The Biology of Bird-Song Dialects

摘要: No single theory so far proposed gives a wholly satisfactory account of the origin and maintenance bird-song dialects. This failure is consequence weak comparative literature that precludes careful comparisons among species or studies, complexity issues involved. Complexity arises because dialects seem to bear upon wide range features in life history bird species. We give an principal dialects: evolution vocal learning, experimental findings on song ontogeny, dialect descriptions, female male reactions differences dialect, population genetics dispersal. present synthetic dialects, one accommodates most different systems reported literature. The few data available suggest large, regional populations are genetically differentiated; this pattern correlated with reduced dispersal between assortative mating by females, male-male exclusion. At same time, “subdialects” may be formed within Subdialect clusters usually small represent mimicry adjacent territorial males. relative importance genetic social adaptation contribute emergence subdialects; their distinctiveness degree polygyny, for example. Thus, subdialect formation linked repertoire size, but too fragmentary examine idea critically.