Morphological Evolution, Vocal Performance, And Speciation In Darwin's Finches

生活在厄瓜多尔加拉帕戈斯群岛的达尔文雀，以其进化出的喙的多样性而闻名，从莺雀的细长的探鸟喙到大型地雀的巨大的碎籽喙。 最近的数据表明，喙形状的进化多样性已经驱动了交配歌曲结构的相应变化，因为喙在歌曲生产中发挥的功能作用。 该项目旨在描述喙形和发声特征之间相关进化的模式，原因和后果。在三次野外考察中，雀类将被捕获、捆绑、测量、释放，并记录它们的歌声。 本研究通过播放实验，对喙的形状和发声特征之间的进化相关性进行评估，对喙在发声中的功能作用进行表征，对鸣唱结构和鸣唱功能之间的关系进行评估。本研究对于探讨物种形成（物种形成是指新物种产生的过程）的机制和动力学具有重要意义。 在达尔文的雀类和许多其他动物群体中，物种形成是由交配信号的进化多样化驱动的。 交配信号提供了有关物种身份的线索，从而有助于维持进化谱系之间的遗传屏障。 然而，交配信号多样化的原因在很大程度上仍然没有文献记载。 本项目将记录生态多样性和解剖适应性在形成交配信号多样化方面的贡献。

Darwin's finches of the Galapagos Islands, Ecuador, are well known for having evolved a wide diversity of beak forms, ranging from the thin probing beaks of warbler finches to the massive seed-crushing beaks of large ground finches. Recent data suggest that the evolutionary diversification of beak shape has driven corresponding changes in mating song structure, because of the functional role played by the beak in song production. This project aims to characterize patterns, causes, and consequences of correlated evolution between beak shape and vocal traits. During three field expeditions, finches will be captured, banded, measured, released, and their songs recorded. Evolutionary correlations between beak shape and vocal traits will be assessed, the functional role of the beak in sound production characterized, and the relationship between song structure and song function evaluated, using playback experiments.This project is significant in addressing the mechanisms and dynamics of speciation (speciation refers to the process by which new species are generated). In Darwin's finches and many other animal groups, speciation is driven by the evolutionary diversification of mating signals. Mating signals provide cues about species identity and thus help to maintain genetic barriers among evolving lineages. The causes of mating signal diversification, however, have remained largely undocumented. The present project will document the contribution of ecological diversity and anatomical adaptation in shaping mating signal diversification.