Singing and mating success in water pipits: one specific song element makes all the difference

Animal Behaviour
U RehsteinerH u Reyer

Abstract

Positive correlations between male vocalization and reproductive success have been documented for many animal species. They are usually based on differences between males in vocalization rate, duration or repertoire size. Here, we present probably the first field study linking differences in territorial overlap and mating status to differences in a single, clearly definable song element, the 'Snarr'. Male water pipits, Anthus spinoletta, with high Snarr scores were mated more often than males with low scores, and their territories overlapped less with those of neighbours. Although correlating positively with male body condition, the frequency of the Snarr did not reflect male age, territory size, territory quality in terms of food and paternal performance. Therefore, it seems unlikely that the higher mating success of males with high Snarr scores results from active female choice of high-quality males; rather, high Snarr scores seem to signal dominance in males. Likely mechanisms that produce the link between vocalization and mating success, and potential costs that prevent some males from producing the Snarr at a higher rate, are discussed. Copyright 1998 The Association for the Study of Animal Behaviour. Copyright 1998 The As...Continue Reading

References

Apr 1, 1987·Trends in Ecology & Evolution·C K Catchpole

❮ Previous
Next ❯

Citations

Sep 16, 2011·Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America·Jordan M MooreTimothy J Devoogd
Jan 24, 2014·Ecology and Evolution·Jennifer MorinayRita Covas
Aug 11, 2011·Behavioural Processes·Nicolas GiretLaurent Nagle
Apr 18, 2015·Frontiers in Behavioral Neuroscience·Jonathan ChaboutErich D Jarvis
Aug 21, 2014·Frontiers in Neuroscience·Akari AsabaTakefumi Kikusui
Dec 3, 2016·Scientific Reports·Pawel FedurekChristoph D Dahl
Jan 23, 2016·Scientific Reports·Morgan L Gustison, Thore J Bergman
Jun 10, 2004·Journal of Neurobiology·Stefan Leitner, Clive K Catchpole
Feb 8, 2003·Proceedings. Biological Sciences·Tudor I DrăgănoiuMichel Kreutzer
May 4, 2010·Die Naturwissenschaften·Gergely HegyiLászló Zsolt Garamszegi
Jan 11, 2020·PloS One·Jeffery L DunningJonathan F Prather
Aug 10, 2012·The Journal of Experimental Biology·Roderick A SuthersMichel Kreutzer

❮ Previous
Next ❯

Trending Feeds

COVID-19

Coronaviruses encompass a large family of viruses that cause the common cold as well as more serious diseases, such as the ongoing outbreak of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19; formally known as 2019-nCoV). Coronaviruses can spread from animals to humans; symptoms include fever, cough, shortness of breath, and breathing difficulties; in more severe cases, infection can lead to death. This feed covers recent research on COVID-19.

Blastomycosis

Blastomycosis fungal infections spread through inhaling Blastomyces dermatitidis spores. Discover the latest research on blastomycosis fungal infections here.

Nuclear Pore Complex in ALS/FTD

Alterations in nucleocytoplasmic transport, controlled by the nuclear pore complex, may be involved in the pathomechanism underlying multiple neurodegenerative diseases including Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis and Frontotemporal Dementia. Here is the latest research on the nuclear pore complex in ALS and FTD.

Applications of Molecular Barcoding

The concept of molecular barcoding is that each original DNA or RNA molecule is attached to a unique sequence barcode. Sequence reads having different barcodes represent different original molecules, while sequence reads having the same barcode are results of PCR duplication from one original molecule. Discover the latest research on molecular barcoding here.

Chronic Fatigue Syndrome

Chronic fatigue syndrome is a disease characterized by unexplained disabling fatigue; the pathology of which is incompletely understood. Discover the latest research on chronic fatigue syndrome here.

Evolution of Pluripotency

Pluripotency refers to the ability of a cell to develop into three primary germ cell layers of the embryo. This feed focuses on the mechanisms that underlie the evolution of pluripotency. Here is the latest research.

Position Effect Variegation

Position Effect Variagation occurs when a gene is inactivated due to its positioning near heterochromatic regions within a chromosome. Discover the latest research on Position Effect Variagation here.

STING Receptor Agonists

Stimulator of IFN genes (STING) are a group of transmembrane proteins that are involved in the induction of type I interferon that is important in the innate immune response. The stimulation of STING has been an active area of research in the treatment of cancer and infectious diseases. Here is the latest research on STING receptor agonists.

Microbicide

Microbicides are products that can be applied to vaginal or rectal mucosal surfaces with the goal of preventing, or at least significantly reducing, the transmission of sexually transmitted infections. Here is the latest research on microbicides.