The hidden fitness of the male zebra finch courtship song

• 成果类型: Article
• 署名作者: Alam, Danyal; Zia, Fayha; Roberts, Todd F.
• 署名单位: University of Texas System; University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center; University of Texas System; University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center
• 刊物名称: Nature
• ISSN/ISSBN: 0028-6298
• DOI: 10.1038/s41586-024-07207-4
• 发表日期: 2024-04-04
• 页码: 117-+
• 关键词: female mate choice; sexual selection; reproductive success; repertoire size; EVOLUTION; preferences; QUALITY; birds

摘要

Vocal learning in songbirds is thought to have evolved through sexual selection, with female preference driving males to develop large and varied song repertoires(1-3). However, many songbird species learn only a single song in their lifetime(4). How sexual selection drives the evolution of single-song repertoires is not known. Here, by applying dimensionality-reduction techniques to the singing behaviour of zebra finches (Taeniopygia guttata), we show that syllable spread in low-dimensional feature space explains how single songs function as honest indicators of fitness. We find that this Gestalt measure of behaviour captures the spectrotemporal distinctiveness of song syllables in zebra finches; that females strongly prefer songs that occupy more latent space; and that matching path lengths in low-dimensional space is difficult for young males. Our findings clarify how simple vocal repertoires may have evolved in songbirds and indicate divergent strategies for how sexual selection can shape vocal learning.