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The effect of hemosporidian infections on white-crowned sparrow singing behavior

Authors: Gilman, S. M.; Blumstein, D. T.ORCID; Foufopoulos, J.
Year: 2007
Journal: Ethology, Vol. 113(5)(5), pp. 437–445
Publisher: UNKNOWN
DOI: 10.1111/j.1439-0310.2006.01341.x
Keywords: PARASITE, WHITE CROWNED SPARROW, SEXUAL SELECTION, PARASITE-MEDIATED, BIRD SONG

Abstract

AbstractRelatively little is known about the effects of specific parasites on sexually selected behavioral traits. We subjected free‐living mountain white‐crowned sparrows (Zonotrichia leucophrys oriantha) to a playback experiment to identify the effect of hemosporidian parasites on potentially sexually selected song characteristics. We recorded song after a playback of a novel white‐crowned sparrow song, meant to simulate a territorial intrusion. Infections withLeucocytozoonorPlasmodiuminfluenced singing behavior, while infection withHaemoproteushad no detectable effect. Specifically, song consistency, as measured using a spectrogram correlation, was influenced by bothPlasmodiumandLeucocytozooninfection. Additionally, birds infected withPlasmodiumsang fewer songs following experimental playback. Thus, relatively widespread parasites, likePlasmodium, may have a strong effect on potentially sexually selected song characteristics.

Local Knowledge Graph (33 entities)

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Knowledge graph centered on The effect of hemosporidian infections on white-cr with 34 nodes and 137 connections. Top connected: Daniel T. Blumstein, Zonotrichia leucophrys, Zonotrichia leucophrys oriantha, Zonotrichia leucophrys pugetensis, Zonotrichia leucophrys gambelii.

References (44)

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