Versatility and stereotypy of free-tailed bat songs.

ABSTRACT: In mammals, complex songs are uncommon and few studies have examined song composition or the order of elements in songs, particularly with respect to regional and individual variation. In this study we examine how syllables and phrases are ordered and combined, ie "syntax", of the song of Tadarida brasiliensis, the Brazilian free-tailed bat. Specifically, we test whether phrase and song composition differ among individuals and between two regions, we determine variability across renditions within individuals, and test whether phrases are randomly ordered and combined. We report three major findings. First, song phrases were highly stereotyped across two regions, so much so that some songs from the two colonies were almost indistinguishable. All males produced songs with the same four types

SUBMITTER: Bohn KM 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC2727915 | biostudies-literature | 2009 Aug

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature