Abstract
In blue petrels (Halobaena caerulea), females are supposed to be particularly choosy and mate choice can take a couple of years. In these lifelong monogamous seabirds, choosing a good mate is crucial and has a strong influence on their fitness. Due to their nocturnal habits, the absence of sexual dimorphism, and the physical barrier between males calling from their burrow and females flying above the colony, vocal signals seem to be one of the main channels for males to communicate with potential mates. In a previous study, we investigated whether acoustic parameters of male calls carry information about morphological characteristics that might be indicators of males’ qualities. Here, we experimentally test whether these acoustic parameters linked to male characteristics are actually attractive to females. To do so, we played back modified calls of males to females in a colony of blue petrels of the Kerguelen archipelago. We found that flying females were more attracted by high-pitched calls, and by calls broadcasted at a high call rate. Previous studies showed a relationship between pitch and bill depth and length. In filter-feeding birds, such as blue petrels, bill morphology influences feeding efficiency. A high call rate is an indicator of sexual motivation and makes the caller easier to locate by potential mates and predators in the hubbub of the colony. We thus hypothesized that producing frequent high-pitched calls appeared to be preferable for a conspicuous sexual signaling although it may increase predation risks.
Significance statement
Mate selection process is largely unknown in burrowing petrels due to their cryptic life at the colony. Here, we examined the implication of vocal signals in mate choice in the blue petrel Halobaena caerulea. We used an experimental setting based on a two-choice test to show that male calls are sexual signals attracting females. As expected, broadcasting male calls attracted females. Despite the apparent stereotypy of male calls, their acoustic parameters transmit pieces of information that may influence females’ preference. We found that females are more attracted by high call rate and high-pitched calls. This is the first evidence of the implication and influence of vocal signals in mate choice in burrowing petrels.
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Data Availability
The dataset generated and analyzed during the current study is available in supplementary material.
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Acknowledgements
We thank Jessica Graham who improved the English of this manuscript, and Guilhem Battistella and Jean-Yves Barnagaud for their precious help on the field. Additionally, we thank two anonymous reviewers for their helpful comments, which improved and clarified the manuscript.
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The study was financially supported by the French Polar Institute Paul Emile Victor (IPEV). This work was carried out under the IPEV research program no. 354 ETHOTAAF.
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All authors made substantial contributions to the conception of experiment, analysis and interpretation of data, and critical review of the manuscript. CG, FB, and TA contributed to the study conception and design. CG and FB performed material preparation and data collection. CG and ELR analyzed the data. The first draft of the manuscript was written by CG, and all authors commented on previous versions of the manuscript. All authors read and approved the final manuscript.
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All experiments were approved by the French Ethical Committee (APAFIS#9496-201707131540776) after favorable recommendation of Comité d’Ethique pour L’Expérimentation Animale Languedoc-Roussillon (CEEA-LR), C2EA no. 36, and by the Ethical Committee of Reserve Naturelle des Terres Australes et Antarctiques Françaises (TAAF). The experiments were made in full conformity with guidelines established by both IPEV and CNRS for the Ethical Treatment of Animals. All experiments comply with the current laws of the country where they were performed.
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Gémard, C., Aubin, T., Reboud, E.L. et al. Call rate, fundamental frequency, and syntax determine male-call attractiveness in blue petrels Halobaena caerulea. Behav Ecol Sociobiol 75, 55 (2021). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00265-021-02989-3
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00265-021-02989-3