Can you hear me now? A review of signal transmission and experimental evidence for the acoustic adaptation hypothesis

Bioacoustics, Journal Year: 2020, Volume and Issue: 30(6), P. 716 - 742

Published: Dec. 14, 2020

The Acoustic Adaptation Hypothesis (AAH) posits that animal acoustic signals used in long-range communication should be adapted to transmit well within the habitats which they evolved. However, comparative studies of signal form indicate mixed support for predictions AAH. Several have employed experimental playback approaches testing transmission can complement studies. Here, we summarise these tests AAH birds, mammals, insects, and anurans, describe methodologies tests, assess evidence habitat-specific degradation species-specific fidelity (i.e. whether propagate best native versus foreign habitats). Experimental evidence, like varies across taxa. Although properties consistently differed by habitat, with closed degrading more than open habitats, were not always their habitats. Researchers felt had convincing less half 67 reviewed studies, most found birds least anurans. We discuss potential explanations differences between taxa conclude suggestions standardised methodology areas future research.

Language: Английский

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Synurbization in the Red-Vented Bulbul (Pycnonotus cafer) in India

Published: Jan. 1, 2025

Language: Английский

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Close Males Sing With Dissimilar Minimum Frequency and Repertoire Size in a Wild Passerine

Ecology and Evolution, Journal Year: 2025, Volume and Issue: 15(4)

Published: April 1, 2025

ABSTRACT The position occupied in social networks influences the success of individuals many animal species. However, associations between bird song (an important means communication) and relative remained understudied. Such are expected because neighbors can learn elements from each other or change their songs due to competition, also be related individual traits determining network positions. We investigated these phenomena males collared flycatcher ( Ficedula albicollis ), a passerine with complex intense territorial interactions. Relying on 19 years recordings, we used multiple reflecting spectral temporal characteristics complexity songs, as well syllable composition, investigate if similarity is associated neighbor networks. examined whether birds settle down an age‐dependent manner (as age linked quality) nonrandom spatial distribution affected by proportion immigrants, young birds, number displaying males. found that minimum frequency repertoire size differed, but this pattern was not shaped predictors. Therefore, our results highlight need study communication environment together. fact neighboring tend sing differently respect some suggests flexibly adjusted based performance conspecifics.

Language: Английский

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A global synthesis of the impacts of urbanization on bird dawn choruses

Ibis, Journal Year: 2021, Volume and Issue: 163(4), P. 1133 - 1154

Published: May 4, 2021

Urbanization drives changes in acoustic communication systems some animal species. Noise and light pollution are among the main urban factors known to disrupt timing structure of avian singing behaviour. Despite our understanding ways which urbanization can drive variations communication, ability generalize underlying causes such variation its consequences is still limited. Here, we reviewed literature focused on study dawn choruses settings at a global scale. Our findings reveal that chorus research has impact anthropogenic noise traits (i.e. timing, peak, song output, frequencies); relationships between timing; effects temperature, cloudiness, moonlight natural nocturnal light, chemical supplementary feeding activity; ecological patterns soundscapes across urban–non‐urban gradients. We identified important knowledge gaps thus suggest future directions, including frameworks (e.g. intensity gradient) consideration wider array conditions variables. Given complexity settings, encourage further studies address role all sources have dawn. Additionally, central question resolve whether function areas differs, if so how, from non‐urban counterparts. most been performed Holarctic cities towns, tropical subtropical regions needed aim understand phenomenon globally. Finally, community‐ soundscape‐level could advance way birds use space during critical time period,

Language: Английский

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How urbanization affects sexual communication

Ecology and Evolution, Journal Year: 2021, Volume and Issue: 11(24), P. 17625 - 17650

Published: Dec. 1, 2021

Abstract Urbanization is rapidly altering landscapes worldwide, changing environmental conditions, and creating novel selection pressures for many organisms. Local conditions affect the expression evolution of sexual signals mating behaviors; changes in such traits have important evolutionary consequences because their effect on reproduction. In this review, we synthesize research investigating how communication affected by associated with urbanization—including pollution from noise, light, heavy metals, habitat fragmentation, impervious surfaces, urban heat islands, resources predation. often has negative effects through signal masking, condition‐dependent expression, weakening female preferences. Though there are documented instances seemingly adaptive shifts trait ultimate impact fitness rarely tested. The field still relatively young, most work tested whether differences occur response to various aspects urbanization. There limited information available about these responses represent phenotypic plasticity or genetic changes, extent which observed reproductive fitness. Our understanding operates novel, urbanized environments would be bolstered more studies that perform common garden reciprocal transplants, simultaneously evaluate multiple factors tease out causal drivers shifts. provides a unique testing ground biologists study interplay between ecology selection, suggest researchers take advantage natural experiments. Furthermore, systems differ cities rural areas can offer insights mitigate negative, accentuate positive, expansion biota, provide new opportunities underscore relevance biology Anthropocene.

Language: Английский

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Song learning and plasticity in songbirds

Current Opinion in Neurobiology, Journal Year: 2021, Volume and Issue: 67, P. 228 - 239

Published: March 3, 2021

Language: Английский

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Urbanization alters the song propagation of two human-commensal songbird species

The Journal of the Acoustical Society of America, Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: 155(4), P. 2803 - 2816

Published: April 1, 2024

Urban expansion has increased pollution, including both physical (e.g., exhaust, litter) and sensory anthropogenic noise) components. avian species tend to increase the frequency and/or amplitude of songs reduce masking by low-frequency noise. Nevertheless, song propagation receiver can also be constrained environment. We know relatively little about how this may altered across that (1) vary in complexity (2) inhabit areas along an urbanization gradient. investigated differences amplitude, attenuation, active space, or maximum distance a detect signal, two human-commensal species: house sparrow (Passer domesticus) finch (Haemorhous mexicanus). described discretely quantitatively investigate habitat characteristics most responsible for changes. found mixed support our hypothesis urban-specific degradation songs. propagated with higher amplitude; however, urban fidelity was species-specific showed lowered space Taken together, results suggest environments constrain vocal signals manners. Ultimately, implications ability birds communicate potential mates kin.

Language: Английский

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Chronic exposure to urban noise during the vocal learning period does not lead to increased song frequencies in zebra finches

Behavioral Ecology and Sociobiology, Journal Year: 2020, Volume and Issue: 75(1)

Published: Dec. 11, 2020

Abstract It has often been observed that birds sing at a higher pitch in cities and other areas are polluted with intense low-frequency noise. How this pattern arises remains unclear though. One prevailing idea is songbirds adjust song frequencies to environmental noise profiles through developmental plasticity via vocal learning. However, the conclusions of previous studies testing hypothesis inconsistent. Here we report findings from two learning experiments zebra finches ( Taenopygia guttata ), which exposed young anthropogenic during their sensitive period. Unlike addressed issue, did not use constant synthetic but natural urban its typical amplitude fluctuations was broadcast realistic sound levels. We found noise-exposed males neither experiment developed pitched songs compared control males. This suggests between lower levels may allow exploit relatively quiet moments hear tutors themselves, permitting them make accurate copies even elements. Significance statement If animals persist habitats, they must behavior altered conditions. Birds pitch, largely ignorant how phenomenon arises. investigated whether traffic interferes so develop songs. Accordingly, played back bird habitats period then analyzed adult learned no exposure. Our results show be sufficient interfere way higher-pitched

Language: Английский

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Difference in acoustic responses to urbanisation in two African passerines

Ostrich, Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: 95(1), P. 32 - 44

Published: March 8, 2024

AbstractModification of ecosystems as a consequence urbanisation alters natural habitat structures and soundscapes, creating constraints for vocal communication in animals. Birds are able to adjust their vocalisation the prevailing acoustic features habitat. As such, sounds have been shown reflect level anthropogenic disturbances across landscapes. While effect single disturbance like ambient noise on birds' is widely investigated, combined effects various remain less explored. We tested urban physical vocalisations two African passerines, Common Bulbul Pycnonotus barbatus Northern Grey-headed Sparrow Passer griseus. predicted that (i) both species would increase minimum frequency avoid masking by noise, (ii) decrease maximum evade distortion structures, (iii) components significant vocalisations, (iv) change or will lead corresponding bandwidth. For Bulbul, increased significantly increased, but did not response structures. Sparrow, show decreased increased. find any evidence adjustment either species. A resulted bandwidth each Our findings highlight how same traits different songbird can be affected differently novel selective pressures arise environments.Différence dans les réponses acoustiques à l'urbanisation chez deux passereaux africainsLa modification des écosystèmes due altère de l'habitat naturel et l'environnement sonore, créant contraintes pour la vocale animaux. Les oiseaux sont capables d'ajuster leur aux caractéristiques dominantes Il donc été démontré que leurs sons reflètent le niveau perturbations anthropiques paysages. Alors l'effet d'une seule perturbation anthropique comme bruit ambiant sur est largement étudié, effets combinés diverses restent moins explorés. Nous avons testé uniques du anthropogénique physiques urbaines africains, commun Moineau tête grise prédit espèces: augmenteraient fréquence minimale éviter masquage par ambiant, diminueraient maximale distorsion physiques, composantes auraient un effet combiné significatif changement ou conduirait correspondant largeur bande vocalisations. Pour commun, augmenté manière significative lorsque augmenté, mais n'a pas réagi physiques. grise, répondu au diminué ont augmenté. n'avons trouvé aucune preuve d'un l'ajustement espèces. Le entraîné rétrécissement Nos résultats mettent en évidence comment mêmes différentes espèces d'oiseaux chanteurs peuvent être affectés différemment nouvelles pressions sélectives acoustique qui surviennent environnements urbains.Keywords: noisebioacousticsPasser griseusPycnonotus barbatussongbirdsurban structuresvocal adjustmentvocalisation

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Background noise but not urbanization level impacted song frequencies in an urban songbird in the Pearl River Delta, Southern China

Global Ecology and Conservation, Journal Year: 2021, Volume and Issue: 28, P. e01695 - e01695

Published: June 21, 2021

Rapid urbanization has profoundly transformed habitats and increased noise pollution in urban environments. Elevated levels may mask acoustic signals of urban-dwelling organisms such as birds. Singing at higher frequencies is one typical responses to avoid this masking effect. However, high-frequency experience larger attenuation when transmitting open Here, we tested how elevated affect frequency characteristics song complexity the Oriental Magpie-robin (Copsychus saularis), a common songbird tropical Asia. Song recording was conducted seven cities Pearl River Delta, southern China, highly developed region with rapid pace urbanization. Our results showed that Magpie-robins sang minimum maximum noisier areas. Neither level nor impacted other features, including length, syllable rate, number syllables, unique types, transitions songs. Furthermore, did not choice post sites. imply could induce spectral but temporal structural modifications. Taken together, our study adds growing publications illustrating phenotypes birdsongs have been changed anthropogenic soundscapes.

Language: Английский

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