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Alam D, Zia F, Roberts TF. The hidden fitness of the male zebra finch courtship song. Nature 2024; 628:117-121. [PMID: 38509376 DOI: 10.1038/s41586-024-07207-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/25/2023] [Accepted: 02/19/2024] [Indexed: 03/22/2024]
Abstract
Vocal learning in songbirds is thought to have evolved through sexual selection, with female preference driving males to develop large and varied song repertoires1-3. However, many songbird species learn only a single song in their lifetime4. How sexual selection drives the evolution of single-song repertoires is not known. Here, by applying dimensionality-reduction techniques to the singing behaviour of zebra finches (Taeniopygia guttata), we show that syllable spread in low-dimensional feature space explains how single songs function as honest indicators of fitness. We find that this Gestalt measure of behaviour captures the spectrotemporal distinctiveness of song syllables in zebra finches; that females strongly prefer songs that occupy more latent space; and that matching path lengths in low-dimensional space is difficult for young males. Our findings clarify how simple vocal repertoires may have evolved in songbirds and indicate divergent strategies for how sexual selection can shape vocal learning.
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Affiliation(s)
- Danyal Alam
- Department of Neuroscience, UT Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX, USA
| | - Fayha Zia
- Department of Neuroscience, UT Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX, USA
| | - Todd F Roberts
- Department of Neuroscience, UT Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX, USA.
- O'Donnell Brain Institute, UT Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX, USA.
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2
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Brewer DE, Fudickar AM. A preliminary comparison of a songbird’s song repertoire size and other song measures between an urban and a rural site. Ecol Evol 2022; 12:e8602. [PMID: 35222968 PMCID: PMC8848481 DOI: 10.1002/ece3.8602] [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: 06/23/2021] [Revised: 12/21/2021] [Accepted: 01/14/2022] [Indexed: 11/08/2022] Open
Abstract
Characteristics of birdsong, especially minimum frequency, have been shown to vary for some species between urban and rural populations and along urban–rural gradients. However, few urban–rural comparisons of song complexity—and none that we know of based on the number of distinct song types in repertoires—have occurred. Given the potential ability of song repertoire size to indicate bird condition, we primarily sought to determine if number of distinct song types displayed by Song Sparrows (Melospiza melodia) varied between an urban and a rural site. We determined song repertoire size of 24 individuals; 12 were at an urban (‘human‐dominated’) site and 12 were at a rural (‘agricultural’) site. Then, we compared song repertoire size, note rate, and peak frequency between these sites. Song repertoire size and note rate did not vary between our human‐dominated and agricultural sites. Peak frequency was greater at the agricultural site. Our finding that peak frequency was higher at the agricultural site compared to the human‐dominated site, contrary to many previous findings pertaining to frequency shifts in songbirds, warrants further investigation. Results of our pilot study suggest that song complexity may be less affected by anthropogenic factors in Song Sparrows than are frequency characteristics. Additional study, however, will be required to identify particular causal factors related to the trends that we report and to replicate, ideally via multiple urban–rural pairings, so that broader generalization is possible.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dustin E. Brewer
- Environmental Resilience Institute Indiana University Bloomington Indiana USA
| | - Adam M. Fudickar
- Environmental Resilience Institute Indiana University Bloomington Indiana USA
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Paul N, Thompson MJ, Foote JR. Characterising the flight song: repeatable individual variation of Ovenbird song features. BIOACOUSTICS 2021. [DOI: 10.1080/09524622.2020.1718552] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/25/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Nadine Paul
- Department of Biology, Algoma University, Sault Ste. Marie, ON, Canada
| | - Megan J. Thompson
- Department of Biology, Algoma University, Sault Ste. Marie, ON, Canada
| | - Jennifer R. Foote
- Department of Biology, Algoma University, Sault Ste. Marie, ON, Canada
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Brewer DE, McGill CA, Fudickar AM. Perceived wintering latitude determines timing of song output in a migratory bird. Ecol Evol 2020; 10:748-755. [PMID: 32015840 PMCID: PMC6988553 DOI: 10.1002/ece3.5922] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/13/2019] [Revised: 11/12/2019] [Accepted: 11/21/2019] [Indexed: 11/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Migratory bird populations frequently consist of individuals that overwinter variable distances from the breeding site. Seasonal changes in photoperiod, which varies with latitude, underlie seasonal changes in singing frequency in birds. Therefore, migratory populations that consist of individuals that overwinter at different latitudes with large overwintering ranges could experience within-population variation in seasonal production of song. To test the influence of overwintering latitude on intrapopulation variance in song production in the spring, we subjected two groups of Eastern Song Sparrows (Melospiza melodia melodia) from the same partially migratory breeding population to different photoperiodic schedules associated with a 1,300-km difference in overwintering location. One group remained on the natural photoperiodic schedule of the breeding site (resident group) while the other group experienced a nonbreeding photoperiod that mimicked a southern migration in the fall followed by a northern migration back to the breeding site in the spring (migratory group). We compared song output between the two groups in three different stages (nonbreeding, prebreeding, and breeding). Little singing occurred during nonbreeding stage sample dates (20 November, 6 December) for the resident group, and no singing occurred for the migrant group. During the prebreeding stage (27 January, 7 February), significantly more singing occurred in the resident group than in the migrant group. During the breeding stage (21 March, 4 April), after a simulated migration for the migrants, song output was similar in both groups. These results suggest that within-population variation in wintering latitude may contribute to variation in seasonal changes in singing behavior, which may covary with readiness to breed. Studies utilizing confirmed migrants and residents, rather than merely simulated migrants and residents, are also needed to better understand these processes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dustin E. Brewer
- Biosciences 2100Central Michigan UniversityMount PleasantMIUSA
- Environmental Resilience InstituteIndiana UniversityBloomingtonINUSA
| | - Clint A. McGill
- Environmental Resilience InstituteIndiana UniversityBloomingtonINUSA
| | - Adam M. Fudickar
- Environmental Resilience InstituteIndiana UniversityBloomingtonINUSA
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6
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Potvin DA, Strickland K, MacDougall-Shackleton EA, Slade JW, Frère CH. Applying network analysis to birdsong research. Anim Behav 2019. [DOI: 10.1016/j.anbehav.2019.06.012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/06/2023]
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7
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Urbanization alters the relationship between coloration and territorial aggression, but not hormones, in song sparrows. Anim Behav 2018. [DOI: 10.1016/j.anbehav.2018.06.012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
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8
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Labra A, Lampe HM. The songs of male pied flycatchers: exploring the legacy of the fathers. PeerJ 2018; 6:e5397. [PMID: 30083477 PMCID: PMC6076429 DOI: 10.7717/peerj.5397] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/06/2017] [Accepted: 07/17/2018] [Indexed: 11/27/2022] Open
Abstract
Singing is a key element of songbirds’ behavioral repertoire, particularly for males, which sing during the breeding season to defend resources against other males and to attract females. Different song traits may convey honest information about males’ qualities or conditions, which may be used by females to select their mates. Traits under strong sexual selection have an important component of additive genetic variation (i.e., the main genetic inheritance from parents), and so relatively high heritability; therefore, it can be expected that song traits also do. Although the act of singing is an innate behavior, and thus, genetically determined, songbirds need to learn their songs and therefore the genetic contribution to song traits may be reduced by the effect of environmental factors. We tested this hypothesis in seven song traits recorded in the long-distance migratory bird, the pied flycatcher (Ficedula hypoleuca). From a 23-year database (1992–2015), we obtained songs for 28 father–son pairs, and for each song trait we applied parent–offspring regressions to estimate heritability. The type of syllables sung are learned from tutors, and here we also determined the cultural contribution of fathers to the song repertoires of their sons, by quantifying the percentage of syllables that sons shared with their fathers, and compared this with what sons shared with other males in the population (e.g., neighbors). The heritabilities of song traits were highly variable (ranging from −0.22 to 0.56), but most of these were around zero and none of them were significant. These results indicate that the seven song traits are most likely determined by environmental factors. Sons shared more syllables with their fathers than with neighbors (21% vs. 3%), suggesting that fathers are important song tutors during the nestling period. We conclude that there is a cultural inheritance from fathers to their sons’ syllable repertoires, but there is no strong evidence for a genetic contribution of fathers to the seven song traits studied.
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Affiliation(s)
- Antonieta Labra
- Centre for Ecological and Evolutionary Synthesis (CEES), Department of Biosciences, University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway
| | - Helene M Lampe
- Centre for Ecological and Evolutionary Synthesis (CEES), Department of Biosciences, University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway
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Slade JWG, Watson MJ, MacDougall-Shackleton EA. Birdsong signals individual diversity at the major histocompatibility complex. Biol Lett 2017; 13:20170430. [PMID: 29118240 PMCID: PMC5719373 DOI: 10.1098/rsbl.2017.0430] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/10/2017] [Accepted: 10/10/2017] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
The major histocompatibility complex (MHC) plays a key role in vertebrate immunity, and pathogen-mediated selection often favours certain allelic combinations. Assessing potential mates' MHC profiles may provide receivers with genetic benefits (identifying MHC-compatible mates and producing optimally diverse offspring) and/or material benefits (identifying optimally diverse mates capable of high parental investment). Oscine songbirds learn songs during early life, such that song repertoire content can reflect population of origin while song complexity can reflect early life condition. Thus birdsong may advertise the singer's genetic dissimilarity to others in the population (and, presumably, compatibility with potential mates), or individual genetic diversity (and thus condition-dependent material benefits). We tested whether song repertoire content and/or complexity signal MHC class IIβ dissimilarity and/or diversity in male song sparrows (Melospiza melodia). Pairwise dissimilarity in repertoire content did not predict MHC dissimilarity between males, suggesting that locally rare songs do not signal rare MHC profiles. Thus, geographical variation in song may not facilitate MHC-mediated inbreeding or outbreeding. Larger repertoires were associated with intermediate MHC diversity, suggesting intermediate rather than maximal MHC diversity is optimal. This could reflect trade-offs between resisting infection and autoimmune disorders. Song complexity may advertise optimal MHC diversity, a trait affecting disease resistance and capacity for parental care.
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Affiliation(s)
- J W G Slade
- Biology, Western University, London, ON, Canada N6A 5B7
| | - M J Watson
- Biology, Western University, London, ON, Canada N6A 5B7
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Apol CA, Sturdy CB, Proppe DS. Seasonal variability in habitat structure may have shaped acoustic signals and repertoires in the black-capped and boreal chickadees. Evol Ecol 2017. [DOI: 10.1007/s10682-017-9921-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
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Moser-Purdy C, MacDougall-Shackleton EA, Mennill DJ. Enemies are not always dear: male song sparrows adjust dear enemy effect expression in response to female fertility. Anim Behav 2017. [DOI: 10.1016/j.anbehav.2017.01.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/20/2022]
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12
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Motes-Rodrigo A, Labra A, Lampe HM. Breeding Experience and not Age Modulates the Song Development of Pied Flycatchers (Ficedula hypoleuca). Ethology 2017. [DOI: 10.1111/eth.12589] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Alba Motes-Rodrigo
- Department of Biosciences; Centre for Ecological and Evolutionary Synthesis; University of Oslo; Oslo Norway
| | - Antonieta Labra
- Department of Biosciences; Centre for Ecological and Evolutionary Synthesis; University of Oslo; Oslo Norway
- Laboratorio de Neuroetología; Programa de Fisiología y Biofísica; Instituto de Ciencias Biomédicas; Facultad de Medicina; Universidad de Chile; Santiago Chile
| | - Helene M. Lampe
- Department of Biosciences; Centre for Ecological and Evolutionary Synthesis; University of Oslo; Oslo Norway
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Lymburner AH, Kelly TR, Hobson KA, MacDougall-Shackleton EA, MacDougall-Shackleton SA. Testosterone, migration distance, and migratory timing in song sparrows Melospiza melodia. Horm Behav 2016; 85:102-107. [PMID: 27534598 DOI: 10.1016/j.yhbeh.2016.06.013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/13/2015] [Revised: 06/03/2016] [Accepted: 06/04/2016] [Indexed: 01/07/2023]
Abstract
In seasonally migratory animals, migration distance often varies substantially within populations such that individuals breeding at the same site may overwinter different distances from the breeding grounds. Shorter migration may allow earlier return to the breeding grounds, which may be particularly advantageous to males competing to acquire a breeding territory. However, little is known about potential mechanisms that may mediate migration distance. We investigated naturally-occurring variation in androgen levels at the time of arrival to the breeding site and its relationship to overwintering latitude in male and female song sparrows (Melospiza melodia). We used stable isotope analysis of hydrogen (δ(2)H) in winter-grown claw tissue to infer relative overwintering latitude (migration distance), combined with 14years of capture records from a long-term study population to infer the arrival timing of males versus females. Relative to females, males had higher circulating androgen levels, migrated shorter distances, and were more likely to be caught early in the breeding season. Males that migrate short distances may benefit from early arrival at the breeding grounds, allowing them to establish a breeding territory. Even after controlling for sex and date, androgen levels were highest in individuals that migrated shorter distances. Our findings indicate that androgens and migration distance are correlated traits within and between sexes that may reflect individual variation within an integrated phenotype in which testosterone has correlated effects on behavioral traits such as migration.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alannah H Lymburner
- Advanced Facility for Avian Research, Department of Biology, University of Western Ontario, 1151 Richmond Avenue, London, ON N6A 5B7, Canada
| | - Tosha R Kelly
- Advanced Facility for Avian Research, Department of Biology, University of Western Ontario, 1151 Richmond Avenue, London, ON N6A 5B7, Canada
| | - Keith A Hobson
- Advanced Facility for Avian Research, Department of Biology, University of Western Ontario, 1151 Richmond Avenue, London, ON N6A 5B7, Canada
| | - Elizabeth A MacDougall-Shackleton
- Advanced Facility for Avian Research, Department of Biology, University of Western Ontario, 1151 Richmond Avenue, London, ON N6A 5B7, Canada
| | - Scott A MacDougall-Shackleton
- Advanced Facility for Avian Research, Department of Biology, University of Western Ontario, 1151 Richmond Avenue, London, ON N6A 5B7, Canada; Advanced Facility for Avian Research, Department of Psychology, University of Western Ontario, 1151 Richmond Avenue, London, ON N6A 5C2, Canada.
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Sarquis-Adamson Y, MacDougall-Shackleton EA. Song sparrows Melospiza melodia have a home-field advantage in defending against sympatric malarial parasites. ROYAL SOCIETY OPEN SCIENCE 2016; 3:160216. [PMID: 27853596 PMCID: PMC5108946 DOI: 10.1098/rsos.160216] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/24/2016] [Accepted: 07/12/2016] [Indexed: 06/06/2023]
Abstract
Hosts and parasites interact on both evolutionary and ecological timescales. The outcome of these interactions, specifically whether hosts are more resistant to their local parasites (sympatric) than to parasites from another location (allopatric), is likely to affect the spread of infectious disease and the fitness consequences of host dispersal. We conducted a cross-infection experiment to determine whether song sparrows (Melospiza melodia) have an advantage in dealing with sympatric parasites. We captured birds from two breeding sites 437 km apart, and inoculated them with avian malaria (Plasmodium spp.) cultured either from their capture site or from the other site. Infection risk was lower for birds exposed to sympatric than to allopatric Plasmodium lineages, suggesting that song sparrows may have a home-field advantage in defending against local parasite strains. This pattern was more pronounced at one capture site than at the other, consistent with mosaic models of host-parasite interactions. Home-field advantage may arise from evolutionary processes, whereby host populations become adapted to their local parasites, and/or from ecological interactions, whereby host individuals develop resistance to the local parasites through previous immune exposure. Our findings suggest that greater susceptibility to novel parasites may represent a fitness consequence of natal dispersal.
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Seasonal migration distance varies with natal dispersal and predicts parasitic infection in song sparrows. Behav Ecol Sociobiol 2016. [DOI: 10.1007/s00265-016-2191-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
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