Journal article
Male song quality affects circulating but not yolk steroid concentrations in female canaries (Serinus canaria)
Journal of experimental biology, Vol.208(Pt 24), pp.4593-4598
12/2005
Handle:
https://hdl.handle.net/2376/106719
PMID: 16326941
Abstract
Male song complexity is a sexually selected trait found in many songbirds, including strains of the domestic canary. Studies on several species have shown that male song can affect the hormonal state of females and may also influence concentrations of maternal hormones in the yolk of their eggs. In this study, we show that the level of circulating androgens and oestrogens of female canaries, as measured in faeces, varies with the quality of male song to which they are exposed. The female-perceived quality of male canary song depends on the production of special 'sexy syllables' to which females respond with more sexual displays. Using playback of synthetic song we show that females hearing songs with sexy syllables have higher levels of faecal testosterone than control females hearing songs without them. However, unlike previous studies on the canary, we found no evidence that such females laid eggs with more testosterone (or other steroids) in their egg yolks. We discuss these results in relation to the evolution of male signalling and maternal investment strategies.
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Details
- Title
- Male song quality affects circulating but not yolk steroid concentrations in female canaries (Serinus canaria)
- Creators
- Rupert C Marshall - School of Biological Sciences, Royal Holloway, University of London, Egham, Surrey, TW20 OEX, UK. rupert.marshall@zool.gu.seBernd LeislerClive K CatchpoleHubert Schwabl
- Publication Details
- Journal of experimental biology, Vol.208(Pt 24), pp.4593-4598
- Academic Unit
- Biological Sciences, School of
- Publisher
- England
- Identifiers
- 99900547232801842
- Language
- English
- Resource Type
- Journal article