Event Title
Environmental Effect on Male Mating Success: The Importance of Song Exposure Versus Nutritional Stress During Development in Male Superb Lyrebirds.
Presentation Type
Poster/Portfolio
Presenter Major(s)
Biopsychology
Mentor Information
Amy Russell, russelam@gvsu.edu
Department
Biology
Location
Kirkhof Center KC11
Start Date
13-4-2011 3:00 PM
End Date
13-4-2011 4:00 PM
Keywords
Environment, Physical Science
Abstract
Do females hold males to a minimum standard regarding the complexity of their song? Which has a larger consequence on the complexity of male song: the diversity of sounds available in the environment, or nutritional stress during nestling development? Previous research has shown that female choosiness is the primary selector for the complexity and accuracy of a bird's song. Additionally, it has been found that the degree of stress experienced by a developing male bird is correlated with their ability to learn songs. I propose a comparative experiment in which groups of developing male Superb Lyrebirds are exposed to one of three different environments: one with varying amounts of mimic-possible songs, a second with nutritional stress, and a third control environment. I hypothesize that the stress group will experience decreased mating success compared to the group with reduced exposure to song. Additionally, both groups will experience reduced mating potential compared to the control.
Environmental Effect on Male Mating Success: The Importance of Song Exposure Versus Nutritional Stress During Development in Male Superb Lyrebirds.
Kirkhof Center KC11
Do females hold males to a minimum standard regarding the complexity of their song? Which has a larger consequence on the complexity of male song: the diversity of sounds available in the environment, or nutritional stress during nestling development? Previous research has shown that female choosiness is the primary selector for the complexity and accuracy of a bird's song. Additionally, it has been found that the degree of stress experienced by a developing male bird is correlated with their ability to learn songs. I propose a comparative experiment in which groups of developing male Superb Lyrebirds are exposed to one of three different environments: one with varying amounts of mimic-possible songs, a second with nutritional stress, and a third control environment. I hypothesize that the stress group will experience decreased mating success compared to the group with reduced exposure to song. Additionally, both groups will experience reduced mating potential compared to the control.