Song type variants and aggressive context

被引:40
作者
Searcy, WA [1 ]
Nowicki, S
Hogan, C
机构
[1] Univ Miami, Dept Biol, Coral Gables, FL 33124 USA
[2] Duke Univ, Dept Biol, Durham, NC 27708 USA
[3] Univ N Carolina, Dept Biol, Chapel Hill, NC 27599 USA
基金
美国国家科学基金会;
关键词
song sparrows; Melospiza melodia; song variation;
D O I
10.1007/s002650000254
中图分类号
B84 [心理学]; C [社会科学总论]; Q98 [人类学];
学科分类号
03 ; 0303 ; 030303 ; 04 ; 0402 ;
摘要
We asked whether switching among song type variants functions as a graded signal of aggression in song sparrows (Melospiza melodia). Song type variants are different versions of a given song type and are defined by much smaller acoustic differences than those defining separate song types. The principal evidence that switching between song types functions as an aggressive signal, in song sparrows and other species, is that song type switching frequencies increase during aggressive contexts, for example during simulated territorial intrusions,We tested whether variant switching frequencies change in the same way, using playback of conspecific song to simulate intrusions. Male song sparrows showed a significant increase in variant switching frequencies during intrusion relative to before intrusion. After intrusions, variant switching frequencies returned to pre-intrusion levels. These results are consistent with the hypothesis that variant switching is a graded aggressive signal, but other inter interpretations are possible, for example, that variant switching is a signal of submission or represents simple production error.
引用
收藏
页码:358 / 363
页数:6
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