DISSERTATION RESEARCH: The adaptive significance of microgeographic dialects in a lekking hummingbird

几十年来，人们对鸟鸣的科学兴趣，特别是对当地共享发声(方言)现象的兴趣一直很强烈。奇怪的是，这种兴趣几乎完全集中在一组非常有限的物种上：温带的、社会性一夫一妻制的鸣禽。这个项目在实验中测试了四个假设，解释了热带蜂鸟--小隐士--的微地理方言的维持。虽然蜂鸟的歌声研究相对较少，但长期以来，人们一直知道蜂鸟的歌声表现出方言变异，并提供了一个无与伦比的机会，在一个与传统鸣鸟模型形成对比的研究系统中，研究声音变异的进化问题。结合分子遗传分析、现场回放实验和近距离的行为观察，将确定维持方言的选择压力。这项拟议的研究通过调查一个研究较少的分类群(蜂鸟)中的一种普遍现象(方言)，将有助于我们更好地了解导致共同信号形成的一般过程，并阐明影响社会群体中个人的空间和社会组织的因素。该项目将为一些助理提供研究经验，为指导和激励新一代科学家创造机会。此外，Brasso Seco的农村社区离特立尼达的实地很近，这为社区参与科学和保护提供了许多机会：从在当地学校的讲座到村民积极参与研究活动，如鸟巢搜索和无线电跟踪。

Scientific interest in birdsong, particularly in the phenomenon of locally shared vocalizations (dialects), has been intense for many decades. Oddly, this interest has focused almost exclusively on a very restricted set of species: temperate, socially monogamous songbirds. This project experimentally tests four hypotheses explaining the maintenance of microgeographic dialects in a tropical hummingbird, the little hermit. Hummingbird songs, though comparatively less well studied, have long been known to show dialectal variation, and offer an unparalleled opportunity to investigate questions about the evolution of vocal variation in a study system that represents a contrast to the traditional songbird model. A combination of molecular genetic analyses, field playback experiments, and close behavioral observations will be employed to identify the selective pressures that maintain dialects. The proposed research, by investigating a widespread phenomenon (dialects) in a poorly studied taxon (hummingbirds) will help advance our knowledge about the processes leading to the formation of shared signals in general as well as to elucidate the factors that influence the spatial and social organization of individuals in social groups. This project will provide research experience for a number of assistants, creating an opportunity for mentoring and inspiring a new generation of scientists. In addition, the close proximity of the rural community of Brasso Seco to the field site in Trinidad enables a number of opportunities to engage the community in science and conservation: from lectures given at the local school to active participation of villagers in research activities such as nest searching and radio-tracking.