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The thrush nightingale (Luscinia luscinia) in Moscow and Moscow suburbs: City noise influences the frequency parameters of its song

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Abstract

The localization of the minimum frequency for 12 vocal components from 4 types of songs of the thrush nightingale was studied. These types of songs are widespread both in Moscow and in the rural localities of Moscow oblast. Their low-frequency components are overridden by city noises to a great extent. Statistically significant distinctions for all components were revealed in pair comparisons. On average, the minimum frequency in the city is higher by 260 Hz than in the rural habitats, and this pattern is implemented not only for low-frequency components of songs, but also for the components localized higher in the frequency range. Upon a simultaneous consideration of all 12 control components using discriminant analysis, a sufficiently complete division of the populations of Moscow and Moscow oblast is reached. The data obtained confirm the hypothesis of a shift of the frequency range of bird singing as a response to city noise.

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Correspondence to V. V. Ivanitskii.

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Original Russian Text © V.V. Ivanitskii, V.A. Antipov, I.M. Marova, 2014, published in Zoologicheskii Zhurnal, 2014, Vol. 93, No. 11, pp. 1335–1339.

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Ivanitskii, V.V., Antipov, V.A. & Marova, I.M. The thrush nightingale (Luscinia luscinia) in Moscow and Moscow suburbs: City noise influences the frequency parameters of its song. Biol Bull Russ Acad Sci 42, 724–727 (2015). https://doi.org/10.1134/S1062359015080038

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1134/S1062359015080038

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