Nest failures in the Scarlet Rosefinch Carpodacus erythrinus

Over a 4-year period nest failures in the Scarlet Rosefinch Carpodacus erythrinus averaged 36.9%. Distance of a nest from a habitat edge was the only factor influencing probability of failure. Predation of incubating females is considered the most likely explanation of the failures.     

Acoustic Image of Common Rosefinch Carpodacus erythrinus (Pall.)

Acoustic analysis of the species-specific call of common rosefinch Carpodacus erythrinus was carried out. We compared calls of 12 individuals from the same habitat. The individual-specific elements were revealed in the calls. At the same time, species-specific elements were also recognized in all individuals. These elements compose the acoustic image of common rosefinch call including four syllables with intervals.     

A multiplex set of microsatellite markers for the scarlet rosefinch (Carpodacus erythrinus)

Cardueline finches have become important models in studies of sexual selection and evolution of carotenoid‐based ornamentation. Here, we describe eight new polymorphic microsatellites isolated from the Scarlet rosefinch (Carpodacus erythrinus) and four from the House finch (Carpodacus mexicanus). Together with the cross‐species amplification of additional loci, originally published for two species of songbirds, we optimized a multiplex panel for C. erythrinus allowing genotyping of 22 polymorphic loci. Number of alleles and heterozygosity per locus in a sample of 34 individuals ranged from three to 38 and from 0.27 to 0.94, respectively.     

Evolutionary history, population genetics, and gene flow in the common rosefinch (Carpodacus erythrinus)

We analyzed sequences of two mitochondrial DNA gene regions (control region and ND2) from 186 specimens obtained from 17 Eurasian localities covering most of the distribution of the common rosefinch to assess phylogeographic structure. Populations possessed a high level of nucleotide diversity relative to many other Palearctic species, suggesting that rosefinch populations are relatively old and possess high effective sizes. Mismatch distributions suggested that many localities experienced past population expansions, which are older than those expected for post-Pleistocene climate warming and reforestation of Eurasia. Our Phi(st) analysis revealed that 12.4% of total genetic variation was distributed among localities owing in part to the existence of three incompletely isolated groups: southwestern (subspecies C. e. kubanensis), northeastern (subspecies C. e. grebnitskii), and northwestern (subspecies C. e. erythrinus and C. e. ferghanensis). The three groups are not reciprocally monophyletic which suggests that they were formed relatively recently. Gene flow among groups is restricted. Coalescence analysis indicated dispersal asymmetry.     

Effects of early song experience on song preferences and song control and auditory brain regions in female house finches (Carpodacus mexicanus)

We examined the effects of song tutoring on adult song preferences, volume of song-control brain regions, and activity of auditory brain regions in female house finches (Carpodacus mexicanus). Hand-reared females were tutored with local songs, foreign songs, or no song. We then examined adult song preferences, determined the Nissl-defined volume of the song-control nuclei HVc, Area X, and RA, and compared the number of cells immunoreactive for Zenk protein in the auditory regions NCM and cmHV, following playback of songs heard early in life (Tutor/Playback Match) versus not heard (Tutor/Playback Nonmatch). All hand-reared birds exhibited preferences for locally recorded song over foreign or heterospecific song. We found no difference in the volume of song-control nuclei among the three groups. As well, we found no difference in the number of Zenk immunoreactive cells in NCM and cmHV between females in the Tutor/Playback Match group and females in the Tutor/Playback Nonmatch group. Isolate-reared birds showed greater Zenk immunoreactivity following song playback than either tutored group. Thus, early auditory experience may not play a role in adult geographic song preferences, suggesting that genetic factors can lead to preferences for songs of local dialects. Song tutoring did not influence the size of song-control regions nor Zenk induction levels following song playback, suggesting that early experience with particular songs does not influence Zenk expression. However, overall greater activation in isolate females in auditory areas suggests that exposure to song early in life may increase the selectivity of Zenk activation to song playback in auditory areas.     

Male ornamentation and within-pair paternity are not associated with male provisioning rates in scarlet rosefinches Carpodacus erythrinus

As proposed by the ‘good parent model’ for evolution of secondary male ornamentation, secondary ornaments may signal male provisioning rates and, therefore, direct benefit to females. On the other hand, male parental care intensity can potentially be affected by the occurrence of extra-pair offspring in its nest. According to ‘parental investment theory’, males that lose paternity in their nests should reduce their parental care. In this study, we analyse potential relationships between intensity of parental care, male ornamentation, the occurrence of extra-pair paternity and male extra-pair fertilisation success in the scarlet rosefinch Carpodacus erythrinus. Our results based on 50 observed nests indicate no effect of paternity loss on the rate of food provisioning to nestlings in scarlet rosefinches. Simultaneously, we found no evidence for an association between male ornamentation and male provisioning rates. The only male trait associated with provisioning was the ability to sire extra-pair offspring. Our data indicate that direct selection against female promiscuity is weak or absent in rosefinches.     

Molecular and morphological evidences reveal a cryptic species in the Vinaceous Rosefinch Carpodacus vinaceus (Fringillidae; Aves)

Wu, H.‐C., Lin, R.‐C., Hung, H.‐Y., Yeh, C.‐F., Chu, J.‐H., Yang, X.‐J., Yao, C.‐J., Zou, F.‐S., Yao, C.‐T., Li, S.‐H. & Lei, F.‐M. (2011). Molecular and morphological evidences reveal a cryptic species in the Vinaceous Rosefinch Carpodacus vinaceus (Fringillidae; Aves). —Zoologica Scripta, 40, 468–478. The Vinaceous Rosefinch (Carpodacus vinaceus) is endemic in East Asia with two recognized subspecies –C. v. vinaceus, distributed along the eastern edge of the Tibetan Plateau and the Himalayas, and C. v. formosanus, restricted to Taiwan’s Central Mountain Range. As reflected in a controversial taxonomic history, this vastly disjunctive distribution pattern suggests that the subspecies, having been isolated from each other for a long time, might have diverged, challenging the current taxonomic treatment and calling for possible species delimitation. Sequences of two mitochondrial fragments (mtDNA) and two Z‐linked nuclear loci (zDNA) were used to reconstruct the intraspecific phylogeny of C. vinaceous. The mtDNA tree shows that the two subspecies of the vinaceous rosefinch form two exclusively monophyletic clades. All but one zDNA sequences from the nominate subspecies and C. v. formosanus also formed exclusively monophyletic clades (the exceptional zDNA sequence from C. v. vinaceous formed a weakly supported clade with two outgroup species). Moreover, by conducting quantitative comparisons of morphometric traits and male plumage coloration, we found that the two subspecies exhibit distinguishable morphological differences. All the evidence therefore suggests that C. v. formosanus is a cryptic species and that its taxonomic status should be restored to full species. Molecular dating suggests that the two sibling rosefinches split 1.7 ± 0.2 million years ago, providing a point estimate for the historical connectivity of biota between eastern Tibet‐Himalayas and montane Taiwan.     

Recent allopatric divergence and niche evolution in a widespread Palearctic bird,the common rosefinch (Carpodacus erythrinus)

A previously published phylogeographic analysis of mtDNA sequences from the widespread Palearctic common rosefinch (Carpodacus erythrinus) suggested the existence of three recently diverged groups, corresponding to the Caucasus, central-western Eurasia, and northeastern Eurasia. We re-evaluated the mtDNA data using coalescence methods and added sequence data from a sex-linked gene. The mtDNA gene tree and SAMOVA supported the distinctiveness of the Caucasian group but not the other two groups. However, UPGMA clustering of mtDNA Φ_ST-values among populations recovered the three groups. The sex-linked gene tree recovered no phylogeographic signal, which was attributed to recent divergence and insufficient time for sorting of alleles. Overall, coalescence methods indicated a lack of gene flow among the three groups, and population expansion in the central-western and northeastern Eurasia groups. These three groups corresponded to named subspecies, further supporting their validity. A species distribution model revealed potential refugia at the Last Glacial Maximum. These three groups, which we hypothesized are in the early stages of speciation, provided an opportunity for testing tenets of ecological speciation. We showed that the early stages of speciation were not accompanied by ecological niche divergence, consistent with other avian studies.     

Extremely high MHC class I variation in a population of a long-distance migrant,the Scarlet Rosefinch (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Carpodacus erythrinus</Emphasis>)

Although the number of studies focusing on the major histocompatibility complex (MHC) in non-model vertebrates is increasing, results are often contradictory, and the structure of MHC is still poorly understood in wild species. Here, we describe the structure and diversity of exon 3 of MHC class I in a passerine bird, the Scarlet Rosefinch (Carpodacus erythrinus). Using capillary electrophoresis single-strand conformation polymorphism, we identified 82 different MHC class I variants in one Rosefinch population nesting at one site in the Czech Republic. Thus far, this is the highest intra-populational MHC class I variation observed in birds. We have not found support for ‘minimal essential’ MHC in this species since individuals exhibited between three and nine different exon 3 sequences, indicating that there may be at least five amplified MHC class I genes. By cloning, we obtained and analysed 29 exon sequences and found that all of them could be translated into potentially functional proteins. We also show that strong positive selection appears to be acting mainly, but not only, on previously described antigen-binding sites in MHC class I genes. Furthermore, our results indicate that recombination has played an important role in generating genetic diversity of these genes in the Scarlet Rosefinch; we discuss the significance of this extremely high genetic diversity in light of the life history traits of this species, such as long-distance migration. The sequence data described in this paper are accessible in GenBank data library under accession numbers FJ392762–FJ392790.     

Occurrence of extra‐pair paternity is connected to social male's MHC‐variability in the scarlet rosefinch Carpodacus erythrinus

Genes of the Major Histocompatibility Complex (MHC) represent an essential component of the vertebrate acquired immune system. In the last decades, the role of MHC genes in mate choice has been subject of particular scientific interest. However, results of studies dealing with this topic in different species are equivocal and mechanisms conducting MHC‐based mate choice are still puzzling. We investigated the impact of MHC class I variability on within‐pair and extra‐pair fertilisation success in a wild population of a socially monogamous passerine bird with considerable rates of extra‐pair paternity, the scarlet rosefinch Carpodacus erythrinus. We found some support for the ‘good‐genes‐as‐heterozygosity model’, as social males of high MHC‐heterozygosity were cheated by their females less frequently than less MHC‐heterozygous males. However, cuckolding males were not more MHC‐heterozygous than the cheated social males, nor were extra‐pair young more MHC‐heterozygous than within‐pair young. We did not find any evidence for mating preferences according to the complementarity model.     

Territorial aggression and song of male European robins (Erithacus rubecula) in autumn and spring: effects of antiandrogen treatment

Male robins aggressively defending a feeding territory in winter have low levels of testosterone, while males defending a breeding territory in spring have elevated levels of testosterone. Song is an integrated part of territorial defense during both phases. We investigated whether testosterone is involved in the expression of these behaviors by treating free-living and captive male robins during both phases with the antiandrogen flutamide. Results suggest that, similar to species in which territoriality is restricted to the reproductive phase, aggressive defense of a breeding territory by male robins is facilitated by androgens. Territorial defense during the nonbreeding season, however, does not require androgenic activity. Singing frequency, on the other hand, was not significantly reduced during either phase by flutamide application. Since the quality of male song changes with season we suggest that the incorporation of sexual signals into male song during breeding depends on testosterone, but that the year-round production of territorial "keep out" signals is independent of testosterone.     

Age ratio and survival of Common Rosefinch (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Carpodacus erythrinus</Emphasis>, Passeriformes,Fringillidae) in a local population based on ringing data

The ringing data on Common Rosefinch obtained during thirteen field seasons (2002–2014) at the National Park “Russky Sever” (Vologda region) are analyzed. Birds were trapped in two sites 59 km apart. The age of the birds (yearlings or first breeders and adults) was determined according to the plumage color in every male captured with mist nets. The apparent survival rate of adult individuals was determined using two methods: according to the ratio of males’ age and the CJS model (Lebreton et al., 1992; Bursky, 2011). A total of 713 captures of 657 individuals were analyzed. The ratios of ages in the males from the sites studied did not differ; yearlings amounted to 56% of all males. The rate of survival in the males based on the age ratios was estimated at 44 ± 2%. The apparent survival rate obtained using the CJS model was significantly higher (61 ± 6%). The survival rate of adult rosefinches in two sites did not differ and did not depend on sex. Literature materials on the age ratio and survival of rosefinches in local populations are analyzed. There is a suggestion that the mismatch of the survival rates obtained by two methods and the high proportion of yearling males in the banding captures can be explained by the fact that the majority of individuals of that age category did not participate in nesting.     

Species song discrimination in adult female song and swamp sparrows

Six female song sparrows (Melospiza melodia) and six female swamp sparrows (Melospiza georgiana) were treated with oestradiol, and their response to song measured by frequency and intensity of copulation-solicitation display. Test stimuli were synthetic songs composed of either song sparrow or swamp sparrow syllables assembled in either song-sparrow-like or swamp-sparrow-like temporal patterns. Female song sparrows responded preferentially to songs containing their own species' syllables and to songs containing their own species' temporal patterns. Swamp sparrows were also sensitive to both syllable type and temporal, pattern, in contrast to male swamp sparrows, which show no preference for swamp sparrow temporal patterns.     

Role of gene regulation in song circuit development and song learning

The songbird has emerged as an important model for study of brain-behavior relationships by virtue of its rich natural advantages and from the pioneering efforts of explorers using anatomical and behavioral approaches. Now, molecular biology is providing a new and complementary paradigm for discerning songbird brain organization and function. Here, I review the work over the last 10 years that has laid the foundation for approaching songbird biology from the molecular perspective. As a result of this work, specific hypotheses can now be framed and tested regarding the mechanisms behind song circuit formation, behavioral plasticity, and the boundaries of adaptability. Age-related changes in more than 15 molecules have been observed in the song system of juvenile zebra finches, and these changes seem to define specific phases in circuit development. In adult songbirds, ordinary song-related activities such as singing and listening cause dramatic increases in gene expression in brain areas specific to each activity. The sensitivity of gene activation is modulated as a result of experience in adulthood and also changes during juvenile song learning. These studies have provided unexpected insights into the functional organization of the song circuit and the potential role of extrinsic modulatory systems in directing and limiting plastic change in the brain. With this rich base of knowledge, and techniques of gene manipulation on the horizon, answers to old questions seem within our reach: What sets the boundaries of neural plasticity? What limits learning? © 1997 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. J Neurobiol 33: 549–571, 1997     

Territorial behavior in the Agile Gibbon

A group of agile gibbons (Hylobates agilis)was studied for 2 years in the Malay Peninsula. The behavior of the gibbons during territorial disputes is described, the relationships with neighbors are investigated, and the frequency and duration of disputes are analyzed. The nature of the territorial boundary and the type of territorial behavior exhibited by the gibbons are discussed. An attempt is made to identify the immediate precursors of disputes, and some suggestions are given to explain why disputes occur so frequently and are of such long duration.