scholarly journals Variation in the Non-mimetic Vocalizations of Brood-Parasitic Indigobirds and Their Potential Role in Speciation

2021 ◽  
Vol 9 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jeffrey M. DaCosta ◽  
Michael D. Sorenson
Keyword(s):  
Regional Differences ◽  
Sound Production ◽  
Potential Role ◽  
Species Differences ◽  
Vocal Behavior ◽  
Brood Parasites ◽  
Significant Relationships ◽  
Female Preferences ◽  
Local Dialect ◽  
Song Repertoires

Indigobirds (Vidua spp.) are obligate brood parasites in which imprinting on heterospecific hosts shapes adult vocal behavior and mating preferences. Adult male indigobirds mimic the songs and other vocalizations of their respective hosts, which signals their own host environment to prospective mates and has important implications for speciation. In this study, we examined variation within and among indigobird species in the non-mimetic components of their vocal behavior, including both chatter calls and their impressive repertoires of intricate non-mimicry songs. We test whether indigobird species in Tanzania (V. chalybeata, V. codringtoni, V. funerea, and V. purpurascens) differ consistently in general features of their non-mimetic vocalizations, and we test whether local ecological conditions influence vocal behavior. Indigobird non-mimetic song repertories are learned from and shared with other males of the same species. We find that local dialect “neighborhoods” are variable in size among species and regions, depending on habitat continuity and the distribution of male territories. Despite the complete turnover of the specific songs comprising non-mimicry song repertoires from one local dialect to the next, we find significant species effects for more general measures of non-mimicry songs such as repertoire size and diversity, frequency, song length, and pace. For some traits, we also found significant regional differences, which may be mediated by significant relationships between elevation and morphometrics. Chatter calls were broadly similar across both species and localities, but we found significant species and region effects for frequency and to a lesser extent pace. We discuss the possibility that learning and mimicking the vocalizations of different hosts might influence the production of non-mimetic vocalizations and explain many of the species differences we detected. Whether these species differences are purely due to phenotypic plasticity or also reflect genetic divergence in traits influencing sound production and/or female preferences, they may contribute to reproductive isolation among nascent and recently evolved indigobird species.

scholarly journals Regional Differences in the Components of Luminal Water from Rat Gastrointestinal Tract and Comparison with Other Species.

2012 ◽  
Vol 15 (4) ◽  
pp. 510 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yusuke Tanaka ◽  
Toshihiro Hara ◽  
Ryoichi Waki ◽  
Shunji Nagata
Keyword(s):  
Bile Acid ◽  
Regional Differences ◽  
Species Differences ◽  
Oral Absorption ◽  
Inorganic Ions ◽  
Total Bile Acid ◽  
Water Soluble ◽  
Residual Water ◽  
Gi Tract ◽  
Water Soluble Drug

Purpose. The bile acids, phospholipids, inorganic ions, and pH in luminal fluid are very important factors for the dissolution and oral absorption of solid drugs. In this study, we evaluated the regional differences in these factors in the rat GI tract. The solubility of griseofulvin, a poorly water-soluble drug, in the luminal fluid in each segment was also measured. In addition, the data from rats were compared with those from other species published previously to evaluate the species differences in the composition of luminal fluid. Methods. Rat abdomen was opened and residual water was sampled from each region of GI tract to measure the various components concentrations. Results. The total bile acid and phospholipid concentrations were much higher in the lower jejunum and upper jejunum, respectively, than in the other regions. The solubilities of griseofulvin in the lower jejunal fluid (153-260 g/mL) were about 1.5-2 times higher than those in the upper jejunal fluid (99-146 g/mL). The regional differences in inorganic ions and pH were also observed. As for species differences, the total bile acid and phospholipid concentration in rats GI tract were much higher than those of dogs and humans. Conclusion. These informations about the regional differences and species differences of the components in the GI fluid should be very useful to consider dissolution and oral absorption of solid drugs.

scholarly journals Ecophysiology of egg rejection in hosts of avian brood parasites: new insights and perspectives

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Francisco Ruiz-Raya
Keyword(s):  
Potential Role ◽  
Physiological State ◽  
Host Responses ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Egg Rejection ◽  
Fitness Costs ◽  
Brood Parasites ◽  
Proximate Mechanisms ◽  
Proximate Factors

Abstract Egg rejection is the most effective and widespread defence used by host species to counteract the extreme fitness costs frequently imposed by obligate avian brood parasites. Yet, the proximate mechanisms underlying between- and within-individual variation in host responses remain poorly explored. Emerging evidence suggests that egg rejection is dependent on individual physiological state, and draws attention to the role of hormones as mediators of flexible antiparasitic responses. In this perspective article, I outline recent advances in our understanding of the proximate factors that mediate egg rejection. I also point out some areas where knowledge remains still lacking, especially those related to the development and maintenance of effective cognitive functions, the potential role of oxidative stress, immunological state and developmental stressors. I propose new hypotheses that stimulate future research on behavioural host responses towards brood parasitism.

The evolution of bird song: comparative analyses

1992 ◽  
Vol 338 (1284) ◽  
pp. 165-187 ◽  
Keyword(s):  
Reproductive Effort ◽  
Species Differences ◽  
Paternal Care ◽  
Song Complexity ◽  
Selective Pressures ◽  
Interspecific Differences ◽  
Behavioural Factors ◽  
Syllable Repertoire ◽  
Alternative Solutions ◽  
Song Repertoires

Several ecological and behavioural factors are correlated with interspecific differences in the complexity and tem poral arrangem ent of passerine songs. For example, song repertoires are larger in species where males provide more parental care; syllable repertoire sizes are greater in polygynous species; migrants have larger song and syllable repertoires; and more vocalization during a song bout is associated with higher fecundities and lower metabolic rates. These associations often differ at different taxonomic levels, suggesting that the factors causing divergence in song characters within genera are different from those responsible for divergence among more distantly related taxa. In general, correlates of greater song complexity can be interpreted as those factors likely to produce more intense inter- or intra-sexual selection (polygyny, migration, paternal care). Measures of song output are correlated with factors likely to be associated with species differences in energetic requirements (metabolic rate) or reproductive effort (fecundity). The ecological and behavioural correlates of within-song complexity differ from those of between-song complexity, suggesting that they are not alternative solutions to the same selective pressures

Regional differences in EpiPen prescriptions in the United States: The potential role of vitamin D

2007 ◽  
Vol 120 (1) ◽  
pp. 131-136 ◽  
Author(s):  
Carlos A. Camargo ◽  
Sunday Clark ◽  
Michael S. Kaplan ◽  
Philip Lieberman ◽  
Robert A. Wood
Keyword(s):  
United States ◽  
Vitamin D ◽  
Regional Differences ◽  
Potential Role ◽  
The United States

scholarly journals Soils rich in biological ice-nucleating particles abound in ice-nucleating macromolecules likely produced by fungi

2018 ◽  
Vol 15 (14) ◽  
pp. 4381-4385 ◽  
Author(s):  
Franz Conen ◽  
Mikhail V. Yakutin
Keyword(s):  
Organic Matter ◽  
Soil Organic Matter ◽  
Regional Differences ◽  
Potential Role ◽  
Soil Fungus ◽  
Soil Samples ◽  
Mortierella Alpina ◽  
High Concentrations ◽  
The Tropics

Abstract. Soil organic matter carries ice-nucleating particles (INPs) the origin of which is hard to define and that are active at slight supercooling. The discovery and characterization of INPs produced by the widespread soil fungus Mortierella alpina permits a more targeted investigation of the likely origin of INPs in soils. We searched for INPs with characteristics similar to those reported for M. alpina in 20 soil samples from four areas in the northern midlatitudes and one area in the tropics. In the 15 samples where we could detect such INPs, they constituted between 1 and 94 % (median 11 %) of all INPs active at −10 ∘C or warmer (INP−10) associated with soil particles < 5 µm. Their concentration increased overproportionately with the concentration of INP−10 in soil and seems to be greater in colder climates. Large regional differences and prevalently high concentrations allow us to make inferences regarding their potential role in the atmosphere and the soil.

scholarly journals The ecological stage changes benefits of mate choice and drives preference divergence

2020 ◽  
Vol 375 (1806) ◽  
pp. 20190546 ◽  
Author(s):  
Robin M. Tinghitella ◽  
Alycia C. R. Lackey ◽  
Catherine Durso ◽  
Jennifer A. H. Koop ◽  
Janette W. Boughman
Keyword(s):  
Mate Choice ◽  
Reproductive Isolation ◽  
Mixed Models ◽  
Potential Role ◽  
Fitness Components ◽  
Ecological Conditions ◽  
Female Preferences ◽  
Males And Females ◽  
Indicator Trait

Preference divergence is thought to contribute to reproductive isolation. Ecology can alter the way selection acts on female preferences, making them most likely to diverge when ecological conditions vary among populations. We present a novel mechanism for ecologically dependent sexual selection, termed ‘the ecological stage’ to highlight its ecological dependence. Our hypothesized mechanism emphasizes that males and females interact over mating in a specific ecological context, and different ecological conditions change the costs and benefits of mating interactions, selecting for different preferences in distinct environments and different male traits, especially when traits are condition dependent. We test key predictions of this mechanism in a sympatric three-spine stickleback species pair. We used a maternal half-sib split-clutch design for both species, mating females to attractive and unattractive males and raising progeny on alternate diets that mimic the specialized diets of the species in nature. We estimated the benefits of mate choice for an indicator trait (male nuptial colour) by measuring many fitness components across the lifetimes of both sons and daughters from these crosses. We analysed fitness data using a combination of aster and mixed models. We found that many benefits of mating with high-colour males depended on both species and diet. These results support the ecological stage hypothesis for sticklebacks. Finally, we discuss the potential role of this mechanism for other taxa and highlight its ability to enhance reproductive isolation as speciation proceeds, thus facilitating the evolution of strong reproductive isolation. This article is part of the theme issue ‘Towards the completion of speciation: the evolution of reproductive isolation beyond the first barriers'.

Scanning Electron Microscopy of Fish Scales as an Adjunctive Aid in Speciation

1972 ◽  
Vol 30 ◽  
pp. 394-395
Author(s):  
Edward D. DeLamater ◽  
Walter R. Courtenay ◽  
Cecil Whitaker
Keyword(s):  
Electron Microscopy ◽  
Scanning Electron Microscopy ◽  
Lateral Line ◽  
Species Differences ◽  
Fish Scale ◽  
Fish Scales ◽  
Anterior Border ◽  
The University ◽  
Multiple Holes ◽  
Scanning Electron

Comparative scanning electron microscopy studies of fish scales of different orders, families, genera and species within genera have demonstrated differences which warrant elaboration. These differences in detail appear to be sufficient to act as “fingerprints”, at least, for family differences. To date, the lateral line scales have been primarily studied. These demonstrate differences in the lateral line canals; the pattern of ridging with or without secondary protuberances along the edges; the pattern of spines or their absence on the anterior border of the scales; the presence or absence of single or multiple holes on the ventral and dorsal sides of the lateral line canal covers. The distances between the ridges in the pattern appear likewise to be important.A statement of fish scale structure and a comparison of family and species differences will be presented.The authors wish to thank Dr. Donald Marzalek and Mr. Wallace Charm of the Marine and Atmospheric Laboratory of the University of Miami and Dr. Sheldon Moll and Dr. Richard Turnage of AMR for their exhaustive help in these preliminary studies.

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