Next-generation acoustic recorders for studies of animal communication, vocal learning, and cultural evolution

用于研究动物交流、声音学习和文化进化的下一代录音机

基本信息

批准号：
RTI-2021-00289
负责人：
Mennill, Daniel
金额：
$ 2.2万
依托单位：
University of Windsor
依托单位国家：
加拿大
项目类别：
Research Tools and Instruments
财政年份：
2020
资助国家：
加拿大
起止时间：
2020-01-01 至 2021-12-31
项目状态：
已结题

来源：
https://www.nserc-crsng.gc.ca/ase-oro/Details-Detailles_eng.asp?id=717993
关键词：
Next generation acoustic recorders studies

项目摘要

Recent developments in digital acoustic technology have given rise to field-portable recorders capable of long deployments in all-weather field conditions. In this proposal, I request NSERC RTI support for next-generation autonomous digital recorders that I will use with a large and diverse team of students and collaborators to study vocal learning and cultural evolution in wild birds. In only eight groups of animals, including humans and songbirds, young animals learn to vocalize by listening to adults. Culturally inherited vocal traits play a vital role in animal survival and mating. With a team of students and postdoctoral researchers, I will use the requested digital recorders to study vocal learning in two study systems: temperate sparrows where males use songs to defend territories and attract mates; and tropical wrens where both sexes use solo songs and coordinated vocal duets in diverse contexts. After teaching novel songs to young birds using our recently developed experimental approach, we will use the requested digital recorders to conduct long-term acoustic monitoring, at broad geographic and temporal scales, to assess the ecological and evolutionary consequences of vocal learning. The next-generation digital recorders will allow us to test new hypotheses about vocal learning and animal culture, through a series of three projects. In Project A, on temperate birds, the requested equipment will allow us to test the hypotheses that (1) the presence of a physical tutor enhances vocal learning, (2) young birds learn songs based on frequency of exposure, and (3) young birds refine their vocal learning by rejecting suboptimal songs. In Project B, on duetting tropical birds, we will test the hypotheses that (1) learning is sex-specific in tropical birds, (2) duets facilitate vocal learning, and (3) birds learn duetting behaviour from nearby animals. Finally, in Project C, we will study cultural evolution in both study systems by documenting patterns of acoustic changes through time and space. Due to the high number of recordings needed to test these hypotheses, and the large number of locations where acoustic sampling is necessary, none of these projects are possible without the requested equipment. This body of research will provide ground-breaking insights into the behaviour, ecology, and evolution of animals, and will answer novel questions about vocal learning and animal culture. This research will also allow me to train many diverse Canadian scientists and further develop innovative recording technologies for studying wild animals; many previous HQP from my team now use their experience with automated recorders to work for government and non-government agencies. My laboratory is widely recognized as a pioneering source of novel methods for studying wild animals, and the requested next-generation recorders are vital for my research team to continue this innovation.

数字声学技术的最新发展引起了能够在全天候野外条件下长期部署的现场录音机。在此建议中，我要求NSERC RTI支持下一代自动数字录音机，我将与大型多样的学生和合作者一起使用，以研究野生鸟类的声音学习和文化进化。在包括人类和鸣禽在内的八组动物中，年轻动物学会通过听成年人来发声。文化继承的声音特征在动物生存和交配中起着至关重要的作用。我将与一个学生和博士后研究人员组成，我将使用要求的数字录音机在两个研究系统中学习声带学习：温带麻雀，男性使用歌曲来捍卫领土并吸引伴侣；和热带wrens，两个男女在不同背景下都使用独奏歌曲和协调的人声二重奏。在使用我们最近开发的实验方法向幼鸟传授新颖的歌曲之后，我们将使用要求的数字记录器在广泛的地理和时间尺度上进行长期的声学监测，以评估声乐学习的生态和进化后果。下一代数字录音机将使我们能够通过一系列三个项目来测试有关声带学习和动物文化的新假设。在温带鸟类的项目A中，所请求的设备将使我们能够测试（1）物理导师的存在可以增强声音学习，（2）幼鸟根据暴露频率学习歌曲，（3）幼鸟通过拒绝次优歌曲来完善他们的声音学习。在项目B中，在二重奏的热带鸟类中，我们将测试（1）在热带鸟类中学习是性别特定的假设，（2）二重奏促进了人声学习，（3）鸟类从附近的动物中学习二重奏行为。最后，在项目C中，我们将通过记录通过时间和空间的声学变化模式来研究两个研究系统中的文化进化。由于测试这些假设所需的录音数量很高，并且需要大量的声学采样位置，因此，如果没有请求的设备，这些项目是不可能的。这项研究将为动物的行为，生态和演变提供开创性的见解，并将回答有关声乐学习和动物文化的新颖问题。这项研究还将使我能够培训许多加拿大的科学家，并进一步开发用于研究野生动物的创新录音技术。现在，我团队中的许多HQP现在利用他们在自动录音师方面的经验来为政府和非政府机构工作。我的实验室被广泛认为是研究野生动物的新方法的开创性来源，所要求的下一代录音机对于我的研究团队继续这一创新至关重要。