Evolution of white-throated sparrow song: regional variation through shift in terminal strophe type and length
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We investigated the emergence over time of a novel song variant (doublet-ending song) in a western Canadian sub-population of white-throated sparrows; this variant differs from the species-typical, triplet-ending song. By analysing recent (1999–2014) and historic (1950/1960s) recordings, we show that populations west (British Columbia) and immediately east (Alberta) of the Rockies, and from central Canada (Ontario) initially all had triplet-ending songs. The shift to doublet-ending songs first arose west of the Rockies, and has increased immediately east of the Rockies in the last decade. The Ontario population retained predominantly triplet-ending songs. Note lengths have increased over time in all populations, while inter-strophe interval has decreased, allowing doublet-ending birds the ability to have greater strophe repeats for a given song length. We explore whether the emergence and apparent spread of the doublet-ending songs can be explained by cultural drift, or may be under selection by conveying an advantage during counter-singing.
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| All Time | Past 365 days | Past 30 Days | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Abstract Views | 760 | 112 | 27 |
| Full Text Views | 274 | 7 | 1 |
| PDF Views & Downloads | 93 | 12 | 3 |
Evolution of white-throated sparrow song: regional variation through shift in terminal strophe type and length
In: BehaviourSearch for other papers by Hannah D. Zimmerman in
Current site
Google Scholar
PubMed
Search for other papers by Scott M. Ramsay in
Current site
Google Scholar
PubMed
Search for other papers by Veronica Mesias in
Current site
Google Scholar
PubMed
cPresent address: Department of Zoology, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada
Search for other papers by Marcelo Mora in
Current site
Google Scholar
PubMed
Search for other papers by Brent W. Murray in
Current site
Google Scholar
PubMed
Search for other papers by Ken A. Otter in
Current site
Google Scholar
PubMed
We investigated the emergence over time of a novel song variant (doublet-ending song) in a western Canadian sub-population of white-throated sparrows; this variant differs from the species-typical, triplet-ending song. By analysing recent (1999–2014) and historic (1950/1960s) recordings, we show that populations west (British Columbia) and immediately east (Alberta) of the Rockies, and from central Canada (Ontario) initially all had triplet-ending songs. The shift to doublet-ending songs first arose west of the Rockies, and has increased immediately east of the Rockies in the last decade. The Ontario population retained predominantly triplet-ending songs. Note lengths have increased over time in all populations, while inter-strophe interval has decreased, allowing doublet-ending birds the ability to have greater strophe repeats for a given song length. We explore whether the emergence and apparent spread of the doublet-ending songs can be explained by cultural drift, or may be under selection by conveying an advantage during counter-singing.
| All Time | Past 365 days | Past 30 Days | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Abstract Views | 760 | 112 | 27 |
| Full Text Views | 274 | 7 | 1 |
| PDF Views & Downloads | 93 | 12 | 3 |