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

几十年来，科学对鸟鸣的兴趣，特别是对局部共同发声（方言）现象的兴趣一直很强烈。奇怪的是，这种兴趣几乎只集中在一组非常有限的物种上：温和的、社会一夫一妻制的鸣禽。这个项目实验测试了四种假说，解释了热带蜂鸟小隐士的微地理方言的维持。蜂鸟的歌声，虽然研究得相对较少，但长期以来人们都知道它表现出方言变化，这为研究声音变化的进化提供了一个无与伦比的机会，这是一个与传统鸣禽模型形成对比的研究系统。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。通过调查一个研究较少的分类单元（蜂鸟）中普遍存在的现象（方言），这项拟议的研究将有助于提高我们对导致共享信号形成的过程的认识，并阐明影响社会群体中个体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的农村社区靠近特立尼达的实地地点，这为社区参与科学和保护提供了许多机会：从当地学校的讲座到村民积极参与诸如寻找巢穴和无线电跟踪等研究活动。

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.