Summary
Four hypotheses were tested for explaining interspecific mimicry observed in AfricanCossypha robin-chats. (1) The five robin species imitate similar models. (2) Natal Robin imitations reflect the acoustic environment within their habitat. (3) Natal Robins imitate competitor species. (4) Natal Robins imitate predators and brood parasites. The study included analysis of extensive collections of sound recording of these five species, as well as recordings of the Natal RobinCossypha natalensis obtained in the field. The robin species mimicked different species groups, in accordance with their acoustic environment. This also applied to different Natal Robin populations. Only hypothesis (2) was confirmed, the others being refuted. It appears that bird species with simple calls have a greater probability of being mimicked. Our results were consistent with Hartshorne’s prediction that song versatility increases with song duration.
Zusammenfassung
Vier Hypothesen zur Erklärung interspezifischer Mimikry bei afrikanischen Rötel der GattungCossypha wurden getestet: (1) Die fünf untersuchten Arten imitieren ähnliche Modelle. (2) Natalrötel imitieren das akustische Umfeld ihres Habitats. (3) Natalrötel imitieren konkurrierende Arten. (4) Natalrötel imitieren Prädatoren und Brutparasiten. Dazu wurden zahlreiche im Feld aufgenommene Tonaufnahmen der fünf Rötelarten analysiert. Die Arten imitierten verschiedene Artengruppen, welche das jeweilige akustische Umfeld widerspiegeln. Dies gilt auch für unterschiedliche Populationen. Nur Hypothese (2) konnte unterstützt werden, die restlichen Hypothesen wurden verworfen. Vogelarten mit einfachen Rufen scheinen mit größerer Wahrscheinlichkeit imitiert zu werden. Unsere Ergebnisse sind in Einklang mit Hartshornes These, dass die Vielseitigkeit des Gesanges mit der Länge des Gesanges zunimmt.
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Ferguson, J.W.H., van Zyl, A. & Delport, K. Vocal mimicry in AfricanCossypha robin chats. J Ornithol 143, 319–330 (2002). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02465482
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02465482