The following paper was just published online in Canadian Journal of Zoology:
http://pubs.nrc-cnrc.gc.ca/cgi-bin/rp/rp2_tocs_e?cjz_cjz4-05_83
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Breeding vocalizations of the piping plover (Charadrius melodus):
structure, diversity, and repertoire organization
Ha-Cheol Sung, Edward H. Miller, and Stephen P. Flemming
Can. J. Zool./Rev. Can. Zool. 83(4): 579-595 (2005)
Abstract: We studied breeding vocalizations and the vocal repertoire of the
endangered piping plover (Charadrius melodus Ord, 1824) to describe diversity
of the species' non-learned vocalizations, provide a basis for comparative
studies, and enable standardization of terminology and interpretation of vocal
classes for management purposes. Adults have 14 call types and newly hatched
chicks have three; these are underestimates of repertoire size because they
represent breeding vocalizations only and are biased toward loud, easily
recorded sounds. Vocalizations are structurally diverse: duration, ~10 ms to
1.5 s; peak frequency (adults), <900 to >3000 Hz; tonal to pulsed or noisy;
narrow- to broad-band; and nonharmonic to harmonic. Vocalizations are
higher in
frequency in females than in males. High vocal diversity results from
differential combination and sequencing of fairly simple acoustic attributes
such as pulsing and frequency modulation, and from quantitative variation in
such attributes. Homologies with other species of Charadriidae in acoustic
traits of calls, call types, and organization (syntax) within calls and across
call types are suggested. Acoustic characters at different organizational
levels are highly conserved evolutionarily; hence, they seem to hold promise
for phylogenetic analyses within the family.
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Anyone with a Canadian email address has free access to this and other NRC
journals. Alternatively you can contact me for a pdf.
Sincerely,
Ted Miller
--
Dr. Edward H. Miller, Associate Professor
Biology Department
Memorial University of Newfoundland
St. John's NL A1B 3X9
CANADA
(phone 709-737-4563; fax 709-737-3018)
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