bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Group Response to Alarm Pheromones in Social Wasps and the Honeybee
Authors: Moritz R. F. A. , Bürgin H. 
Published: May 2010

AbstractThe reaction of social wasps and honeybees to alarm pheromones was quantified using a metabolic bio‐assay. Groups of workers placed in an air flow‐through system were exposed for 60 s to the odour of a squashed venom sac and sting apparatus. The reaction of the workers was a stereotyped short term increase in their metabolic activity which was monitored with an infrared CO2‐analyzer. Group size had considerable influence on the reaction of each individual in the group. In honeybees, isolated workers showed weak responses to the alarm stimuli and with increasing group size the reaction per individual rose. Wasps showed the opposite behaviour. Isolated wasp workers generally reacted more intensely than workers in groups. This phenomenon is particularly well expressed in small species (e.g. Paravespula vulgaris). The large workers of Vespa crabro only showed this phenomenon if they were exposed to high doses of 2‐methyl‐3‐butene‐2‐ol, the major compound of their alarm pheromone. We could not elicit any alarm reactions in Polistes gallicus with this metabolic bioassay.
Pigeon Homing: The Orientation of Young Birds that had been Prevented from Seeing the Sun
Authors: Wiltschko Wolfgang , Wiltschko Roswitha , Keeton William T. , Brown A. Irene 
Published: May 2010

AbstractTo test whether the sun is an essential factor for the development of a functioning orientation system in birds, a group of young pigeons was raised as ‘No‐Sun’‐birds. They were not allowed to see the sun, and they were released to fly around their loft only under total overcast. The control group had an equal number of opportunities to fly under overcast plus additional flights under sun.When released as untrained birds under solid cloud cover, the ‘No‐Sun’‐birds were significantly oriented, whereas the controls were not. Small magnets glued between the wings (north toward the head) reversed the ‘No‐Sun’‐birds' orientation, indicating they used a magnetic compass.These findings show that the orientation system can develop without information from the sun. Differences in the orientation behavior of the ‘No‐Sun’‐birds and normally raised young pigeons are discussed.
Scotopic and Photopic Spectral Sensitivities of Boobies
Authors: Reed Jonathan R. 
Published: May 2010

AbstractThe day and night visual capacities (photopic and scotopic spectral sensitivity) of several species of boobies (family Sulidae) were analyzed using a behavioral psychophysical testing technique. On the basis of these data there is evidence for sensitivity to near‐ultraviolet light in the order Pelecaniformes. The scotopic spectral sensitivity functions of three booby species conform closely to the spectral absorption characteristics of avian rhodopsin. There are marked differences between the photopic sensitivities of a coastal booby species with that of a pelagic species; these differences appear correlated with their respective feeding ecologies. Lastly, a brief review of avian spectral sensitivity and a consideration of individual variation in avian vision studies are presented.
Replacement of a Lost Clutch: A Strategy for Optimal Resource Utilization in Necrophorus vespilloides (Coleoptera: Silphidae)
Authors: Müller Josef K. 
Published: May 2010

AbstractThe behaviour of female Necrophorus vespilloides whose clutches had been removed partially or completely was tested in laboratory experiments. If the reproductive activities can proceed without disturbances, the first larvae reach the carcass 56 h after the start of egg‐laying. If no larvae come to the carcass, all females resume egg‐laying within five days. The second clutch (‘replacement clutch’) is, on average, smaller than the first one. If the eggs from the replacement clutches are also removed, the females produce new clutches until no more carrion is available.One larva coming to the carcass prevents production of replacement clutches with 20 % of the females. 5 and 10 larvae prevent a higher proportion of females from producing new clutches; the reaction of the female depends on the size of the carcass offered and on the number of larvae present on the carcass. There are two behavioural options for the females with respect to time when egg‐laying is resumed. Some females produce a replacement clutch while the larvae are still at the carcass; other females wait until the larvae leave the carcass. In the presence of only a few larvae at the carcass most females show both forms of behaviour under experimental conditions.
A Sensitive Period for Song Acquisition in the Song Sparrow, Melospiza melodia: A Case of Age‐limited Learning
Authors: Marler Peter , Peters Susan 
Published: May 2010

AbstractVariation in the timing of vocal learning during the first year of life was studied in male song sparrows. Subjects were hatched in nests in the wild, reared in the laboratory from 2–10 days of age and tutored twice daily with tape‐recorded songs from 10–350 days of age. Tutor songs were changed frequently. Half were conspecific and half heterospecific (swamp sparrow) songs. Timing of acquisition was determined by comparing analyses of crystallized songs with tape‐recorded models for evidence of imitations. Learning began, on average, at 22 days of age and was heavily concentrated in the following 40‐day period. Occasional cases of learning occurred as late as 200 days of age. There was a strong preference for conspecific songs. Imitations of songs acquired early in the sensitive period were more complete than those of songs acquired later. In song production, elements acquired at different times were sometimes detached from their original context and combined with others by a process of syntactical rearrangement. With the sensitive period defined in this manner, the song sparrow may be characterized as an “age‐limited” song learner, as contrasted with species that are “age‐independent” learners.
Queen Succession in the Social Wasp, Polistes annularis
Authors: Hughes Colin R. , Beck Mary O. , Strassmann Joan E. 
Published: May 2010

AbstractOutcomes of conflicts among social animals can strongly affect individual fitness and therefore partly determine how sociality evolves. In the social wasp, Polistes annularis, conflicts over egg laying result in a linear dominance hierarchy discernible from which wasps attack which others. We investigated the structure and maintenance of dominance hierarchies in colonies containing both nest foundresses and workers. We also investigated the outcome of a potential conflict between foundresses and workers over the identity of the female which becomes queen after the original queen disappears. To investigate queen replacement we recorded individuals' behavior before and after removal of the queen from 13 nests. This experiment simulated natural queen disappearance which occurs frequently. All foundresses were ranked over workers; high ranking females were most aggressive and directed most of their attacks to the female directly beneath them in the hierarchy. This hierarchy determined succession to queenship; the beta female became queen within 3 h. Therefore a foundress became the new queen whenever one was present. There was no evidence of conflict between workers and foundresses when a foundress became queen. This chance of becoming queen contributes to the expected fitness of a female that accepts a subordinate role in spring.
Bill Color Preferences of Zebra Finches
Authors: Burley Nancy , Coopersmith Carol B. 
Published: May 2010

AbstractBill color varies with age and sex in zebra finches. Among birds of similar age and condition, males' bills tend to be redder and darker than those of females, but there is overlap in the phenotypic expression of the sexes. The bills of young birds are paler and less red than those of older birds. There is also interindividual variation within age and sex class.Experiments were performed to measure heterosexual and isosexual (= same sex) preferences of finches. Females preferred to associate with males with the reddest, brightest bills; they even preferred males whose bills were exaggerated through color applications of non‐toxic marking pen. Males preferred to associate with females with bill colors in the middle of the phenotypic range. Females thus have “directional” preferences for male bill color, whereas male preference is “stabilizing” with regard to female bill color.In isosexual tests, neither sex showed a consistent preference for particular bill colors. Both sexes, however, displayed a tendency toward individual variability in preference. Bill color appears to be more important in heterosexual than in isosexual interactions.Several authors have recently suggested that organisms prefer brightly colored mates because bright coloration indicates superior physical condition. Results reported here do not support this hypothesis. Alternative functional explanations for the observed preferences are that bill color signals mating status, age or reproductive value. None of these appears to be a cogent explanation for the trends. Preferences do not appear to result from sexual imprinting. The possibility that the preferences are aesthetic and non‐functional is discussed.
Vigilance Behaviour in White‐browed Sparrow‐weavers Plocepasser mahali
Authors: Ferguson J. W. H. 
Published: May 2010

AbstractGroup‐living white‐browed sparrow‐weavers engage in vigilance behaviour when fellow group members feed on the ground. Vigilance is characterized from normal perching behaviour by distinct combinations of calls and by exposed perches. The level of vigilance increases with the density of herbacious vegetation. Large groups do not perform less vigilance and more feeding compared with small groups, and are exposed to larger numbers of interactions with predators. This suggests that anti‐predator vigilance is an adaptation for surviving high diurnal predation rates, the latter being an effect of the group‐living nature of these birds.
Song Learning in Bengalese Finches: a Comparison with Zebra Finches
Authors: Clayton N. S. 
Published: May 2010

AbstractMale Bengalese finches, Lonchura striata var. domestica, learn their song from an adult male conspecific with whom they can interact at 35 to 70 days of age and normally‐raised males fail to reproduce song which they have only heard before or after this time. Birds which have been raised by their mother alone and those which have been deprived of a song tutor during the learning phase produce abnormal songs with indistinct elements and little or no phrase structure; this is typical of males which fail to hear adult song during their development. These songs are unstable and are replaced by normal songs, if there is an opportunity to learn from an adult male conspecific. Presumably, this flexibility in the time when young males learn acts as a safeguard to ensure that normal conspecific song is produced.These results bear striking similarity to those on zebra finch song development. Differences between the two species, especially in the learning of call notes by female zebra finches, are discussed.
A Comparative Study of Mating Behaviour in Some Neotropical Grasshoppers (Acridoidea)
Authors: Riede Klaus 
Published: May 2010

AbstractAspects of premating and mating behaviour in several South American grasshopppers (Acridoidea) are described and compared. Examples of communication by acoustical, visual and chemical means are given.Acoustic signals are emitted only by species of the subfamilies Gomphocerinae, Acridinae, Romaleinae and Copiocerinae. Each subfamily has distinct sound‐producing mechanisms, and the songs occur in different behavioural contexts. In Gomphocerinae and Acridinae the sexes recognize and attract each other by species‐specific songs produced by a femuro‐tegminal stridulatory mechanism. In contrast, Romaleinae produce a simple song by rubbing the hindwings against the forewings. These songs are similar in different species and no attraction of females could be demonstrated, but the behaviour may function in male‐male interaction and during copulation. Sexual pheromones also play a role in this subfamily. Acoustic activity during copulation has been observed in Aleuasini (Copiocerinae), but its function is still unclear.No sound production at all exists in the Leptysminae, Rhytidochrotinae, Ommatolampinae, Melanoplinae, Proctolabinae and Bactrophorinae, but conspicuous movements of hindlegs (kneewaving) and antennae were observed. In some species these form part of a soundless courtship display.Ecological constraints have little influence on the basic mating strategies: romaleine, gomphocerine and melanopline grasshoppers often coexist in various habitats, but show the divergent behaviour patterns characteristic of their respective subfamilies. Intrinsic factors of female reproductive physiology seem to be more important: a hormonally controlled reproductive cycle in gomphocerine females provides for only few short copulations, while romaleine females copulate frequently and longer. In Gomphocerinae and Acridinae, receptive females are rare (male‐biased operational sex ratio) which leads to intense competition among males. It is hypothesized that this could be responsible for the high diversification of song and courtship patterns in these subfamilies.
Reaction to Alarm Substance in Cave Populations of Astyanax fasciatus (Characidae, Pisces)1
Authors: Fricke Diethard 
Published: May 2010

AbstractThe effect of species‐specific skin‐extract containing alarm substance has been studied in two epigean and three hypogean populations of the Mexican‐tetra Astyanax fasciatus. In all populations tested the feeding rate at the water surface decreased significantly after introducing the alarm substance and the fish avoided this surface area. Additionally epigean fish and some individuals from the Chica cave showed zigzag movements, rapid swimming and hiding. The fish did not respond to a skinextract of a species without alarm substance.
Orientation of Dunnocks (Prunella modularis) at Sunset
Authors: Bingman Verner P. , Wiltschko Wolfgang 
Published: May 2010

AbstractTo find out the relative importance of the geomagnetic and solar cues for the orientation at the time of sunset, dunnocks were tested outdoors during the spring migration periods of 1982 and 1983. Experimental magnetic fields were produced by Helmholtz coils. In the various magnetic conditions, the following results were obtained:

In the local geomagnetic field, the dunnocks oriented in a seasonally appropriate northerly direction.
In a magnetic field the north of which was shifted 120° clock‐wise to ESE, the birds showed a corresponding shift in their orientation.
In a vertical magnetic field without meaningful directional information, birds previously tested in either the local geomagnetic field or the shifted magnetic field now displayed axially bimodal orientation, with the axes of the two groups differing.

These findings indicate that for migratory dunnocks, the magnetic field plays a dominant role in determining their orientation at the time of sunset, and that magnetic information may affect the dunnocks' response to other directional, presumably solar cues as well.
Effect of Population Density, Size of Habitat and Oviposition Substrate on the Breeding System of Pupfish (Cyprinodon pecosensis)
Authors: Kodric‐Brown Astrid 
Published: May 2010

AbstractSize of habitat, availability of oviposition substrate, and population density were manipulated to determine their effects on the structure and dynamics of the pupfish breeding system. The fish established a territorial breeding system in large tanks, irrespective of population density or oviposition substrate. A dominance hierarchy, in which one male controlled most of the oviposition substrate and spawned with most females, was established in small tanks at low densities. Both population density and oviposition substrate affected the number of males defending territories. Male spawning success was inversely related to availability of oviposition substrate, but was not affected either by density or tank size. Location of a territory and its size also influenced spawning success. Males with bigger territories had higher spawning success. A “carryover” effect of neighbors was observed; males with reproductively active neighbors spawned more often than those with less successful neighbors. Interference with spawning was affected both by tank size and density. Agonistic behavior of breeding males was not affected by any manipulation, but it was positively associated with male spawning success at high but not at low densities. In all treatments the mortality of breeding males was approximately 8 times as high as that of females, suggesting that, under these experimental conditions, the cost of reproducing is substantially higher for males. Comparisons between breeding pupfish in these experiments and in natural environments provide a basis for understanding the selective pressures that have favored the maintenance of these extremely plastic breeding systems.
Sensitive Periods for Song Acquisition from Tape Recordings and Live Tutors in the Swamp Sparrow, Melospiza georgiana
Authors: Marler Peter , Peters Susan 
Published: May 2010

AbstractSensitive periods for song acquisition by male swamp sparrows in the first year of life were compared, using two types of training protocol: 1) training with tape‐recorded songs and, 2) training by exposure to live singing tutors. Subjects were exposed to a range of tutors and tape recordings on regularly changing schedules. Singing was recorded, and the time of acquisition was determined by the occurrence of imitations of particular models. The results obtained with tape‐ and live‐tutoring were very similar. In both cases most learning occurred prior to 45–55 days of age. Some song acquisition occurred as late as 250–300 days of age.
A Quantitative Technique to Compare and Classify Humpback Whale (Megaptera novaeangliae) Sounds
Authors: Chabot Denis 
Published: May 2010

AbstractIn an attempt to minimize observer bias, numerical taxonomy methods were used to describe and classify humpback whale sounds. The spectrograms (N = 1255) were digitized into a 16 × 21 binary matrix. The rows were 16 frequencies selected on a logarithmic scale (0.12–8 kHz). The columns were 21 time samples taken every 0.1 s. Each point of the matrix was coded 1 if it lay over part of the sound. Other binary variables were added to code for relative intensity within a sound, frequency modulation and amplitude modulation. The sounds were then compared using the Jaccard similarity coefficient for binary data, and classified with average linkage cluster analysis. This technique produced 115 clusters, which were compared with my aural and visual impressions of the sounds. I agreed with most major categories identified by cluster analysis, but many small clusters had to be fused to other categories. This was partially due to the technique used, and to the complexity of the repertoire under study. Improvements are proposed to further reduce observer bias in classification of sounds, and thus make studies of animal communication performed by different researchers or on different species more easily comparable.
Social Organisation of the BatTadarida (Chaerephon) pumila(Chiroptera: Molossidae) in Ghana, West Africa
Authors: McWilliam Andrew N. 
Published: May 2010

AbstractThe social organisation of the polyoestrous bat,Tadarida pumila, was studied in northern Ghana (W. Africa). Although this small (8.5 g) free‐tailed bat is not sexually dimorphic in size, adult males develop an odorous inter‐aural crest of long hairs. A social system based on female defense polygyny was found which, however, also involved elements of resource defense. Harems, each generally established in the roof space of separate dwelling houses with restricted access, consisted of an adult male and up to 21 females, with their young, and the larger harems were held by heavier males. Harem composition was stable and both harem males and females showed high site fidelity over the study span of 16 months. Some female young were recruited to their natal harems, at a sufficient rate to replace the annual loss of harem females. However, most young, which were born in three successive cohorts during the rainy season, apparently dispersed over the dry season, following early sexual maturation. The potential causes and benefits of female associations are discussed.
The Role of Song Phonology and Syntax in Vocal Learning Preferences in the Song Sparrow, Melospiza melodia
Authors: Marler Peter , Peters Susan 
Published: May 2010

AbstractAre young songbirds ready to learn virtually any song, or are they predisposed to learn songs of their own species? To explore this question tests were conducted on the equipotentiality of auditory song learning stimuli in the song sparrow. 23 males reared as nestlings were exposed to tape recordings of their own and other species songs in early life and subsequent song production was analyzed for imitations. Birds exposed to natural song sparrow songs, including their fathers', and equal numbers of swamp sparrow songs, strongly preferred conspecific songs. They neither favored nor eschewed paternal songs despite having had access to them for 6–10 days as nestlings. In three other experiments synthetic songs were used in which some properties were held constant and others were systematically varied. Birds were exposed to 1–4 segmented songs varying in phrase order, tempo and syllable number, each synthesized in two versions, one from conspecific and the other from heterospecific (swamp sparrow) song syllables. With one‐segmented songs (alien syntax) subjects favored conspecific over heterospecific syllable songs. Heterospecific syllables were rendered more acceptable by incorporation into two‐segmented trilled songs (more song sparrow‐like syntax). Heterogeneous summation of phonological and syntactical cues appeared to occur. There was also evidence of interaction between phonology and syntax. When another phrase type, the note complex, was added, in three‐ and four‐segmented songs, a preference for conspecific syllables reappeared. Heterospecific syllables may be more readily accepted as a trilled sequence than without repetition, as in a note‐complex. When phrase structure within four‐segmented songs was varied, birds favored patterns most like normal conspecific song. We conclude that there are innate learning preferences in the song sparrow, based on note and syllabic structure (phonology and syllabic syntax), and temporal organization of phrases (segmental syntax), differing from those of the closely related swamp sparrow, Melospiza georgiana, in which song syntax plays no role in learning preferences.
Second Language Acquisition: A Framework for Studying the Importance of Input and Interaction in Exceptional Song Acquisition
Authors: Pepperberg Irene M. , Neapolitan Denise M. 
Published: May 2010

AbstractRecent studies demonstrate that specific types of live input and social interaction facilitate “exceptional” song acquisition. The term “exceptional” denotes time‐independent song acquisition and learning of nonspecies‐specific song (or parts of song) and second dialects by birds generally thought to have restrictions on their learning capabilities. Recent research in human second language acquisition (SLA) also emphasizes the roles of input and interaction. The purpose of this paper is to focus on these parallels and suggest that SLA studies can provide further insights into exceptional song acquisition, particularly with respect to new directions for ornithological research.