Dialects of an invasive songbird are preserved in its invaded but not native source range

摘要: Biological invasions are not only events with substantial environmental and socioeconomic impacts but also interesting natural experiments, allowing the study of phenomena such as cultural evolution bird song following introduction. We took an excellent opportunity to compare distribution dialects yellowhammer Emberiza citrinella, a small Eurasian passerine, in its native source region (Great Britain) invaded range (New Zealand) more than hundred years after relocation. Recent field recordings (including those provided by volunteers within citizen science project) were complemented from archives, each assigned appropriate dialect visual inspection sonogram, resulting spatial patterns interpreted using historical data on invasion. The two countries differ markedly composition dialects. New Zealand populations sing greater number different dialects, seven total, five which detected current British population, have been reported previous studies continental Europe. Two identified localities capture (Brighton, Sussex, UK) release (Dunedin, Otago, NZ) even strikingly, having no common. largely sedentary nature yellowhammers allows for mutually exclusive explanations European being Great Britain: 1) corresponding types emerged de novo Zealand, through convergent evolution; 2) disappeared Britain, while preserved Zealand. Indirect evidence widespread occurrence these Europe stability song, supports latter explanation. suggest that system is avian equivalent phenomenon already noted human languages, ancient words or structures retained expatriate communities.