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

几十年来，科学界对鸟鸣的兴趣一直很浓厚，特别是对当地共同的发声（方言）现象的兴趣。奇怪的是，这种兴趣几乎完全集中在一组非常有限的物种：温带，社会一夫一妻制的鸣禽。这个项目实验测试四个假设解释维护微地理方言的热带蜂鸟，小隐士。蜂鸟的歌声，虽然相对较少的研究，长期以来一直被称为显示方言的变化，并提供了一个无与伦比的机会，调查问题的演变声乐变化的研究系统，代表了一个对比传统的鸣禽模型。结合分子遗传分析，现场回放实验，和密切的行为观察将被用来确定保持方言的选择压力。拟议的研究，通过调查一个普遍存在的现象（方言）在一个研究不足的分类群（蜂鸟）将有助于推进我们的知识的过程中导致形成的共享信号一般以及阐明的因素，影响社会群体中的个人的空间和社会组织。 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农村社区与特立尼达的实地非常接近，因此有许多机会让社区参与科学和保护：从在当地学校举办讲座到村民积极参与研究活动，如寻找巢穴和无线电跟踪。

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.