Sexual dimorphism of the zebra finch syrinx indicates adaptation for high fundamental frequencies in males.

ABSTRACT:

Background

In many songbirds the larger vocal repertoire of males is associated with sexual dimorphism of the vocal control centers and muscles of the vocal organ, the syrinx. However, it is largely unknown how these differences are translated into different acoustic behavior.

Methodology/principal findings

Here we show that the sound generating structures of the syrinx, the labia and the associated cartilaginous framework, also display sexual dimorphism. One of the bronchial half rings that position and tense the labia is larger in males, and the size and shape of the labia differ between males and females. The functional consequences of these differences were explored by denervating syringeal muscles. After denervation, both sexes produced equally low fundamental frequenci

SUBMITTER: Riede T 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC2894075 | biostudies-literature | 2010 Jun

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature