Vocally correlated seasonal auditory variation in the house sparrow (Passer domesticus)

• DOI: 10.1242/jeb.033035
• Publication Date: 2009-11-13T18:40:55Z
• Authors: K. S. Henry; J. R. Lucas
• Keywords: Stimulus (psychology); Auditory System; Passer

SUMMARY Songbirds exhibit seasonal plasticity in a broad variety of behavioral and morphological traits associated with reproduction. Changes song production are well described while changes reception not. In the present study, we test for variation auditory processing house sparrow (Passer domesticus L.) using brainstem responses (ABRs) to tone bursts. We measured amplitude latency first ABR peak spring, summer autumn at stimulus frequencies from 0.8 6.4 kHz intensity levels 24 80 dB SPL. thresholds were determined each frequency cross-correlation. Amplitude was greater spring than 3.2 whereas exhibited no variation. The results indicate an increase number or temporal synchrony peripheral neurons during early breeding season. may enhance coding fine structure envelope song; thereby, improving assessment encoded information both sexes (e.g. individual identity dominance status) feedback males. Peripheral be mediated by reproductive hormones, could involve hair cell density on basilar papilla. Our suggest that songbirds seasonally parallel other traits, such as production.