The variability of song variability in zebra finch (Taeniopygia guttata) populations

Birdsong is a classic example of a learned social behaviour. Song behaviour is also influenced by genetic factors, and understanding the relative contributions of genetic and environmental influences remains a major goal. In this study, we take advantage of captive zebra finch populations to examine...

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Main Authors: Allison L. Lansverk, Katie M. Schroeder, Sarah E. London, Simon C. Griffith, David F. Clayton, Christopher N. Balakrishnan
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: The Royal Society 2019-05-01
Series:Royal Society Open Science
Subjects:
Online Access:https://royalsocietypublishing.org/doi/pdf/10.1098/rsos.190273
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author Allison L. Lansverk
Katie M. Schroeder
Sarah E. London
Simon C. Griffith
David F. Clayton
Christopher N. Balakrishnan
author_facet Allison L. Lansverk
Katie M. Schroeder
Sarah E. London
Simon C. Griffith
David F. Clayton
Christopher N. Balakrishnan
author_sort Allison L. Lansverk
collection DOAJ
description Birdsong is a classic example of a learned social behaviour. Song behaviour is also influenced by genetic factors, and understanding the relative contributions of genetic and environmental influences remains a major goal. In this study, we take advantage of captive zebra finch populations to examine variation in a population-level song trait: song variability. Song variability is of particular interest in the context of individual recognition and in terms of the neuro-developmental mechanisms that generate song novelty. We find that the Australian zebra finch Taeniopygia guttata castanotis (TGC) maintains higher song diversity than the Timor zebra finch T. g. guttata (TGG) even after experimentally controlling for early life song exposure, suggesting a genetic basis to this trait. Although wild-derived TGC were intermediate in song variability between domesticated TGC populations and TGG, the difference between domesticated and wild TGC was not statistically significant. The observed variation in song behaviour among zebra finch populations represents a largely untapped opportunity for exploring the mechanisms of social behaviour.
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spelling doaj.art-d808abd9d21d416da4f88d3f9e056ee72022-12-21T19:21:55ZengThe Royal SocietyRoyal Society Open Science2054-57032019-05-016510.1098/rsos.190273190273The variability of song variability in zebra finch (Taeniopygia guttata) populationsAllison L. LansverkKatie M. SchroederSarah E. LondonSimon C. GriffithDavid F. ClaytonChristopher N. BalakrishnanBirdsong is a classic example of a learned social behaviour. Song behaviour is also influenced by genetic factors, and understanding the relative contributions of genetic and environmental influences remains a major goal. In this study, we take advantage of captive zebra finch populations to examine variation in a population-level song trait: song variability. Song variability is of particular interest in the context of individual recognition and in terms of the neuro-developmental mechanisms that generate song novelty. We find that the Australian zebra finch Taeniopygia guttata castanotis (TGC) maintains higher song diversity than the Timor zebra finch T. g. guttata (TGG) even after experimentally controlling for early life song exposure, suggesting a genetic basis to this trait. Although wild-derived TGC were intermediate in song variability between domesticated TGC populations and TGG, the difference between domesticated and wild TGC was not statistically significant. The observed variation in song behaviour among zebra finch populations represents a largely untapped opportunity for exploring the mechanisms of social behaviour.https://royalsocietypublishing.org/doi/pdf/10.1098/rsos.190273song behaviourzebra finchsong variability
spellingShingle Allison L. Lansverk
Katie M. Schroeder
Sarah E. London
Simon C. Griffith
David F. Clayton
Christopher N. Balakrishnan
The variability of song variability in zebra finch (Taeniopygia guttata) populations
Royal Society Open Science
song behaviour
zebra finch
song variability
title The variability of song variability in zebra finch (Taeniopygia guttata) populations
title_full The variability of song variability in zebra finch (Taeniopygia guttata) populations
title_fullStr The variability of song variability in zebra finch (Taeniopygia guttata) populations
title_full_unstemmed The variability of song variability in zebra finch (Taeniopygia guttata) populations
title_short The variability of song variability in zebra finch (Taeniopygia guttata) populations
title_sort variability of song variability in zebra finch taeniopygia guttata populations
topic song behaviour
zebra finch
song variability
url https://royalsocietypublishing.org/doi/pdf/10.1098/rsos.190273
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