Behavioral response of wrens (Troglodytidae) to familiar and unfamiliar predator playbacks, December 2007

Alternative Title

Respuesta de comportamiento del Soterrey (Troglodytidae) a las reproducciones de los depredadores conocidos y no conocidos

Creator

Carl D. Johnson

Files

Publication Date

December 2007

Abstract

Predator-prey interactions are important for determining fitness, especially including a prey species’ ability to distinguish a predator from a non-predator. In this study, I investigated how three wren species: the Plain Wren (Thryothorus modestus), the House Wren (Troglodytes musculus) and the Rufus-and-white Wren (Thryothorus rutilus) respond to familiar and unfamiliar predatory calls. The test subjects responded with higher warning call frequency to the predatory calls than the control (p<0.05). Wrens responded to the two predatory birds with similar call frequency, though there were varied responses in approach behavior. The fact that wrens respond to unknown predators similarly to known predators implies that a combination of both genetic inheritance and learning affects predatory birdcall recognition in wrens.

Resumen

Las interacciones de depredador-presa son importantes para determinar la sobrevivencia de las especies, especialmente en la habilidad de las especies para distinguir entre los organismos depredadores y los no depredadores. En este estudio, investigue la habilidad de tres especies de Soterrey: Thryothorus modestus, Troglodytes musculus y Thryothorus rutilus de responder a los cantos conocidos y desconocidos de los depredadores.

Keywords

Wrens, Predator & prey, CIEE Fall 2007

Palabras claves

Sotierres, Depredador y presa, CIEE Otoño 2007

Extent

6 pages

Geographic Location

Monteverde (Puntarenas, Costa Rica)

Holding Location

Monteverde Institute

Language

English; Spanish

Media Type

Articles

Format

Digital Only

Identifier

M39-00418

Type

Book

Recommended Citation

Johnson, Carl D., "Behavioral response of wrens (Troglodytidae) to familiar and unfamiliar predator playbacks, December 2007" (2007). Monteverde Institute: Tropical Ecology and Conservation. 50.
https://digitalcommons.usf.edu/tropical_ecology/50