Presentation Details
| Investigation of Social Preferences in Zebra Finches: The Role of Internal State and Social Context Mary R Elson, Rosie K Hsu, Alexander G Ophir, Nora H Prior. Cornell University, Ithaca, NY, USA |
Abstract
For songbirds, traditional views of courtship emphasize the importance of female preferences for male song. Most research examines which elements of male song females prefer. However, for many species, courtship is interactionally complex, dynamic, and emergent. Here we present key findings from two studies in zebra finches that place female song preferences within a broader interactional context. In the first study, we found that a female’s most preferred song (assessed via song playback) did not match her most preferred male (assessed via live interactions). Next, we found that song habituation caused females to change their preferences differently depending on whether they were habituated to their most or least preferred song. In our second study, we altered female internal state (via pharmacological manipulation of D2 receptors). We found that preferences were impacted depending on whether pharmacological treatment was paired with a female’s most or least preferred male. Combined, the results of these two studies highlight that female engagement with potential mates is significantly affected by her prior experience, social context, and internal state.
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No part of this publication may be reproduced, distributed, or transmitted in any form or by any means, including photocopying, recording, or other electronic or mechanical methods, without the prior written permission of the author.
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