Song dialects in the yellowhammer Emberiza citrinella : bioacoustic variation between and within dialects |
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Authors: | Gundula Wonke and Dieter Wallschl?ger |
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Institution: | (1) Unit of Ecoethology, Institute of Biochemistry and Biology, University of Potsdam, Maulbeerallee 2a, 14469 Potsdam, Germany |
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Abstract: | The yellowhammer Emberiza citrinella is a common European bird that sings in dialects that for decades have been distinguished by the existence of one single
element (called a “specific”). In this study we looked into other possibilities for dialect discrimination, measuring 24 different
variables. For the first time, multivariate statistics were used to discriminate dialect in yellowhammer song. Two similar
dialects (XlB and XsB) that are not clearly defined in the literature were studied. Statistics incorporated (1) all variables,
(2) no variables of “specific” elements, and (3) no variables under the influence of these “specific” variables. Multivariate
statistics support dialect discrimination by ear and confirmed that only one element in yellowhammer song characterises dialect.
In addition, we looked for local differences within two dialects and found that one local observation area showed a higher
separation than the other sites (Meck1). However, as yet there is insufficient evidence for the existence of a new subdialect.
The experiments comply with the current laws of the study area. |
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Keywords: | Yellowhammer Emberiza citrinella Specific elements Dialect |
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