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Functions of calls in a tropical duetting bird species, the Yellow-breasted boubou (Laniarius atroflavus)
Amie Wheeldon
Abstract
I have examined various aspects of the sex specific acoustic repertoire of the duetting Yellow-breasted boubou, an endemic bird species of the Afro-montane region of Western Africa. The first area of examination was the natural vocalisation activity of the study species which highlighted the male dominant vocal behaviour and the use of sex specific repertoires. I then experimentally examined the intrusion into focal territories of either duets or the sex specific solo types. This suggested that female vocalisations are likely used in intra-pair communications whereas males are using vocalisations for defending a territory and their mate. A further series of experiments were used to assess the aggressive motivation of male vocalisation types. This suggested that males are able to display aggressive motivation through the use of matching behaviours as well as vocalisation type used. Finally, the propagation properties of all vocalisation types for different habitat types were examined to further assess the functions of song and call types. Male vocalisation types transmit further, adding more evidence to the intended receivers being neighbours and strangers, whereas females intended receivers are most likely their own mates. The abiotic source of noise caused by a network of streams, also has a negative effect on the propagation of signals, which is important due to the human induced habitat change occurring in this specific region.- Record ID
- UAM1ea23723e5a24b828f08ccfc222ecb5e
- Diploma type
- Doctor of Philosophy
- Author
- Title in Polish
- Funkcje głosów u duetującego ptaka tropikalnego, dzierzyka żółtobrzuchego (Laniarius atroflavus)
- Title in English
- Functions of calls in a tropical duetting bird species, the Yellow-breasted boubou (Laniarius atroflavus)
- Language
- eng (en) English
- Certifying Unit
- Wydział Biologii [nowa struktura organizacyjna] (SNP/WB)
- Scientific discipline (2.0)
- Year of creation
- 2021
- Start date
- 22-02-2019
- Defense Date
- 15-10-2021
- Title date
- 22-10-2021
- Supervisor
- Pages
- 110
- URL
- https://hdl.handle.net/10593/26431 Opening in a new tab
- Keywords in English
- acoustic communication; bird song; duet functions; territory defence; tropical forest
- Abstract in English
- I have examined various aspects of the sex specific acoustic repertoire of the duetting Yellow-breasted boubou, an endemic bird species of the Afro-montane region of Western Africa. The first area of examination was the natural vocalisation activity of the study species which highlighted the male dominant vocal behaviour and the use of sex specific repertoires. I then experimentally examined the intrusion into focal territories of either duets or the sex specific solo types. This suggested that female vocalisations are likely used in intra-pair communications whereas males are using vocalisations for defending a territory and their mate. A further series of experiments were used to assess the aggressive motivation of male vocalisation types. This suggested that males are able to display aggressive motivation through the use of matching behaviours as well as vocalisation type used. Finally, the propagation properties of all vocalisation types for different habitat types were examined to further assess the functions of song and call types. Male vocalisation types transmit further, adding more evidence to the intended receivers being neighbours and strangers, whereas females intended receivers are most likely their own mates. The abiotic source of noise caused by a network of streams, also has a negative effect on the propagation of signals, which is important due to the human induced habitat change occurring in this specific region.
- Uniform Resource Identifier
- https://researchportal.amu.edu.pl/info/phd/UAM1ea23723e5a24b828f08ccfc222ecb5e/
- URN
urn:amu-prod:UAM1ea23723e5a24b828f08ccfc222ecb5e