Song rates of dark-eyed juncos do not increase when females are fertile |
| |
| Authors: | Russell C Titus C Ray Chandler Ellen D Ketterson Val Nolan Jr |
| |
| Institution: | (1) Department of Biology, Indiana University, Bloomington, IN 47405, USA Fax: (812) 855-6705; e-mail: rtitus@indiana.edu, IN;(2) Department of Biology, Georgia Southern University, Statesboro, GA 30460, USA, GE |
| |
| Abstract: | Frequency of singing by birds may vary with reproductive stage in ways that reflect variation in the functions of song in
intersexual and intrasexual communication. In dark-eyed juncos (Junco hyemalis) high-amplitude song is produced only by males. To investigate the function of this song, we tested whether fertility of
females affected singing by their mates or by neighboring males. Using focal observations, song censuses, and radiotracking
data, we determined whether song production varied between and among periods when females were fertile and non-fertile. Our
findings show that males do not increase song production when their mates are fertile, nor do they increase song production
when neighboring females are fertile. These results suggest that male juncos do not signal their intent to defend territories
(or mates) more when females are fertile and that they do not use song to advertise to specific potential participants in
extra-pair fertilizations.
Received: 13 February 1997 / Accepted after revison: 2 May 1997 |
| |
| Keywords: | Song Dark-eyed junco Junco hyemalis Fertility Reproductive behavior |
| 本文献已被 SpringerLink 等数据库收录！ |
|
