It's complicated: the association between songbird extrapair paternity and within-song complexity

摘要: Many songbird species are socially monogamous while exhibiting varying extrapair paternity frequencies. Song complexity, often subject to sexual selection, similarly varies across taxa. Some form highly complex songs whereas others produce simple songs. The basis of this variability, however, is unresolved. Because selection pressures generally favour the evolution sexually selected characteristics reflecting male quality, such as song it should be mate selection. We therefore predicted a positive association between frequency and complexity. In addition, we that broadcast (long-range) rather than interactive (short-range) would more likely contain characteristics, higher especially in with high This was tested using tui, Prosthemadera novaeseelandiae , frequency. First, analyses on 78 indicated significant within-song complexity (the level within species-specific song) but not between-song (size or syllable repertoire), no phylogenetic trait conservation found. Additionally, our results suggested tui had findings study indicate may play role songbirds.