Causes and consequences of variation in complex secondary sexual song characteristics: a longitudinal and multidisciplinary approach by integrating behavioural, physiological and molecular data.

During this project we aim to study, in an integrated manner, the causes and consequences of variation in a wide range of song characteristics in the great tit. By utilising automatic song recording systems, we will register and quantify all possible aspects of the song of at least 200 free-living great tits in full detail. We aim to monitor as many males as possible during their life time. The unique dataset obtained in this way will be used for further cross-sectional and longitudinal analyses. We will study the causes and consequences in song behaviour in an integrated way by using physiological, immuno-endocrine, and state-of-the-art molecular techniques, as well as personality and learning tests and heredity analyses.

Keywords:ANIMAL ETHOLOGY, BEHAVIOURAL ECOLOGY, SONGBIRDS

Disciplines:Animal biology, Veterinary medicine