The effects of testosterone (T) on the acoustic features of the "rusty-gate" call of the grey partridge, a non-oscine bird, were studied in 24 males kept in semi-natural conditions. Half of them were implanted subcutaneously with T propionate in Silastic tubes at 10 weeks of age, the remaining were sham operated as controls. After one month implanted males showed significantly higher T levels than controls, while treatment did not affect body size. Individual recordings of calls were analysed and accurate measurements were taken by a digital spectrograph. The duration of calls was significantly greater in T-males than in controls. A similar lengthening has been described in nature in spring, when plasma levels of androgens rise. The frequencies of the most intense portion of the call ranged more widely and had a lower minimum in T-males than in controls, suggesting an hormonal control on call system at the peripheral/central level. In conclusion T affects specific temporal and frequency features of the male calls. The relationship between T and call structure could enable females to assess quality and sexual motivation of their potential mates.
Testosterone affects the acoustic structure of male call in the Grey partridge (Perdix perdix) / L. Fusani; L. Beani; F. Dessì-Fulgheri. - In: BEHAVIOUR. - ISSN 1568-539X. - STAMPA. - 128:(1994), pp. 301-310.
Testosterone affects the acoustic structure of male call in the Grey partridge (Perdix perdix).
BEANI, LAURA;DESSI' FULGHERI, FRANCESCO
1994
Abstract
The effects of testosterone (T) on the acoustic features of the "rusty-gate" call of the grey partridge, a non-oscine bird, were studied in 24 males kept in semi-natural conditions. Half of them were implanted subcutaneously with T propionate in Silastic tubes at 10 weeks of age, the remaining were sham operated as controls. After one month implanted males showed significantly higher T levels than controls, while treatment did not affect body size. Individual recordings of calls were analysed and accurate measurements were taken by a digital spectrograph. The duration of calls was significantly greater in T-males than in controls. A similar lengthening has been described in nature in spring, when plasma levels of androgens rise. The frequencies of the most intense portion of the call ranged more widely and had a lower minimum in T-males than in controls, suggesting an hormonal control on call system at the peripheral/central level. In conclusion T affects specific temporal and frequency features of the male calls. The relationship between T and call structure could enable females to assess quality and sexual motivation of their potential mates.File | Dimensione | Formato | |
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