Birdsong development exemplifies the interplay between experience and predisposition that occurs during behavioral ontogeny. Songbirds must hear song models to develop normal song, yet they preferentially learn conspecific song when given a choice in the laboratory. To the extent that features guiding this selective learning are pre-encoded in the brain, such features should also develop in the song of young birds not exposed to them in tutor models. To investigate whether song syntax-phrase number and order--is such a feature in the white-crowned sparrow (Zonotrichia leucophrys), the authors tutored males of this species with separate phrase models. Birds learned and assembled these into songs of species-typical sequence, suggesting that syntax is to some degree pre-encoded in white-crowned sparrows. Birds also learned heterospecific phrases, confirming previous evidence that note phonology is not the primary cue for selective song learning in this species.
Download full-text PDF |
Source |
|---|---|
| http://dx.doi.org/10.1037/0735-7036.115.2.172 | DOI Listing |
Publication Analysis
Top Keywords
Similar Publications
Mitochondrial remodelling supports migration in white-crowned sparrows ().
Proc Biol Sci
December 2024
School of Kinesiology, Auburn University, Auburn, AL 36849, USA.
Article Synopsis
- Migratory birds like the Gambel's white-crowned sparrow rely heavily on mitochondria for energy during their intense migration periods, which is energetically demanding.
- In a study comparing Gambel's sparrows with non-migratory Nuttall's sparrows, it was found that the migratory birds showed significantly more mitochondrial remodelling in their muscles across different stages of migration.
- The research indicates that this remodelling is particularly evident in the pectoralis muscle, which is crucial for flight, demonstrating an adaptive response that helps migratory birds meet their increased energy requirements.
Adult neurogenesis is necessary for functional regeneration of a forebrain neural circuit.
Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A
July 2024
Department of Biology, University of Washington, Seattle, WA 98195.
In adult songbirds, new neurons are born in large numbers in the proliferative ventricular zone in the telencephalon and migrate to the adjacent song control region HVC (acronym used as proper name) [A. Reiner , , 377-414 (2004)]. Many of these new neurons send long axonal projections to the robust nucleus of the arcopallium (RA).
View Article and Find Full Text PDFSong and genetic divergence within a subspecies of white-crowned sparrow (Zonotrichia leucophrys nuttalli).
PLoS One
May 2024
Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, University of Tennessee, Knoxville, TN, United States of America.
Animal culture evolves alongside genomes, and the two modes of inheritance-culture and genes-interact in myriad ways. For example, stable geographic variation in culture can act as a reproductive barrier, thereby facilitating genetic divergence between "cultural populations." White-crowned sparrows (Zonotrichia leucophrys) are a well-established model species for bird song learning and cultural evolution, as they have distinct, geographically discrete, and culturally transmitted song types (i.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFArticle Synopsis
- Seasonal variations in traits among breeding birds show phenotypic flexibility that helps them adapt to changing environmental conditions.
- The study focused on comparing muscle and body changes in migratory white-crowned sparrows and a resident subspecies, revealing that migrants prepare for migration with increased muscle and fat during spring but show different adaptations in the fall.
- Results indicated that resident birds are generally heavier with more robust leg muscles, while migrants have larger wings and hearts, demonstrating that flexible adaptations are aligned with their life history stages and energy demands.
Flexibility underlies differences in mitochondrial respiratory performance between migratory and non-migratory White-crowned Sparrows (Zonotrichia leucophrys).
Sci Rep
April 2024
Department of Biological Sciences, Auburn University, Auburn, USA.
Article Synopsis
- - Migration requires a lot of energy for birds, primarily sourced from mitochondria, but how these organelles support migration has been little studied.
- - Researchers focused on the White-crowned Sparrow's two subspecies, comparing the high-migratory Gambel's with the non-migratory Nuttall's subspecies to assess their mitochondrial respiratory performance.
- - Findings revealed Gambel's subspecies had significantly higher mitochondrial capacity and flexibility during migration, suggesting that changes in mitochondrial respiration are crucial for energy needs during long-distance migration.
Want AI Summaries of new PubMed Abstracts delivered to your In-box?
Enter search terms and have AI summaries delivered each week - change queries or unsubscribe any time!