Song evolution, speciation, and vocal learning in passerine birds

2016/12/25 by Nicholas A. Mason, Kevin J. Burns, Joseph A. Tobias +3 · 145 citations
Agricultural and Biological Sciences · Biochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology · Environmental Science · Neuroscience · #Animal Behavior and Reproduction #Animal Vocal Communication and Behavior #Biology #Ecological speciation #Evolutionary biology #Genetic algorithm #Genetic variation #Genetics #Marine animal studies overview #Neuroscience #Passerine #Vocal learning #Zoology

paper · pdf · doi:10.1111/evo.13159

published in Evolution 71(3), 786-796 (Oxford University Press)

openalex publication_date 2016/12/25 · openalex created_date 2025/10/10 · openalex updated_date 2026/08/01

Abstract

Phenotypic divergence can promote reproductive isolation and speciation, suggesting a possible link between rates of phenotypic evolution and the tempo of speciation at multiple evolutionary scales. To date, most macroevolutionary studies of diversification have focused on morphological traits, whereas behavioral traits─including vocal signals─are rarely considered. Thus, although behavioral traits often mediate mate choice and gene flow, we have a limited understanding of how behavioral evolution contributes to diversification. Furthermore, the developmental mode by which behavioral traits are acquired may affect rates of behavioral evolution, although this hypothesis is seldom tested in a phylogenetic framework. Here, we examine evidence for rate shifts in vocal evolution and speciation across two major radiations of codistributed passerines: one oscine clade with learned songs (Thraupidae) and one suboscine clade with innate songs (Furnariidae). We find that evolutionary bursts in rates of speciation and song evolution are coincident in both thraupids and furnariids. Further, overall rates of vocal evolution are higher among taxa with learned rather than innate songs. Taken together, these findings suggest an association between macroevolutionary bursts in speciation and vocal evolution, and that the tempo of behavioral evolution can be influenced by variation in developmental modes among lineages.

Citations

• LINEAGE DIVERSIFICATION AND MORPHOLOGICAL EVOLUTION IN A LARGE-SCALE CONTINENTAL RADIATION: THE NEOTROPICAL OVENBIRDS AND WOODCREEPERS (AVES: FURNARIIDAE)
• RATES OF MORPHOLOGICAL EVOLUTION ARE CORRELATED WITH SPECIES RICHNESS IN SALAMANDERS
• SIZE-CORRECTION AND PRINCIPAL COMPONENTS FOR INTERSPECIFIC COMPARATIVE STUDIES
• Are rates of species diversification correlated with rates of morphological evolution?
• Relationships of diversity, disparity, and their evolutionary rates in squirrels (Sciuridae)
• TESTING FOR DIFFERENT RATES OF CONTINUOUS TRAIT EVOLUTION USING LIKELIHOOD

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