Respiratory contributions to birdsong—evolutionary considerations and open questions

Philosophical Transactions of the Royal Society B Biological Sciences, Journal Year: 2025, Volume and Issue: 380(1920)

Published: Feb. 27, 2025

Respiration plays a central role in avian vocal behaviour by providing the airstream that induces vibration of folds. In this role, respiratory movements dictate coarse temporal pattern song, while simultaneously fulfilling its vital functions. Whereas these aspects have been investigated oscines, little information exists other taxa. Broad taxonomic is, however, necessary for addressing questions regarding evolutionary specializations system. Acoustic recordings unstudied taxa suggest rapid action muscles is basal trait within birds. addition to controlling timing vocalization, activity also influences acoustic features such as sound amplitude and frequency. The latter more strongly influenced driving pressure non-vocal learners. Singing, highly dynamic presents an opportunity studying detailed ventilation patterns thus could give insight into basic control airflow lung–air sac Although we learned many details how tied cortical song control, open remain. Control pacemaker circuitry upstream centres, input initiation vocalization use online feedback from system are all incompletely understood. This article part theme issue ‘The biology system’.

Language: Английский

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Sexual selection for both diversity and repetition in birdsong

Nature Communications, Journal Year: 2023, Volume and Issue: 14(1)

Published: June 16, 2023

From fiddler crabs to humans, animals perform repetitive displays showing neuromotor skill and vigour. Consistent repetition of identical notes (vocal consistency) facilitates the assessment skills is important in communication birds. Most birdsong research has focused on song diversity as a signal individual quality, which seems contradictory extremely common most species. Here we show that consistent within songs positively correlated with reproductive success male blue tits (Cyanistes caeruleus). A playback experiment shows females are sexually aroused by high levels vocal consistency, also peaks seasonally during fertile period female, supporting role consistency mate choice. Male increases subsequent repetitions same type (a warm-up effect) conflicts fact habituate repeated song, decreased arousal. Importantly, find switching types elicits significant dishabituation playback, habituation hypothesis an evolutionary mechanism driving An optimal balance between may explain singing style many bird species other animals.

Language: Английский

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Anatomy and mechanisms of vocal production in harvest mice

Journal of Experimental Biology, Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: 227(5)

Published: Jan. 25, 2024

ABSTRACT Characterizing mechanisms of vocal production provides important insight into the ecology acoustic divergence. In this study, we characterized two types vocalizations emitted by western harvest mice (Reithrodontomys megalotis), a species uniquely positioned to inform trait evolution because it is sister taxon peromyscines (Peromyscus and Onychomys spp.), which use fold vibrations produce long-distance calls, but more ecologically acoustically similar baiomyines (Baiomys Scotinomys employ whistle mechanism. We found that calls (∼10 kHz) were produced airflow-induced vibrations, whereas high-frequency quavers used in close-distance social interactions (∼80 generated Both facilitated characteristic laryngeal morphology. Our findings indicate for communication widespread reithrodontomyines (Onychomys, Peromyscus, Reithrodontomys spp.) despite overlap frequency content characterizes baiomyine whistled vocalizations. The results illustrate how different shape variation rodents contribute relevant distances.

Language: Английский

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Consistency of two-voice vocalizations as a possible performance metric in a widespread songbird

The Wilson Journal of Ornithology, Journal Year: 2025, Volume and Issue: unknown, P. 1 - 11

Published: March 27, 2025

Language: Английский

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Social learning and culture in birds: emerging patterns and relevance to conservation

Philosophical Transactions of the Royal Society B Biological Sciences, Journal Year: 2025, Volume and Issue: 380(1925)

Published: May 1, 2025

There is now abundant evidence for a role of social learning and culture in shaping behaviour range avian species across multiple contexts, from migration routes geese foraging crows, to passerine song. Recent emerging has further linked fitness outcomes some birds, highlighting its potential importance conservation. Here, we first summarize the state knowledge on focusing best-studied contexts migration, foraging, predation We identify extensive gaps taxa but argue that existing suggests that: (i) are taxonomically clustered (ii) reliance one behavioural domain does not predict others. Together, use this build predictive framework aid conservationists species-specific decision-making under imperfect knowledge. Second, review link between conservation birds. understanding which behaviours birds likely learn socially can help refine strategies, improving trajectories threatened populations. Last, present practical steps how consideration be integrated into actions including reintroductions, translocations captive breeding programmes.This article part theme issue 'Animal culture: changing world'.

Language: Английский

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Proposing a neural framework for the evolution of elaborate courtship displays

eLife, Journal Year: 2022, Volume and Issue: 11

Published: May 27, 2022

In many vertebrates, courtship occurs through the performance of elaborate behavioral displays that are as spectacular they complex. The question how sexual selection acts upon these animals' neuromuscular systems to transform a repertoire pre-existing movements into such remarkable (if not unusual) display routines has received relatively little research attention. This is surprising gap in knowledge, given unraveling this extraordinary process central understanding evolution diversity and its neural control. often push limits performance, ritualized manner. These can range from songs require rapid switching between two independently controlled 'voice boxes' precisely choreographed acrobatics. Here, we propose framework for thinking about brain might only control displays, but also shape their evolution. Our focuses specifically on major midbrain area, which view likely important node orchestration complex behavior used process. area periaqueductal grey (PAG), studies suggest it both necessary sufficient production instinctive survival behaviors, including vocalizations. Thus, speculate why PAG, well key inputs, serve targets behavior. doing so, attempt combine core ideas with principles intent spur bring together neurobiologists ecologists more fully understand role play innovation diversification.

Language: Английский

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The role of acoustic signals in fish reproduction

The Journal of the Acoustical Society of America, Journal Year: 2023, Volume and Issue: 154(5), P. 2959 - 2973

Published: Nov. 1, 2023

This paper outlines my research path over three decades while providing a review on the role of fish sounds in mate choice and reproduction. It also intends to provide advice young scientists point toward future avenues this field research. An overview studies different model species shows that male mating acoustic signals can inform females competitors about their size (dominant frequency, amplitude, sound pulse rate modulation), body condition (calling activity rate), readiness rate, number pulses sound). At least with parental care, such as toadfishes, gobies, pomacentrids, calling seems be main driver reproductive success. Playback experiments ran restricted consistently revealed prefer vocal silent males select for higher rates. personal synthesis concludes suggestion increase knowledge signals, especially considering emerging use monitor aquatic environments due increasing threats, like noise pollution.

Language: Английский

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Does the syrinx, a peripheral structure, constrain effects of sex steroids on behavioral sex reversal in adult canaries?

Hormones and Behavior, Journal Year: 2023, Volume and Issue: 154, P. 105394 - 105394

Published: June 20, 2023

Language: Английский

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Vocal performance increases rapidly during the dawn chorus in Adelaide’s warbler (Setophaga adelaidae)

Behavioral Ecology, Journal Year: 2023, Volume and Issue: 34(4), P. 621 - 630

Published: April 24, 2023

Abstract Many songbirds sing intensely during the early morning, resulting in a phenomenon known as dawn chorus. We tested hypothesis that male Adelaide’s warblers (Setophaga adelaidae) warm up their voices If warming voice is one of functions chorus, we predicted vocal performance would increase more rapidly chorus compared to rest morning and high song rates period contribute performance. The metrics recovery time, voiced frequency modulation, unvoiced modulation were low when birds first began singing, increased then leveled off or gradually diminished after dawn. These changes are attributable increasing within types. Reduction duration silent gap between notes primary driver improved Simulations indicated singing at rate increases two three measures (recovery time modulation) relative this period. findings consistent with warm-up benefit participation

Language: Английский

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Skilful mating? Insights from animal contest research

Animal Behaviour, Journal Year: 2021, Volume and Issue: 184, P. 197 - 207

Published: April 22, 2021

Language: Английский

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