AND BEHAVIOR 2022; 21:e12781. [PMID: 34905293 PMCID: PMC9744507 DOI: 10.1111/gbb.12781] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/04/2021] [Revised: 11/09/2021] [Accepted: 11/10/2021] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
Organisms filter the complexity of natural stimuli through their individual sensory and perceptual systems. Such perceptual filtering is particularly important for social stimuli. A shared "social umwelt" allows individuals to respond appropriately to the expected diversity of cues and signals during social interactions. In this way, the behavioral and neurobiological mechanisms of sociality and social bonding cannot be disentangled from perceptual mechanisms and sensory processing. While a degree of embeddedness between social and sensory processes is clear, our dominant theoretical frameworks favor treating the social and sensory processes as distinct. An integrated social-sensory framework has the potential to greatly expand our understanding of the mechanisms underlying individual variation in social bonding and sociality more broadly. Here we leverage what is known about sensory processing and pair bonding in two common study systems with significant species differences in their umwelt (rodent chemosensation and avian acoustic communication). We primarily highlight that (1) communication is essential for pair bond formation and maintenance, (2) the neural circuits underlying perception, communication and social bonding are integrated, and (3) candidate neuromodulatory mechanisms that regulate pair bonding also impact communication and perception. Finally, we propose approaches and frameworks that more fully integrate sensory processing, communication, and social bonding across levels of analysis: behavioral, neurobiological, and genomic. This perspective raises two key questions: (1) how is social bonding shaped by differences in sensory processing?, and (2) to what extent is sensory processing and the saliency of signals shaped by social interactions and emerging relationships?
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Affiliation(s)
- Nora H. Prior
- Department of PsychologyCornell UniversityIthacaNew YorkUSA
| | - Ehren J. Bentz
- Department of PsychologyCornell UniversityIthacaNew YorkUSA
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23
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Vocal Learning and Behaviors in Birds and Human Bilinguals: Parallels, Divergences and Directions for Research. LANGUAGES 2021. [DOI: 10.3390/languages7010005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
Comparisons between the communication systems of humans and animals are instrumental in contextualizing speech and language into an evolutionary and biological framework and for illuminating mechanisms of human communication. As a complement to previous work that compares developmental vocal learning and use among humans and songbirds, in this article we highlight phenomena associated with vocal learning subsequent to the development of primary vocalizations (i.e., the primary language (L1) in humans and the primary song (S1) in songbirds). By framing avian “second-song” (S2) learning and use within the human second-language (L2) context, we lay the groundwork for a scientifically-rich dialogue between disciplines. We begin by summarizing basic birdsong research, focusing on how songs are learned and on constraints on learning. We then consider commonalities in vocal learning across humans and birds, in particular the timing and neural mechanisms of learning, variability of input, and variability of outcomes. For S2 and L2 learning outcomes, we address the respective roles of age, entrenchment, and social interactions. We proceed to orient current and future birdsong inquiry around foundational features of human bilingualism: L1 effects on the L2, L1 attrition, and L1<–>L2 switching. Throughout, we highlight characteristics that are shared across species as well as the need for caution in interpreting birdsong research. Thus, from multiple instructive perspectives, our interdisciplinary dialogue sheds light on biological and experiential principles of L2 acquisition that are informed by birdsong research, and leverages well-studied characteristics of bilingualism in order to clarify, contextualize, and further explore S2 learning and use in songbirds.
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24
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Waddell JC, Crampton WGR. Reproductive effort and terminal investment in a multi‐species assemblage of Amazon electric fish. ECOL MONOGR 2021. [DOI: 10.1002/ecm.1499] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/06/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Joseph C. Waddell
- Department of Biology University of Central Florida 4100 Libra Dr 32816 Orlando FL USA
- Department of Integrative and Computational Neurobiology Instituto de Investigaciones Biológicas Clemente Estable Av. Italia 3318 Montevideo 11600 Uruguay
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25
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Frey R, Wyman MT, Johnston M, Schofield M, Locatelli Y, Reby D. Roars, groans and moans: Anatomical correlates of vocal diversity in polygynous deer. J Anat 2021; 239:1336-1369. [PMID: 34342877 PMCID: PMC8602020 DOI: 10.1111/joa.13519] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/15/2021] [Revised: 06/15/2021] [Accepted: 07/06/2021] [Indexed: 02/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Eurasian deer are characterized by the extraordinary diversity of their vocal repertoires. Male sexual calls range from roars with relatively low fundamental frequency (hereafter fo ) in red deer Cervus elaphus, to moans with extremely high fo in sika deer Cervus nippon, and almost infrasonic groans with exceptionally low fo in fallow deer Dama dama. Moreover, while both red and fallow males are capable of lowering their formant frequencies during their calls, sika males appear to lack this ability. Female contact calls are also characterized by relatively less pronounced, yet strong interspecific differences. The aim of this study is to examine the anatomical bases of these inter-specific and inter-sexual differences by identifying if the acoustic variation is reflected in corresponding anatomical variation. To do this, we investigated the vocal anatomy of male and female specimens of each of these three species. Across species and sexes, we find that the observed acoustic variability is indeed related to expected corresponding anatomical differences, based on the source-filter theory of vocal production. At the source level, low fo is associated with larger vocal folds, whereas high fo is associated with smaller vocal folds: sika deer have the smallest vocal folds and male fallow deer the largest. Red and sika deer vocal folds do not appear to be sexually dimorphic, while fallow deer exhibit strong sexual dimorphism (after correcting for body size differences). At the filter level, the variability in formants is related to the configuration of the vocal tract: in fallow and red deer, both sexes have evolved a permanently descended larynx (with a resting position of the larynx much lower in males than in females). Both sexes also have the potential for momentary, call-synchronous vocal tract elongation, again more pronounced in males than in females. In contrast, the resting position of the larynx is high in both sexes of sika deer and the potential for further active vocal tract elongation is virtually absent in both sexes. Anatomical evidence suggests an evolutionary reversal in larynx position within sika deer, that is, a secondary larynx ascent. Together, our observations confirm that the observed diversity of vocal behaviour in polygynous deer is supported by strong anatomical differences, highlighting the importance of anatomical specializations in shaping mammalian vocal repertoires. Sexual selection is discussed as a potential evolutionary driver of the observed vocal diversity and sexual dimorphisms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Roland Frey
- Department of Reproduction ManagementLeibniz Institute of Zoo and Wildlife Research (IZW)BerlinGermany
| | - Megan Tompkins Wyman
- Department of Evolutionary Biology and Environmental ScienceUniversity of ZurichZurichSwitzerland
| | - Malcolm Johnston
- Clinical Imaging Sciences CentreUniversity of SussexBrightonUK
- Department of RadiologyBrighton and Sussex University HospitalsBrightonUK
| | - Michael Schofield
- Genome Damage and Stability CentreSchool of Life SciencesUniversity of SussexBrightonUK
| | - Yann Locatelli
- Réserve de la Haute ToucheMuséum National d’Histoire NaturelleObterreFrance
| | - David Reby
- Equipe de Neuro‐Ethologie Sensorielle (ENES)/Centre de Recherche en Neurosciences de Lyon (CRNL)University of Saint‐Étienne, CNRS UMR5292, INSERM UMR_S 1028Saint‐ÉtienneFrance
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26
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Odom KJ, Cain KE, Hall ML, Langmore NE, Mulder RA, Kleindorfer S, Karubian J, Brouwer L, Enbody ED, Jones JA, Dowling JL, Leitão AV, Greig EI, Evans C, Johnson AE, Meyers KK, Araya‐Salas M, Webster MS. Sex role similarity and sexual selection predict male and female song elaboration and dimorphism in fairy-wrens. Ecol Evol 2021; 11:17901-17919. [PMID: 35003646 PMCID: PMC8717346 DOI: 10.1002/ece3.8378] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/04/2021] [Revised: 10/06/2021] [Accepted: 10/20/2021] [Indexed: 11/09/2022] Open
Abstract
Historically, bird song complexity was thought to evolve primarily through sexual selection on males; yet, in many species, both sexes sing and selection pressure on both sexes may be broader. Previous research suggests competition for mates and resources during short, synchronous breeding seasons leads to more elaborate male songs at high, temperate latitudes. Furthermore, we expect male-female song structure and elaboration to be more similar at lower, tropical latitudes, where longer breeding seasons and year-round territoriality yield similar social selection pressures in both sexes. However, studies seldom take both types of selective pressures and sexes into account. We examined song in both sexes in 15 populations of nine-fairy-wren species (Maluridae), a Southern Hemisphere clade with female song. We compared song elaboration (in both sexes) and sexual song dimorphism to latitude and life-history variables tied to sexual and social selection pressures and sex roles. Our results suggest that song elaboration evolved in part due to sexual competition in males: male songs were longer than female songs in populations with low male survival and less male provisioning. Also, female songs evolved independently of male songs: female songs were slower paced than male songs, although only in less synchronously breeding populations. We also found male and female songs were more similar when parental care was more equal and when male survival was high, which provides strong evidence that sex role similarity correlates with male-female song similarity. Contrary to Northern Hemisphere latitudinal patterns, male and female songs were more similar at higher, temperate latitudes. These results suggest that selection on song can be sex specific, with male song elaboration favored in contexts with stronger sexual selection. At the same time, selection pressures associated with sex role similarity appear to favor sex role similarity in song structure.
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Affiliation(s)
- Karan J. Odom
- Cornell Lab of Ornithology and Department of Neurobiology and BehaviorCornell UniversityIthacaNew YorkUSA
- Department of PsychologyUniversity of Maryland, College ParkCollege ParkMarylandUSA
| | - Kristal E. Cain
- Research School of BiologyAustralian National UniversityCanberraACTAustralia
- School of Biological SciencesUniversity of AucklandAucklandNew Zealand
| | - Michelle L. Hall
- School of BioSciencesThe University of MelbourneMelbourneVic.Australia
- Bush Heritage AustraliaMelbourneVic.Australia
- School of Biological SciencesThe University of Western AustraliaPerthWAAustralia
- Max Planck Institute for OrnithologyVogelwarte RadolfzellGermany
| | - Naomi E. Langmore
- Research School of BiologyAustralian National UniversityCanberraACTAustralia
| | - Raoul A. Mulder
- School of BioSciencesThe University of MelbourneMelbourneVic.Australia
| | - Sonia Kleindorfer
- College of Science and EngineeringFlinders UniversityAdelaideSAAustralia
- Department of Behavioural and Cognitive BiologyKonrad Lorenz Research Center for Behaviour and CognitionUniversity of ViennaViennaAustria
| | - Jordan Karubian
- Department of Ecology and Evolutionary BiologyTulane UniversityNew OrleansLouisianaUSA
| | - Lyanne Brouwer
- Research School of BiologyAustralian National UniversityCanberraACTAustralia
- Department of Animal Ecology & PhysiologyInstitute for Water and Wetland ResearchRadboud UniversityNijmegenThe Netherlands
- Department of Animal EcologyNetherlands Institute of Ecology (NIOO‐KNAW)WageningenThe Netherlands
| | - Erik D. Enbody
- Department of Ecology and Evolutionary BiologyTulane UniversityNew OrleansLouisianaUSA
- Department of Medical Biochemistry and MicrobiologyUppsala UniversityUppsalaSweden
| | - John Anthony Jones
- Department of Ecology and Evolutionary BiologyTulane UniversityNew OrleansLouisianaUSA
| | | | - Ana V. Leitão
- School of BioSciencesThe University of MelbourneMelbourneVic.Australia
| | - Emma I. Greig
- Cornell Lab of Ornithology and Project Feeder WatchCornell UniversityIthacaNew YorkUSA
| | - Christine Evans
- College of Science and EngineeringFlinders UniversityAdelaideSAAustralia
| | - Allison E. Johnson
- School of Biological SciencesUniversity of Nebraska‐LincolnLincolnNebraskaUSA
| | | | - Marcelo Araya‐Salas
- Cornell Lab of Ornithology and Department of Neurobiology and BehaviorCornell UniversityIthacaNew YorkUSA
- Centro de Investigación en NeurocienciasUniversidad de Costa RicaSan JoséCosta Rica
- Esciela de Biología, Universidad de Costa RicaSan JoséCosta Rica
| | - Michael S. Webster
- Cornell Lab of Ornithology and Department of Neurobiology and BehaviorCornell UniversityIthacaNew YorkUSA
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27
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Dargis L, Benedict L, Najar NA. Female bird song rates do not covary with population density in a North American species. Ethology 2021. [DOI: 10.1111/eth.13227] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Lorraine Dargis
- School of Biological Sciences University of Northern Colorado Greeley Colorado USA
| | - Lauryn Benedict
- Evolution, Ecology, and Organismal Biology University of California Riverside Riverside California USA
| | - Nadje A. Najar
- Evolution, Ecology, and Organismal Biology University of California Riverside Riverside California USA
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28
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Differences in plumage coloration predict female but not male territorial responses in three antbird sister species pairs. Anim Behav 2021. [DOI: 10.1016/j.anbehav.2021.09.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/26/2022]
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29
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Dickerson AL, Rowland JA, Trama AJE, Wraith‐Franck D, Hall ML. Male and female Australian magpie‐larks respond differently to variation in song frequency (pitch). Ethology 2021. [DOI: 10.1111/eth.13254] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Affiliation(s)
| | - Jessica A. Rowland
- Centre for Integrative Ecology School of Life and Environmental Sciences Deakin University Burwood Vic. Australia
| | - Asher J. E. Trama
- School of BioSciences The University of Melbourne Parkville Vic. Australia
| | | | - Michelle L. Hall
- School of BioSciences The University of Melbourne Parkville Vic. Australia
- Bush Heritage Australia Melbourne Vic. Australia
- School of Biological Sciences The University of Western Australia, Crawley WA Australia
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30
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Webb WH, Roper MM, Pawley MDM, Fukuzawa Y, Harmer AMT, Brunton DH. Sexually Distinct Song Cultures Across a Songbird Metapopulation. Front Ecol Evol 2021. [DOI: 10.3389/fevo.2021.755633] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Songbirds learn their songs culturally, through imitating tutors. The vocal culture of a songbird population changes as new song units (syllables) are introduced through immigration, copying errors, and innovation, while other syllables fall out of use. This leads to a diversification of the syllable pool across the species, much like the diversification and spatial patterns of human language. Vocal cultures have been well-studied in male songbirds but have been largely overlooked in females. Here we undertake one of the first comparisons of male and female song cultures across a songbird metapopulation—studying New Zealand bellbirds Anthornis melanura spanning a network of six islands. Having classified 20,700 syllables (702 types), we compare population syllable repertoire sizes and overlap between sites and sexes. We show that males and females—both with complex songs—have distinct song cultures, sharing only 6–26% of syllable types within each site. Furthermore, male and female syllable types can be statistically discriminated based on acoustic properties. Despite diverse syllable repertoires within sites, few syllable types were shared between sites (both sexes had highly distinct site-specific dialects). For the few types shared between sites, sharing decreased with distance only for males. Overall, there was no significant difference between sexes in degree of site–site repertoire overlap. These results suggest different cultural processes at play for the two sexes, underlining the inadequacy of male-centric song research and calling for comparisons of male and female song cultures in many more species.
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Benedict L, Hardt B, Dargis L. Form and Function Predict Acoustic Transmission Properties of the Songs of Male and Female Canyon Wrens. Front Ecol Evol 2021. [DOI: 10.3389/fevo.2021.722967] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
To function effectively, animal signals must transmit through the environment to receivers, and signal transmission properties depend on signal form. Here we investigated how the transmission of multiple parts of a well-studied signal, bird song, varies between males and females of one species. We hypothesized that male and female songs would have different transmission properties, reflecting known differences in song form and function. We further hypothesized that two parts of male song used differentially in broadcast singing and aggressive contests would transmit differently. Analyses included male and female songs from 20 pairs of canyon wrens (Catherpes mexicanus) played and re-recorded in species-typical habitat. We found that male song cascades used in broadcast singing propagated farther than female songs, with higher signal-to-noise ratios at distance. In contrast, we demonstrated relatively restricted propagation of the two vocalization types typically used in short-distance aggressive signaling, female songs and male “cheet” notes. Of the three tested signals, male “cheet” notes had the shortest modeled propagation distances. Male and female signals blurred similarly, with variable patterns of excess attenuation. Both male song parts showed more consistent transmission across the duration of the signal than did female songs. Song transmission, thus, varied by sex and reflected signal form and use context. Results support the idea that males and females of the same species can show distinctly different signal evolution trajectories. Sexual and social selection pressures can shape sex-specific signal transmission, even when males and females are communicating in shared physical environments.
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Rose EM, Prior NH, Ball GF. The singing question: re-conceptualizing birdsong. Biol Rev Camb Philos Soc 2021; 97:326-342. [PMID: 34609054 DOI: 10.1111/brv.12800] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/22/2021] [Revised: 09/21/2021] [Accepted: 09/22/2021] [Indexed: 01/31/2023]
Abstract
Birdsong has been the subject of broad research from a variety of sub-disciplines and has taught us much about the evolution, function, and mechanisms driving animal communication and cognition. Typically, birdsong refers to the specialized vocalizations produced by oscines. Historically, much of the research on birdsong was conducted in north temperate regions (specifically in Europe and North America) leading to multiple biases. Due to these historic biases these vocalizations are generally considered to be highly sexually dimorphic, heavily shaped by sexual selection and essential for courtship and territoriality. Song is also typically defined as a learned trait shaped by cultural evolution. Together, this framework focuses research specifically on males, particularly during the north temperate breeding season - reflecting and thereby reinforcing this framework. The physiological underpinnings of song often emphasize the role of the hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal axis (associated with breeding changes) and the song control system (underlying vocal learning). Over the years there has been great debate over which features of song are essential to the definition of birdsong, which features apply broadly to contexts outside males in the north temperate region, and over the importance of having a definition at all. Importantly, the definitions we use can both guide and limit the progress of research. Here, we describe the history of these definitions, and how these definitions have directed and restricted research to focus on male song in sexually selected contexts. Additionally, we highlight the gaps in our scientific knowledge, especially with respect to the function and physiological mechanisms underlying song in females and in winter, as well as in non-seasonally breeding species. Furthermore, we highlight the problems with using complexity and learning as dichotomous variables to categorize songs and calls. Across species, no one characteristic of song - sexual dimorphism, seasonality, complexity, sexual selection, learning - consistently delineates song from other songbird vocal communication. We provide recommendations for next steps to build an inclusive information framework that will allow researchers to explore nuances in animal communication and promote comparative research. Specifically, we recommend that researchers should operationalize the axis of variation most relevant to their study/species by identifying their specific question and the variable(s) of focus (e.g. seasonality). Researchers should also identify the axis (axes) of variation (e.g. degree of control by testosterone) most relevant to their study and use language consistent with the question and axis (axes) of variation (e.g. control by testosterone in the seasonal vocal production of birds).
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Affiliation(s)
- Evangeline M Rose
- Department of Psychology, University of Maryland, College Park, 4094 Campus Dr., College Park, MD, 20742, U.S.A.,Program in Neuroscience and Cognitive Science, University of Maryland, College Park, 0219 Cole Student Activities Building, 4090 Union Drive, College Park, MD, 20742, U.S.A
| | - Nora H Prior
- Department of Psychology, University of Maryland, College Park, 4094 Campus Dr., College Park, MD, 20742, U.S.A.,Program in Neuroscience and Cognitive Science, University of Maryland, College Park, 0219 Cole Student Activities Building, 4090 Union Drive, College Park, MD, 20742, U.S.A
| | - Gregory F Ball
- Department of Psychology, University of Maryland, College Park, 4094 Campus Dr., College Park, MD, 20742, U.S.A.,Program in Neuroscience and Cognitive Science, University of Maryland, College Park, 0219 Cole Student Activities Building, 4090 Union Drive, College Park, MD, 20742, U.S.A
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33
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Beaulieu M, Dähne M, Köpp J, Marciau C, Kato A, Ropert-Coudert Y, Raclot T. Exploring the interplay between nest vocalizations and foraging behaviour in breeding birds. Anim Behav 2021. [DOI: 10.1016/j.anbehav.2021.08.015] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/20/2022]
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34
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Coomes C, Derryberry E. High temperatures reduce song production and alter signal salience in songbirds. Anim Behav 2021. [DOI: 10.1016/j.anbehav.2021.07.020] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
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35
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Singing is not associated with social complexity across species. Behav Brain Sci 2021; 44:e92. [PMID: 34588055 DOI: 10.1017/s0140525x20001120] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/06/2022]
Abstract
Based on their social bonding hypothesis, Savage et al. predict a relation between "musical" behaviors and social complexity across species. However, our qualitative comparative review suggests that, although learned contact calls are positively associated with complex social dynamics across species, songs are not. Yet, in contrast to songs, and arguably consistent with their functions, contact calls are not particularly music-like.
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36
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Wheeldon A, Szymański P, Surmacki A, Osiejuk TS. Song type and song type matching are important for joint territorial defense in a duetting songbird. Behav Ecol 2021; 32:883-894. [PMID: 34690547 PMCID: PMC8528539 DOI: 10.1093/beheco/arab030] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/06/2020] [Revised: 02/22/2021] [Accepted: 03/16/2021] [Indexed: 11/26/2022] Open
Abstract
Birds have a diverse acoustic communication system, with species-specific repertoires facilitating more complex behaviors in terms of both within- and between-pair communications. Certain song types are produced for specific functions, such as aggressive encounters. In addition, song matching behaviors, whereby neighboring individuals match song types, can be used in aggressive interactions as a sophisticated acoustic behavior. In this study, we examined the functions of song types, in a duet context, of male yellow-breasted boubous (Laniarius atroflavus), an Afromontane bush-shrike with a vocal sexual dimorphism. We aimed at assessing whether, structurally, certain song types elicited a heightened reaction than others and also whether song matching affected response behavior. A dual speaker playback procedure was performed for 18 pairs of boubous, each pair being exposed to duets with three different male song types. We found differences in response toward the different duet types but these differences resulted from the amount at which males matched different song types. Pairs responded stronger when a focal male matched the playback type, and matching was significantly more often found in cases where the rarest type of male song was used. We found no sex differences in terms of response strength to playback type. Our results indicate a two-level way of coding aggression toward intruding pairs. The yellow-breasted boubous utilize their repertoires, linking matching with structure in order to show aggression in terms of territory defense and sexual conflict. This study also confirms joint territorial defense as a main function of duets in this species.
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Affiliation(s)
- Amie Wheeldon
- Department of Behavioural Ecology, Institute of Environmental Biology, Faculty of Biology, Adam Mickiewicz University, Uniwersytetu Poznańskiego, Poznań, Poland
| | - Paweł Szymański
- Department of Behavioural Ecology, Institute of Environmental Biology, Faculty of Biology, Adam Mickiewicz University, Uniwersytetu Poznańskiego, Poznań, Poland
| | - Adrian Surmacki
- Department of Avian Biology and Ecology, Institute of Environmental Biology, Faculty of Biology, Adam Mickiewicz University, Uniwersytetu Poznańskiego, Poznań, Poland
| | - Tomasz S Osiejuk
- Department of Behavioural Ecology, Institute of Environmental Biology, Faculty of Biology, Adam Mickiewicz University, Uniwersytetu Poznańskiego, Poznań, Poland
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37
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Beco R, Silveira LF, Derryberry EP, Bravo GA. Ecology and behavior predict an evolutionary trade-off between song complexity and elaborate plumages in antwrens (Aves, Thamnophilidae). Evolution 2021; 75:2388-2410. [PMID: 34382212 DOI: 10.1111/evo.14325] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/16/2020] [Accepted: 06/06/2021] [Indexed: 12/31/2022]
Abstract
The environment can impose constraints on signal transmission properties such that signals should evolve in predictable directions (Sensory Drive Hypothesis). However, behavioral and ecological factors can limit investment in more than one sensory modality leading to a trade-off in use of different signals (Transfer Hypothesis). In birds, there is mixed evidence for both sensory drive and transfer hypothesis. Few studies have tested sensory drive while also evaluating the transfer hypothesis, limiting understanding of the relative roles of these processes in signal evolution. Here, we assessed both hypotheses using acoustic and visual signals in male and female antwrens (Thamnophilidae), a species-rich group that inhabits diverse environments and exhibits behaviors, such as mixed-species flocking, that could limit investment in different signal modalities. We uncovered significant effects of habitat (sensory drive) and mixed-species flocking behavior on both sensory modalities, and we revealed evolutionary trade-offs between song and plumage complexity, consistent with the transfer hypothesis. We also showed sex- and trait-specific responses in visual signals that suggest both natural and social selection play an important role in the evolution of sexual dimorphism. Altogether, these results support the idea that environmental (sensory drive) and behavioral pressures (social selection) shape signal evolution in antwrens.
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Affiliation(s)
- Renata Beco
- Seção de Aves, Museu de Zoologia da Universidade de São Paulo, São Paulo, 04263-000, Brazil.,Departamento de Zoologia do Instituto de Biociências, Universidade de São Paulo, São Paulo, 05508-090, Brazil
| | - Luís F Silveira
- Seção de Aves, Museu de Zoologia da Universidade de São Paulo, São Paulo, 04263-000, Brazil
| | - Elizabeth P Derryberry
- Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, University of Tennessee, Knoxville, Tennessee, 37996
| | - Gustavo A Bravo
- Seção de Aves, Museu de Zoologia da Universidade de São Paulo, São Paulo, 04263-000, Brazil.,Department of Organismic and Evolutionary Biology, Harvard University, Cambridge, Massachusetts, 02138.,Museum of Comparative Zoology, Harvard University, Cambridge, Massachusetts, 02138
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38
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Calaza KC, Erthal FCS, Pereira MG, Macario KCD, Daflon VT, David IPA, Castro HC, Vargas MD, Martins LB, Stariolo JB, Volchan E, de Oliveira L. Facing Racism and Sexism in Science by Fighting Against Social Implicit Bias: A Latina and Black Woman's Perspective. Front Psychol 2021; 12:671481. [PMID: 34335385 PMCID: PMC8322228 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyg.2021.671481] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/23/2021] [Accepted: 06/10/2021] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
The editors of several major journals have recently asserted the importance of combating racism and sexism in science. This is especially relevant now, as the COVID-19 pandemic may have led to a widening of the gender and racial/ethnicity gaps. Implicit bias is a crucial component in this fight. Negative stereotypes that are socially constructed in a given culture are frequently associated with implicit bias (which is unconscious or not perceived). In the present article, we point to scientific evidence that shows the presence of implicit bias in the academic community, contributing to strongly damaging unconscious evaluations and judgments of individuals or groups. Additionally, we suggest several actions aimed at (1) editors and reviewers of scientific journals (2) people in positions of power within funding agencies and research institutions, and (3) members of selection committees to mitigate this effect. These recommendations are based on the experience of a group of Latinx American scientists comprising Black and Latina women, teachers, and undergraduate students who participate in women in science working group at universities in the state of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. With this article, we hope to contribute to reflections, actions, and the development of institutional policies that enable and consolidate diversity in science and reduce disparities based on gender and race/ethnicity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Karin C Calaza
- Department of Neurobiology, Institute of Biology, Universidade Federal Fluminense, Niterói, Brazil
| | - Fátima C S Erthal
- Laboratory of Neurobiology, Instituto de Biofísica Carlos Chagas Filho, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Mirtes G Pereira
- Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, Biomedical Institute, Universidade Federal Fluminense, Niterói, Brazil
| | - Kita C D Macario
- Department of Physics, Institute of Physics, Universidade Federal Fluminense, Niterói, Brazil
| | - Verônica T Daflon
- Department of Sociology and Methodology of Social Sciences, Institute of Human Sciences and Philosophy, Universidade Federal Fluminense, Niterói, Brazil
| | - Isabel P A David
- Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, Biomedical Institute, Universidade Federal Fluminense, Niterói, Brazil
| | - Helena C Castro
- Department of Cellular and Molecular Biology, Institute of Biology, Universidade Federal Fluminense, Niterói, Brazil
| | - Maria D Vargas
- Chemistry Institute, Universidade Federal Fluminense, Niterói, Brazil
| | - Laura B Martins
- Biomedical Institute, Universidade Federal Fluminense, Niterói, Brazil
| | - Jasmin B Stariolo
- Institute of Biology, Universidade Federal Fluminense, Niterói, Brazil
| | - Eliane Volchan
- Laboratory of Neurobiology, Instituto de Biofísica Carlos Chagas Filho, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Leticia de Oliveira
- Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, Biomedical Institute, Universidade Federal Fluminense, Niterói, Brazil
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39
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Lipshutz SE, Rosvall KA. Nesting strategy shapes territorial aggression but not testosterone: A comparative approach in female and male birds. Horm Behav 2021; 133:104995. [PMID: 34000663 DOI: 10.1016/j.yhbeh.2021.104995] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/19/2020] [Revised: 03/19/2021] [Accepted: 04/29/2021] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
Abstract
Our understanding of the proximate and ultimate mechanisms shaping competitive reproductive phenotypes primarily stems from research on male-male competition for mates, even though competition is widespread in both sexes. We evaluate the hypothesis that the restricted nature of a resource required for reproduction, i.e. nest site, is a key variable driving territorial competition and testosterone secretion in female and male birds. Obligate secondary cavity-nesting has evolved repeatedly across avian lineages, providing a useful comparative context to explore how competition over limited nest cavities shapes aggression and its underlying mechanisms across species. Although evidence from one or another cavity-nesting species suggests that territorial aggression is adaptive in both females and males, this has not yet been tested in a comparative framework. We predicted that cavity-nesting generates more robust territorial aggression, in comparison to close relatives with less restrictive nesting strategies. Our focal species were two obligate secondary cavity-nesting species and two related species with more flexible nesting strategies in the same avian family: tree swallow (Tachycineta bicolor) vs. barn swallow (Hirundo rustica); Eastern bluebird (Sialia sialis) vs. American robin (Turdus migratorius). We assayed conspecific aggression using simulated territorial intrusion and found that cavity-nesting species displayed greater territorial aggression than their close relatives. This pattern held for both females and males. Because territorial aggression is often associated with elevated testosterone, we also hypothesized that cavity-nesting species would exhibit higher testosterone levels in circulation. However, cavity-nesting species did not have higher testosterone in circulation for either sex, despite some correlative evidence that testosterone is associated with higher rates of physical attack in female tree swallows. Our focus on a context that is relevant to both sexes - competition over essential breeding resources - provides a useful framework for co-consideration of proximate and ultimate drivers of reproductive competition in females and males.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sara E Lipshutz
- Department of Biology, Indiana University, Bloomington, IN 47405, USA.
| | - Kimberly A Rosvall
- Department of Biology, Indiana University, Bloomington, IN 47405, USA; Center for the Integrative Study of Animal Behavior, Indiana University, Bloomington, IN 47405, USA
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40
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Abstract
Abstract
The aim of this paper is to review recent hypotheses on the evolutionary origins of music in Homo sapiens, taking into account the most influential traditional hypotheses. To date, theories derived from evolution have focused primarily on the importance that music carries in solving detailed adaptive problems. The three most influential theoretical concepts have described the evolution of human music in terms of 1) sexual selection, 2) the formation of social bonds, or treated it 3) as a byproduct. According to recent proposals, traditional hypotheses are flawed or insufficient in fully explaining the complexity of music in Homo sapiens. This paper will critically discuss three traditional hypotheses of music evolution (music as an effect of sexual selection, a mechanism of social bonding, and a byproduct), as well as and two recent concepts of music evolution - music as a credible signal and Music and Social Bonding (MSB) hypothesis.
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41
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Riebel K. Animal communication: Lyrebirds 'cry wolf' during mating. Curr Biol 2021; 31:R798-R800. [PMID: 34157266 DOI: 10.1016/j.cub.2021.04.070] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/21/2022]
Abstract
During courtship, male lyrebirds create acoustic illusions of a flock of birds fending off a predator. These realistic illusions fool the imitated species to engage in mobbing, but intriguingly lyrebirds produce them only preceding or during copulation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Katharina Riebel
- Institute of Biology, Leiden University, Leiden, The Netherlands.
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42
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Pérez–González J, Rey Gozalo G, Montes González D, Hidalgo de Trucios SJ, Barrigón Morillas JM. Are quartzite scree slopes used by birds to promote sound transmission in the Mediterranean forest? ANIMAL BIODIVERSITY AND CONSERVATION 2021. [DOI: 10.32800/abc.2021.44.0175] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/08/2022]
Abstract
Birds generate vocalisations (songs and calls) to communicate. Acoustic communication may be hindered by habitat features so birds can use several strategies to favour sound transmission. Sound transmission depends on the acoustic properties of their habitats. Scree slopes, also known as ‘pedrizas’, are frequent in the Mediterranean forests of south and central western Spain. As the acoustic properties of these rocky grounds might favour sound transmission, we propose that birds might actively use ‘pedrizas’ to increase sound transmission. We assessed the following prediction of the hypothesis: the number of vocalisations recorded should be higher near the ‘pedrizas’ than in forest areas far away from ‘pedrizas’. Using portable recorders in the Mediterranean forest of Monfragüe National Park, we found that the number of recorded vocalisations was higher near the ‘pedrizas’. As this result was not due to differences in species richness, we consider it supports the prediction of the hypothesis. This is new evidence that birds might use a natural element within their habitat to increase sound transmission.
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Affiliation(s)
- J. Pérez–González
- GIRFCB), Biology and Ethology Unit, Veterinary Faculty, University of Extremadura, Spain
| | - G. Rey Gozalo
- INTERRA, Lambda, Departamento de Física Aplicada, Universidad de Extremadura, Spain
| | - D. Montes González
- INTERRA, Lambda, Departamento de Física Aplicada, Universidad de Extremadura, Spain
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Winandy GSM, Japyassú HF, Izar P, Slabbekoorn H. Noise-Related Song Variation Affects Communication: Bananaquits Adjust Vocally to Playback of Elaborate or Simple Songs. Front Ecol Evol 2021. [DOI: 10.3389/fevo.2020.570431] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Birds communicate through acoustic variation in their songs for territorial defense and mate attraction. Noisy urban conditions often induce vocal changes that can alleviate masking problems, but that may also affect signal value. We investigated this potential for a functional compromise in a neotropical songbird: the bananaquit (Coereba flaveola). This species occurs in urban environments with variable traffic noise levels and was previously found to reduce song elaboration in concert with a noise-dependent reduction in song frequency bandwidth. Singing higher and in a narrower bandwidth may make their songs more audible in noisy conditions of low-frequency traffic. However, it was unknown whether the associated decrease in syllable diversity affected their communication. Here we show that bananaquits responded differently to experimental playback of elaborate vs. simple songs. The variation in syllable diversity did not affect general response strength, but the tested birds gave acoustically distinct song replies. Songs had fewer syllables and were lower in frequency and of wider bandwidth when individuals responded to elaborate songs compared to simple songs. This result suggests that noise-dependent vocal restrictions may change the signal value of songs and compromise their communicative function. It remains to be investigated whether there are consequences for individual fitness and how such effects may alter the diversity and density of the avian community in noisy cities.
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44
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Austin VI, Dalziell AH, Langmore NE, Welbergen JA. Avian vocalisations: the female perspective. Biol Rev Camb Philos Soc 2021; 96:1484-1503. [PMID: 33797176 DOI: 10.1111/brv.12713] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/12/2020] [Revised: 03/16/2021] [Accepted: 03/17/2021] [Indexed: 01/04/2023]
Abstract
Research on avian vocalisations has traditionally focused on male song produced by oscine passerines. However, accumulating evidence indicates that complex vocalisations can readily evolve outside the traditional contexts of mate attraction and territory defence by male birds, and yet the previous bias towards male song has shaped - and continues to shape - our understanding of avian communication as a whole. Accordingly, in this review we seek to address this imbalance by synthesising studies on female vocalisations from across signalling contexts throughout the Aves, and discuss the implications of recent empirical advances for our understanding of vocalisations in both sexes. This review reveals great structural and functional diversity among female vocalisations and highlights the important roles that vocalisations can play in mediating female-specific behaviours. However, fundamental gaps remain. While there are now several case studies that identify the function of female vocalisations, few quantify the associated fitness benefits. Additionally, very little is known about the role of vocal learning in the development of female vocalisations. Thus, there remains a pressing need to examine the function and development of all forms of vocalisations in female birds. In the light of what we now know about the functions and mechanisms of female vocalisations, we suggest that conventional male-biased definitions of songs and calls are inadequate for furthering our understanding of avian vocal communication more generally. Therefore, we propose two simple alternatives, both emancipated from the sex of the singer. The first distinguishes song from calls functionally as a sexually selected vocal signal, whilst the second distinguishes them mechanistically in terms of their underlying neurological processes. It is clear that more investigations are needed into the ultimate and proximate causes of female vocalisations; however, these are essential if we are to develop a holistic epistemology of avian vocal communication in both sexes, across ecological contexts and taxonomic divides.
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Affiliation(s)
- Victoria I Austin
- Hawkesbury Institute for the Environment, Western Sydney University, Hawkesbury Campus, Ground Floor, Building R2, Locked Bag 1797, Penrith, NSW, 2751, Australia
| | - Anastasia H Dalziell
- Hawkesbury Institute for the Environment, Western Sydney University, Hawkesbury Campus, Ground Floor, Building R2, Locked Bag 1797, Penrith, NSW, 2751, Australia.,Centre for Sustainable Ecosystem Solutions, School of Earth, Atmospheric and Life Sciences, University of Wollongong, Northfields Ave, Wollongong, NSW, 2522, Australia.,Cornell Lab of Ornithology, Cornell University, 159 Sapsucker Woods Rd., Ithaca, NY, 14850, U.S.A
| | - Naomi E Langmore
- Research School of Biology, The Australian National University, 46 Sullivan's Creek Road, Acton, Canberra, ACT, 2601, Australia
| | - Justin A Welbergen
- Hawkesbury Institute for the Environment, Western Sydney University, Hawkesbury Campus, Ground Floor, Building R2, Locked Bag 1797, Penrith, NSW, 2751, Australia
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45
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Song learning and plasticity in songbirds. Curr Opin Neurobiol 2021; 67:228-239. [PMID: 33667874 DOI: 10.1016/j.conb.2021.02.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/02/2020] [Revised: 02/05/2021] [Accepted: 02/05/2021] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
Abstract
Birdsong provides a fascinating system to study both behavioral and neural plasticity. Oscine songbirds learn to sing, exhibiting behavioral plasticity both during and after the song-learning process. As a bird learns, its song progresses from a plastic and highly variable vocalization into a more stereotyped, crystallized song. However, even after crystallization, song plasticity can occur: some species' songs become more stereotyped over time, whereas other species can incorporate new song elements. Alongside the changes in song, songbirds' brains are also plastic. Both song and neural connections change with the seasons in many species, and new neurons can be added to the song system throughout life. In this review, we highlight important research on behavioral and neural plasticity at multiple timescales, from song development in juveniles to lifelong modifications of learned song.
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46
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Heckscher CM. Use of simple graded signals in the long-distance vocal communication of a forest thrush (Catharus fuscescens). BIOACOUSTICS 2021. [DOI: 10.1080/09524622.2021.1888316] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/22/2022]
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47
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Leitão AV, Hall ML, Mulder RA. Female and male plumage color is linked to parental quality, pairing, and extrapair mating in a tropical passerine. Behav Ecol 2021. [DOI: 10.1093/beheco/araa154] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Abstract
Sexual selection has been proposed to drive the evolution of elaborate phenotypic traits in males, which often confer success in competition or mating. However, in many species, both males and females display such traits. Studies examining how selection acts on both sexes are scarce. In this study, we investigated whether plumage ornamentation is sexually selected in females and males lovely fairy-wren Malurus amabilis, a cooperatively breeding songbird. We found that female and male plumage color was correlated with parental quality but not with individual quality or survival. We also found evidence of positive assortative mating based on plumage color. Microsatellite analyses of paternity indicated that the lovely fairy-wren has high levels of extrapair paternity (EPP), with 53% of offspring (in 58% of broods of 57% of females) resulting from extrapair (EP) mating. Female and male plumage color did not predict reproductive success or the proportion of EP offspring in their own nest, but less colorful males obtained higher EPP when paired with more colorful females and gained overall higher total paternity (own nest and other nests). We argue that plumage color may be under sex-specific selection, highlighting the importance of looking at both sexes in studies of sexual selection and ornament evolution. The current findings together with the previous study suggest that plumage color in female and male lovely fairy-wrens appears to be an honest signal relevant in both intrasexual and intersexual competition contexts.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ana V Leitão
- School of BioSciences, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
| | - Michelle L Hall
- School of BioSciences, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
- Bush Heritage Australia, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
- School of Biological Sciences, The University of Western Australia, Crawley, Western Australia, Australia
| | - Raoul A Mulder
- School of BioSciences, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
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48
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Anderson HL, Perkes A, Gottfried JS, Davies HB, White DJ, Schmidt MF. Female signal jamming in a socially monogamous brood parasite. Anim Behav 2021; 172:155-169. [DOI: 10.1016/j.anbehav.2020.10.011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/22/2022]
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49
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Bussmann K, Utne-Palm AC, de Jong K. Sound production in male and female corkwing wrasses and its relation to visual behaviour. BIOACOUSTICS 2020. [DOI: 10.1080/09524622.2020.1838324] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/23/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Karen Bussmann
- Comparative Zoology, Institute for Evolution and Ecology, University of Tuebingen, Tuebingen, Germany
- Department of Environmental Sciences, University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland
| | | | - Karen de Jong
- Ecological Research Station Rees, Institute for Zoology, University of Cologne, Cologne, Germany
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Wheeldon A, Szymański P, Budka M, Osiejuk TS. Structure and functions of Yellow-breasted Boubou ( Laniarius atroflavus) solos and duets. PeerJ 2020; 8:e10214. [PMID: 33150091 PMCID: PMC7585374 DOI: 10.7717/peerj.10214] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/29/2020] [Accepted: 09/28/2020] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Birds have extremely well-developed acoustic communication and have become popular in bioacoustics research. The majority of studies on bird song have been conducted in the temperate zones where usually males of birds sing to attract females and defend territories. In over 360 bird species mostly inhabiting the tropics both males and females sing together in duets. Avian duets are usually formed when a male and female coordinate their songs. We focused on a species with relatively weakly coordinated duets, with male solo as the prevailing vocalisation type. Methods Instead of analysing a set of recordings spread over a long time, we analysed whole day microphone-array recordings of the Yellow-breasted Boubou (Laniarius atroflavus), a species endemic to West African montane rainforests. We described the structure of the solo and duet vocalisations and temporal characteristics of daily activity based on 5,934 vocal bouts of 18 focal pairs and their neighbours. Results Birds had small, sex specific repertoires. All males shared three types of loud whistles functioning as song type repertoires in both solos and duets. Females vocalised with five types of harsh, atonal notes with a more variable and usually lower amplitude. Three of them were produced both as solos and in duets, while two seem to function as alarm and excitement calls given almost exclusively as a solo. Solos were the most common vocalisation mode (75.4%), with males being more vocally active than females. Duets accounted for 24.6% of all vocalisations and in most cases were initiated by males (81%). The majority of duets were simple (85.1%) consisting of a single male and female song type, but altogether 38 unique duet combinations were described. Males usually initiated singing at dawn and for this used one particular song type more often than expected by chance. Male solo and duet activities peaked around dawn, while female solos were produced evenly throughout the day. Discussion Yellow-breasted Boubou is a duetting species in which males are much more vocal than females and duetting is not a dominating type of vocal activity. Duet structure, context and timing of daily production support the joint resource defence hypothesis and mate guarding/prevention hypotheses, however maintaining pair contact also seems to be important. This study provides for the first time the basic quantitative data describing calls, solos and duet songs in the Yellow-breasted Boubou.
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Affiliation(s)
- Amie Wheeldon
- Department of Behavioural Ecology, Institute of Environmental Biology, Faculty of Biology, Adam Mickiewicz University, Poznań, Poland
| | - Paweł Szymański
- Department of Behavioural Ecology, Institute of Environmental Biology, Faculty of Biology, Adam Mickiewicz University, Poznań, Poland
| | - Michał Budka
- Department of Behavioural Ecology, Institute of Environmental Biology, Faculty of Biology, Adam Mickiewicz University, Poznań, Poland
| | - Tomasz S Osiejuk
- Department of Behavioural Ecology, Institute of Environmental Biology, Faculty of Biology, Adam Mickiewicz University, Poznań, Poland
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