Differential response by bronzed cowbirds to songs of potential hosts in the lower Rio Grande Valley of Texas

Janecka, Mary J.; Brush, Timothy

doi:10.1894/ekl-03.1

Cited by 3 publications

(4 citation statements)

References 24 publications

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“…Because orioles are a preferred host species for bronzed cowbirds this suggests that social cues used by orioles are a potent signal that attracts the attention of the cowbird (Monk and Brush, 2007). In a related study, bronzed cowbirds responded in greater numbers to the songs of orioles species (their preferred hosts) than to the songs of olive sparrows ( Arremonops rufivirgatus ), a lower-quality host species (Janecka and Brush, 2014). Further evidence indicates that female cowbirds use heterospecific songs as a cue during nest searching (Clotfelter, 1998; Janecka and Brush, 2014) and individual female cowbirds exhibit flexible preferences for a few specific host species (Strausberger and Ashley, 2005), which suggests memory for heterospecific signals.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…In a related study, bronzed cowbirds responded in greater numbers to the songs of orioles species (their preferred hosts) than to the songs of olive sparrows ( Arremonops rufivirgatus ), a lower-quality host species (Janecka and Brush, 2014). Further evidence indicates that female cowbirds use heterospecific songs as a cue during nest searching (Clotfelter, 1998; Janecka and Brush, 2014) and individual female cowbirds exhibit flexible preferences for a few specific host species (Strausberger and Ashley, 2005), which suggests memory for heterospecific signals. Thus, songs may help the brood parasite locate host nests and serve as a cue to help them find breeding heterospecifics that may soon build a nest.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Instead, the female parasite locates nests of other species that can serve as a host parent to her offspring. One of the ways in which breeding female parasites locate nests is through cryptic observation of hosts and their activities as well as attending to their vocalizations (Hann 1941; Gochfeld 1979; Clotfelter, 1998; Wiley, 1988; Alvarez 1993; Monk and Brush 2007; Janecka and Brush, 2014). This is termed the host-activity hypothesis, which predicts that brood parasites will be attracted to the vocalizations of potential hosts as well as their nest building behavior (Hann 1941; Gochfeld 1979; Wiley and Wiley 1980).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

See 2 more Smart Citations

Socially regulated estrogen in an eavesdropping brood parasite

Lynch

Azieva

Pellicano

2018

Preprint

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Social regulation of reproductive hormones is a means by which conspecific males and females orchestrate successful reproductive efforts. There is variation, however, in the range of social cues that will initiate a hormone response in the receiver of social signals. We investigate whether social cues modify activity within the hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal (HPG) axis and the specificity of this response in a social parasite that is known to eavesdrop on the communication signals of other species: the brown-headed cowbird (Molothrus ater). Brown-headed cowbirds are obligate brood parasites that do not build nests or care for their own young. Instead, obligate brood parasites always leave their eggs in the nest of a host species thereby receiving the benefits of parental care toward offspring without paying any of the costs. Thus, social parasites must coordinate their breeding attempts with conspecifics as well as potential heterospecific hosts and therefore, social parasites such as cowbirds rely on the communication signals of host species to help locate nests to parasitize during the breeding season. Here, we explore whether the vocal signals of potential host species can also be used as a social cue that modifies the HPG axis of female brown-headed cowbirds. Results reveal that both conspecific and heterospecific song-exposed females exhibit significantly greater circulating estradiol concentrations as compared to silence-exposed females. While conspecific song induces the greatest elevation in circulating estradiol, there is no significant difference in circulating estradiol levels in females exposed to either conspecific or heterospecific songs. This pattern suggests both song types are effective at evoking a reproductive physiological response. On the other hand, circulating progesterone concentrations did not differ among the song- and silence-exposed groups nor did the size of the female’s ovarian follicles. These results indicate that heterospecific vocal communication signals can effectively be used as a social cue that simultaneously provides necessary information regarding breeding status of hosts and modifies breeding condition of the eavesdropper.HighlightsBrood parasites may coordinate reproductive attempts with potential hosts.Therefore, parasites eavesdrop on other species, which helps them find nests.Vocal signals from conspecific and heterospecifics elevate estrogen in parasites.Hearing potential host songs may enhance reproductive hormones in brood parasites.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

See 1 more Smart Citation

Socially regulated estrogen in an eavesdropping brood parasite

Lynch

Azieva

Pellicano

2018

Preprint

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“…12B) and I. cucullatus cucullatus and I. c. sennetti (both known as the hooded oriole), are considered rare in Texas (table 6). Loss or alteration of habitats by humans, drought, and periodic freezes (Lonard and Judd, 1991;Brush and Cantu, 1998;Flood and others, 2002;Rupert and Brush, 2006) and parasitism by range-expanding Molothrus ater (brown-headed cowbirds) and M. aeneus (bronzed cowbirds- Monk, 2003;Kostecke and others, 2004;Monk and Brush, 2007;Janecka and Brush, 2014) have affected oriole abundances in the LRGV. The bronzed cowbird has expanded northward and occurs in relatively high densities (3.25 cowbirds per hectare [1.32 cowbirds per acre]) in the LRGV, often most closely associated with agricultural areas (Carter, 1986;Warren, 2002).…”

Section: Oriolesmentioning

confidence: 99%

An international borderland of concern: Conservation of biodiversity in the Lower Rio Grande Valley

Leslie¹

2016

Scientific Investigations Report

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Prepared in cooperation with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and Oklahoma State UniversityFront cover. Photographs of Amazilia yucatanensis (buff-bellied hummingbird), Falco femoralis septentrionalis (northern aplomado falcon), and Leopardus pardalis albescens (northern ocelot). Used with permission and modified from ©Larry Ditto Nature Photography. For more information on the USGS-the Federal source for science about the Earth, its natural and living resources, natural hazards, and the environment-visit http://www.usgs.gov or call 1-888-ASK-USGS. Back cover. Photograph of Aythya americana (redheads).For an overview of USGS information products, including maps, imagery, and publications, visit http://www.usgs.gov/pubprod/.Any use of trade, firm, or product names is for descriptive purposes only and does not imply endorsement by the U.S. Government.Although this information product, for the most part, is in the public domain, it also may contain copyrighted materials as noted in the text. Permission to reproduce copyrighted items must be secured from the copyright owner. AbstractThe Lower Rio Grande Valley (LRGV) of southern Texas is located on the United States-Mexico borderland and represents a 240-kilometer (150-mile) linear stretch that ends at the Gulf of Mexico. The LRGV represents a unique transition between temperate and tropical conditions and,

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Socially regulated estrogen in an eavesdropping brood parasite

Lynch

Azieva

Pellicano

2018

General and Comparative Endocrinology

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Social regulation of reproductive hormones is a means by which conspecific males and females orchestrate successful reproductive efforts. We investigate whether social cues modify activity within the hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal (HPG) axis and the specificity of this response in a social parasite that is known to eavesdrop on the communication signals of other species: the brown-headed cowbird (Molothrus ater). Brown-headed cowbirds are obligate brood parasites that do not build nests or care for their own young. Instead, obligate brood parasites leave their eggs in the nest of a host species and therefore must coordinate their breeding attempts with conspecifics as well as potential heterospecific hosts. Here, we explore whether the vocal signals of potential host species can also be used as a social cue that modifies the HPG axis of female brown-headed cowbirds. Results reveal that both conspecific and heterospecific song-exposed females exhibit significantly greater circulating estradiol concentrations as compared to silence-exposed females. While conspecific song induces the greatest elevation in circulating estradiol, there is no significant difference in circulating estradiol levels in females exposed to either conspecific or heterospecific songs. This pattern suggests both song types are effective at evoking a reproductive physiological response. On the other hand, circulating progesterone concentrations did not differ among the song- and silence-exposed groups nor did the size of the female's ovarian follicles. These results indicate that heterospecific vocal communication signals can effectively be used as a social cue that simultaneously provides necessary information regarding breeding status of hosts and modifies breeding condition of the eavesdropper.

show abstract

Differential response by bronzed cowbirds to songs of potential hosts in the lower Rio Grande Valley of Texas

Cited by 3 publications

References 24 publications

Socially regulated estrogen in an eavesdropping brood parasite

Socially regulated estrogen in an eavesdropping brood parasite

An international borderland of concern: Conservation of biodiversity in the Lower Rio Grande Valley

Socially regulated estrogen in an eavesdropping brood parasite

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