Timing isn't everything: responses of tropical wrens to coordinated duets, uncoordinated duets and alternating solos

摘要: The coordinated vocal duets of tropical animals often play a role in territorial signalling. Duet timing is dependent upon each animal's attentiveness to its partner and ability or motivation cooperate, therefore precise coordination duet elements could be an important signal rivals. We used playback experiment test the hypothesis that distinguish between highly duets, poorly alternating solos. studied three related species wrens show natural variation their male female songs: banded wrens, Thryophilus pleurostictus, occasionally perform loosely but more commonly sing solo songs; rufous-and-white rufalbus, regularly duets; plain Cantorchilus modestus, duets. stereo simulate solos heterospecific control. played back these four treatments 63 pairs wrens. Responses experimental were stronger than responses control treatments. Response varied among species. Banded responded strongly both types solos, terms closest approach number passes over speaker. Rufous-and-white intensely uncoordinated approach, speaker songs initiated. Plain most no less other measures response. Together, our results indicate However, do not incite categorically any