The evolution of bird song: male and female response to song innovation in swamp sparrows

摘要

Closely related species of songbirds often show large differences in song syntax, suggesting that major innovations in syntax must sometimes arise and spread. Here we examine the response of male and female swamp sparrows, Melospiza geogriana, to an innovation in song syntax produced by males of this species. Young male swamp sparrows that have been exposed to tutor songs with experimentally increased trill rates reproduce these songs with periodic silent gaps (Podos 1996, Animal Behaviour, 51, 1061-1070). This novel temporal pattern, termed 'broken syntax', has been demonstrated to transmit across generations (Podos et al. 1999, Animal behaviour, 58, 93-103).