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Song type variants and aggressive context

Publication ,  Journal Article
Searcy, WA; Nowicki, S; Hogan, C
Published in: Behavioral Ecology and Sociobiology
January 1, 2000

We asked whether switching among song type variants functions as a graded signal of aggression in song sparrows (Melospiza melodia). Song type variants are different versions of a given song type and are defined by much smaller acoustic differences than those defining separate song types. The principal evidence that switching between song types functions as an aggressive signal, in song sparrows and other species, is that song type switching frequencies increase during aggressive contexts, for example during simulated territorial intrusions. We tested whether variant switching frequencies change in the same way, using playback of conspecific song to simulate intrusions. Male song sparrows showed a significant increase in variant switching frequencies during intrusion relative to before intrusion. After intrusions, variant switching frequencies returned to pre-intrusion levels. These results are consistent with the hypothesis that variant switching is a graded aggressive signal, but other interpretations are possible, for example, that variant switching is a signal of submission or represents simple production error.

Duke Scholars

Published In

Behavioral Ecology and Sociobiology

DOI

ISSN

0340-5443

Publication Date

January 1, 2000

Volume

48

Issue

5

Start / End Page

358 / 363

Related Subject Headings

  • Behavioral Science & Comparative Psychology
  • 41 Environmental sciences
  • 31 Biological sciences
  • 30 Agricultural, veterinary and food sciences
  • 07 Agricultural and Veterinary Sciences
  • 06 Biological Sciences
  • 05 Environmental Sciences
 

Citation

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Searcy, W. A., Nowicki, S., & Hogan, C. (2000). Song type variants and aggressive context. Behavioral Ecology and Sociobiology, 48(5), 358–363. https://doi.org/10.1007/s002650000254
Searcy, W. A., S. Nowicki, and C. Hogan. “Song type variants and aggressive context.” Behavioral Ecology and Sociobiology 48, no. 5 (January 1, 2000): 358–63. https://doi.org/10.1007/s002650000254.
Searcy WA, Nowicki S, Hogan C. Song type variants and aggressive context. Behavioral Ecology and Sociobiology. 2000 Jan 1;48(5):358–63.
Searcy, W. A., et al. “Song type variants and aggressive context.” Behavioral Ecology and Sociobiology, vol. 48, no. 5, Jan. 2000, pp. 358–63. Scopus, doi:10.1007/s002650000254.
Searcy WA, Nowicki S, Hogan C. Song type variants and aggressive context. Behavioral Ecology and Sociobiology. 2000 Jan 1;48(5):358–363.
Journal cover image

Published In

Behavioral Ecology and Sociobiology

DOI

ISSN

0340-5443

Publication Date

January 1, 2000

Volume

48

Issue

5

Start / End Page

358 / 363

Related Subject Headings

  • Behavioral Science & Comparative Psychology
  • 41 Environmental sciences
  • 31 Biological sciences
  • 30 Agricultural, veterinary and food sciences
  • 07 Agricultural and Veterinary Sciences
  • 06 Biological Sciences
  • 05 Environmental Sciences