Response of American redstarts (suborder Passeri) and least flycatchers (suborder Tyranni) to heterospecific playback: the role of song in aggressive interactions and interference competition |
| |
Authors: | P R Martin J R Fotheringham Laurene Ratcliffe Raleigh J Robertson |
| |
Institution: | (1) Department of Biology, Queen’s University, Kingston, ON K7L 3N6, Canada, CA |
| |
Abstract: | Least flycatchers (Empidonax minimus) and American redstarts (Setophaga ruticilla) overlap in the use of food resources on their breeding grounds, promoting high levels of interspecific aggression by the
socially dominant flycatcher. We examined the role of song in this interspecific aggression by using repeated-measures-designed
playback experiments and observational data on induced aggressive interactions. Flycatchers were more likely to approach the
speaker during presentation of redstart song than during intervals of no song or presentation of control song. Approach was
close enough to enable visual contact with a singing redstart. In contrast, redstarts made significantly fewer flights following
presentation of flycatcher song, when risk of flycatcher attack may be greatest. Reducing the number of flights likely reduces
the risk of flycatcher attack on the redstart, as flycatchers do not attack stationary redstart models and are apparently
dependent on cues from redstart flight for visual heterospecific recognition. Flycatcher-specific responses of redstarts and
marked differences in song morphology rule out misdirected intraspecific aggression as a proximate or ultimate cause of interspecific
response to song. Results indicate that song is an important component in aggressive interactions between these two species,
and reflect the dominant role of the flycatcher in such interactions. Our results also illustrate the capacity for interspecific
interference competition to influence behavior and heterospecific song recognition in two distant avian taxa.
Received: 10 January 1995/Accepted after revision: 8 June 1996 |
| |
Keywords: | Least flycatcher American redstart Interference competition Aggressive interactions Interspecific response to song |
本文献已被 SpringerLink 等数据库收录! |
|